Kansas State University provides nutrition classes which help with food choices and exercise for Bourbon County residents.
Malynda Payne currently teaches both Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program classes as well as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education for K-State. Mary Daniels also teaches SNAP-Ed programs in the area.
Recently, FortScott.Biz interviewed Malynda Payne about the classes. Her answers are below.
What is the purpose?
“EFNEP- Our program is hands-on and teaches new skills that you can use at home every day—from planning, shopping and cooking tips to simple solutions for healthy eating and daily physical activity. The program is designed to show families how they can prepare and eat more meals at home, bring more fruits and vegetables into their diets, make healthy drink choices, control portion sizes and many other healthy choices. These classes are provided for free.
SNAP-Ed programs are nutrition education programs provided at no cost to Kansas families with limited resources. Our goal is to provide nutrition education to individuals and families who receive food assistance or who are eligible to receive food assistance.”
Malynda Payne
Who is sponsoring it and who is the target population?
“The two classes that I am currently starting up in Fort Scott are an Eat Smart, Move More Class. This class is geared towards families that are wanting to learn how to cook and prepare healthy meals for their families and do this on a budget. Also, I am starting a class called Eat Smart, Live Strong. It is designed to improve fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity for people 55+participating in or eligible for SNAP.
These classes are typically targeted for those receiving food assistance. However, I will never turn anyone away. As long as 50% of my audience is lower income, I can justify the class. That means if they are on disability, social security, live in public housing, receive food assistance etc. then I can classify the class as my target. They don’t have to actually be receiving food assistance. They only have to qualify for it and most older folks on Social Security would qualify.”
Mary Daniels
Where located:
“I have been holding my classes at the Professional Building in Fort Scott. Most people will know it as the Newman Young Clinic building. Mary Daniels offers a class the second Thursday of each month at the Scott View apartments at 2 p.m. and the third Thursday of each month at Calvary Crossing also at 2 p.m.”
When:
“Eat Smart, Move More is Each Wednesday 12:30-2 p.m.and the Eat Smart, Live Strong is each Friday morning 10:30-noon. Both of these classes are starting fresh so everyone that comes will be new! They will both be at the Professional Building 710 W. 8th Street.”
Why:
“We offer these classes to improve the likelihood that persons eligible for SNAP will make healthy food and lifestyle choices that prevent obesity
These classes are offered FREE of charge to those wishing to participate.”
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) focuses on offering a helping hand to Kansans in need so they can become self-reliant and prosperous. Since 2011, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients have reported 47,906 new employments. Additionally, according to a Kids Count report, childhood poverty in Kansas is at the lowest level since 2004. In the past five years, the number of Kansas children in poverty has decreased by 26 percent.
Despite these improvements, outside advocates have criticized the agency’s public assistance policies. Specifically, researchers at the University of Kansas issued a study asserting, “sanctions that remove families from TANF appear to increase abuse and neglect and foster care placements.” Following this study, DCF Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel implemented a thorough review of DCF policies, as well as an analysis of TANF time limits and foster care numbers across the country. Following the robust review, DCF found no correlation existed between TANF time limits and foster care. With that being said, DCF instituted Risk Removal Staffings to ensure best practice with families and address this concern. Risk Removal Staffing teams help consider all DCF and community services and supports available to maintain children safely in their home and prevent children from being placed in foster care. To date, they have reviewed 174 cases and have successfully diverted 86 youth from entering foster care, giving them a 49 percent diversion rate. It should also be noted; current Kansas law prohibits children from entering foster care for a poverty reason alone.
Additionally, DCF partnered with Professor Douglas Besharov, a leading child welfare expert at the University of Maryland, to conduct a meta-evaluation of the University of Kansas study, “Do TANF Policies Affect Child Abuse and Neglect? Findings from Kansas.” DCF procured this evaluation to review the study and ensure Kansas has the right public assistance policies in place.
In his analysis, Dr. Besharov concludes the University of Kansas study to be deficient and inconclusive. Below are some of the key components Dr. Besharov highlights in his evaluation of the University of Kansas’ study:
The hypothesis is based on incomplete data and analysis.
There are incomplete and shifting variables concerning Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Child welfare policies and practices were not taken into account.
The growth in substance abuse is not sufficiently taken into account.
“I believe employment is the only real solution to true economic stability. We want to come alongside Kansans in need and help them with their immediate needs, but long-term, the best thing we can do for them is help them find gainful employment. Every day, DCF staff empower Kansans to successfully find jobs and ensure child safety,” Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel said. “Professor Besharov’s study plainly illustrates we cannot simply rely on one study to change public policy or law, but instead we must be diligent about reviewing public policies, data and outcomes to ensure we are doing the right things for Kansas children and families. My team continues to look at this matter internally.”
Professor Besharov and Professor Neil Geilbert, a national expert and collaborator on the meta-evaluation, echoed Secretary Meier-Hummel’s sentiment in his study by concluding, “whatever might be the actual relationship between the availability of welfare benefits and child maltreatment and foster care placement, what we know about their analysis establishes that their study does not support their publicized findings. Simply put, this is a work in progress that should not be used as the basis of causal conclusions or policy recommendations.”
Professor Besharov is a renowned author on welfare reform, child abuse, child welfare and family policy. He was the first director of the U.S. National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, from 1975 to 1979.
Introducing the Minority and Women Business Spotlight Program
Topeka, Kan. – The Women and Minority Business Development office of the Kansas Department of Commerce announces the start of the Minority and Women Business Spotlight program.
The purpose of the program is to highlight Kansas small, minority and women-owned businesses. To be eligible, applicants must be small, minority and/or woman-owned businesses headquartered in Kansas.
Every month, one business will be selected for the Spotlight. That business will be featured on Kansas Commerce social media and KansasCommerce.gov. The selected company will be featured in an article on KansasCentral.com.
“It is our goal to feature Kansas minority and/or women-owned businesses through our spotlight to assist in their growth and development,” said Rhonda Harris, Director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development for the Kansas Department of Commerce. “By bringing awareness to these companies and the services and products they provide, we hope to promote a broader outreach to potential customers that may be able to utilize the services offered.”
Kansas fiscal year tax collections exceed previous year by $195.73 million
TOPEKA—Fiscal year tax collections have exceeded previous year’s totals by $195.73 million according to data from the latest revenue report released Wednesday.
Fiscal year 2019 tax collections so far total $3.39 billion, exceeding current estimates by $13.06 million.
December tax collections were down $24.24 million, or 3.41 percent below last December. December’s tax collections exceeded expectations for the month by $10.59 million.
Individual income tax collections in December totaled $291.52 million which is $43.85 million or 13.07 percent below the same time last year. Corporation income tax collections in December totaled $69.61 million which is $22.61 million above current expectations and $29.47 million above the same time last year. December sales tax collections fell short of last December’s collections by $1.97 million.
Andrew Ables stands in front of his biology room Tuesday afternoon. He was recently hired as a new science teacher at Uniontown High School.
Andrew Ables, 30, was hired at a December USD 235 Board of Education meeting as the new Uniontown High School science teacher. He will teach biology, 7th-grade science, and advanced biology.
“We were unable to find a licensed teacher first semester,” said Brett Howard, USD 235 superintendent. This, following former science teacher Sarah Sutton’s departure to teach at Fort Scott Community College starting last summer.
The science position was left open.
There is a shortage of teachers in Kansas, Howard said.
The district turned to Southeast Kansas Education Education Service Center, also known as Greenbush, to fill in the gap.
Through Greenbush Blended Learning, school districts can provide subjects such as foreign languages, advanced mathematics, and sciences they would otherwise be unable to provide, according to its’ website https://www.greenbush.org
Ables hales from Norton, KS with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Fort Hays State University.
“I (taught) my first five years in Stockton, Kansas,” Ables said.
“My family situation changed,” Ables said. “I married a Fort Scott native. We couldn’t find a house in northwest Kansas. She already had a house here. There happened to be a job opening.”
He is married to Ashlee (Phillips) Ables and has two daughters: Caroline-four years old and Harper- six weeks.
Asked what motivated him to become an educator, he replied “Having an immediate impact on lives at one of their most important stages.”
His top priority for the classes he will teach is to prepare his students for college, he said.
Teacher in-service in USD 235 starts today, Jan. 2, and classes start on Jan. 3.
PITTSBURG, Kan. – A new event is coming to the Robert W. Plaster Center on Saturday, January 12. The Missouri Valley Border War Championship is open to all youths who participate in track and field. Even though it’s the first time the event will be held, it is expected to bring in 250 to 300 competitors. Locals are invited as well.
“All are eligible and welcome to participate,” said Dion Lewis, Youth Chair of the USA Track & Field Missouri Valley Association. “This meet is not age specific, it is open to all youth, open, and master level athletes. An athlete from any state can participate. Athletes can be unattached or with a track club.”
Mr. Lewis said the idea for the Border War came up during last year’s 2018 USATF Regional Championships, and Pittsburg’s indoor facility provided an ideal location.
“Pitt State University has a great venue and is a prime central location for most of the athletes who will be participating,” Lewis said. “We’ve hosted track meets at PSU in the past and we look forward to hosting many more in the future.”
“It’s always a great time to stay active and compete against the best of the best, sharpening your skills as the outdoor season quickly approaches,” Lewis said. “Track and Field is the fundamental to all sports, therefore; competing will help athletes with speed/agility during offseason competition for other sports.”
“There are a lot of appealing things to track and field. For one, it is the foundation of all athletic components (i.e. running, jumping, and throwing). Secondly, track and field has something for everyone. With the right attitude, anyone can excel in track and field. Lastly, track and field offers the most athletic scholarship opportunity. There are many other appealing factors but these are just a few.”
Registration is due Thursday, January 10 and is $24 for three (3) events, including relays. To register, visit http://mv.usatf.org/, and click on “Missouri Valley Border War Championships” in the list of Upcoming Events.
Krista Harding District Extension Agent, Horticulture Southwind Extension District 111 S. Butler Erie, KS 66733 Office: 620-244-3826 Cell: 620-496-8786
Bagworms are a yearly pest in our area and can cause considerable damage. Most homeowners typically don’t get too concerned about bagworm control until they see large bags present on plants. By then it is too late and the damage is already done! Now is the time to get your treatment game plan ready.
Bagworms overwinter as eggs deposited in the female bags. From mid-May through mid-June, larvae hatch from the eggs and exit from the bottom opening of the old bag. Larvae begin constructing their miniature silk-lined bags immediately. Only after the bags have been completed do the larvae begin actual feeding activities. And as the larvae grow, so do their bags. By mid-to late August when feeding activities are complete, larvae firmly anchor their bags to the twigs and branches on which they were feeding.
Bagworms are most commonly found on eastern red cedar and junipers. However, bagworms can attack arborvitae, spruce and pine. Broadleaf trees, shrubs and ornamentals can also serve as a host to bagworms. After bagworms have defoliated a host plant, they are capable of migrating in search of additional food sources. They may attack the same species from which they came or a completely different species.
The damage caused by bagworm feeding can be minimal to severe. As larvae enter their later development stages, they require greater amounts of food. Sometimes in what seems to be just overnight, bagworms can completely defoliate a tree. Several successive years of heavy foliar feeding can result in the death a tree, especially with conifers.
There are two ways to control bagworms – cultural and chemical. Cultural practice is used by those who do not want to utilize insecticidal sprays to control bagworms. Instead, bagworms are eliminated by handpicking individual bags from plants. This is best done in the winter months when bags stand out against a trees background color. Keep in mind that a single missed bag could result in a thousand new bagworm larvae. Of course handpicking becomes impractical when a host is literally covered with bags or it is too tall to make handpicking possible.
Chemical control is most effective when larvae are in their early developmental stages. Generally, bagworm larvae will begin emerging from the overwintering bag by mid-to late May. Hatching does not happen overnight. Instead, hatching can continue for 4 to 5 weeks. Controls applied in late summer are often a waste of time and expense because the larvae are large, tough and may have stopped feeding. Now is the time to find the correct insecticide and get the sprayers out and ready for the job ahead.
For more information on bagworm control, please contact me at one of our Southwind Extension District office locations.
