Family Resource Center – Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence
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Family Resource Center

Resources like health insurance, food assistance, child care and more — available to you in and around Lawrence

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

Get Covered Kansas – a helpful guide to getting coverage through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Use the “Find a Navigator” tool to find Health Navigators. These are people and organizations who have the skill sets and knowledge necessary to help individuals get signed up for health insurance.

The closest Health Navigators to Lawrence can be found at these locations in Olathe and Topeka:

 

KanCare – KanCare offers health insurance coverage for children, pregnant women, families with children, elderly, and adults and children with disabilities in the state of Kansas.
This website can be used to apply to Medicaid, and includes information about eligibility and health plans.

 

CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE

BGCLK offers scholarships and payment plans based on income/need! Please reach out to BGCLK at 785-841-5672 for more information.

 

CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM
This is a program that is available for qualifying families who need help paying for child care costs. See if you’re eligible.

 

 

KANSAS FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

 

SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)

    • Application Portal
      • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Assistance) provides qualifying households with food benefits to access healthy foods, plants and seeds in order to sustain family nutrition along with education on food preparation and nutrition
      • Applications available at our local DCF office (1901 Delaware St, Lawrence, KS 66046), online using the application portal, or by calling 1-888-369-4777.
      • Applying for Benefits Guide
      • Information

 

WIC (WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN)

  • WIC is a program that provides free healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and referrals to other services based on eligibility.

 

SUCCESSFUL FAMILIES PROGRAMS

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program offering support for low-income families.

 

LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

 

LIEAP (LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM)

    • The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a Federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit.
      • A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as SNAP, SSI, TANF, automatically meets the eligibility requirement.
      • Information and Income Eligibility Guidelines
      • Link to Apply (Must make an account with the Kansas Department for Children and Families)
      • The 2025 LIEAP application period will begin November 18, 2024, and end March 31, 2025, at 5 pm.

 

USDA COMMODITY PROGRAMS

There are two United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Programs available to low income Kansans to assist with their household food needs, The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

 

COMMODITY SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM (CSFP)

    • The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) works to improve the health of low-income persons at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA Foods.
      • Just Food is part of the CSFP program. CSFP supplies a food package to shoppers 60 years and older who are income eligible. Commodity packages are distributed to eligible participants once per month. Call us or email community@justfoodks.org us for more information.

 

EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TEFAP)

  • TEFAP provides free USDA commodity foods to low-income households throughout Kansas. TEFAP food is shipped five to six times per year to participating TEFAP providers for distribution.
  • Locations in Douglas County:
    • The Salvation Army
      • Contact: Carol Rood, (785) 843-4188
      • 1202 W 23rd St., Lawrence, KS 66046
    • Just Food of Douglas County

 

FOOD ASSISTANCE

JustFood and Harvesters are two local organizations that provide food assistance to families.

 

 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES

Through the Department of Children and Families, vocational rehabilitation services allow individuals with disabilities to become gainfully employed and self-sufficient.

    • The Douglas County Provider of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is Rose Francis.
  • 1901 Delaware St., Lawrence, KS 66046
  • Phone: 785-330-8666 | Fax: 785-832-3858
  • Email: Roseann.Francis@ks.gov

 

PARENTING SUPPORT

Parent Tip Cards: The Kansas Children’s Service League provides numerous printable resources for caregivers. Topics include child abuse prevention, parenting help, early childhood, bullying prevention, and behaviors.

 

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

  • Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center: “provides a comprehensive range of behavioral health and substance use disorders services that address the diverse needs of children, families, and adults.”
  • Your site’s SEL Counselor! Reach out to your Unit Director if you need additional support for your child.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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