Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
May 6, 2026
- Welcome: 11 members from ten 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:
- 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.- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
- Shelby Moore with FAST -Families Together shared about the different ways her program benefits children and families.
- Patty Simpson with Fort Scott Housing Authority shared that they were accepting applications.
- Stephanie Breckenridge-Strengthening Families with the Family Resource Center, Her program offers help with resources and Parenting Skills.
- Star Culp-Parents As Teachers from Greenbush, has openings in her program in BBCO
- Kelli Mengarelli-Early Childhood Block Grant with the Family Resource Center shares about delivering books for preschoolers going to kindergarten.
- Janelle Tate the Transitions Coordinator in six counties with the Early Childhood Block Grant.
- Craig Campbell-GNAT Good Neighbor Action Team, this program offers assistance for single moms, and the elderly. They have currently been building wheelchair ramps for those in need in Bourbon County. A future project is to paint park benches at Schubitz Plaza. This group has also been able to help with gas line break assistance. They are currently working on a recycling program starting, working with Vernon County.
- Theresa Amershek – Safe House Children’s Director
- Cheri Walrod from Credo Senior Living brought flyers about the Virtual Dementia Tour they are having during their Senior Care Coalition Luncheon on May 20.
- Program:
Jennifer Gum-Fowler our librarian from the Fort Scott Library came to tell us about the programs that are currently happening at the library. She shared a little history about the building which is a Carnegie building, and our library is one of the oldest in Kansas still using the original building.
They received an ALA Grant for $20,000.00 and have partnered with Mental Health to purchase sensory toys and products for neurodiverse adults, teens and children to assist with their sensory needs. They include a Shush Booth, Sensory Table, Light Table, Bean pods to read in, and Toys for therapists.
The Library has had a make over including:
-an adult space upstairs for computers, telehealth, and interviews.
-A Teen space, tv, play station, study area, including two laptops.
-A Maker space, Bambu 3-D printer, sewing machine, engraver, button maker
-Library of things for check out:
-Blood pressure cuffs
-Stud finders
-Screw guns
-Board Games
-Hot Spots
The Childrens Program has moved downstairs, with hard and soft play places to include a
zero to three soft area, with a charging space for parents, and a Lego wall .
The Summer Reading Program has started, see the Youth Services flyer
The library has been pairing with Lowell Milken Center offering a great program including a Dig Crew bag
They offer adult reading BINGO with great prizes
They offer hand designed t-shirts that are available with Dig Crew
Golden Aces for 55+, enjoy arts and crafts.
They partnered with DAR for the 250th Celebration.
Road Scholars flyer
They are participating in The National Treasure Duck Hunt, with other community businesses.
Chamber Guide Books are available at the library for free.
The library is a source for various resources available in our community and nationwide. Jennifer is connected to the Library’s National and State committees allowing her to pull in resources and information nationwide.
Benefits of having a library card go beyond just books off the shelf it also grants us access to
Audio Books
Kanopy app which includes Sesame Street, Between the Lions videos free.
Information services
Assist with families in need.
WiFi 24/7
Open to Community Service Volunteers
Jennifer is very excited to share her knowledge and resources with the Fort Scott community, feel free to stop by and see all of their progress and programming. If you need something, the library is a great place to start.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the coalition.
Adjournment: The next Gener