Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 7, 2022
- Welcome: Seventeen members representing thirteen agencies attended. The only news from the Board was the update for 2022 family assistance: To date, we have helped seventeen families including fifty children with rent and/or utility payments.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP, shared a new flyer outlining the services that can be provided by the senior volunteer organization; they have recently become active with the Recovery House in Iola.
- Elizabeth Schafer, CASA and Kiwanis, updated the group on Feeding Families at the Methodist Church on Wednesday evenings; it continues to run well following the leadership transition. Billie Jo noted that Community Christian Church had served 461 meals on the last Monday of August.
- Kelly Stammer, DCF, noted that the organization has become active in resource fairs across the state; attendance at the fairs has been good.
- David Gillen, Beacon, shared that they had assisted 327 families during the month of August; 24 of those families had been new. He also reminded the group of Beacon’s hours: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The Beacon phone number is 620-223-6869.
- April Jackson, Thrive Allen County, distributed new cards for the Southeast Kansas Substance Misuse Prevention Coalition and introduced Charlie Harding, the new Peer Support Director. At present the recovery house in Iola is at capacity with five residents. September is National Recovery Month.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army, outlined their new service of providing durable medical equipment to those in need. Allen can be reached at 620-223-2212, Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Vicki Wright, SEK Mental Health, shared that September is Suicide Prevention Month with the theme of “Be the One.” Vicki and Angel Brazeal shared a new flyer detailing the services provided by school-based mental health services.
- Dee Dee LeFever, Greenbush, Michelle Stevenson, FS Early Childhood Program, and Star McClellan, Parents as Teachers, reminded members of their services.
- Nick Johnson, Principal, USD 234 Preschool, mentioned that they have 99 three and four year old children enrolled for this school year. They have screenings the first Friday of each month.
- Program: Destry Brown, USD 234 Superintendent. October program: Dacia Clark, Small Business Development Center.
Mr. Brown, new USD 234 Superintendent, shared his background in education and growing up and graduating from Fort Scott High School. He gave insight as to his type of leadership and his direction for the school district, as well as, some of the challenges that the district will face to achieve its goals. He promotes excellence through high expectations because kids want to learn and they expect a future. His main focus will always be meeting the needs of the students.
- Open Forum: No further business was brought before the group.
- Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be October 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m.