Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

Kansas Appleseed reduced hunger in the state by helping to increase participation and access to child nutrition programs, advocating for protecting and expanding SNAP, and engaging more Kansans in grassroots efforts to fight hunger. Kansas Appleseed continued to play an important role in providing information on resources for families during the global pandemic. Kansas Appleseed hosted community forums, webinars, advocacy skill-building trainings, and other events.

The juvenile justice reforms Kansas Appleseed championed have resulted in a reduction of over 80% to the number of youth in the state's juvenile justice system. Kansas Appleseed continues to work with formerly incarcerated youth, state agencies, and partner organizations to ensure community-based alternatives to incarceration are implemented. Kansas Appleseed continued advocating for kids and families affected by the state foster care system, working with the Strengthen Families Rebuild Hope coalition and with legislators interested in adding much needed oversight to the failing system. The federal class-action lawsuit filed in November 2018 on behalf of youth in foster care, was settled in early 2021, resulting in safeguards to prevent extreme placement instability and to provide adequate access to mental health resources.

Kansas Appleseed is working in Southeast Kansas to encourage non-partisan civic participation, providing expertise and training to local activists. These efforts led to a 10% increase in voter turnout in the 2020 election. Over 200 volunteers signed up to participate in Kansas Appleseed's volunteer driven engagement activities in the region.