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K-State Today

December 6, 2017

Center for Advocacy, Response and Education receives VOCA grant, hires new staff member

Submitted by Shanese McGregor

The Center for Advocacy, Response and Education, or CARE, received a $253,225 grant from the Kansas Governor's Grant Program to strengthen the quality and consistency of direct services to victims/survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment and stalking. This is the third consecutive year the center has been awarded funds.

The Victims of Crime Act, or VOCA, serves as a major source of funding for victim services throughout the country. The grant will allow the center to expand its services on the Manhattan campus and also provide resources to crime victims/survivors on the Polytechnic and Olathe campuses. The grant funds will be used to adequately address the goals and objectives due to the demands for services and outreach from the K-State community.

The following are four goals for the new grant cycle:

• To strengthen the quality of direct services to victims of domestic, dating and sexual violence, sexual harassment, and stalking for the Kansas State University campuses. 

• To expand outreach and services to crime victims in identified underserved communities on the K-State Manhattan campus. 

• To improve the ability of survivor support staff to better respond to victims/survivors of crime on the Olathe and Polytechnic campuses. 

• To increase and enforce consistency and quality of direct services on the K-State Manhattan campus.

Stephanie Foran, a full-time, grant-funded intake specialist, has been added to the center's staff to help reach the goals of the grant.

Foran, originally from New Jersey, obtained a bachelor's degree in global/multinational studies and political science from Rider University and a master's degree in international relations from Webster University.

While living in New Jersey, Foran served as a direct services advocate and prevention educator providing outreach to local government, nonprofits, high schools, and police stations in an effort to fight sexual assault from a community perspective. She was in charge of counseling services, making appointments, and providing referrals for clients as needed. Foran has displayed a true passion to assist survivors of crime while being trauma-informed.

CARE advocates are available to meet with K-State students, faculty and staff members who have experienced sexual violence, dating or domestic violence, stalking, or sexual harassment. Advocates offer support and aid survivors in exploring their options.

For more information or to set up an appointment, call 785-532-6444 or email ksucare@k-state.edu.