Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
April 2, 2026
- Welcome: Thirteen members from eleven agencies attended the meeting in 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.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Shelby Moore with Families Together shared about the different ways her program benefits children and families.
- Cheri Walrod from Credo Senior Living passed around flyers promoting their Easter Egg Hunt scheduled for 4/2 at 3:30 p.m.
- Shelby Blagg and Jennifer Gurnee are the Victim Advocates from Pittsburg Safehouse, and had business cards to share. They help those in need in seven counties. Providing victim-centered services to those fleeing domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking in Southeast Kansas.
- Megan Smith with Parents as Teachers from Greenbush has openings in her program. She mentioned the different ways families qualify for programs in Greenbush.
- Larry Jump, the Community Liaison from SEK-CAP, shared about how his program is doing.
- Jennifer Gum-Fowler is our Fort Scott Public Librarian. She shared that the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Chamber Coffee in the library on April 23rd for library month. The theme of the month is Find Joy. There are so many new additions in the library to see, go check them out.
- Lora Wilson shared about what she does for CHCSEK.
- Airrick Lee was here from Neosho County Community College with a program called R.S.V.P.
- Michelle Stevenson with the Fort Scott Early Childhood Program shared about the upcoming Spring Fling the Fort Scott Preschool is hosting. It will be April 23 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. in the preschool gym.
- Janelle Tate the Transitions Coordinator in six counties with the Early Childhood Block Grant.
- Some local updates from other programs:
- The Fort Scott Preschool Center is having the Preschool Round Up April 10th. Please callTammy Catronat (620)223-8965 to schedule your appointment.
- The Kindergarten Round Up will be at Winfield Scott April 8th, contact Amanda and Kelli to schedule your appointment at (620)223-0450.
- The Head Start Preschool has openings call Janice Durbin at (620)223-4440.
- The Path of Ease Redemption House celebrated one year in the community last Sunday March 29th, please join them on their facebook page for updates on the openings in the program for Women and children in our community. They had a time of refreshments and testimonies of what the program has done for them. A lot of the ladies also graduated from The CORE Program March 24th.
- Program:
Winter Moore & Rachel Eden, SparkWheel
Winter Moore with the Fort Scott Middle School Sparkwheel Program let us know how her students qualify to be able to attend her program. She even shared that some communities such as Pittsburg are having students from Preschool throughout their College careers. She really meets children where they are by finding out what is maybe creating some of the behaviors that are showing at school, or if they are in need of some supplies due to lack of resources. She teaches them life skills to boost their confidence. The other pieces to the role of Student Support Coordinator might entail supporting them in grocery shopping, Dr. visits, Court dates, finding furniture such as beds to support them, help budget and pay bills. There is a LIFE simulation that the students get to participate in, similar to the game LIFE, where the students get to practice their skills and have someone there to help them navigate what that looks like. The students are asking about the incentive trip they take each year by the 2nd quarter in anticipation. Winter mentioned they are open to accepting volunteers for the support of the students. Any opportunities that a student could job shadow would be welcomed.
Rachel Eden with the Fort Scott High School Sparkwheel Program shared with us about many benefits her students are receiving by enrolling with her. From a specialized tour to fit a student’s needs at FSCC to helping them “Remember who they are.” She did a great job to help us understand what is offered and how to enroll. Currently she is working with a grant that is a piloted program for next year that will match students together based on need. They are working on familiarizing the incoming 8th grade class with what to do when they arrive at the high school. The students that have been on target will be going with their mentor to the zoo. They have earned trips in the past like Main Event and students respond very well. In this program they are able to teach Life Skills, Leadership, Ownership, and conversation skills such as helping them talk to teachers when needed. They are feeling less overwhelmed and are able to meet regularly with support from peers or Sparkwheel staff.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the coalition.
Adjournment: The next General Membersh