Prior to our 2024 settlement, the WPD gang database had over 5,500 people on it; on May 1, 2025, the list had only 151 individuals. Before these changes, WPD’s Gang Unit had unilateral and virtually unchecked power to designate Wichita residents as “gang members” or “gang associates” without reliable evidence. This report highlights the history of the gang database, litigation, and what the settlement accomplished.
Read here: One Year Later– Wichita’s Unconstitutional Gang Database.
This report illustrates how, despite Kansans’ right to vote without obstruction, vulnerable populations continue to face an increasing number of voter suppression laws in addition to daily economic barriers that affect their democratic right to exercise political power fully.
Read here: Representation and Wellbeing at the Polls: Racism, Health & Civic Participation
Senator Bob Dole worked his whole career to fight hunger in the US and worldwide. But today, Kansas has one of the lowest SNAP participation rates in the nation. Rather than addressing food insecurity, nationally and locally, lawmakers have implemented hurdles that strip hardworking Kansans of essential support. This report traces the proud anti-hunger legacy of Kansas, debunks damaging myths about SNAP food assistance, and lays out the clear economic and health benefits of SNAP when it’s able to work at its best.
Read our report to learn more: SNAP in Kansas: A Legacy Under Attack.
Juvenile Law Center and Kansas Appleseed released a joint report on the ineffective practice of assessing fines and fees to juveniles in Kansas. The Kansas juvenile justice system is meant to promote community safety and help rehabilitate youth. The research is clear: fees and fines do not benefit Kansas youth and families. Kansas should join the many states – red and blue – recognizing that juvenile system fees and fines are counterproductive and eliminating them from juvenile codes.
Read our joint report to learn more: Making Children Pay: The Hidden Cost to Kansas of Juvenile Fines and Fees.
Kansas committed to a rehabilitative youth justice system in 2016, yet continues the indiscriminate use of shackles on children appearing in courtrooms. This practice leads to retraumatization and shame and increases recidivism of youth involved in the justice system. It is past time we end this harmful practice and ensure the safety and rights of vulnerable children.
Read our latest report, A Sentence Before Trial: The Practice of Indiscriminate Use of Shackles on Kansas Children and its Harm, to learn more.
This report, released in October 2023, highlights the burden of meal debt and its impact on Kansas families and schoolchildren after universal free meals ended in Kansas. Read more here.
In the breadbasket of America, no child should go hungry. To learn more about how Kansas can achieve this goal, read our latest report, A Pathway to Universal Free Meals for All Kansas Children: The State of School Meals in Kansas.
Southeast Kansans are stepping up to increase food access, but soup kitchens and food pantries aren’t enough. Policy change is needed and voting is one way the people of SEK can use their power for increased food access in their communities. Read more here.
A policy update on progress made to adavnace legislation on ending driver’s license suspensions for unpaid fines and fees during the 2021 Legislative Session. Read more here.
Intentional disenfranchisement of voters makes it harder for Kansans to impact and advocate for the policies that shape our health, schools, homes, and neighborhoods. Read more here.
This report discusses how COVID-19 impacted Kansans’ access to what we need to survive, ways communities and programs stepped up to fill the gaps, and opportunities to help Kansans not only recover from the pandemic but thrive. Read more here.
Research has shown that girls of color are disproportionately implicated in the school-to-prison pipeline. The data presented in this report examines these disparities through case studies of three states: Alabama, Kansas, and Massachusetts. Read more here.
Our staff works statewide, tackling systemic issues in all Kansas communities, including the ones in which they live. As we engage with Kansas lawmakers and Kansans across the state, we compile resources and data to create evidence-based research that give accurate views on the issues.
Working with our Policy and Research Director, Kansas Appleseed provides high-quality research to drive real change in Kansas communities and give a voice to the people which policy actions affect most.
