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COVID-19, Fort Scott, Government

Federal COVID 19 Funding Announced

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Governor Kelly Announces More Than $6 Million in Federal Funding to Respond to Coronavirus

Funding targets state, local jurisdictions, and domestic violence support and prevention

 

TOPEKA— Governor Laura Kelly announced $6,202,603 in grant awards to state and local jurisdictions in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus, as well as funds to support families impacted by domestic violence.

 

“My administration continues to work to ensure Kansans and the communities impacted by COVID-19 have the resources they need to fight the spread of the virus” Governor Laura Kelly said. “These grants are thorough and purposeful examples of how we can direct funds across the state, especially to some of our possibly overlooked areas in need. We know domestic violence is an issue that has been amplified by the pandemic, and this funding will provide support services to those who need them the most.”

 

The grant awards for the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Federal Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program will provide funds to state and local jurisdictions in preventing, preparing for, and responding to the coronavirus. Allowable purchases include overtime, equipment (including law enforcement and medical personal protective equipment), hiring, supplies (such as gloves, masks, sanitizer), training, travel expenses (particularly related to the distribution of resources to the most impacted areas), and addressing the medical needs of incarcerated inmates.

 

The CESF Program is authorized by Division B of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES), Act Pub. L. No. 116136 (Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations) and is supplemental to the $1.25 billion Kansas received through the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) authorized by the same legislation.

 

Only the State Administrating Agency (Kansas Governor’s Office) that applied under the Federal Fiscal Year 2019 State and Local Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is eligible to apply for the state allocation of CESF funding.

 

A total of $5,912,074 was awarded to 30 state and local agencies.

 

CESF Grant Awards
County Organization Name Grant Award
Barton Barton County $102,356
Bourbon Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office $113,454
Bourbon City of Fort Scott $12,201
Cherokee Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office $52,175
Coffey City of LeRoy $14,094
Coffey Coffey County Sheriff’s Office $46,075
Crawford Crawford County Sheriff’s Office $16,268
Ellsworth Ellsworth Police Department $32,960
Finney City of Garden City $22,200
Ford City of Dodge City $20,000
Franklin Ottawa Police Department $168,051
Harper City of Attica $7,500
Harvey City of Newton $32,480
Jackson Jackson County $52,928
Marion Marion County Emergency Management $36,300
McPherson City of Inman $1,900
Miami Miami County Sheriff’s Office $57,959
Montgomery City of Independence $35,842
Montgomery Coffeyville Police Department $61,655
Neosho Neosho County Sheriff’s Office $46,632
Pottawatomie Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office $14,266
Pratt Pratt Police Department $20,851
Reno Reno County Health Department $19,348
Sedgwick City of Kechi $60,848
Sedgwick City of Valley Center $43,891
Shawnee Kansas Bureau of Investigation $520,000
Shawnee Kansas Department of Corrections $1,700,000
Shawnee Kansas Highway Patrol $975,000
Shawnee Kansas Judicial Branch $1,600,000
Wilson Wilson County $24,840
  TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED: $5,912,074

 

The grant awards for the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Family and Youth Services Bureau, Federal Family Violence Prevention and Services Program’s Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, P.L. 116-136 are used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency by supporting families impacted by family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence.

 

This supplemental funding addresses the evolving needs of domestic violence survivors and local domestic violence programs throughout the state to ensure the continuity of shelter and supportive services.

 

Funds will be used for overtime and hazard pay for staff, supplies needed for COVID-19 response, equipment and software to assist in carrying out remote services, and direct victim assistance.  Funding may also be used to purchase supplies for the safety of staff and operate shelters and programs during this public health emergency.

 

Grant funds were distributed to current Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) subgrantees based on incorporating an equally distributed base amount, population of service area, and the number of COVID-19 positive cases as of the date the solicitation was released.

 

A total of $290,529 was awarded to 19 agencies.

 

FVPSA-CARES ACT Grant Awards
County Organization Name Grant Award
Allen Hope Unlimited $7,174
Barton Family Crisis Center $8,217
Butler Family Life Center $8,286
Crawford Safehouse Crisis Center $10,492
Douglas The Willow Domestic Violence Center $11,356
Ellis Options:  Domestic & Sexual Violence Services $8,938
Finney Family Crisis Services $27,241
Ford Crisis Center of Dodge City $31,150
Harvey Harvey Co. Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force $8,550
Johnson SAFEHOME $25,783
Leavenworth Alliance Against Family Violence $17,723
Lyon SOS $12,579
Reno BrightHouse $8,859
Riley Crisis Center $11,458
Saline Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas $9,619
Sedgwick Catholic Charities, Harbor House $14,359
Sedgwick Wichita Family Crisis Center $15,980
Seward Liberal Area Rape Crisis/Domestic Violence Services $23,704
Wyandotte Friends of Yates $29,061
  TOTAL GRANTS AWARDED: $290,529

 

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

KDHE amends travel quarantine list: Arkansas, Alabama and South Carolina removed

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has removed three states from the quarantine list: Alabama, Arkansas and South Carolina. Additionally, KDHE has modified its international travel list from all international travel to just countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice and restrictions on entry into the United States, plus Bahrain and French Guiana. Those traveling internationally are subject to CDC re-entry guidance and protocols.

 

This list is effective for all persons returning to or entering Kansas on the effective dates. The state will review/update this list every two weeks. A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:

 

Traveled to:

  • Florida on or after June 29.
  • Arizona on or after June 17.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
  • International travel to Bahrain or French Guiana on or after July 14.
  • International travel on or after July 14 to countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice, including China, Iran, European Schengen area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Brazil. International travelers must follow CDC guidance and protocols.

 

Others needing to continue quarantining:

  • Anyone subject to a travel-related quarantine for a state or country previously on the travel-related quarantine list must complete their 14-day quarantine period.
  • Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

 

“The removal of states from our list isn’t cause for celebration,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “We base our list on new case rates by population size and unfortunately, Kansas’ numbers are increasing significantly and our cases by population base have approached, even surpassed the states we had on our list. We must do better, Kansas. Practice social distancing, wear a mask, stay home if you’re sick, avoid large gatherings. Each one of us is responsible for our actions.”

 

States added to this list are determined by evaluating new cases in states over a two-week period, then adjusting for population size, giving a case per 100,000 population which can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. States with significantly higher rates (approximately 3 times higher) are added to the list.

 

Travel quarantines do not prohibit travel through Kansas. People from these locations may still travel through Kansas. If this is done, KDHE recommends limited stops, wearing a mask at rest stops or when getting gas and being 6’ from others when doing so. If the destination is Kansas, they would be required to quarantine upon arrival to their destination.

 

Critical infrastructure sector employees who have travelled to these destinations should contact their local health department  regarding instructions for application of these quarantine orders while working. Critical infrastructure employees, such as public health, law enforcement, food supply, etc., need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans so the local health department may allow a modified quarantine. Please note the only exemption for these quarantine mandates for critical infrastructure sector employees is work – they are not to go any other locations outside of work.

 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Fort Scott, Schools

U234 Board of Education Minutes of July 13

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Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met virtually on Monday, July 13, for their regular monthly meeting.

President David Stewart opened the meeting.  The board approved the official agenda.  The board adjourned Sine Die with reorganization of the new board.  David Stewart was elected President of the board, and James Wood was elected Vice-President of the board for the 2020-21 school year.  The board also approved the consent agenda as follows:

 

A.    Minutes

B.    Bills and Claims

C.    Payroll – June 19, 2020 – $1,703,740.89

D.    Financial Report

E.     Activity Fund Accounts

F.     Designation of banks for deposit of school funds

G.    Designation of newspaper for official school publications – The Fort Scott Tribune

H.    Officers for the 2020-21 school year

I.      Recreation Commission board member terms

J.      Resolution for waiver of generally accepted accounting principles

K.    Resolution for rescinding policy statements found in board minutes

L.     Resolution to set dates and times for board meetings

M.   Resolution to establish home rule by Board of Education

N.    Resolution for destruction of records

O.    Resolution for bank account signers

P.     Organizational chart

Q.    Set fees for copying of records

R.    Current state mileage reimbursement rate

 

Board members heard a report from Brenda Hill, KNEA President.

Superintendent Ted Hessong reported on SPARK funding, Extended School Year and Jumpstart, the newly-installed high school gym bleachers, bus inspections, administrator book study, count day, graduation, and return to school information.

Gina Shelton, Business Manager, discussed closing down the fiscal year, staff/student vehicle travel, roof work, CARES money, budget software, food service, and new employee signup.

The board selected James Wood as a hearing officer for suspensions and expulsions for the 2020-21 school year.

Board members approved the following items:

·       1,116-hour calendar for the 2020-21 school year

·       Memorandum of Understanding with CHC for an additional nurse

·       Device replacement purchase

·       RTS Microsystems purchase using E-Rate funds

·       Roof change order

·       Purchase of intervention materials using Title IVA funds

 

The board will hold a budget workshop on July 27 at 5:30 p.m.

Board members shared comments and then went into executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel and returned to open meeting.  The board then went into executive session to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations and returned to open meeting.  The board then went into executive session to discuss matters relating to security measures and returned to open meeting.

The board approved the following employment matters:

 

A.    Resignation of Kirstie Cox, Winfield Scott second grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

B.    Resignation of Abigail Helt, high school/middle school chorus teacher, effective immediately

C.    Resignation of Jeanise Malone, central office accounts payable secretary, effective July 3, 2020

D.    Resignation of Michelle Johnson, Eugene Ware paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

E.     Resignation of Angela Christy, Winfield Scott paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

F.     Resignation of Stacey Gingrich, gifted paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

G.    Resignation of Bud Hall, bus driver, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year

H.    Transfer of Linda Minor, Winfield Scott first grade teacher, to Winfield Scott second grade teacher for the 2020-21 school year

I.      Contract adjustment for Krista Gorman, high school/middle school instructional coach, from 90% to 100% for the 2020-21 school year

J.      Leave of absence request from Breann Eden, Winfield Scott art teacher

K.    Employment of Alexandra VanSickle as a Winfield Scott first grade teacher for the 2020-21 school year

L.     Employment of Harleigh Lowry as a Winfield Scott 6.5-hour cook for the 2020-21 school year

M.   Reemployment of Beth Alexander as a Winfield Scott Focus Room teacher for the 2020-21 school year

N.    Reemployment of Jered McKay as a Eugene Ware Behavior Specialist for the 2020-21 school year

O.    Reemployment of Daniel Long, high school paraprofessional, for the 2020-21 school year.

 

The board adjourned.

 

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Kansas Unemployment Services “Resets”

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Governor Laura Kelly Shares Update from Kansas Department of Labor

Call center representatives added, virtual assistant launched

 

TOPEKA—The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has been working with a team of specialists from Accenture for just over two weeks as they provide operational and technological assessments to improve the delivery of unemployment services.

 

“We know there have been major issues and missteps, we’ve hit the reset button and are focusing on the future,” Governor Kelly said. “Accenture is reviewing and providing recommendations to improve the stability of our systems to make sure they are readily available to support Kansans.”

 

While the assessment is still underway, improvements are already being implemented. Since the pandemic began, KDOL has delivered $1.2 billion in unemployment claims to nearly 200,000 Kansans.

 

One of the primary difficulties the agency has had is the high volume of calls coming in that require highly-trained customer service representatives to address. At the direction of Governor Kelly, KDOL has worked with Accenture to add call center representatives who are trained in unemployment surge response and will be able to provide progressively higher levels of service to callers. The first group of new representatives started taking calls on Monday and more will start next week after completing training.

 

In addition to hiring more call center representatives, KDOL has hired seven additional IT employees to speed up implementation of the various federal unemployment programs. Those hires include professionals with specific experience in the programming language that KDOL’s outdated system was built in.

 

KDOL has also launched a new online virtual agent named Amelia who can answer the agency’s most frequently asked questions regarding unemployment benefits. Amelia can be found in the bottom right hand corner of www.getkansasbenefits.gov and as of Monday afternoon has had nearly 7,000 conversations, exchanging more than 23,000 messages with users.

 

Accenture has previously worked with more than half a dozen other states in addressing COVID-related programs. Like Kansas, many states have struggled due to the sheer number of unemployment claims and their antiquated computer systems. Accenture has stated that the system in Kansas is one of the most severe cases of outdated technology they have encountered.

 

As it develops its recommendations, the Accenture team is applying lessons learned from their work in other states, including how to use federal stimulus funds to rebuild antiquated systems and adding automated features to the website to help answer questions and get Kansans paid quicker.

 

“The response model being implemented will be able to be scaled up as needed and there will be more trained agents and technology workarounds for the current computer system,” KDOL Acting Secretary Ryan Wright said. “Our top priority is to get Kansans paid as quickly as possible and with good customer service.”

 

Currently, nearly everything in the KDOL system must be done manually with minimal automation, which means processes take longer and fewer Kansans can be served. The data and metrics are not stored in a central location, which makes it cumbersome to verify and difficult to provide consistent system reporting. 

 

“Once the surge response is stabilized, we’ll be able to turn attention to the badly needed system rebuild, so we never face this situation again,” Wright said.

Fort Scott, Government

FS City Commission Meets July 17

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The Fort Scott City Commission will meet on Friday, July 17th, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas to hold a work session to discuss the City’s 5 year capital plan.

The meetings are still limited in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in until the room is full to ensure the public health orders are followed.

The meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Bourbon County, Government

Bourbon County Commission Agenda for July 14

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Agenda

Bourbon County Commission Room

1st Floor, County Courthouse

210 S. National Avenue

Fort Scott, KS 66701

Tuesdays starting at 9:00

Date: July 14, 2020

1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________

2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________

3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________

County Clerk-Kendell Mason

MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

9:00 – 9:30 JT Heckman

9:30 – 9:45 Tri-Valley Board

9:45 – 10:00 Jody Hoener, BCBS Pathways Grant

10:00 – 10:15 Jody Hoener, CDBG-CV Grants & Spark

10:15 – 10:30 BBCO Soil Conservation District, 2021 Budget Review

10:30 – 10:45 David Neville, Second Floor Air Conditioner

10:45 – 11:00 Susan Bancroft, Requesting a variance from Sewer District Agreement

11:00 – 11:15 Larry Sharp, KCAMP Insurance Annual Review

11:15 – 11:30 Bill Martin/Bobby Reed, 2021 Budget Review

11:30 – 11:35 Michael Hoyt, Spark Program

11:45 – 12:00 Jacqie Spradling, Attorney 2021 Budget Review

12:00 – 12:15 Justin Meeks, CIC Contract

12:15 – 1:30 Lunch

1:30 – 4:30 Commissioners to have a budget work session

Fort Scott, Government

FS Lake Advisory Board Meets July 18

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The Lake Fort Scott Advisory Board will meet on Saturday, July 18th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at the City Hall Commission Meeting Room at 123 S. Main Street, Fort Scott, Kansas.

The meetings are still limited in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in until the room is full to ensure the public health orders are followed.

The meeting will still be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Obituary

Obituary of David C. Middleton

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David Charles Middleton, age 70, a resident of rural Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Sunday, July 12, 2020, at his home.

He was born August 1, 1949, in Ft. Scott, the son of Lee Charles Middleton and Allie Ethyl Peterson Middleton.

David graduated from the Ft. Scott High School with the Class of 1967.

He married Sharon Simpson on November 18, 1966, at Nevada, Missouri.

In earlier years, David worked at Mid-America Business forms and then for the Co-Op in Uniontown and Beulah.  He later returned to the printing industry and was employed by Apico Printing in Girard and later Ward-Kraft in Ft. Scott.  In addition, he operated his own farm and dairy.  He retired in 2011.

He was a member of the Cherry Grove Baptist Church, the Xenia Masonic Lodge and the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting as well as spending time with his grandchildren.

 

Survivors include his wife, Sharon, of the home; his son, Chris Middleton (Amy Larson), of Pittsburg; seven grandchildren, Brittany Horn (John), of Lawrence, Kansas, Matthew Prettyman (Alexis) and Shelby Garcia (Steven), all of Williston, Florida and Jazzmin Middleton, Dylan Middleton, Kaydence Clark and Kamdin Clark, all of Pittsburg, Kansas and seven great-grandchildren, Cameron, Kaden, Izzy, Addison, Elle, Amora and Aurelia. Also surviving are a brother, Kenneth Middleton (Lavon), of Uniontown, Kansas and three sisters, Carrie Elbrader, Ark City, Kansas, Lois Cooney, Frontenac, Kansas and Donna Davidson Williams, Uniontown, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Beverly Ann Horn, a sister, Carolyn Rourk, and his parents.

 

Rev. Marty DeWitt will conduct graveside services at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, July 19th at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Masonic rites will also be conducted.

The family will receive friends on Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel from Noon until leaving for the cemetery at 1:30 P.M.

Memorials are suggested to the Mirza Shrine General Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Health Care, Mercy Hospital, Opinion

Bill Brittain Thanks Congressman Watkins For Help On Former Mercy Building

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Submitted by Bill Brittain.

Bill Brittain, left, shakes hands with U.S. House of Representative from Kansas, Steve Watkins. Submitted photo.

 

“On July 10, I was able to publicly thank Congressman Steve Watkins for his help on the Mercy facility.

The Congressman was in town Friday at the Nu-Grille (restaurant) for a small group discussion passing through for other stops for the day.

Several months ago I reached out to him and his office with an idea to save the  (former)Mercy Hospital facility.

After I reached out to them he sent one of his staff to meet with me.
His staff came to some of the meetings we set up with other people of interest such as the city, CHC, Via Christi and others. His office made contact with the person with Mercy headquarters and arranged a phone meeting between that person and myself along with the Congressman’s staff member.
They have searched for Government grants that might be of assistance for Bourbon County to use.
They opened doors that we could not get open and that is what allowed the process to move forward!

He and his staff have been instrumental with helping us get to where
we are today!

I would also like to thank the Bourbon County Commissioners for taking bold action by accepting the donation of the facility!

By doing so I believe we will ensure our community will have good healthcare options available in a nice facility for many years to come.

Our hope is to fill this facility with several healthcare options and I am in hopes that we will have hospital services at some point down
the road.

Jody Hoener, the Bourbon County Economic Director has also worked very hard in spearheading meetings, making contacts, and looking for grants.

It definitely, like many things, takes action from many but
without Congressman Watkins Office I don’t think we could have got the ball rolling!

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Has Four New Cases of COVID 19

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

July 13, 2020

“Allen County has 2 new COVID-19 cases this morning and Bourbon County has 4,” Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi-County Health Departments Administrator, said. “Of Bourbon County’s 4, 2 are presumptive positive.”

 

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 3
Current Recovered Cases 5
Total Positives Since Testing 8-1 removed-out of state and to remain there
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 11
Current Recovered Cases 4
Total Positives Since Testing 15
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 26
Presumptive Cases 3-1 listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon 11
Total Hospitalizations 5-1 still remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 29-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing 54
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Total Hospitalizations 1-0 remaining in hospital
Current Recovered Cases 10
Total Positives Since Testing 10
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.