Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition

General Membership Meeting Minutes

May 5, 2021

1. Welcome: Twelve members representing twelve agencies joined the Zoom meeting. Billie Jo Drake shared that the Coalition Board was able to approve 31 applications for the family swim pass program. She also shared that the Coalition Board had received a $6,000 donation from the Key Charitable Trust to be used for the swim pass program and rent/utility assistance. The number of requests for rent/utility assistance has been down the past few months, no doubt, due to the government programs for Covid.

2. Member Introductions and Announcements:

• Holly, Healthy Home Start: There will be a drive-through community baby shower on May 12 beginning a 10:00 a.m. at the health department, 524 S. Lowman. Holly can be reached at 417-661-0308 for additional information.
• Elizabeth, Feeding Families: This program continues to serve meals to approximately 300 people each Wednesday evening.
• Sandy, RSVP: She has enrolled several volunteers from the High Rise; she is in need of service projects. She does have Hallmark bags available.
• Nancy, American Red Cross: Red Cross needs volunteers. Information and sign-up options can be found on the Red Cross website.
• Allen, Compassionate Ministries: He has been able to help a number of people, including two Covid cases, with housing. He has also received a large donation of queen-sized bedding that needs to be disbursed to those who are in need.
• Mandy, Healthy Families: They have programs for children aged 3 months to five years; she will be starting a parent support group later this month.
• John, Thrive Allen County: Signs are all ready for the Prairie Spirit Trail – the safest way to bike from Fort Scott to Iola. He will be working to place signs soon.
• Dena, DCCCA: DCCCA will be offering a summer youth conference for middle and high school students June 1-15; sessions will be student-led. May 9-15 is Substance Abuse Awareness week. This month’s Third Thursday Prevention topic will be “Marijuana and updated Legislation.”
• Christine, Southeast Kansas Works: The Pittsburg office is now open with access by way of a doorbell. They are closed from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Christine is also continuing to be in Fort Scott at the BWERC building one day each week. She will be here Friday this week and then begin coming on Mondays.
• Cinda, Red Cross: The recent blood drive in Fort Scott was not as large as usual; Red Cross now requires appointments to be made online, and calling only comes from the office in Wichita. The next drive in Fort Scott will be held in June.
• Alice, SEKCAP Head Start: The home-based program works with children from prenatal through five; there is currently no waiting list.

3. Program (no programs for Zoom meetings)

4. Open Forum: Following discussion, the consensus was that the June 2 meeting will be a hybrid meeting. We will provide the Zoom link; in addition, we will meet in person at the community room at the High Rise, 315 Scott Avenue.

Nancy mentioned that the Good ‘Ole Days celebration will be held this year in Fort Scott.

5. Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be June 2, 2021.