Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

 

February 4, 2026

 

 

1.  Welcome: Twenty-two members representing nineteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.

 

Coalition Board News: There is an open seat on the Coalition Board.  Reach out to Nick if you are interested.

 

 

1.  Member Introductions and Announcements:

• Craig Campbell Good Neighbor Action Team – GNAT builds wheelchair ramps, paints houses, and gets yard work back to zero. They can also help with grant applications.  GNAT has been getting lots of requests from area communities.  If you have connections with anyone who builds ramps in area communities, let Craig know.
• Cameron Johnson – CHC/SEK School Health Worker with USD 234.
• Shelby Moore- Families Together FAST – Shelby works with families who have children with intellectual disabilities and helps navigate the special education process.
• Star Culp Parents As Teachers – Free early learning program, no qualifications- for everyone. PAT has hired more educators, so they have openings.
• Michelle Stevenson – Fort Scott Early Childhood Program – Home visiting program for families with children prenatal through 6 years old. Michelle tracks development, models for parents, and helps families get kids ready for preschool or kindergarten.  Michelle hosts parent-child cafes for socialization.  The program is pretty full right now, but will be graduating kids in June.
• Janelle Tate – ECBG – Transitions Coordinator in 6 counties in SEK
• Patty Simpson – Fort Scott Housing Authority – FSHA has 190 income-based apartments. All units are currently full, but 6 units will be available soon.  There is a short waiting list.
• Clayton Whitson – Faith Church – Clayton is hoping to connect to resources in the community so he can help visitors at the church.
• Jennifer Gumfowler – Fort Scott Public Library- Private booth space is now available, sensory toys are coming in. Some can be checked out, and some are to be used in the library.  Now have blood pressure cuffs to be checked out.  Starting Feb 1, Canopy online streaming services will be available.  Everyone with a library card has 25 tickets, childrens programs are free.
• Lora Wilson CHC – Lora helps clients with any resources.
• Tammy Alcaantor – Crawford Health Department – Tammy hosts a Baby and Me Tobacco Free program. It is now a 6-month program that provides education and incentives for clients trying to quit tobacco and nicotine.  Tammy is part of the Kansas Perinatal Community Collaborative.  Ask Tammy about resources from KPCC.
• Theresa Amershek – Safe House CVEC- Theresa completes intakes for visits between parents and kids. The goal is to provide a safe place for parents to visit their children. Safehouse has its annual Bags to Riches fundraiser on March 28 in Pittsburg.
• Kelly Stammer – DCF – LIEAP program is now open. Events in the area will help clients sign up electronically.
• Dave Gillen – Beacon – The Beacon is an interfaith, non-profit organization helping with food, hygiene, and other necessities since 1985. Partners with several local agencies to provide help to those in need. 2025 was a successful year for the Beacon. The Beacon distributed over $28,000 in financial assistance in 2025. The Beacon provided more than 150 tons of food and served 4500 families. Shoe vouchers helped 142 children starting school.  The Beacon worked with the Bourbon County Coalition to provide swim passes to families.  The Beacon organized and donated Christmas gifts for children.  There were 146 applications for food baskets.   In January, the Beacon helped 343 families, $2, 200 dollars. The Beacon receives donations from Walmart on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  The Beacon also helps families with taxi passes and gas vouchers.
• Jalaine Davis – Core Community – Core helps those in poverty get out of poverty. Graduation from phase 1 will be coming up on March 24.  Phase 2 will begin later this year.
• Kathy Brennon – Area Agency on Aging- On-site meals are available at Buck Run. Also have bingo twice per month.  These programs are for those aged 60+.  Transportation is a big issue for people getting to the meal site.  If you know of a church or someone with an accessible van who could help with transportation, let Kathy know.  The third Wednesday caregiver support group meets at Papa Don’s.  Medicare counselling is available for those new to Medicare.  Funding is available for in-home support, home modification, and case management.  The Kansas respite and dementia program can provide assistance or equipment for those living with someone with dementia.  A small emergency fund is available for 60+, up to $500 per year. Call the office for more information.
• Dee Dee LeFever – Greenbush – Greenbush offers PAT and Infant Toddler Systems for area preschools and programs. Also provide audiology services, virtual parent trainings, and the SEK Community resource guide.
• Cheyenne Bolin – SEK-CAP family educator, 0-3 and prenatal services. SEK-CAP currently has four open spots. They offer 90-minute home-based visits and help with community resources.
• Janice Durbin – Child and Family Development Educator, 3-5 year olds, advocate for Head Start center. Janice can help locate resources for families.
• Larry Jump – Community Liaison for SEK-CAP – Early education -Supports those in the area Head Start centers/programs. Head Start is always looking for employees and children.

 

 

1.  Program: 

 

Teresa Davenport, Care to Share

Care to Share is a cancer support group that began in 2007.  They began raising funds in 2009.  Care to Share does not employ any staff; it is 100% volunteer based. Care to Share is located at 9 E. Wall.  Volunteers staff the location from 11:00 to 2:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Care to Share has raised $1.8 million since 2009; all money raised goes to cancer fighters.    Care to Share began in Bourbon County and is now helping cancer fighters in Linn County and Crawford County.  They raise funds in all three counties and distribute about the same amount in each county as was raised. Recent fundraisers include Pink Out night in Linn County, which raised $10,000, and a pool tournament in Bourbon County, which raised $20,000.  Care to Share is currently helping about 75 people, including 6 families with children who have cancer.  Last year, Care to Share raised about $100,000.  They distributed about $51,000 in gas vouchers.

 

Care to Share helps cancer fighters financially and emotionally in a variety of ways, including help with utilities, gas, food, home maintenance, transportation costs,  and car maintenance.  They have tons of medical equipment and lift chairs available for cancer survivors and those in need.  They also have sharing shelves, books, puzzles, wigs, and bras available for cancer fighters.  There are no income guidelines- they will help anyone.  Provide both financial and emotional support. Care to Share will try to do about anything for cancer fighters.  Care to Share does not receive referrals from doctors’ offices, so if you know of someone battling cancer, have them get in contact with Care to Share.

 

Upcoming fundraisers include an Elvis Impersonator show on Feb 28, bake sales, and golf tournaments. Care to Share will be starting a cancer support group in the coming months. There are many ways to help Care to Share that don’t require money. Volunteers can be a part of the prayer team, make phone calls, and send cards.  If you would like help Care to Share, call 620-644-9090 or visit their Facebook page for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.  Open Forum:

 

 Adjournment:  The next General Membership meeti