All posts by Loretta George

Bourbon County, Elections, Kansas

Introduction to the Candidates: Brian McClendon

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This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election. There are three people on the ballot for Kansas Secretary of State:

Secretary of State (vote for one)                              

Brian “BAM” McClendon1200 Oread Avenue #703 Lawrence 66044 Democratic

Scott Schwab 14953 W 140th Terr. Olathe 66062 Republican

Rob Hodgkinson 7111 W 151st St #104 Overland Park 66223 Libertarian

Here are Brian McClendon’s responses:

Brian McClendon

Name: Brian “BAM” McClendon

Age: 54

Candidate for the position of Kansas Secretary of State

Place of residence: Lawrence, KS

Current occupation: Research professor, University of Kansas

Party affiliation: Democrat

Community involvement:
● Helped found non-profit KSvotes to encourage non-partisan civic
engagement in Kansas and led the team that developed an online/mobile voter registration tool for Kansas
● With Beth Ellyn McClendon, established the McClendon Engineering Scholarship at the University of Kansas
● Pro bono STEM presentations at Kansas elementary, middle and high schools, colleges, and universities; and companies and organizations
● The University of Kansas Endowment, Trustee
● Member of Portola Valley Cable Committee for 8 years. Brought
broadband to small-town cable system against all odds
● Member, Consumer Technology Association Advisory Board (CES)
● Member, National Academy of Engineering
● University of Kansas School of Engineering Advisory Board
● University of Kansas EECS Advisory Board
● National Academy of Engineering
● United Nations “Champions of the Earth Laureate” award (the UN’s top environmental prize) for “harnessing the power of technology to support conservation and green economic development,” Entrepreneurial Vision 2013

1) What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?
The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency. Protecting our elections from foreign interference, protecting the private data of Kansas citizens, protecting the fundamental right of every eligible citizen to vote,
and increasing voter engagement are critical challenges that the Kansas Secretary of State should prioritize.
As a businessman, a former executive with Google, and an innovator, I have the skills to accomplish these goals.

My first tasks will be:
● To use my technology expertise to monitor the state’s voting systems in order to help ensure that every vote is counted and to guard against any outside interference. Additionally, I’ll continue to promote voter registration and advance ballots. Registering to vote and requesting advance ballots should be as easy for eligible voters as using Google Maps.
● The voter registration system at the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicle driver’s license bureaus needs immediate attention. There are reports that some new voter registrations through the DMV are not being recorded at the county level. As a result, voters who believed they were registered to vote are discovering they are not. This needs to be investigated and fixed.
● I will return non-partisan public service to the Secretary of State’s office. I will modernize the Secretary of State’s website by updating the technology, especially search and navigation, to make the site easier to use for all citizens and businesses. The Secretary of State’s website is the front door for Kansas businesses and the front door for citizens. I will make sure that the door is open.
● As a businessman, I’ve started companies, built companies and built teams that delivered products that met stringent requirements for security, efficiency, and ease of use. At Google, I lead a team that grew from 29 to 2000. I can make the Secretary of State’s office accessible, secure and efficient.
● As the administrator of the Crosscheck database, Kansas absorbs the cost and liability of securing data for citizens in multiple other states, but it’s riddled with problems including tens of thousands of false results creating hundreds of hours of work lost chasing down false matches. Crosscheck’s security protocols have also been widely criticized, and some personal data of Kansans has already been leaked. Viable options exist. Crosscheck must be reviewed and then fixed or replaced.

2)Give your views on food sales tax:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon tax policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.

That said, food sales is a regressive tax placing a disproportionate burden for financially supporting shared public services upon working and middle-class families. Over-relying on a food sales tax means the state is not fairly or effectively distributing the responsibility to fund shared public services.

3) Give your views on legalizing marijuana:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon substance legalization or related policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.

4) Give your views on health care for our state, including Medicaid:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon public health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.

That said, Bourbon County has just experienced a hospital closure that is largely a result of conservative Kansas leaders refusing to expand Medicare/Medicaid coverage in our state. The partisan opposition to expanding those services, and the resulting negative impact upon health care access to rural and smaller communities, are clearly not working in the best interests of all Kansans.

5) Give views on abortion and Planned Parenthood:
The Secretary of State is an administrative position, not legislative. The office has no direct engagement with or influence upon women’s health policy. The focus of the Secretary of State is and should be on supporting elections and voting, business registration and support, and government transparency.

For more information:

Brian McClendon Bio logo_October2018 (1)

Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Strengthening communities: Grant writing workshop planned

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Carla Nemecek is Southwind District Director and agent.

Do you know how that playground equipment at the park down the street was purchased? Or the new sign leading visitors to a local landmark? How about initial money for a festival? In any community, chances are that someone, or a group of individuals, wrote a grant proposal and received funding to help with the project.

Individuals and community groups can learn more about writing successful grant proposals at a workshop planned in Humboldt, KS on Friday, November 9, 2018. The workshop is presented by Nancy Daniels, a community vitality specialist with K-State Research and Extension and the author of many grant proposals. The training will be at the Humboldt Public Library, 916 Bridge Street from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and includes lunch. The cost to attend is $10.

“This workshop is for everyone, whether they’ve never written a proposal before and have no idea where to start, to those who have experience but are looking for ways to improve their approach,” Daniels said. “The magic that happens in a local community when people find out they don’t have to wait to get something done, that they can do it themselves, is incredible.”

Participants also learn from each other, Daniels said, adding that even experienced grant writers pick up tips and are reenergized after coming together with peers in their communities.  Participants are encouraged to bring their grants or grant ideas to share.

Workshop topics include:

  • Sources of data for community needs (where do you find the numbers to back up your request?);
  • Where to find grants;
  • The five common elements of a great grant proposal;
  • Practicing the grant writing elements.

    More information and registration is available by contacting Carla Nemecek at the Southwind Extension District Iola Office, 620-365-2242 or email [email protected].

Bourbon County

Beacon No Longer Accepts Clothing Donations

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The Beacon, located at 525 E. 6th, Fort Scott.

A local helping agency will continue food and financial help but discontinue the distribution of clothing.

The Beacon Board of Directors voted last week to not accept clothing for distribution to its clients.

“While grateful for the years of generosity of Fort Scott citizens in their donations of clothing and household items, the Beacon Board of Directors has regretfully chosen to end receiving of donations of clothing and household items,” according to a press release from the Beacon.

“The board voted unanimously to continue offering only food service and financial services as it has in the past,” Carol MacArthur, president of the board told fortscott.biz.

“The Beacon will no longer distribute these (clothing) items effective November 1, 2018. This decision not made lightly and only after careful assessment.”

“Food and monetary donations are welcome and essential, as these needs are endless,” according to the press release.

“The Board would also like to thank all those who have worked in the Beacon for their tireless efforts in serving the community.”

At a recent Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition meeting, it was stated that these agencies still provide distribution of clothing in Fort Scott: Mother to Mother Ministry and Communities In Schools, with qualifiers.

A plaque inside the Beacon.

 

Bourbon County, Elections

Introduction To The Candidates: Lynne Oharah

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This is part of a series of responses from candidates for the Nov. 6, 2018 election.

County Commission District #1 (vote for one)                            

Clinton L. Walker 1999 105th St. Mapleton 66754 Democratic

Lynne D. Oharah 2120 95th St. Uniontown 66779 Republican

Here are the responses from incumbent Lynne Oharah:

Lynne Oharah

Name: Lynne Oharah

Age: 71

Candidate for the position of County Commissioner District 1

Place of residence: 2120 95th  St. Uniontown, Ks.

Current occupation: Semi-retired, Current County Commissioner District 1

Community involvement:  USA Navy Veteran, Past Kansas State Representative. Former USD235 School Board Member for 10 years. Current member of the Uniontown Ruritan club. Member of the Southeast Kansas Planning Committee.

Party affiliation: Republican

 

What is the biggest issue, if elected, and how do you plan to address it?

Growing the economy and reducing taxes. We have held the line on raising the mill levy and raising the mill levy in the future is not an option. We must make every effort to reduce taxes through economic growth which will increase our population and provide new avenues for growth and continue providing services needed and wanted by the public.

The programs that have been started are the Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program which is already starting to show results, the continuation of the partnership with CrawKan Telephone Company to provide broadband access to the highspeed internet, plans to promote a Data Center (server farm) in the old jail facility.

We must work with all business, existing and new, agriculture and not-agriculture, to promote growth.

 

Another extremely important issue to be addressed is dealing with the loss of Mercy Hospital. We must work together, county, cities, and communities, to address how we provide quality medical services to the population of Bourbon County.

I would be very involved in this process and be part of a team to that will work to ensure we do have the medical services we need.

Government, Kansas

Peer Support For Families With Special Needs Children

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Supporting You launches, families who can offer support and guidance asked to volunteer

 

TOPEKA – Families of children with special needs benefit from the care and support that can only be offered by others who have shared their experience. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Special Health Services Family Advisory Council (SHS-FAC) announce a new peer-support initiative in Kansas that will enable individuals and families who have similar experiences to communicate and gain support from one another, by sharing ideas, resources and strategies to meet the needs of their children.

 

“The program offers participants the opportunity to express their grief, concerns, and questions, without feeling judged,” said Heather Smith, KDHE Special Health Services Director. “We know that peer support is one of the strongest measures of individual/family support.”

 

Implementation of the network will occur in three phases, Support Peer Recruitment, Support Peer Training, and Peer Matching. We are actively recruiting Support Peers—those who have navigated various service systems, have experience with advocating for a loved one or themselves and have learned lessons that can be shared with others. It does not take specialized training, specific experience with services or systems, or any kind of degree to be a Support Peer. It simply takes a caring individual who has a desire to help others and shares experiences with caring for a child with special health care needs.

 

In the next phase, Support Peers will provide training on confidentiality, communication, active listening and helping families who are dealing with loss, grief or fear. Training will take place in-person and online through November and December. The final phase, Peer Matching, will take place in early 2019, and begin matching those looking for supports with the trained Support Peers recruited.

 

Two existing programs are part of the initial launch, the Kansas Special Health Care Needs program and the Kansas School for the Deaf, to connect families of children served through these programs with peer supports.

 

Supporting You will be administered by KDHE’s Special Health Services Section, within the Bureau of Family Health. The network has been developed by the SHS-FAC, which will provide oversight to monitor consistent practices and fidelity among partnering organizations, ultimately ensuring that participating programs are meeting the needs of the families served through the network.

 

More information can be found on the Supporting You website at www.supportingyoukansas.org or by contacting Heather Smith, Special Health Services Director, at 785-296-4747 or [email protected].

 

Fort Scott

Power Outage Causes Loss of Some Perishables at Walmart

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Empty shelves at Walmart following the power outage Oct. 7.  This photo was taken at 8 p.m. that day.

 

Customers faced some empty shelves when shopping at Walmart on Sunday, Oct. 7.

“We had a power outage yesterday,” Kayla, a manager at the store said. “We lost dairy products and meat products.”

“We are restocking the shelves, ” she said.

The power outage was confined to the Walmart Store, 2500 S. Main,  said Gina Penzig, Westar Media Communication Manager.

“It lasted about six hours,” she said. “It was most likely caused by a lightning strike.”

Walmart, 2500 S. Main, Fort Scott.
Bourbon County, K-State Extension

Fall Is Perfect Time To Improve Garden Soil

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Krista Harding is a K-State Research and Extension agent assigned to Southwind District. She may be reached at [email protected] or 620-244-3826.

A desirable soil is the most important aspect of a garden. Time spent fertilizing, watering and tending to plants is necessary, but this time is almost a waste if the soil you’re working with is not in good condition. Fall is an excellent time to step back and analyze how well your garden performed during the summer, and to make improvements to the soil.

Soil is formed when rock is broken down by climate and vegetation over a period of time. Soil is nothing more than weathered rock fragments and decaying remains of plants and animals.

Most soils have three distinct layers – surface, subsoil and bottom. The surface layer is a coarse layer containing more organic matter than the other soil layers and the layer that people pay the greatest attention to. This layer is the most fertile and has the greatest concentration of plant roots. Plants obtain much of their nutrients and water from the surface soil.

The subsoil layer is finer and firmer than the surface soil and serves as support for the surface layer. The subsoil layer is a storage space for water and nutrients for plants, a temperature regulator of the soil and supplies air for the roots of plants. The bottom layer is decomposed rock. It is not hard like rock, but may show the form or structure of the original rocks.

Soil texture refers to the proportional amount of sand, silt and clay in a soil. Texture and soil structure affect the moisture holding capacity of soil, permeability, capacity to hold and furnish nutrients, tillage operations and erosion.

Our soils in the southeastern part of Kansas have a high clay content to it. The clay in the soil is what makes the soil stick to your shoes when the soil is wet. Many refer to our soil as “gumbo.”

One way to address a heavy clay soil and to improve the soil texture is to add organic matter. Organic matter includes such items as manure, leaves, and grass clippings that have been composted. Earthworms, insects, bacteria and fungi use the organic matter as food, breaking it down into humus. Through this process, materials are made available for use by growing plants. In a heavy clay soil, the organic matter allows water to move more freely and loosens the tight clay, which makes the soil easier to work.

Organic material can be directly applied to gardens and flowerbeds this time of year and allowed to compost directly in the soil. Add two to four inches of organic material and till into the soil. If the soil is dry, apply water to begin the decomposition process. After about two weeks you can repeat the process with another application of organic material. The organic material will decompose over the winter and soil will be ready for spring planting.

Sand is sometimes suggested as an amendment material for clay soils. However, there is a good reason to be cautious about using sand. For sand to be effective at breaking up a clay soil, sand grains must touch one another so there is pore space between grains that can hold air and water. If the grains don’t touch, the clay fills in the void between sand particles leaving no room for pores. This is the same principle used to make concrete and the result is somewhat the same.

Before doing any amendments to the soil, I recommend doing a soil test. Soil testing can be done through the Extension office for $12. For more information on how to take a soil sample, please give me a call.

 

K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Government, Kansas

Flags At Half-Staff Oct. 7

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Governor Jeff Colyer orders flags flown at half-staff on

Sunday, Oct. 7 in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day

 

Topeka – In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sun-up to sun-down on Sunday, Oct. 7 in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.

 

“Firefighters perform acts of heroism each day, some of whom have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our communities,” said Governor Colyer. “We owe them our gratitude, our respect, our remembrance.”

 

On Oct. 16, 2001, President George W. Bush approved legislation requiring the American flag to be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters in conjunction with the annual observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service held each year in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

 

To receive email alerts when the Governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit http://governor.ks.gov/subscribe-to-flag-honors to subscribe.

 

Bourbon County

Safehouse Crisis Center Serves Fort Scott Victims of Violence and Stalking

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Vicky Polen, Safehouse Crisis Center Victim Advocate, speaks to the Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition members, Wednesday. Seated is Billie Jo Drake, coalition chairwoman.

Safehouse Crisis Center, Pittsburg, has served 33 victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking that come from Bourbon County.

“It’s important that everybody be aware of these issues,” Vicky Polen, a victim advocate with the center told the Bourbon  County Inter-Agency Coalition members during its’ monthly meeting.

Thirty-three might not seem like a big number, she said. “But we spent 433 hours with them.”

The crisis center serves Southeast Kansas.

From statistical data on the center’s website these are the numbers of the services that have been given from the center:  550- Hotline calls,  297-Victims were Sheltered, 857-Total Agency Victims Served (Unduplicated), 10,912-Peer Counseling Meetings, 769-Support Groups, 1,019- Safety Plans, 329-Court Advocacy, 248-Presentations to 10,023 Public and Professional Individuals, 216-Served through Child Exchange and Visitation Center, 776-Personal Advocacy.

For more information:

http://safehousecrisiscenter.org

The coalition meets the first Wednesday in the basement of the First Baptist Church at noon.

Members present during the meeting are allowed to tell what is happening and what services are offered from their agencies. A previously selected speaker presents a program on their agency. This month it was Vicky Polen of Safehouse. The November 7 speaker will be Mandi H-Woods, Kansas Children’s Service League.
Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Hole In The Wall Opens Oct. 12

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The Hole in the Wall Liquor Store, at Wall and Scott Street September 2018..

HOLE IN THE WALL GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING

FORT SCOTT – The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces a Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Hole in the Wall Liquor Store in their new location of 124 E. Wall St. in Downtown Fort Scott. The event will take place Friday, October 12th from 5:30 to 7 pm with the Ribbon Cutting & Remarks at 6 pm. There will be samples, snacks, and door prize giveaways.

Owners Roy & Jody Hoener sought a new location for their liquor store in Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District and after receiving a CDBG Grant (Community Development Block Grant) renovated the dilapidated building at the corner of Wall and Scott streets.

Hole in the Wall Liquor Store originally opened on Oak Street in the mid-1980’s by Roy’s mother Connie Hoener and her father Roy Louderman. Roy Hoener has since taken ownership of the business and he and Jody look to a successful future with the new location and loyal customers.

The Hoener’s would like to recognize those who completed the building redevelopment including:
Exterior: Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc., Ag Engineering, R II Concrete, Casper Enterprises, LLC, Peerless Products, Tanner Beckham & Dennis Speer, Murphy Roofing; Interior: Great Expectations, Geiger Plumbing, KTK Electric, Miles Woodworking, Ruddick’s Furniture, Terry Kirby, Perry Cannon.

For more information please contact the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce at (620) 223-3566.

Business, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Autumn Is Busy In Fort Scott: Downtown Quarterly Meeting

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The Iron Star owner Barbara Trimbur told the meeting’s attendees that the 14-year-old business is a destination spot for out-of-town shoppers. She has vendors, not booths in her business.

There are many good things happening in Fort Scott, according to attendees of the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Downtown Meet and Greet October 2.

The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:

Bryan Ritter, with Boiler Room Brewhaus Microbrewery, spoke to the attendees about the upcoming liquor by the drink question on the November ballot.

“Yes is a vote for small business and economic development,” Ritter said.

The meeting, hosted by Iron Star Antiques, 3 N. Main, allowed area businesses and organizations to tell about their upcoming events:

  • Hole In The Wall Liquor Store’s grand opening and ribbon cutting is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.
  • Pioneer Harvest Fiesta is Oct. 19-21 at the fairgrounds. Oct. 18 is the downtown parade at 6 p.m.
  • Downtown Halloween Parade is 11 a.m. Oct. 27.
  • Hedgehog, INK Bookstore, 16 S. Main, grand opening and ribbon cutting is from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.
  • Forks and Corks at Memorial Hall, Nov. 3.
  • Holiday Open Houses, Thursdays, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13.
  • Veterans Day Celebration, Nov. 9-11. https://visitfortscott.com/see-and-do/veterans-day-weekend-celebration
  • The  Downtown Christmas Parade is Tuesday, Dec. 4. The theme is Cowboy Christmas.
  • Homes For The Holidays Tour, Dec. 7-8
  • Carriage Rides, Dec. 15, downtown.
  • Small business Saturday, Nov. 24 http://shopsmall.com
  • Educational Google Livestream “Drive A Holiday Shopping Rush For Your Business” Wed. Oct.17 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Papa Don’s Restaurant.
  • Toy soldier cut-outs for decoration on light post downtown for sale at the Chamber for $15.
  • There are grants available for exterior painting of a business, and other grants: contact is Rachel Pruitt at City Hall.
  • Fort Scott National Historic Site: interactive candlelight tour is Dec. 7-8.
  • Veterans Day Weekend, Nov. 9-11. http://www.visitfortscott.com
  • Friends of the Fort: Buy a flag subscription to place flags at businesses and homes. Proceeds go to Fort Scott National Historic Site.https://www.facebook.com/Friends.FSNHS
  • Fort Scott Economic Development Director Rachel Pruitt said the city is working with Mercy Hospital on solutions to the closing of the hospital.
  • There is a new children’s book produced by the Lowell Milken Center For Unsung Heroes, featuring the story of Irena Sendler and using LMC Program Director Megan Felt and her daughter to tell the story.
  • The City State Bank downtown branch renovation has started and should be finished in 60 days.
  • To support the cause of Lee’s Paws and Claws, businesses are asked to consider placing collection boxes near their cash registers. Contact Kate Sweetser.
  • Smallville Crossfit’s Day of the Lifting Dead is Nov. 3
  • Bourbon County’s new economic director, Jody Hoener, welcomed input from the community.
  • Captured Images is producing a new magazine and is seeking advertisers.
  • Nate’s Place Restaurant is closed this week for some remodeling, which was helped with a Healthy Bourbon County grant.
  • The Liberty Theater: Across the Pond Band will perform Oct. 27; Jessica Page Band, Nov. 10; and the Jerry Thompkins Band, Nov. 13.
  • The Front Door Christmas Store will be open every Saturday and Sunday in November and also the downtown open houses. This year the store will be at 104 N. National, next to the Buffalo Grill.
  • Fort Scott Community College events: Oct. 13-free children’s fair; Oct. 20-alumni rodeo, the play “Gilligan’s Island” will be Oct. 19-21.http://www.fortscott.edu/calendar
  • Papa Don’s Restaurant held a fundraiser for the FSCC track team Oct. 3. Students waited tables, and a percent of the day’s profits went to the team.
  • The Fort Scott Lofts project is in the beginning stage and will be home to 40 more residents downtown, Fort Scott Economic Director Rachel Pruitt said.

  • Downtown Quarterly Meet and Greet attendees pick up literature of upcoming events, following the meeting.
Bourbon County, Mercy Hospital

Community Health Center of SEK New Owner of Mercy’s Clinic

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CHC/SEK to Assume Ownership of Mercy Clinics in Bourbon, Linn and Crawford Counties

(Pittsburg, KS) – The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) – a non-profit primary care system serving the nine counties of the most economically disadvantaged and least healthy region of Kansas – announced it will assume ownership of the Mercy clinics in Fort Scott, Pleasanton and Arma beginning January 1, 2019.

“CHC/SEK entered into discussions with Mercy this summer about the need to maintain access to care and they were anxious to preserve the resources they had built in Bourbon and Linn counties,” said CHC/SEK CEO Krista Postai. “As an organization that had grown out of a faith-based health system, CHC/SEK shared their values and their commitment to providing quality, affordable care.”

“We both agreed it was the right thing to do,” Postai said, commending Mercy leadership for their efforts to ensure those they had served so long would continue to receive care from those they knew and trusted. “They are doing whatever they can to make this transition seamless.”

“Everyone recognizes the closure of Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott is a tremendous loss to the community and the state,” Postai agreed, adding she was aware of the efforts the system took to prevent it.

“Healthcare has undergone tremendous change over the last decade and sustainability is becoming a challenge for rural hospitals everywhere.”

Southeast Kansas especially is vulnerable with a median income 25% below the state average, declining population and a much higher rate of chronic disease, Postai explained. “The traditional model of healthcare is disappearing and with it the hometown hospital.”

CHC/SEK – with 12 clinics in five counties – has worked to counter this erosion by stabilizing the medical, dental and behavioral health services in the region. “We provided services to more than 43,000 individuals last year regardless of their financial status,” said Postai, adding that the numbers continue to increase.

“Our purpose is to be where we are needed and ensure our care is high quality and affordable,” she said, adding that CHC/SEK was recognized in 2017 as a National Quality Leader and also achieved the highest level of certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.

“We appreciate that the Mercy System trusts us enough to ask us to continue the mission they undertook over a century ago in Fort Scott and, more recently, in Pleasanton and Arma,” Postai said, indicating they hope to retain the medical staff who have served these communities.

“We will be meeting with everyone as soon as we possibly can aware that each member of the Mercy staff will need to make some decisions quickly,” she said, with CHC/SEK staff prepared to devote as much time as necessary to talk with anyone interested in a position over the next 30 days.

CHC/SEK expects to employ about 60 to 70 of the Mercy staff impacted by this announcement.

CHC/SEK currently employs about 340 including about 100 medical, dental and behavioral health providers. The organization’s annual budget is more than $23 million; about 25% of that comes from federal and state funding with the balance from service care delivery.

“We expect to have all sites transitioned by February 1, 2019,” Postai said, explaining that the four clinics will be phased in over a 60-day period to minimize service disruption. Hours and days of clinic operations are expected to remain the same.

CHC/SEK will also continue to operate the pharmacy located within the hospital itself and patients should see a reduction in the cost of their prescriptions.

“We can bring some resources to the community and the clinics because – as a community health center – we are eligible for some special benefits,” Postai said. “We are able to buy drugs at the same price that the Veteran’s Administration pays meaning that we can ensure our patients – especially those on fixed incomes – will be able to afford their prescriptions.”

“Those covered by Medicare may qualify for a discount on their co-pay and, by regulation, their deductible is waived,” she said, adding “As the region’s only Medicare Benefits Enrollment Center, we can assist our older population in identifying all the resources for which they may be eligible.”

Postai added that many of CHC/SEK’s clinics also offer dental and behavioral health services.

“Once we get fully transitioned we will then begin identifying other needs and add resources as we can,” she said. “We really believe in an integrated model of care realizing that those with chronic disease often fight depression and good oral health can impact overall wellbeing.”

“It makes a lot of sense to create a one-stop approach and that’s something we can bring to the community,” said Postai, adding that many are unaware that CHC/SEK services are available to anyone. “We accept all private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid, so our patients are representative of the community as a whole.”

“For those on reduced incomes – which include many of the elderly in the region – we do offer financial assistance.”

“Our mission is to ensure everyone has access to primary care so no one is turned away,” she said. “Our vision is ‘Healthcare The Way It Should Be’ which means person-focused, personalized and compassionate.”

Postai went on to express CHC/SEK’s appreciation for everything Mercy is doing to help make the transition as seamless as possible. “Without their support, this undertaking would have not been possible.”

“Much work lies ahead but we know everyone wants to preserve as many of the health resources as possible in these communities,” she said. “We are honored to be asked and we are committed to making it happen.”

About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK) is a non-profit Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing affordable, high quality medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy and outreach services to southeast Kansas and the region. For more information, visit www.chcsek.org.