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Number of Missing or Runaway Foster Care Youth Decreases in Kansas
TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce a significant decrease in the number of youth who have run away from their foster care placement. On August 31, 2017, there were 86 missing or runaway youth. Comparatively, on August 31, 2018, there were 63, representing a 26.7 percent decrease in the number of missing and runaway youth.
“It is exciting to see a decrease in the number of youth missing or running away from placement, as this was one of my primary focuses when I started at the agency,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “I am extremely proud of the work of our Missing and Runaway Youth Investigator unit. We will continue to actively look for these youth because even one child missing from placement is one too many. Ensuring their safety is of the utmost importance.”
While the number of youth who have run away from placement continues to fluctuate on a daily basis, DCF has consistently seen lower numbers, as a result of recent agency initiatives.
Since Secretary Meier-Hummel’s arrival at the agency, DCF has emphasized locating missing and runaway youth. DCF has a team of investigators dedicated to actively looking for these youth and ensuring their safety. On a regular basis, these investigators partner with contract staff and local law enforcement to locate these youth. Secretary Meier-Hummel receives a daily report on youth who are missing or have run away from placement.
Another initiative DCF has recently launched is Missing and Runaway sweeps. During these sweeps, our missing and runaway youth investigators partner with contract staff and local law enforcement to target specific locations to find youth. The agency has conducted these sweeps in Wichita and Kansas City—two of the most populated areas in the state. To date, there have been 880 recovery events.
“On a daily basis, we are working with contacts across the state to search for and locate these youth. Youth that are missing or have run away from placement are at a higher risk of becoming victims of human trafficking, among other issues and that is why the work we do is so vital. We want to help these youth and keep them safe,” Missing and Runaway Youth Investigator Kody Johnson said.
DCF has also recently partnered with the Youth Advocate Program (YAP). YAP comes alongside case managers to be advocates for families. Once in care, a youth is assigned an advocate through YAP that sticks with them regardless of where they go in the state or where they are placed. It is a trust-based relationship between the advocate and the youth. In our partnership with YAP, we will assign every youth that runs away from placement an advocate that can support them, help identify why they run and help prevent them running in the future. With this partnership, we are giving youth that run away from placement a level of safety, security and support through establishing meaningful relationships with their YAP advocate.
Division of Vehicles to Launch Improved Service
TOPEKA—Many Kansas drivers will have the option to renew their license online starting October 23, just one customer service improvement in a list that includes new Monday hours and faster customer processing time, the Division of Vehicles announced Thursday.
The option for some drivers to renew using the iKan mobile application comes alongside the launch of KanLicense, a software program that updates the interface used by driver’s license examiners from an outdated mainframe system to a cloud based application. The modernized software prorgam should decrease customer processing time.
“We are so pleased to jumpstart improved customer service with these new applications,” Director of Vehicles David Harper said. “The combination of these two new platforms set the stage for the long-term reinvention of the process of obtaining or renewing a license or ID across Kansas.”
Starting October 29, the new schedule for most driver’s license offices will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The addition of Monday service, plus the option for mobile renewals and faster counter service should ease pressure and wait times during the week. Opening for service on Saturdays will remain an option during peak times such as spring break.
“We are signifcantly expanding our capacity to serve our customers,” Director Harper said. “We will be open normal business hours everyone is accustomed to, but also offer 24/7 access for renewals on the iKan mobile application.”
Director Harper noted that high demand will remain as Kansans come into the office to upgrade to a Real ID credential ahead of the October 1, 2020 federal implementation date.
“We are modernizing the credential process for the long-term, but many people will still have to come in to get their Real ID before the one-time federal implementation event,” Director Harper said. “We continue to encourage our customers to make sure they have all the documents they need before getting to the office.”
Driver’s and ID holders can use a Real ID checklist at ksrevenue.org/realid to ensure they have the necessary documents.
Driver’s license offices statewide will be closed Saturday, October 20 to prepare for the launch of the KanLicense system.
Flooding Postpones Tri-Yak-A-Thon to Oct. 20
The 6th Annual Tri-Yak-A-Thon, at Gunn Park Trails, has been postponed due to river flooding. Organizers have tentatively rescheduled for October 20.
The Gunn Park Trails volunteers would like to invite everyone to enjoy the fall weather and join us for the 6th annual Tri-yak-a-thon. This year’s proceeds will benefit our new bike share program. The event will take place October 20 at 10:00 AM in Gunn Park. The Tri-yak-a-thon is a race where participants run on Gunn Park’s beautiful trails, kayak up and down the Marmaton River, and then tackle the trails again on a bike. The goal of the event is to have fun and raise money to support the bike share program. The trail run is approximately 4 miles, the kayak portion is 2.5 miles, and the final portion is a 7-mile mountain bike ride. Participate as a relay team, or if you are tough enough you can do the entire race as a solo participant. You must bring your own kayak, life jacket, helmet, and mountain bike. Riders must wear a helmet.
Onsite registration and packet pickup will be from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at Shelter House 6. You can register online at https://www.trireg.com/tri-yak-a-thon. The race will begin at 10:00 AM. Whether you enter the race or just come and cheer, please join us and support our park, our trails, and our bike share program.
We would like to thank our generous sponsors:
UMB Bank
Landmark Bank
Briggs Auto of Fort Scott
City State Bank
Smallville Crossfit
Papa Don’s
Brock Electric
Southwind Cycle and Outdoor
Liquor Store Ribbon Cutting Oct. 12
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Chamber Coffee at Labconco Oct. 11
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WEEKLY CHAMBER COFFEE REMINDER
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Hosted by:
Location: 2500 Liberty Bell Rd.
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Click here for the Labconco’s website.
Click here for Labconco’s Facebook page.
Chamber members and guests are encouraged to attend for networking, community announcements, and to learn about the hosting business or organization.
Members may pay $1 to make an announcement about an upcoming event, special/sale/discount, or news of any kind.
Upcoming Coffees:
October 18th – Pioneer Harvest Fiesta
October 25th – Trinity Lutheran Church
November 1st – Fort Scott Area Community Foundation
@ Landmark Bank
November 8th – VFW
Fort Scott Public Library Upcoming Events
Storytime continues on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m., at Fort Scott Public Library, with the notable exception of NO storytime on November 6 due to Miss Val’s training meeting that day in Iola.
Teen Advisory Group has the following upcoming events:
October 10 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Craft Night (pumpkin painting)
October 17 at 4 – 6 p.m.: Teen Games & Snacks Night (with a fall & Halloween twist)
October 24 at 4:15 p.m.: American Idiots Teen Book Club at Common Ground Coffee Co.
October 31 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Halloween Party (come in costume if desired)
November 7 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Community Service
November 14 at 4:15 p.m.: Teen Craft Night
November 20 (due to Thanksgiving) from 4 – 6 p.m.: Teen Game Night
November 28 at 4:15 p.m.: American Idiots Teen Book Club at Common Ground Coffee Co.
Maker Monday: At our second Maker Monday on October 15, 4 – 5 p.m., we will make seasonal crafts using pinecones, faux leaves, pumpkins, and various other craft supplies (attendees are welcome to bring their own snacks and drinks as well), and add stickers to our sticker mosaic poster. All ages are welcome to attend, but children 2nd grade and below must have an adult with them at all times.
Marvelous Monday is a family program for all ages, with the primary goal of serving local homeschool families by offering educational activities, special guest speakers, and collaborative projects. The second meeting will be held on October 22, 2 – 3 p.m. in the library event room. The theme will be a Field Trips and Scavenger Hunts with special guest speaker, retired educator Vickie Shead speaking to adults on field trip ideas and the group taking a scavenger hunt nature walk together. Scavenger hunts will vary in difficulty based on age. Snacks will be served.
Join millions of readers worldwide in reading the book Maybe Something Beautiful by F. Isabel Campoy as part of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record program on October 25 at 10 a.m. with Miss Val! We will take photos of the group to share the event with fellow readers on social media. Like the child in the story, we will create beautiful artwork and then enjoy a colorful treat. According to Jumpstart’s website, “Read for the Record brings much-needed attention to inequities in early childhood education, inspires adults to read with children, spurs policymakers and organizations to take action towards transformative change in early education, and puts books in the hands of children across the country.” Since its inception 13 years ago, more than 19 million people have participated in the program. Go here to learn more: https://www.jstart.org/read-for-the-record
Library programs are offered free of charge. If you would like to volunteer or donate snacks or supplies, please contact Miss Val at vcyouthlib@gmail.com, call 223-2882, or visit the library. Follow Fort Scott Public Library on Facebook or visit our website at fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org to view upcoming events.
USD 235 Fitness Center Ribbon Cutting Oct. 11
Famed Fitness Icon Jake (Body by Jake) Steinfeld and Uniontown 235 Students to Cut Ribbon on their Newly Gifted DON’T QUIT!TM Fitness Center
WHAT: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, dignitaries and students will cut the ribbon on Uniontown USD 235 School’s new DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center at 8:30 a..m. on Thursday, October 11, 2018. Uniontown was one of three Kansas schools selected as a DON’T QUIT! Fitness Champion earlier this year for demonstrating new and innovative ways of promoting student physical activity and wellness. The other two winning schools were Lincoln Elementary in Fredonia and Jardine Middle School in Topeka.
Governor Colyer signed a proclamation declaring October as “DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month.” During DON’T QUIT! Fitness Month, families and communities are encouraged to renew their commitment to making physical activity and healthy eating part of our children’s daily lives.
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils program has now rolled out in twenty-four states and will be putting fitness centers in all 50 states. Each fitness center is financed through public/private partnerships with companies like The Coca-Cola Company, Amerigroup Foundation, Wheels Up and Nike, and does not rely on taxpayer dollars or state funding. TuffStuff Fitness International provides all of the fitness equipment, which is manufactured right here in the United States. The Foundation’s goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world.
WHO: Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
Lynne Oharah, County Commissioner
Bret Howard, Superintendent
Vance Eden, Principal
VISUAL: 500 excited students
DON’T QUIT! Fitness Center – Students will use the equipment for the first time!
Proclamation presentation
WHEN: Thursday, October 11, 2018
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Uniontown 235
602 5th Street
Uniontown, KS 66779
WBE Gymnasium
WHY: Physical activity and exercise have been shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, physical activity and exercise have been shown to improve academic achievement, increase confidence and self-esteem, reduce discipline problems, cut absenteeism and foster better interpersonal relationships.
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For more information about the National Foundation, visit www.natgovfit.org.
About The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils
The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC) seeks to encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness. The NFGFC envisions a fitness center in every school in the U.S., helping to build a nation that—through innovation and a “DON’T QUIT!” attitude—boasts the fittest kids in the world. Since 2012, the NFGFC has delivered fitness centers in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, West Virginia, California, New Mexico, Connecticut, Virginia, Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona, Maryland, Louisiana, Oregon and Colorado. In 2018, we will gift fitness centers to four more states including Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Oct. 10
Free Friday Concert Series: St. Martin’s Academy Music Ensemble
This Friday’s concert will feature the St. Martins Acadamy music ensemble.
The group consists of 17 young men from the academy.
Also featured will be a juggling act and instrumental music with electric and classical guitar.
The concert will start at 7 pm in the Heritage Park Pavilion at First and Main Streets.
Come early and bring your lawn chairs as seating is limited.
“I am particularly pleased to have this group of young men perform for us,” said Ralph Carlson, coordinator of the concert series.
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition Minutes from Oct. 3
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
October 3, 2018
- Welcome and Board update: Twenty-three members representing nineteen agencies attended. Billie Jo announced that the Coalition Board had been awarded United Way funding for 2019 and received a donation from the Pioneer Kiwanis Club. She also noted that she had submitted a grant application to the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation.
- Member introductions and announcements:
- Bob Eckles, filling in for Gary Murrell, Beacon Director, shared that the annual Beacon and Adopt-a-Child sign-ups will be held during the first part of November. Qualifying for a Beacon card will entitle a person to two visits each month for food. Bob also shared that the Beacon board has voted to discontinue clothing distribution on November 1. The Beacon organization continues to seek donations of food, money, and books. Christmas distribution is scheduled for December 19 at Community Christian Church.
- Following Bob’s announcement, several members – Community Health Center of Pittsburg, Mother-to-Mother, Communities in Schools, shared that they can provide some clothing if qualifications are met.
- Head Start, Parents as Teachers, Fort Scott Early Childhood Program all have openings. Contact these organizations for qualifications and applications.
- Tammy Alcantar, Crawford County Health Department, reminded members that WIC continues to meet weekly at Buck Run and at Mercy Hospital, for the next three months, the last week of the month. She also mentioned that she has ten Bourbon County participants in the “Baby and Me Tobacco Free” program. She also has a program dealing with best practices for becoming a mom; participants can earn nice prizes for completion of the program.
- Samantha Daniels, KVC, has foster parenting classes beginning soon in Pittsburg and Parsons; she will email details.
- Next Steps will be starting a new class in November; contact Jean Tucker for additional details. There is an application and interview process.
- Sandy, Haggard, RSVP, will have volunteers to place with the closing of Mercy Hospital and the closure of clothing distribution at Beacon. She is working on a new grant application which requires a project dealing with the opioid crisis.
- Alice Maffett, Bourbon County Health Department, has been busy with flu shot clinics.
- Michelle Stevenson, FSECP, summarized the information from her latest regional coalition meeting. A parent helpline can be accessed through the KCSL application.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries, announced that bell ringing for the Salvation Army will begin in only seven weeks! He also shared that “Safe Families” is happening in Bourbon County. Tina from Safe Families will be here on November 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 26 N. Main to answer all of our questions.
- Jackie Sellers sent word that commodities distribution will be on November 15. Senior Citizen food distribution will be on November 16. Contact Jackie for further information.
- Amanda Gilmore is actively working on finding a building for clothes distribution.
- Ashley Reeder, SEK Mental Health, needs more children enrolled in her program.
- Lewis Dunkeson, Communities in Schools, gave a brief synopsis of his program which is new to USD 234.
- Program presented by Vicky Polen, Safehouse:
Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Southeast Kansas. Services provided include a 24-hour crisis hotline, temporary emergency shelter, crisis intervention advocacy, individual supportive counseling for adults or children, victims support groups for domestic violence and sexual violence. They also promote family-centered safety with a child exchange and visitation center whose mission is to provide a place that is safe and free from violence where children can build and maintain positive relationships with their parents.
- The November 7 program will be presented by Mandi H-Woods, Kansas Children’s Service League. Matt Witt will present the December program; we also have a program scheduled for February.
- Open Forum: In Cinda Reynold’s absence, Billie Jo announced that the next blood mobile will be held October 25 and 26 at Buck Run Community Center.
- Adjournment: Next meeting will be November 7, 2018.