Kansas is preparing to start a new program to provide mentors for poor residents receiving cash assistance from the state and for foster children reaching adulthood.

Gov. Sam Brownback and officials from the state Department for Children and Families officials were having a Wednesday afternoon news conference to discuss the details of the new program. First lady Mary Brownback also was expected to participate.

Brownback said in October that his administration was working on a mentoring program for the poor after seeing similar programs help hundreds of adult prison inmates and juvenile offenders. Brownback said then one issue would be finding enough volunteer mentors.

The department said the new mentoring program also would help formerly abused and neglected children who are too old to stay in foster care.