After the recent closing of another agency, NEK-CAP Inc. was given an opportunity to apply for expanded funding through the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) for Western Kansas counties. The application was approved by the CSBG State Lead, and Kansas Housing Resources Corporation and NEK-CAP Inc. will expand their ability to provide CSBG-funded services into 22 counties in Northwest Kansas: Barton, Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Greeley, Lane, Logan, Ness, Norton, Phillips, Rawlins, Rooks, Rush, Scott, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego, Wallace, and Wichita.

Agency staff will begin the process of creating partnerships and identifying resources in those counties. Planned services will include Service Coordination, Foundations for Stability, and Filling the Gap. NEK-CAP, Inc. intends to continue providing the same level of CSBG-funded services that are currently available to the 16 Northeast and North Central Kansas counties.

In addition, the agency will begin the process of recruiting to their Multi County Board, looking for three new board members from the northwest counties to fill new positions. The agency will need one public representative from an elected office, one private member from a community business, church, or community group, and one member who will be nominated from the communities to represent low-income households. The low-income representative can either be someone who is low-income themselves, or someone who is nominated and elected by their peers to represent their voice.

To learn more about how NEK-CAP supports the community, visit www.nekcap.org or contact Jeanette Collier, executive director, at 785-742-2222, ext. 140 or email jcollier@nekcap.org.