TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials say a voluntary mentoring program for welfare recipients has attracted few participants and mentors.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the program has had 13 participants since it started six months ago, and 115 people have volunteered to be mentors. The goal is to have 1,100 mentors.

Gov. Sam Brownback announced the program in January as part of a push to lift low-income families out of poverty. Brownback recently questioned at meeting of the Social Services Program Council whether the program was approaching participants early enough.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment secretary Susan Mosier suggests creating incentives for welfare recipients to participate.

The project is being funded by a federal grant and is projected to cost about $350,000 a year.