Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2025
- Welcome: Thirteen members representing twelve agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Ana Salas- Safe House Advocate in Pittsburg. Safe House is hosting a Bags to Riches fundraiser on March 29 at the Crimson & Gold Ballroom at PSU.
- Jannelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant
- Kelli Mengarelli – Family Resource Center – This week is Dr. Seuss and Read Across America week.
- Michelle Stevenson – Fort Scott Early Childhood Program- Michelle works with families prenatal-6 years old. She is a resource for the parents. Michelle has a caseload of 30 families right now and will need more families once kids graduate to preschool later this summer.
- Patty Simpson – Fort Scott Housing Authority- The Housing Authority has an income-based application. There is a short waiting list for all units, but this constantly changes. If you have families in need of housing, send them to Patty. Individuals with felonies are not necessarily disqualified for receiving housing, eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Dee Dee LeFever – Greenbush Community Liaison- Greenbush is doing some realigning. Dee Dee is working with CHC Inspire Health on a stuffy clinic project. Dee Dee also helps with the Greenbush autism team. If you need any kind of educational resources, let Dee Dee know.
- Tammy Alcantar- Crawford County Health Department – Tammy collaborates with multiple counties. The breastfeeding program in the area counties has been successful. Programs include teen pregnancy, tobacco cessation, and much more. A Zoom prenatal class starts Monday at Bourbon County Health Department.
- Star Culp – Parents as Teachers Bourbon County
- Lora Wilson – CHC/SEK – Community Health Workers
- Robin Paulie- Healthy Heart Ambassador with CHC/SEK – Robin leads the Food is Medicine programs.
- Dustin Emmett- SE KANSASWORKS – Emporia job fair coming up in April because of the Tyson plant closing. Still need employers to attend. Employers around the Emporia area are preferred, but will take any employers as some job seekers will have to relocate.
- Nick Johnson – USD 234 – Fort Scott Preschool Center is hosting their annual Spring Fling family night on April 3. Area organizations are invited to set up a table, host an activity, and connect with families. Preschool Round-Up will be April 11. Any child who will be 3 or 4 years old on August 31, 2025 is invited to attend.
- Program: Sarah Poteat, Regional Manager, CarePortal
CarePortal has been active in Bourbon County since 2017. They work in most counties in Southeast Kansas. CarePortal is a care-sharing technology that drives action for vulnerable children and families. Designated agencies can enter requests for families in need. Churches who want to help families enroll in CarePortal, then requests are sent out to church members who may be able to meet the need. Child welfare agencies are struggling more now than ever before, this has led to fewer requests being entered. Schools can also be enrolled to request for vulnerable families. CarePortal can help coordinate for any tangible need. Requests must be child-centered, children in the home must benefit. Churches interested in outreach ministry are encouraged to get in touch with CarePortal. They would like to add two or three more churches in Bourbon County. Historically, the Bourbon County requests have been met at a rate near 90%, higher than many nearby counties. For more information and testimonials, visit the Care Portal SE Kansas website or Facebook page. Call or email Sarah if you know of churches interested in signing up or if you would like more information about CarePortal.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be April 2, 2025.