Separation is one of the most stressful life events for families—but what’s often overlooked is the financial strain that follows.

Many assume that financial hardship only affects families living in poverty, but a much larger group—ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) families—are struggling as well. These are hardworking families earning too much to qualify for aid but not enough to afford essential services like mediation, co-parenting support, and legal assistance.

And when separation happens, their financial situation worsens significantly.

The Financial Reality in Johnson County, KS:

📊 5.4% of families live in poverty.
📊 27% of families are ALICE—working but struggling to afford basic needs.
📊 At least 32% of families already experience financial strain before separation.
📊 After separation, that number jumps to nearly 60%.

This estimate isn’t just a guess—it reflects the reality that separation is financially destabilizing. Studies show that single-parent households are at significantly higher risk of economic hardship, with income reductions averaging 15-20% post-divorce. The cost of maintaining two households, legal fees, and increased childcare expenses push many families who were already struggling deeper into financial distress—and even families who were previously stable may find themselves unable to afford the services they need to co-parent effectively.

And when families can’t afford the support they need, conflict escalates—and the impact spreads beyond the home.

Why This Affects the Whole Community

When families can’t afford legal assistance, supervised parenting time, safe exchange, court involved therapy, or co-parenting support, their cases become more contentious, take longer to resolve, and put greater pressure on public systems that are already stretched thin.

Here’s how it affects the broader community:

⚖️ Courts get overwhelmed → More high-conflict custody battles, longer case backlogs, and increased taxpayer costs.
🏫 Schools feel the strain → Children struggling with family instability bring stress into the classroom, leading to behavioral issues and academic struggles.
🧠 Mental health services are stretched thin → Families in conflict need more support, but resources are already limited.
🏢 Businesses suffer workplace disruptions → Parents navigating high-conflict separations miss work, struggle with productivity, and face financial insecurity.

Right now, there is no sustainable funding solution for families caught in the middle—those who don’t qualify for aid yet can’t afford the services they need.

The Layne Project 4 Families: Making Support Accessible

At The Layne Project 4 Families, we believe no family should have to choose between their child’s well-being and financial survival.

That’s why we’re working to remove financial barriers and ensure every family can access support—regardless of income.

By securing nonprofit funding, we can:
✅ Make essential family support services affordable.
✅ Reduce court congestion by preventing high-conflict custody battles.
✅ Help children thrive by reducing parental conflict.
✅ Strengthen the local economy by minimizing workplace disruptions.

But We Need the Community’s Help.

🚨 If we don’t act now, more families will fall through the cracks, more children will suffer from prolonged conflict, and our courts, schools, and public resources will remain overwhelmed.

How You Can Make a Difference

📢 Share this message → Help raise awareness of how financial inaccessibility is leaving families without support.

💡 Engage in the conversation → If you’re a business leader, funder, or policymaker, let’s talk about how we can expand access to these critical services.

🤝 Support our mission → Whether it’s through funding, partnerships, or advocacy, your support helps families stay out of crisis and build a healthier future.

The migraine problem is family conflict with no affordable path to resolution.

The solution is nonprofit-backed funding.

The result is stronger families, healthier communities, and a better future for our children.

Explore more about The Layne Project 4 Families at www.tlp4families.org.  📩 Want to be part of the solution? Contact us today to learn how you can help.