Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
December 4, 2024
- Welcome: Eighteen members representing thirteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Michelle Stevenson- Home visiting program prenatal-6 years old. Keep families updated on developmental progress and activities to encourage growth.
- Kellie Mengarelli & Janelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant – Winter assessments are underway. ECBG supports early childhood programs in 9 counties in Southeast Kansas.
- Norman & Brenda Hunter – New Core Community coaches in Bourbon County. Core Community assists families in getting out of poverty.
- Heather Shepherd – CHW USD 234/CHC – Chase Program works with students at risk of not finishing school. Chase will be in Fort Scott next Friday. They are seeking presents for children in Fort Scott. Students involved with Chase will help organize and wrap the presents. See the attached flyers for more information.
- Craig Campbell – Good Neighbor Action Team – Keeping busy, especially building wheelchair ramps. Have a person in need of a wheelchair-accessible van, let Craig know if you have any resources or contacts that might be able to help with this need. GNAT is working with the city to provide free firewood to those in need. They are also helping with gas and water lines breaking during freezing weather. SEKAAA has helped with grants. GNAT also works with the Codes Dept. to help property owners who don’t have the finances/ability to bring their property into compliance.
- Stephanie Breckenridge – Family Response Advocate in Bourbon County – Stephanie works with families to keep kids safe at home.
- Lauren – Angels Homecare – Lauren educates community members about available services to keep patients out of the hospital.
- Angela Handly – Salvation Army/Compassionate Ministries-Salvation Army is desperate for bell ringers. The bell ringers schedule is available online. Funds raised will keep the Salvation Army going for the next year. The goal is $15,000 this year. Individuals and groups are encouraged to help by taking a shift ringing bells at WalMart.
- Lea Kay Karleskint -K-State Research & Extension SNAP Educator- Fresh Conversations program takes place on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 in the Scottview Conference Room. The program is geared toward seniors and includes cooking demonstrations and healthy living conversations. Walk With Ease program will be starting January 6th at BRCC, also geared toward seniors.
- Holly Fritter- SEK Multi-County Health Dept. MCH/Breast feeding peer counselor- Community baby shower focused on safe sleep will be on June 3, 2025. Looking for a location to host the event. More details will be available closer to the date.
- Tammy Alcantar- Crawford County Health Dept -Just completed second hybrid prenatal class. Baby and Me Tobacco Free and Teen Pregnancy services are available for Bourbon County residents.
- Lora Wilson CHCSEK Community Health Worker supervisor
- Shanna Willey – CHCSEK – Shanna assists clients with resource applications. Currently working on LIEP. Also can help with SNAP, Kancare, marketplace enrollments.
- Christine Abbott – SEKANSASWORKS -Staff are here on Tuesdays right now 9-4. Send anyone looking for employment, training, resume, or interview help. Christine works with youth 16-24. She islways looking for referrals.
- Patty Simpson – Housing Authority – Pick up applications for anyone needing housing assistance. Currently have a short waiting list, anywhere from 10 days to two months, but will have openings coming up soon.
- Program: Abigail Striler, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
SEKMHC and Ashley Clinic provide a variety of services to residents in Southeast Kansas. Some of these services include:
- Therapy and Counseling – Outpatient and teletherapy for adults and kids, includes individuals, couples, and family counseling. SEKMHC currently employs 45 licensed clinical therapist.
- Public education and workshops- Professional training courses, community consultation, and personal growth/parenting workshops are available.
- School based- SEKMHC has partnered with 15 different school districts to keep kids in school while receiving mental health services. SEKMHC currently employs 130 children’s providers.
- Substance use and addiction-Chemical abuse treatment and gambling treatment services are available.
- Crisis Intervention-Emergency services are available 24/7. Call a local SEKMHC office or 1-866-976-2241
- Psychiatric/Medication Management-Psychiatric providers prescribe, monitor, and oversee psychotropic medications.
- Community Support & Groups-
- SEKA after school/summer, teen group. Doubled in size from 2015 to now.
- Case Management services, attendant care, psycho-social groups,
- Respite care
- Parent support.
- Open access is available in Garnett, Humbolt, Iola, and Yates Center.
- Ashley Clinic has locations in Chanute and Humbolt. Services include: family medicine, pharmacy, walk-in clinic.
- New services
- Parent-child interaction therapy for children 2-7 years old. Helps caregivers improve their child’s behavior.
- Medication-assisted treatment to treat substance abuse.
- Botox and Spravato available at Ashley Clinic.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be February 5, 2025.