State of Kansas

Recovery Plan 

State and Local Fiscal Recovery 

Funds

2021 Report

Note: The Recovery Plan Performance Report will provide the public and Treasury information on the 

projects that recipients are undertaking with program funding and how they are planning to ensure 

program outcomes are achieved in an effective, efficient, and equitable manner. While this template 

includes the minimum requirements for the Recovery Plan, each recipient is encouraged to add 

information to the plan that they feel is appropriate to provide information to their constituents on efforts 

they are taking to respond to the pandemic and promote an equitable economic recovery. 

Each jurisdiction may determine the general form and content of the Recovery Plan, as long as it 

meets the reporting requirements, and recipients are encouraged to tailor this template to best meet 

their needs. Use of infographics, tables, charts, pictures, case studies, and other explanatory elements 

are encouraged.
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1

State of Kansas

2021 Recovery Plan 

Table of Contents

General Overview........................................................................................................................3

Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................3

Uses of Funds ...........................................................................................................................3

Promoting Equitable Outcomes.................................................................................................4

Community Engagement...........................................................................................................5

Labor Practices .........................................................................................................................5

Use of Evidence ........................................................................................................................5

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ............................................................................6

Project Inventory.........................................................................................................................8

Example Project .......................................................................................................................9

Additional Projects.....................................................................................................................9

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision .............................................................................10
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Executive Summary

Kansans have displayed a remarkable level of resilience amid overwhelming challenges since 

the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative economic impacts in early 2020. To 

support a strong and equitable recovery, Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 159 and convened 

the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee – which 

includes Democrats, Republicans, and Independents as well as members of the public sector 

and private sector – to direct investments from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)’s State 

Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF). 

Through conversations with business, government, and community leaders, SPARK has 

discussed potential areas of investment for these funds, including economic revitalization, 

essential needs, health & education, childcare and early child development, behavioral health, 

connectivity, and government efficiency and modernization.

Investments in these areas would support the well-being of Kansans and ensure that the state is 

prepared for the challenges and opportunities of a post-COVID economy. 

Kansas continues to be committed to the thoughtful and effective use of taxpayer funds. The 

state is employing an inclusive, fair, and bipartisan process that considers the full landscape of 

available funds, the robustness and creation of evidence for proposed investments, and input 

from engagement with local communities. 

Accordingly, while Kansas has responded holistically to the COVID-19 pandemic and its 

economic impacts – through emergency programs, targeted relief for families and small 

businesses, and more made possible by the State General Fund and other federal relief 

programs – the state has deployed SFRF in support of its COVID-19 response only once as of 

July 31, 2021 to contribute to its unemployment insurance trust fund with a transfer of $250M.

Uses of Funds 

Kansas will use these funds in support of a strong, equitable, and inclusive recovery that meets 

the needs of Kansans and our communities. To maximize their programmatic impact, the 

distribution of and expenditure of these funds will be guided by six primary principles identified 

by SPARK. Kansas will seek to:

- Prioritize sustainable programs and investments through one-time use of funds vs 

substantial expansion of existing services

- Combine with and leverage local and agency funds to maximize use of discretionary 

funds

- Foster long-term systemic impact for Kansans 

- Consider equitable opportunities and outcomes 

- Enable flexibility within investment strategies 

- Ensure results are measurable to enable tracking and transparency
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3

Intended uses of funds

As of July 31, 2021, the SPARK Executive Committee has met twice and has started to identify 

potential areas of investment for the state’s ARPA discretionary funds based on early needs 

assessments and preliminary input from business, government, and community leaders. These 

potential areas of investment, pending legislative approval, include:

- Economic Revitalization

- Essential Needs 

- Health and education 

- Childcare and early child development 

- Behavioral Health

- Connectivity

- Government efficiency and modernization 

To date, Kansas has used previously identified sources of funding, totaling nearly $28B and 

including other federal relief bill funding, to make key investments in education and public health.i

These prior investments were directed mainly toward economic recovery and essential needs 

through direct assistance to Kansans with programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and 

expanded unemployment insurance eligibility providing Kansas small businesses and families 

with critical support during this crisis. 

Accordingly, Kansas will likely use its SFRF funds to address current gaps and meet key needs 

across the six remaining priority areas in support of an equitable, inclusive, and long-term 

recovery strategy as the state emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Actual uses of funds

As of July 31, 2021, Kansas has used its SFRF funds only once. On July 15, 2021 and 

consistent with Kansas HB 2196, Kansas transferred $250M to its Unemployment Insurance 

Trust Fund (Expenditure Category 2.8). 

Equitable support for communities in Kansas

Kansas is committed to equitable use of these funds to meet the dissimilar needs of 

communities in the state. Given the disparate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic of different 

communities, the state will closely evaluate unmet needs and appropriately tailor its responses 

to meet the needs within each expenditure category. 

Given the state’s commitment to equitable use of these funds, Kansas plans to support 

communities equitably across its investments to meet needs in public health, the negative 

economic impacts of the pandemic, the provision of services to disproportionately impacted 

communities, premium pay for essential workers, and infrastructure (water, sewer, and 

broadband). 

Kansas does not anticipate using SFRF funds for revenue replacement. 

Promoting equitable outcomes 
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4

The SPARK Executive Committee, responsible for approving ARPA SFRF funding requests, is 

committed to strategically deploying funding to promote equity and improve outcomes for 

historically underserved and marginalized Kansans. An equity lens underpins the evaluation and 

consideration of funding proposals, with a specific focus on addressing barriers to and closing 

the gap in economic participation, education, and health care for people of color, low-wage 

workers, and rural residents across the state.

Specifically, the State of Kansas is committed to pursuing an equity-focused process for 

considering funding proposals and designing programs that close the gap in outcomes for 

marginalized communities. Historically underserved communities—in many cases, the 

communities also hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic—will be engaged throughout the 

process to understand which investments will have the greatest impact. The channels through 

which input is being invited are outlined in the Community Engagement Plan.

To ensure programmatic investments incorporate a strong equity focus, the SPARK Executive 

Committee is expecting proposals to outline how each project will advance equity goals in the 

state. For example, the Executive Committee may want to consider prioritizing proposals that:

• Invest in frontline, COVID-impacted communities

• Prevent displacement

• Strengthen civic infrastructure

• Connect unemployed and low-wage workers with good jobs

The distribution of SFRF funding also aligns with the work of the Governor’s Commission on 

Racial Equity and Justice, which has recommended the allocation of federal funds using a broad 

interpretation of “health” that includes social determinants of health and considers health equity. 

Given the disparate health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on 

people of color and low-income Kansans, addressing social determinants of health will be a key 

goal of long-term recovery efforts and SFRF allocations.

To ensure equitable access and distribution of funds, the State of Kansas is committed to 

minimizing the administrative burden for communities and individuals accessing funding and 

assistance. Application procedures will be as simplified and accessible as possible, with 

resources translated into multiple languages to ensure access for non-English speaking 

communities.

Community Engagement 

The State of Kansas knows that making smart investments involves incorporating the best ideas 

from all Kansans. Strengthening resources for community support will be key to aiding Kansans 

in the long term. The process for approving and allocating SFRF funds provides numerous 

opportunities for community leaders, businesses, and Kansans from across the state to engage. 

Kansans can participate by:

• Learning about Kansas’s COVID-19 response programs and investments, available 

through the Office of Recovery website

• Submitting their investment proposals and funding ideas to SPARK
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5

• Attending training and information sessions about federal funding guidelines

• Listening in to publicly available meetings on SFRF funding

• Participating in public town-hall style meetings

• Submitting a community success story here

• Submitting questions or feedback to the Office of Recovery here

This inclusive, fair, and bipartisan process will be critical to making sure that the funds provided 

by ARPA are fully used to benefit diverse communities while safeguarding against wasteful or 

duplicative spending. The State of Kansas strives to facilitate a collaborative process which 

honors the diversity of different communities and brings together local and community leaders, 

tribal governments, businesses, non-profits and all other Kansans. It is imperative to ensure that 

all Kansans have the opportunities and channels to suggest funding priorities to their local 

governments through direct engagement. 

Labor Practices

No infrastructure projects are being pursued as of the reporting deadline. Although the DavisBacon Act of 1931 does not apply to this funding, Kansas is committed to providing livable 

wages for any infrastructure project as relevant.

Use of Evidence 

Kansas is committed to responsible use of taxpayer funds and is taking numerous steps to

ensure these funds are deployed effectively. These steps support development of a portfolio of 

investments that either use or create a rigorous body of evidence about what works. 

Kansas expects that a large share of its investments will be made in a manner consistent with 

research on evidence-based interventions within investment areas with a base of strong causal 

evidence. Kansas has identified a number of resources to support its use of evidence-based 

interventions including but not limited to: 

- Official data and research clearinghouses (for example, the US Department of 

Education’s What Works or the Department of Labor’s CLEAR clearinghouses)

- Public research institutions (for example, the University of Kansas’s Center for Science, 

Technology, and Economic Policy)

- Private research institutions (for example, the Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab or Upjohn 

Institute for Employment Research)

The COVID-19 pandemic required all Kansans to be innovative like never before. In situations 

where available evidence is limited, Kansas may employ innovative new programs to meet the 

challenges of the post-COVID economy and environment. When such programs are pursued, 

Kansas will be systematic in its creation, collection, and comparison of evidence from these 

programs consistent with the federal Foundations for Evidence-based Policymaking Act of 2018. 

Through regular foundational fact-finding, performance measurement, policy analysis, and 
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6

program evaluation, Kansas will build a rigorous body of evidence that informs what is effective 

in the context of our state. 

Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

1 Expenditure Category: Public Health

1.1 COVID-19 Vaccination

1.2 COVID-19 Testing

1.3 COVID-19 Contact Tracing

1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings (Nursing 

Homes, Prisons/Jails, Dense Work Sites, 

Schools, etc.)

1.5 Personal Protective Equipment

1.6 Medical Expenses (including Alternative Care 

Facilities)

1.7 Capital Investments or Physical Plant 

Changes to Public Facilities that respond to 

the COVID-19 public health emergency

1.8 Other COVID-19 Public Health Expenses 

(including Communications, Enforcement, 

Isolation/Quarantine)

1.9 Payroll Costs for Public Health, Safety, and 

Other Public Sector Staff Responding to 

COVID-19

1.10 Mental Health Services

1.11 Substance Use Services

1.12 Other Public Health Services

2 Expenditure Category: Negative Economic 

Impacts

2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs 

2.2 Household Assistance: Rent, Mortgage, and 

Utility Aid 

2.3 Household Assistance: Cash Transfers 

2.4 Household Assistance: Internet Access 

Programs

2.5 Household Assistance: Eviction Prevention

2.6 Unemployment Benefits or Cash Assistance 

to Unemployed Workers

2.7 Job Training Assistance (e.g., Sectoral jobtraining, Subsidized Employment, 

Employment Supports or Incentives)

2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds* $250,000,000 $250,000,000
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance 

(General)

2.10 Aid to nonprofit organizations

2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality

2.12 Aid to Other Impacted Industries

2.13 Other Economic Support 

2.14 Rehiring Public Sector Staff

3 Expenditure Category: Services to 

Disproportionately Impacted Communities

3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning 

3.2 Education Assistance: Aid to High-Poverty 

Districts

3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services 

3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and 

Mental Health Services 

3.5 Education Assistance: Other 

3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care 

3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home 

Visiting 

3.8 Healthy Childhood Environments: Services to 

Foster Youth or Families Involved in Child 

Welfare System 

3.9. Healthy Childhood Environments: Other 

3.10 Housing Support: Affordable Housing 

3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused 

persons 

3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance 

3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other 

3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Health Workers or Benefits Navigators 

3.15 Social Determinants of Health: Lead 

Remediation

3.16 Social Determinants of Health: Community 

Violence Interventions 

4 Expenditure Category: Premium Pay

4.1 Public Sector Employees

4.2 Private Sector: Grants to other employers 

5 Expenditure Category: Infrastructure

5.1 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater 

treatment

5.2 Clean Water: Centralized wastewater 

collection and conveyance

5.3 Clean Water: Decentralized wastewater
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8

Category Cumulative 

expenditures to 

date ($)

Amount spent 

since last 

Recovery Plan

5.4 Clean Water: Combined sewer overflows

5.5 Clean Water: Other sewer infrastructure

5.6 Clean Water: Stormwater

5.7 Clean Water: Energy conservation

5.8 Clean Water: Water conservation

5.9 Clean Water: Nonpoint source 

5.10 Drinking water: Treatment

5.11 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution

5.12 Drinking water: Transmission & distribution: 

lead remediation

5.13 Drinking water: Source

5.14 Drinking water: Storage 

5.15 Drinking water: Other water infrastructure

5.16 Broadband: “Last Mile” projects

5.17 Broadband: Other projects

6 Expenditure Category: Revenue Replacement

6.1 Provision of Government Services

7 Administrative and Other

7.1 Administrative Expenses 

7.2 Evaluation and data analysis 

7.3 Transfers to Other Units of Government

7.4 Transfers to Nonentitlement Units 

(States and Territories only)

$81,328,943.45 $81,328,943.45

Project Inventory 

UI Trust Fund Contribution

Project [Identification Number]: UI Trust Fund Contribution

Funding amount: $250,000,000

Project Expenditure Category: 2.8 - Contributions to UI Trust Funds

Project overview:

• Kansas HB 2196 authorized immediate use of $250M of ARPA SFRF funding to 

replenish the State’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.

• The bill was signed by Governor Laura Kelly on April 26, 2021 and became law on May 

13, 2021, requiring $250M be transferred to the UI Trust Fund by July 15, 2021.

• Between the beginning of the pandemic and May 2021, the State’s UI Trust Fund paid 

out roughly $570M to claimants. The SFRF allocation was used to replenish the Trust 

Fund to nearly pre-pandemic levels.

Use of Evidence
State of Kansas 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9

N/A: This expenditure category does not require use of evidence.

Additional Projects

N/A: Kansas does not have additional projects funded by SFRF on which to report as of July 31, 

2021.

Performance Report

N/A

Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision (States and territories only)

Item Amount

a. Revenue-reducing Covered Changes $ 0

i Other federal relief bills include the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Act; the Families First Coronavirus 

Response Act; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); and the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act