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Family Crisis Center receives funding through Great Bend from Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
new deh county commission crisis center precede pic

 The City of Great Bend this week received notification that it had received funding though the Emergency Shelter Solutions grant administered by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for the Family Crisis Center, said center Executive Director Laura Patzner. The news came after the funds were initially denied because of issues with Barton County’s 2013 audit. 

The $56,486 Emergency Solutions Grant will be used to provide shelter and services including funding for a full-time advocate, utilities, food, and supplies.

“While this was not as much as we had requested, I am so grateful that KHRC chose to continue to fund us,” Patzner said.  “I am excited about working with Howard Partington and the City of Great Bend as we provide shelter services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.”  

In early July, Patzner told of the possible loss of $76,388 in grant funds, or about 10 percent of the center’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Center budget, due to problems with Barton County’s 2013 audit originating in the Treasurer’s Office. These problems prompted the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to deny the grant for this year.

She came to the council asking for help, asking if it would authorize the city to be sponsoring grantee in lieu of the county. Noting the money only flows through the city, the council was glad to oblige. 

“These funds were awarded to Barton County as the grantee and they passed through the funds to our agency as the subgrantee,” Patzner said. The money paid for a full-time shelter advocate with fringe benefits and training, shelter food, supplies, maintenance, light repairs and utilities.

However, during a compliance review, concerns were noted about Barton County’s single audit and findings, she said. “As a result, they sent a letter stating they will not allocate funding for the 2016 grant year.” 

County Administrator Richard Boeckman and Patzner contacted the KHRC to discuss any options available to continue to receive this funding. Representatives advised that an appeal could be made with the suggestion that the City of Great Bend could take over as the grantee.