Kansas
Looking ahead: What the loss of crucial funding will mean for child crime victims in Kansas • Kansas Reflector
![Looking ahead: What the loss of crucial funding will mean for child crime victims in Kansas • Kansas Reflector Looking ahead: What the loss of crucial funding will mean for child crime victims in Kansas • Kansas Reflector](https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/18601_lores.jpg)
In an ideal world, my job wouldn’t exist. Children’s Advocacy Centers would be superfluous. Crime would never touch our communities.
The reality is very different.
Last year, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas provided more than 8,500 services — from forensic interviews, to mental health care, to advocacy services — to 4,400 children facing the severe aftermath of victimhood. The reality is that the 17 accredited CACs in the state serve children from infancy to 18 years of age, of all races and walks of life, guiding them through the criminal justice system as they heal from their traumas.
For years, Kansas CACs have been crucial for children and their families in the aftermath of violent crimes such as sexual assault, physical abuse, witness to violence, child sex trafficking. In some of their toughest moments, the centers offer solace and support. CACs are instrumental in helping victims navigate the harrowing journey toward recovery and justice.
But now, their services are in jeopardy. Budget cuts loom and the threat of shutdown is real.
As the executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas, my mission has been to promote excellence in child abuse response and prevention through training, support, and statewide mobilization of our member CACs. This effort aims to create centers of distinction dedicated to supporting children and families through some of the most traumatic circumstances in their lives. Rather than leaving child victims to shoulder the burden of seeking justice and facing victimhood alone, our victim services professionals provide the crucial support these young victims need. However, to continue offering these indispensable services, CACs require adequate funding.
The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and through it the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), has assisted CACs in their crucial work for decades. Unlike taxpayer-funded initiatives, VOCA provides a sustainable federal funding source that bolsters numerous service providers dedicated to aiding millions of crime victims each year. Through this critical support, countless children and their families have found solace during their most difficult moments.
I’ve seen firsthand the way our services step into these young lives. A girl was sexually abused by her babysitter’s husband when she was only 3 years old. Her mother reached out to her local center the next day and from that first moment, the child was ushered into the recovery process by the committed staff. Over the next few years, she was given everything necessary to overcome her trauma. Now, after the resolution of her case, the girl is still in contact with her Family Advocate and offers her story to demonstrate how vital CACs are for these children and their families.
CACs are ceaseless advocates for crime victims, dedicated to ensuring they receive the necessary time and resources to heal and rebuild their lives.
This year, VOCA grants saw a $600 million federal cut. Across the board, the nation’s nearly 1,000 CACs are being forced to consider making cuts or shutting their doors.
Kansas is lucky to have received state support through the Governor’s Grants Program, adding an additional $1.8 million to the fiscal year 2024 budget and $1.1 million to the projected budget for fiscal year 2025, stabilizing programming and ensuring uninterrupted services to the children and families at all 17 Kansas CACs. While grateful for the increase stateside, our centers remain underfunded to meet the current need for services in our communities.
This vital injection into CAC funding won’t save it all. VOCA cuts will still leave thousands without essential services like victim advocacy, mental health services. These survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse will not have the same access to services or the support that we have provided for decades.
Already, Kansas CAC’s are unable to reach 32% of the state. Further limitation of our services will see that percentage grow, cutting off countless children that need to reach our doors, it will result in shrinking staffs, shutting down satellite centers and leaving our rural communities to fend for themselves without the funds to establish their own CAC. The Kansas Legislature has taken care to keep doors open in our urban and rural communities, but we are still around $4 million short to meet the demand.
At the end of the day, VOCA cuts mean that child victims will have to carry the trauma of their abuse alone.
Before addressing long-term reform in CVF funding, we must stop the bleeding from cuts that directly impact victims and survivors. That is exactly what U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) proposes with the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024. This bill is intended to maintain current service levels nationwide and provide more time for the CVF to close the funding gap. But most importantly, it will allow CACs throughout the U.S. to continue operations at the highest level.
The reality is that to end the programs for these young crime victims would be to abandon them. We owe crime victims more than that.
Kasey Dalke is executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
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Kansas
Starting options abound on Kansas State football’s first official depth chart of 2024
![Starting options abound on Kansas State football’s first official depth chart of 2024 Starting options abound on Kansas State football’s first official depth chart of 2024](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2023/10/28/NLAJ/71364012007-usatsi-21758247.jpg?auto=webp&crop=3483,1959,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman on the team’s strengths
Kansas State football coach Chris Klieman assesses the Wildcats’ strength heading into the 2024 season opener.
K-State Athletics
MANHATTAN — Until now, we could only speculate on how Kansas State football’s depth chart would look heading into the 2024 season.
But coach Chris Klieman provided some clarity on Monday, as the Wildcats released their first official two-deep with the opener scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Here are a few observations.
Kansas State football QB Avery Johnson cool and calm ahead of season opener
Kansas State football WR Sterling Lockett is ready to add to the family legacy
Kansas State football creative with extra positions
K-State frequently has listed 12 players on its offensive depth chart to allow for either a fullback or third wide receivers. Now, suddenly, there are 13 positions on offense, and 12 on defense.
Adding names to the list no doubt keeps more players happy, but also illustrates the Wildcats’ depth at several positions.
On offense, there now are two tight ends and two running backs to go with three wide receivers, while the defense lists three defensive ends. There is no shortage of players in the mix.
The tight end expansion allows for both sophomore Garrett Oakley and senior Will Swanson to claim starter status, while at running back junior DJ Giddens and sophomore Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards can say the same.
The three starters now listed at defensive end — the Wildcats’ base defensive is two ends and a nose tackle up front — are super-senior Brendan Mott, senior Cody Stufflebean and either Austin Peay transfer Travis Bates or redshirt freshman Chiddi Obiazor.
Veterans dominate the Wildcats’ top roster spots
The Wildcats boast experience at just about every position, as evidenced by a depth chart that names no freshmen and only six sophomores as potential starters.
And of the sophomores — Oakley at tight end, Avery Johnson at quarterback, Edwards at running back, Jayce Brown at receiver, Bates at defensive end and Austin Romaine at middle linebacker — all had significant roles last year with the Wildcats. All except for Bates, a transfer who started as a redshirt freshman at Austin Peay.
But the Wildcats have high hopes for last year’s freshmen, most of whom redshirted. The depth chart includes eight redshirt freshmen.
Damian Ilalio nailes down nose tackle job
One surprise, and it wasn’t entirely unexpected, was the emergence of junior Damian Ilalio as the starting nose tackle ahead of super-senior Uso Seumalo.
Ilalio, a Manhattan High School product, drew praise from his coaches throughout the spring and fall, while returning starter Seumalo missed most of the spring with an injury.
While both will see significant playing time, Ilalio has separated himself with his leadership ability.
We have some answers on special teams
There was not much news coming out of preseason camp with regards to specialists, but now we have an idea at last.
To nobody’s surprise, senior Chris Tennant is back to handle kickoffs, field goals and extra points, but redshirt freshman Simon McClannan has won the punting job.
The Wildcats also list a number of playmakers in the return game, with Edwards, Brown and receiver Keagan Johnson still battling for kickoff return duties, while Edwards or sophomore receiver Sterling Lockett will field punts.
Kansas State football’s first official 2024 depth chart
OFFENSE
WR — Keagan Johnson; Jadon Jackson or Ty Bowman
TE —Garrett Oakley, Brayden Loftin
LT — Easton Kilty, John Pastore
LG — Hadley Panzer, Andrew Leingang
C — Sam Hecht, Michael Capria
RG — Taylor Poitier or Andrew Leingang; Alex Key
RT — Carver Willis, Drake Bequeaith
TE — Will Swanson; Will Anciaux or Andrew Metzger
QB — Avery Johnson; Ta’Quan Roberson or Jacob Knuth
RB — DJ Giddens, Joe Jackson
RB — Dylan Edwards, La’James White
WR — Jayce Brown, Sterling Lockett
WR — Dante Cephas, Tre Spivey
DEFENSE
DE — Brendan Mott; Tobi Osunsanmior Ryan Davis
NG — Damian Ilalio, Uso Seumalo, Asher Tomaczewski
DE — Travis Bates or Chiddi Obiazor
DE — Cody Stufflebean, Jordan Allen
SLB — Desmond Purnell, Asa Newsom
MLB — Austin Romaine, Beau Palmer, Terry Kirksey
WLB — Austin Moore, Rex Van Wyhe, Zach Wittenberg
CB — Jacob Parrish, Justice James
SS — VJ Payne; Colby McCalister or Wesley Fair
JS — Jordan Riley, Jack Fabris
FS — Marques Sigle; Nickendre Stiger or Daniel Cobbs
CB — Keenan Garber; Jordan Dunbar or Donovan McIntosh
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK — Chris Tennant, Leyton Simmering
P — Simon McClannan, Teagan Cobb
LS — Mason Olguin, Keane Bessert
KR — Dylan Edwards or Jayce Brown or Keagan Johnson
PR — Dylan Edwards or Sterling Lockett
Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.
Kansas
Dylan Edwards At Kick Returner Highlights First Kansas State Depth Chart
![Dylan Edwards At Kick Returner Highlights First Kansas State Depth Chart Dylan Edwards At Kick Returner Highlights First Kansas State Depth Chart](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4631,h_2604,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/kstate/01j67xege2n5pfq2ygtg.jpg)
If Kansas State wins the coin toss in Saturday’s opener against UT-Martin, fans won’t have to wait too long to see anticipated newcomer Dylan Edwards.
On Monday, the Wildcats released their first depth chart of the season. Edwards, a running back who transferred from Colorado, is listed as No. 1 for the kick and punt returner. The depth chart was released ahead of coach Chris Kileman’s Week 1 press conference.
Here’s a look at the full depth chart:
OFFENSE
WR
Kegan Johnson
Jaden Jackson
Ty Bowman
TE
Garrett Oakley
Brayden Loftin
LT
Easton Kilty
Jason Pastore
LG
Hadley Panzer
Andrew Leingang
C
Sam Hecht
Michael Capria
RG
Taylor Poitier
Andrew Leingang or Alex Key
RT
Carver Willis
Drake Bequealth
TE
Will Swanson
Will Anciaux
Andrew Metzger
QB
Avery Johnson
Ta’Quan Roberson or Jacob Knuth
RB
DJ Giddens
Dylan Edwards or La’James White
WR
Jayce Brown
Sterling Lockett
WR
Dante Cephas
Tre Spivey
DEFENSE
DE
Brendan Mott
Tobi Osunsanmi or Ryan Davis
DL
Damian Llalio
Usa Seumalo or Ryan Davis
DE
Travis Bates
Chiddi Obiazor
DE
Cody Stufflebean
Jordan Allen
SLB
Desmond Purnell
Asa Newsom
MLB
Austin Romaine
Beau Palmer
Terry Kirkskey Jr
WLB
Austin Moore
Rex Van Wyhe
Zach Wittenberg
CB
Jacob Parrish
Justice James
SS
VJ Payne
Colby McCalister or Wesley Fair
JS
Jordan Riley
Jack Fabris
FS
Marques Sigle
Nickendre Stiger or Daniel Cobbs
CB
Keenan Garber
JOrdan Dunbar or Donovan McIntosh
SPECIALISTS
FG
Chris Tennant
Leyton Simmering
HLD
Simon McClannan
Teagan Cobb
SNP
Mason Olguin
Keane Bessert
P
Simon McClannan
Teagan Cobb
KO
Chris Tennant
Simon McClannan
KR
Dylan Edwards
Jayce Brown or Keagan Johnson
PR
Dylan Edwards or Sterling Lockett
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
Follow our coverage and updates on Facebook
X: @KStateOnSI
Kansas
4 Kansas City Chiefs rookies who proved they’re ready for NFL this preseason
![4 Kansas City Chiefs rookies who proved they’re ready for NFL this preseason 4 Kansas City Chiefs rookies who proved they’re ready for NFL this preseason](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5256,h_2956,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/130/01j65c8d34h11rvtqpvn.jpg)
Another preseason is in the books for the Kansas City Chiefs. While KC went 0-3 in the preseason, the game results matter far less than what we learned about the players who are fighting to make the 53-man roster or even fighting for a starting spot with the team. This preseason the Chiefs learned a lot about their rookie class. While time will tell on just how many rookies from this season will make an impact long-term, four of them stood out and made names for themselves this preseason.
Some of these rookies made big splash plays, while others displayed the skills or traits that the Chiefs drafted them for, but might have been wondering if they would transfer to the NFL. So let’s take a look at the four rookies who stood out in the preseason and what they proved going forward. We’ll start with the biggest surprise of the group.
Carson Steele is the one undrafted player on this list. While many college/draft experts had Steele on their radar and thought he was a nice UDFA signing for the Chiefs after the draft, I don’t think anyone expected Steele to take Chiefs Kingdom by storm the way he did. While the hype seemed too good to be true, Steele proved the hype was justified by the time the preseason came to a close.
Steele was K.C.’s leading rusher in the preseason, scored two short-yardage touchdowns, made a couple of amazing runs that went viral on social media, proved he could play on passing downs both with his hands and pass protection, proved he could play on special teams returning kicks and covering them, and was the talk of the internet when he revealed he had a pet alligator named Crocky J.
In other words, nobody had a better preseason and proved they deserved a spot on the roster more than Carson Steele.
The 2024 draft class didn’t have a clear-cut “best” safety. There were multiple different safeties that some draft experts thought were the best in the class, one of those being Jaden Hicks. So when Hicks fell to the Chiefs at the end of the fourth round it was universally labeled a “steal”.
Sometimes when that happens, NFL fans quickly find out there was a reason that particular player fell and that “steal” actually just meant that the player was overrated by the draft experts. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be the case with Hicks
With starting safety Justin Reid rehabbing an injury all through the preseason, Hicks got a lot of valuable experience and playing time with the first-string defense and he made the most of it. Sometimes you can see a rookie take the field and can tell they have “it”. That was the case with Hicks. From day one he was flying around making tackles and looking like he belonged in the NFL. Whether it was on defense or on special teams, Hicks looks like someone that will be a reliable part of the defense for years to come.
One of the biggest questions at the start of Chiefs training camp was if they even had their starting left tackle on the roster yet. Second-year man Wanya Morris and rookie second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia were given the opportunity to prove one of them could be trusted with the job or KC would have to go out and sign someone and Suamataia did just that. Morris was hampered by injuries most of training camp, but Suamataia didn’t just win by default. He showed he has it takes to be the long-term solution at left tackle for KC.
Suamataia stood out right away with his combination of size and athleticism. He doesn’t move like a man that is listed at 6-foot-4 and 326 pounds. That’s not to say that Kingsley won’t have some rookie mistakes. That’s bound to happen, but in his limited preseason playing time he showed both the power and movement skills to hold up against starting NFL defensive linemen. In fact, he showed that he’s far and away the most athletic tackle the Chiefs have had since Eric Fisher. As he gets more experience and improves his technique he should only continue to improve and that’s very encouraging for the Chiefs going forward.
There was never any doubt that Xavier Worthy could run fast. His NFL Combine record 4.21 second 40-yard dash time was proof of that. However, the history of the NFL is littered with players who could run a fast forty, but it didn’t translate to the field when the pads came on. Whether it was the numerous training camp highlights or a couple of splash plays in his limited preseason snaps, it was instantly clear that Worthy’s special speed is still going to be special in the NFL.
When a player comes along that can just blow by other NFL players that are usually considered elite athletes in their own right, it changes how teams have to defend them. Given KC’s wide receiver struggles last season, it allowed opposing defenses to clamp down on KC’s wideouts, but now they are going to have to go back to constantly protecting against the deep ball like they did when Tyreek Hill was a Chief. That’s not to say that Worthy has proven to be the all-around playmaker that Hill is, but the special speed is there and that alone will help the Chiefs offense this season.
So there you have it, Chiefs fans. Those are my four Kansas City Chiefs rookies who proved they belong in the preseason. There may be other rookies (possibly Jared Wiley) that could still contribute this season or in the future, but these four have already proven they have a clear place or role on this team. Do you agree with these picks? Did I leave anyone else out? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
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