Kansas Legal Services is receiving several grants from the Kansas Bar Foundation.
Legal Services is receiving over $160,000 in grant funding through the Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts program. Funds will be used to offer civil legal services for matters including but not limited to employment, housing, child custody, divorce or spousal support. This will benefit around 3,000 Kansans.
Legal Services is also receiving $275,000 through the Bar Foundation’s Community Redevelopment and Homeowners Assistance program. Of that total, $200,000 will go towards a foreclosure prevention program. The remaining $75,000 is split into three equal but unspecified grants.
The IOLTA program stems from a partnership involving the Kansas Bar Foundation, over 100 financial institutions and attorneys who hold lawyer trust accounts. This partnership has led to more than $5 million in grant funding since it began in 1984.
The Community Redevelopment and Homeowners Assistance program was developed after the Bar Foundation received over $.2 million in national settlement funds in 2015. Its only purpose is to offer funds for legal aid organizations in the state.
The Kansas Legal Services regional office in downtown Emporia serves Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Morris and Morris counties in the KVOE listening area. Osage and Wabaunsee counties are served by the Topeka office.
