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https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1125/Historical—May-6?bidId=
Monthly Archives: May 2020
Long Term Care Supports and Services Liaison Announced by Governor
KDADS Announces Hiring of COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services Liaison
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Laura Howard today announced the agency will contract with Kathy Greenlee, former Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging.
Ms. Greenlee will work on a half-time basis as the Kansas COVID-19 Long-Term Supports and Services (LTSS) Liaison as part of the administration’s continued focus on nursing facilities and LTSS.
“It’s important to highlight that Ms. Greenlee’s role will not be to do the things that are currently being done today in our state agencies related to long-term care, but to lend her expertise and utilize her national connections to enhance our work here in Kansas,” Kelly said.
Since leaving her seven-year tenure with HHS in Washington, D.C., Ms. Greenlee has continued her work at the national and regional levels as President and Chief Executive Officer of Greenlee Global, LLC. She served as Secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging from 2006-2009.
The role of the LTSS Liaison is designed to be a cross-agency partnership with KDADS, the Kansas Division of Emergency Management (KDEM) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The proposed scope of work will include, but not be limited to:
- LTSS technical assistance for local public health and emergency management, including education on the characteristics and needs of LTSS providers like facility and community-based providers
- Facilitating cross-agency partnership between state and local organizations, including review and reporting at the state level on best practices
- Identifying future priority issues and preparedness needs for LTSS consumers and providers
- Serving as an additional channel of communication between state and local officials and stakeholders
“Kathy Greenlee brings an extensive experience advancing reforms aimed at improving the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities,” Howard said. “That experience will serve all three agencies very well. We look forward to the wealth of knowledge she can immediately offer to further our efforts and advance best practices across our facilities and community-based providers.
In Kansas, there are currently 22 COVID-19 clusters in long-term care facilities. These have resulted in 540 positive cases, including 85 deaths.
“Preparedness of long-term care facilities is critical in responding to infectious disease pandemics like COVID-19. Ms. Greenlee’s extensive background and expertise will serve us well as we work to protect the health of Kansans,” KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said.
Creation of this COVID-19 Long-term Supports and Services Liaison position is the latest effort in Kansas’ focus on vulnerable populations such as those Kansans residing in long-term care facilities. Long- term care facilities are an essential component of America’s healthcare delivery system. These facilities are unique, as they serve as both healthcare providers and as full-time homes for some of Kansas’ most vulnerable citizens. The state has prioritized efforts towards these facilities, including:
- In an effort to minimize the impact of outbreaks in these facilities, once a case is detected in either a resident or staff, KDHE and the state laboratory provide resources to test all asymptomatic and symptomatic residents and staff and work with facilities and local health departments on plans to cohort positive cases and staff. This quick detection of any cases, even in asymptomatic people, in combination of proper cohorting reduces the spread of illness within the facility.
- Between April 9 and April 22, Governor Kelly issued three Executive Orders that eased the burden on the healthcare workers critical to our state’s response capabilities. These orders help facilities to maintain critical staffing levels and provide the flexibility for them to seek temporary licensing changes to support targeted COVID-19 preparation efforts at their facilities
- Executive Order No. 20-26, providing temporary relief from certain restrictions and requirements governing the provision of medical services.
- Executive Order No. 20-23, related to licensure, certification and registration for person sand licensure of “Adult Care Homes” during public health emergency.
- Executive Order No. 20-19, extending professional and occupational licenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Under authority granted by Executive Order No. 20-23, KDADS has responded to submissions from more than 50 facilities to create designated units, stand up alternate care sites, or otherwise change practices to ensure isolation of possible COVID-19 patients.
- KDADS is conducting surveys at facilities previously cited by CMS for infection control deficiencies in 2019 or 2020. Approximately 40 infection control inspections have been completed to date. Abuse, neglect or exploitation related complaints continue uninterrupted.
- To address social isolation in response to the restrictions placed on visitors in nursing homes to reduce the spread of OVID-19, KDADS is taking part in a CMS program that makes federally certified nursing homes eligible to receive up to $3,000 in Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds to purchase electronic devices to enable residents to visit with family and friends in a virtual setting and participate in telehealth visits. Details about this funding opportunity can be found on the KDADS website at https://www.kdads.ks.gov/funding-opportunities.
- KDEM, at the request of the counties, provided medical professionals from the 190th Air Refueling Wing to assist with N95 protective mask fittings at more than a dozen nursing facilities.
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The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports May 11
COVID-19 RECOVERY DRIVE
SEK Multi-County Health Department would like to announce we will be having a COVID-19 Recovery Drive, where we will be handing out care packages, which include a variety of basic necessities and food items, to Bourbon County residents that are in need. Donations will be handed out to the first 100 cars to come through.
Location: Bourbon County Health Department 524 S. Lowman St. Ft. Scott (Corner of 6th and Horton)
Date: May 14th
Time: 1-5PM
Residents will remain in their car during pickup. We ask that you enter through our east drive and exit through the west drive to keep things moving smoothly.
We would like to thank the Kansas Health Foundation, Valu Merchandisers, Fort Scott Fire Department, G&W Foods, Walmart, and community members for their assistance in making all of this drive possible.
County Health Department Update May 11
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Allen County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 0 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Anderson County
| Current Positive Cases | 1 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 0 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 1 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Bourbon County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 5 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 6 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Woodson County
| Current Positive Cases | 0 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 6 |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 6 |
| Deaths | 0 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
Special Night Planned for FSHS 2020 Grads on May 16
Fort Scott High School staff wanted a way to recognize the senior class on the night of their original graduation date, Jeff DeLaTorre, athletics/activities director said.
To honor the FSHSClass of 2020 on that evening, Saturday, May 16, staff members have planned a”Senior Cruise Night”.
Students in vehicles will follow a lead car around the city starting and ending at the high school. Vehicles must be street legal, he said.
Students are invited to wear their cap and gown on the cruise.
” We saw that some other schools around the area were doing something similar to this so we thought it would be a good way to recognize them,” DeLaTorre said.
A parent or family member is encouraged to drive the vehicle on the cruise so their 2020 senior can fully enjoy the event, he said.
Students who have not picked up their cap and gown yet, can still do so, DeLaTorre said.
The car cruise will drive around points in Fort Scott that have been a part of the students’ educational journey.
Senior class members in years past have gone to their former elementary and middle schools for a walk-through the halls which honors them.
So the cruise night route will go to each of the district’s schools, sort of a trip down memory lane.
” We chose this route for a couple of reasons,” DeLaTorre said. “One, we wanted to spread it out so people could be present along the route and still practice social distancing.”
“But the significance of going by Eugene Ware Elementary, Fort Scott Middle School, and Winfield Scott Elementary was to kind of take the place of the traditional ‘Senior Walk-Through’ that the senior class usually gets to do at the end of the year. They usually walk the halls of each of these buildings one more time and the students and teachers congratulate them. The Class of 2020 won’t get to do that so we thought we would include the schools in the Senior Cruise.”
On May 16, the seniors will follow a route that will be led by School Resource Officer Mike Trim.
Senior students are asked to arrive at the high school by 6:45 p.m.
The event will start at 7:00 p.m.
The line up will be starting in the southwest corner of the FSHS front parking lot, and the line will proceed to the east, on the south side of the high school and will weave into the east parking lot.
Here is the route:
-Start at the southwest corner of FSHS
-turn north on Main Street and go to 6th Street
-turn west on 6th and go to National Avenue. Turn north on National
-stay on National until Wall, turn east
– stay on Wall until Margrave, turn south
– at 3rd Street turn east (in front of Eugene Ware)
– at Broadway turn south
– at 6th turn west until Margrave, then turn south
– at 10th turn east and head up to middle school
– turn south on Sheppard and then turn west on 12th
– at Margrave turn south until East National
– follow East National until National. Head north and then turn west on 12th
– take 12th to Crawford and turn north, then turn west on 10th
– follow 10th (in front of Winfield Scott) to Horton
– At Horton turn north and go to 6th and continue east on 6th
– At National turn south. At 9th turn east and cruise ends at 9th and Main in front of high school
“Community members are asked to be present along the route to recognize our senior students,” DeLaTorre said.
Here are some important items to remember for this event:
– All social distancing guidelines must be followed. Seniors will need to stay in their vehicles before, during, and after the event.
– One senior student per vehicle (unless it is siblings).
For the high school senior to be able to enjoy the experience more, it is encouraged that a parent or family member to drive the vehicle for them.
– Community members are asked to be present along the route to recognize the senior students but are asked to stay in their vehicles to practice social distancing.
If you live along the route you are invited to come out on your porch or front yard to show your support.
– This is not a parade!
All traffic rules and laws must be followed, including stop signs, stoplights, etc.
Also, because it is not a parade all vehicles must be street legal.
The Fort Scott Police Department Daily Reports May 7-10
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American Legion Post 25 Impact Report
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The following monthly reports provide a summary of membership, participation and volunteerism making an impact in the lives of veterans, families and communities.American Legion Posts can share the many ways Legionnaires are making a difference in their communities. To view the impact American Legion posts made throughout the year, please read the attached March 2020 membership impact report.
Submitted by Carl Jowers. Post 25 Commander.
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George Named a 2020 Kansas Governor’s Scholar
Luke George, Redfield, was named a 2020 Kansas Governor’s Scholar by Kansas Governor Laura Kelly.
This award recognizes and honors the top academic one percent of Kansas high school seniors.
To view the full award, click below:
Obituary of Wanda Larsen
Wanda Audine (Smith) Larsen, 89, formerly of Fort Scott, KS, passed away Thursday evening, May 7, 2020 at the Ozark Nursing and Care Center in Ozark, MO. Wanda was born August 3, 1930 in (a farmhouse near Dry Ridge) Blue Mound, KS, the daughter of Artie Douglas and Charlotte Opal (Bray) Smith.
She graduated from Uniontown High School with the class of 1948. She was a member of the Richards Christian Church in Richards, MO. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved all children and “adopted” many friends of her children and grandchildren as well as students from Fort Scott Community College as her own. Many remember her fondly as Grandma Wanda. Before her health declined, she was very active and enjoyed walks, long drives and shopping. She had a big heart and managed to find friends everywhere she went. She loved her family, church, cooking, sewing, gardening and playing cards with friends. She often reminisced about her time working at The Western Insurance Company, The Bourbon County Court House, The Red Barn Restaurant and Fort Scott Community College.
She is survived by two sons, Steve (Joyce) Larsen, Willard, MO and Brad (Sharon) Larsen, Winfield KS and two daughters, Beverly Larsen, Ozark, MO and Belinda (Joe) Tucker, Fort Scott, KS. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Dustin (Stacey) Larsen, Springfield MO; Nicole Adams, Nevada, MO; Noelle (Shane) Fast, Eldorado Springs, MO; Ty Larsen, Springfield, MO; Travis (Beth) Larsen, Springfield, MO; Caylin (Jesse) Overfield, Waunakee, WI; Kyle Larsen, Winfield, KS; Anne (Tom) Colvin, Ozark, MO; Joely (Scott) Womeldorff, Kansas City, MO; Miles (Emmah) Dikeman, Fort Scott, KS; and Monica (Jared) Snyder, Fulton, KS, and twenty great-grandchildren, Elsie and Kinley Larsen, Caleb Kettner, Carli Bouray, Monroe Adams, Hailey and Madi Fast, Mason Shy and Maggie Larsen, Amaya Campbell, Adilyn and Paxton Overfield; Christian and Sophia Colvin, Talon, Tannyn, Truett and Tesher Womeldorff, Korbin and Kinsley Snyder with a baby girl on the way. She is also survived by a sister, Mary Luker of Holton, KS; a sister-in-law, Ida Mae Smith of Overland Park, KS and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Billy, Richard and Dale Smith, a sister-in-law, Betty Smith, brother-in-law, Kenny Luker, two sons, Mike and Richard (Dick) Larsen, and her great-granddaughter Gabriella Campbell.
Services will be private with burial at Evergreen Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Autism Speaks. Donations may be sent to, or left in the care of, the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall St., P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, KS 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Momma’s Cookie Jar
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15
My mother died on Mother’s Day. I was only a child when she died. It’s been over forty years now, but I still miss her. I suppose that as long as I am on this earth, I always will.
When I think back on that time, which I inevitably do every year around Mother’s Day, one thing sticks out in my mind. I remember on the day my mother died, family members came to our home and divided up her things. Everybody wanted a family heirloom following Momma’s death. Since I was just a child, I was left out. Nothing of my mother’s was given to me. There was, however, one item that I really wanted – Momma’s cookie jar.
The cookie jar was nothing special. It wasn’t an antique. It wasn’t valuable. But, like a treasure chest, so many of my most precious childhood memories were locked away inside the cookie jar. Momma always kept my favorite treats inside – Nutter Butters, Nilla Wafers, Nabisco Famous Cookies, Keebler Cremes, and my all-time favorite – Momma’s Homemade Snickerdoodles. We didn’t have much money and times were tough when I was a kid, but there were always delicious goodies in Momma’s cookie jar.
I watched as an aunt walked out the door with the cookie jar. I thought, “That should be mine. I hate her for taking it.” As time passed, those feelings grew, and I resented her. So, I avoided my aunt. One of the few family ties in my life was broken over a cookie jar.
Years later, I was in the kitchen with my wife, Amanda. She said, “I want to get a cookie jar for the kitchen counter.” When she said that, I told her about Momma’s cookie jar and what it meant to me. Amanda lovingly asked, “Why don’t we try to find one just like it?” I thought that was a great idea. So, we logged on to eBay and ordered a cookie jar identical to Momma’s.
A few months went by and my cousin came to visit. She noticed the cookie jar and asked about it. I said, “It’s a replacement for the one Momma had when I was growing up.” I didn’t know it, but my cousin had the original at her house. Not long after, she gave it to me.
The Lord Jesus Christ once said, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15). For years, I refused to forgive a relative for something as silly as a cookie jar. Besides, my aunt didn’t even know that I wanted it in the first place. Looking back now, I realize how childish I was to be so angry and upset. Too many years were wasted being out of fellowship with God and family. Too many years were wasted living in a state of bitterness and unforgiveness.
How many “cookie jars” are there in our lives? How many things, as insignificant as a ceramic cookie jar, in light of eternity, separate us from fellowship with God? How much does a lack of forgiveness keep us from fellowship with other people?
The point is: Let go of your “cookie jar.” I can tell you it’s not worth hanging on to. Forgive and find forgiveness.
It’s what your mom would want you to do.
James Collins is the senior pastor of First Southern Baptist Church. Sunday Service starts tomorrow at 11 am. For more information, go www.fortscottfsbc.com.
When Your Income Drops
Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent
Adult Development and Aging
Family Resource Management
K-State Research and Extension
Southwind Extension District
210 S. National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Office: 620-223-3720
Fax: 620-223-0332
[email protected]
The COVID-19 situation has affected many families. From layoffs and closures to limited schedules, farm markets and potential furloughs, financial strain is a real issue.
A sudden drop in income, no matter the reason, can result in panic and stress when the bills keep coming. Proactively figuring out what you have and developing a plan can help buffer those feelings and take control of your financial position.
K-State Research and Extension recently published “When Your Income Drops”, a series of five fact sheets to help you find your way when your finances have changed.
The first in the series is Don’t Panic — Take Control. It provides basic ‘to do’ tips to minimize financial hardship.
The second one, Making Ends Meet, addresses the five “C’s” to keep in mind when income changes or becomes uncertain. These include control as much of the situation as you can. Claim benefits you qualify for. Communicate with family members and develop a plan together. Don’t ignore, confer with creditors and any company you have financial obligations with. Be prepared to change your lifestyle, at least temporarily, to maintain basic essentials.
Coping with Stress outlines recognizing stress, management tips, and knowing when and where to get help. In Kansas, professional help is available from numerous community agencies and protective services.
Community and Family Resources includes sources of supply, support and aid in Kansas including Unemployment Insurance, Kansas Works, and Legal Services. The fact sheet also includes Kansas organizations that focus on situations specific to farmers including Kansas Ag Stress Resources and the Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services. United Way supports 211, a free and confidential service that helps people across North America find the local resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sharpening Survival Skills focuses on developing a plan, substitutions, conserving, utilizing your talents and times, cooperating to stretch resources, and accessing community resources such as parks, museums, and libraries.
A sudden loss of income can be traumatic, but being proactive by taking stock of where you are financially, investigating potential resources and creating a spending plan can help buffer the shock.
The full series can be downloaded at https://www.southwind.k-state.edu/covid_19_resources/your_money/money%20index.html
For more information, please contact Joy Miller at [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3720. Follow us on Facebook @southwindextensiondistrict.