Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2024
- Welcome: Twenty-four members representing nineteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Keyhole. Billie Jo announced the following items from the Board:
- The swim pass program had allowed 42 families, 128 children, and 170 total people to use the Aquatic Center this year.
- To date for 2024, the Coalition Board has assisted 31 families including 80 children with rent and utility assistance in the amount of $6,862.
- Janelle Tate has been added to the Coalition Board to complete Elizabeth Schafer’s term.
- Travis Wilcoxen and Nick Johnson will be the Bourbon County Coalition Co-Chairmen beginning in October. Billie Jo will remain on the board for one more year to insure a smooth transition.
- Billie Jo also shared a recent newspaper article and congratulated The Beacon for being in operation in Bourbon County for forty years.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Kathy Romero introduced Lauren Klinksick the new account executive for Angels Care Home Health.
- Cherie Walrod, KState Extension: They will be starting a support group for parents of special needs children with a “Meet and Greet” on September 13; all the information is in the attached flyer.
- David Gillen, The Beacon: David reviewed all the services the Beacon provides and reminded members that the Beacon is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p..m. In August they served 329 families and 826 total people. Requalification will be held in October. David noted that due to increase in costs, they need about $9000 more this year to provide the same amount of assistance as in 2023.
- April Jackson, Thrive Allen County, SEK Recovery Resources: Their federal grant ended last month but they are continuing their programs; to date, 38 have been served through the Recovery House. Their most recent project has been to build a drug endangered children alliance; they do whatever they can to help with substance abuse disorder.
- Christine Abbott, SEK Kansasworks: For now, Christine will be in Fort Scott on Mondays and Wednesdays at the HBCAT building. The KEYS (Kansasworks Empowering Youth Success) Summit will be October 10. The Pittsburg office is now located at 1005 East Jefferson.
- Megan Rogers, Safehouse: Megan reminded members that they can provide emergency shelter and help with about anything to allow a person to live a life free of abuse.
- Theresa Amershek, Safehouse: She handles the referrals from the court system; at present she is overwhelmed with people from Bourbon County. There is a small fee for her services; her goal is to make children safe during supervised visits.
- LeaKay Karleskint, KState Snap educator: Her only class right now – Create Better Health – started in Fulton on September 3: She is looking for new partners to provide space for her classes for the coming year.
- Shanna Willey, Community Health Worker CHC: Shanna can assist people with any resource applications.
- Angela Handly, Compassionate Ministries/Salvation Army: Box fans are available for those who need them. She can be contacted at 620-223-2212; her office is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Shanda Stewart, Community Resource Director, Kansas Renewal Institute: They presently have 40 children in residence; they can house 50. They are currently hiring behavior therapists, nurses, and several other positions. Shanda expressed thanks to Buck Run for providing school supplies and USD 234 employees who make sure school goes on for those clients.
- Lisa Robertson, HBCAT: Her employer has changed but she continues to help individuals that are insecure.
- Ashely Reeder, SEK Mental Health: Currently they provide school therapists in each school in USD 234 and USD 235.
- Michelle Stephenson, FSPSC: Michelle works with parents who have children prenatal through age 6 to assist the parent in preparing children for preschool or Kindergarten; she has a few slots available.
- Rachel Carpenter, HBCAT: The “Dare to Dream Women’s Entrepreneurship” event will be held on September 28; flyer with all the information is attached.
- Deena Betts, CORE Community: Core graduated twelve from their first class; the second class will be starting on September 10. Their first annual fall festival will be held on October 19 at the Shead Farm; information for the event can be found on the CORE Facebook page or the attached flyer
- Program: Judy Hood, along with her jobs as wife, mother, grandmother, juvenile intake officer and part of the county attorney’s office, has been a Keyhole board member since 2018. The Keyhole is now open from 3-6 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for middle and high school students. Keyhole provides games, electronics, and snacks; many who come to Keyhole have their evening meal while there. The space is available for use; the Keyhole board wants to figure out how to make Keyhole more of a benefit for our community. The Keyhole is funded by the Key Charitable Trust and donations.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be October 2, 2024.
The October program will be presented by Dustin Emmett, Retain Outreach Coordinator for SEKANSASWORKS.