Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2024
- Welcome: Eighteen members representing fourteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Lora Wilson CHC-SEK- Lora is currently working with CHC-SEK’s tobacco cessation program.
- Mary Jo Flint introduced herself as the new Pediatrician at Fort Scott CHC-SEK.
- Clayton Cook – CHC-SEK/Mount Carmel Hospice – Clayton is a Social Worker for hospice patients in the community. He is seeking ways to connect his clients to local resources.
- Kathy Brennon. Area agency on Aging – Medicare open enrollment is coming up. Part B plans are changing a lot this year. Kathy’s program is free and can help anyone on Medicare. Meals on Wheels has not had a sit down site in Fort Scott for many years. Beginning Nov. 4, Fort Scott will have sit down meals Monday through Thursday for residents 60+ , preregistration is required. Meals will be served at Buck Run. Home deliveries will continue for homebound residents.
- Sandy Haggard- Americorp Seniors works with volunteers age 55+. Sign up for adopt a child will be beginning soon. Community Blood Drive is in need of volunteers for Oct. 14th and 15th.
- Becky Johnson – Health Department Director-Becky introduced Tori White Regional Emergency Preparedness Market and Outreach Coordinator. She works out of Iola office. Flu shot clinics have begun. Flu, RSV, pneumonia, and shingles shots are available. Prenatal classes start Monday. They will run for six weeks each Monday from 3:00-5:00 pm. Contact Holly Fritter at the Bourbon County office. Allen county office is now a breast milk donor depot. If eligible, breast milk can be sent to the Oklahoma clinic then distributed to hospitals.
- Rhonda Hoener – SparkWheel- The SparkWheel program is in place at FSHS, FSMS, UHS. SparkWheel can work with 18-25 year olds. Rhonda is looking for connections to local programs and resources. SparkWheel can provide essential needs items free of charge to students if requested.
- Jordan Eidson – KANSASWORKS- Jordan works with clients from many different counties
- Larry Jump SEK-CAP Early Childhood Education Liaison – SEK-CAP provides services for low-income families under Head Start umbrella. Head Start has a center in Fort Scott and provides home-based services throughout Bourbon County. They are hiring for many positions, including director, in many communities. Qualifications vary depending on the position. Visit SEK-CAP website for a list of openings.
- Ashley Reeder- SEK Mental Health Center – SEKMHC is fully staffed in Bourbon County. Each school has both therapists and case workers providing school-based services.
- Cherri Walrod- Southwind Extension District Community Health Worker – Cherri’s program is funded through a KSU Grant and works with KU’s COPE program to bridge gaps in the community. Cherri has started a support group for parents of special needs children in Bourbon County. Allen County has a kitchen restore program working with Hope Unlimited. They are taking donations of gently used kitchen supplies.
- Janelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant – ECBG serves six counties in Southeast Kansas.
- Angela Handly – Salvation Army & Compassionate Ministries- A laundry detergent drive will take place October 5th-19th. Anyone wishing to help can drop off detergent at Bourbon County Cars, HBCAT, or the Senior Center. Cash donations can also be accepted.
- Lisa Robertson –HBCAT COPE Community Health Worker – Lisa partners with many organizations to help people in the community. She would love to discuss coordinating events with any organization. She reminded everyone that free wash Thursdays is still taking place. Residents can receive one free wash and one free dry.
- Nick Johnson – Fort Scott Preschool Center will be hosting Early Childhood Trunk-or-Treat on October 30 from 4:30-6:00. Organizations interested in attending, please email nick.johnson@usd234.org.
- Program: Dustin Emmett, Retain Outreach Coordinator for SEKANSASWORKS-
Dustin began with a quick introduction of KANSASWORKS. They can post jobs and make referrals for organizations needing to hire employees. KANASWORKS also has a youth career advisor, Christine, who works to help youth find employment and work based learning opportunities. KANSASWORKS connects employees and employers in multiple ways. Visit the website where hundreds of employers post jobs free of charge. Job applicants can also post their resume on the site to be seen by verified employers. KANSASWORKS can help with on the job training and can relieve financial burden of employers by paying the salary of qualified employees while they try out or learn the job.
Retain Works is a federally funded grant to help people return to work after becoming ill or injured. The program works with the employee, employer, and health care provider to determine the best path back to employment. The goal is to keep people who want to work off of long-term disability. Also aims to reduce the likelihood of secondary complications such as depression. Retain Works can help individuals with training, equipment, clothing needed to learn new job skills and prepare for a job. Retain Workss can take the burden off of the employer by providing accommodations to help people return to work. The program is designed for individuals aged 18-65 who are employed or looking for employment. Clients must live or work in Kansas, have a valid SS number, cannot be receiving or pending SSI or SSDI benefits. Retain Works also works to provide veterans with the same services. Anyone interested can apply for RetainWorks on KansasWorks website.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be November 6, 2024.