Community Centers

Jim Baze

Director of Planning

ECKAN Community Centers partner with citizens and other community organizations in each of our counties to address the self-sufficiency needs of both urban and rural low-income families.

Each ECKAN Community Center is a major partner in the provision of the following services.

Case Management, Outreach and referral - In each community, ECKAN staff directly provides family assessment and planning services designed to enhance self-sufficiency. Families are directed to appropriate ECKAN programs as well as to programs operated by other agency partners such as the Kansas State Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS).

Food and Nutrition - Each ECKAN Community Center is a major partner in community food banks that address the crises nutrition needs of low-income families. ECKAN Community Centers contribute to these food banks by soliciting donations, taking applications and assisting with the collection and distribution of food items. In partnership with the SRS and local volunteers, ECKAN staff administers the USDA Commodities Program that provides a source of supplemental food for low-income families.

Utility and Rent Assistance - ECKAN staff administers the Federal Emergency Management Act (FEMA) in each of our counties. This is a program that assists low income families to pay utilities, rent and provides some food assistance. In addition to FEMA, ECKAN agencies also administer funds provided by local donors and regional grants that provide utility assistance.

School Supplies - ECKAN Community Centers administer programs designed to make sure community low-income children have appropriate school supplies as they enroll each fall. ECKAN agencies are able to provide this service with generous donations of time and money from each community.

ECKAN Community Centers refer to, and coordinate the applications for the Weatherization and Housing Choice Voucher Programs.

Community Center Locations