- Welcome: Twenty members representing eighteen agencies attended the meeting held at the Scottview Apartments Conference Room.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Henry Coronado – SER Corporation – SER works with students going into the vocational field, especially those with an ag background.
- Robin Paulie – CHC SEK –
- Susan & Jimmie Jones – Celebrate Recovery – Celebrate Recovery is a faith-based group that helps people with hurts and habits they can’t control. They help with more than just drugs and alcohol.
- April Jackson Thrive Allen County & SEK Recovery Resources – Cover the SEK area for anything related to addiction. Services include peer support, navigation, and harm-reduction services. Drug Endangered Children’s kits are available.
- Andrea Pontious – Thrive Allen County – community health worker
- Christine Abbot & Amber Ames -SEKWORKS – Located in Fort Scott HBCAT office, offer resources for employment, training, etc. Can also help build and post resumes and provide general training assistance.
- Kathy Brennon – SEK AAA -The meal site at Buck Run is going well and currently serves 6-10 people. There is no waiting list for on-site meals, there is a waiting list for meal deliveries. Harry Hynes Hospice will be coming in once or twice a month and other activities are being arranged. The AAA is trying to set up a legal assistance event in June for those over age 60 and trying to grow programs and resources for those 60+.
- Jenny Layes- Community Health Worker with HBCAT – Work with a Pathways grant connecting people to services, and growing mentorship program.
- Don Tucker – FS Youth Home – The Youth Home has recently been rented to Jenni Simhiser for her Recovery House program.
- Kelli Mengarelli – Family Resource Center/Early Childhood Block Grant
- Janelle Tate – Early Childhood Block Grant – ECBG is always looking for referrals
- Nick Johnson – USD 234- Early Childhood Spring Fling 4/3 5:00-6:30, Preschool Round-Up 4/11, and Kindergarten Round-Up 4/9
- Kathy Romero – Angels Care home health – Angels serves five counties in SEK. They provide in-home skilled services. Angels Care has been serving for 25 years
- Michelle Stevenson – FS Early Childhood Program – Provide home visiting services. Work with families with children ages prenatal through 6. Her program is Literacy-based. Michelle will be graduating several families in June and looking for families to join. You can contact Michelle by phone, 620-223-8965 or by email, michelle.stevenson@usd234.org. FSECP has two parent-child cafes coming up, Spring Fling and Shead Farm Homestead Festival May 17th. Michelle has a caseload of 30 kids, about 25 families.
- Lea Kay Karlieskint – SNAP ED educator – Offers free nutrition ed programs for ages 3rd grade through senior citizens. Always looking for partners who can provide a space for programs. Lea Kay is looking for connections with churches to set up a food pantry.
- Dee Dee Lefever – Community Liaison Greenbush- Birth-3, PAT, Audiology, Autism Team. Wrapping up an early childhood resource project for Bourbon County. Materials will be distributed soon. Dee Dee is also helping with Inspire Health Foundation activities at Early Childhood events in the SEK area.
- Angela Handly – Salvation Army Compassionate Ministries – Angela can help clients with bills and resources, and recently set up a pantry with Community Foundation of SEK grant funding. Angela is in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00-2:00. Also available by phone.
- Program: Jenni Simhiser, The Path of EASE Associate (Redemption House) 501(c)(3)
Jenni comes from a background of drug and alcohol addiction. A year and a half ago, she overcame her addiction with the help of the Oxford House in Topeka. When she came back to Fort Scott, she recognized the need for more resources for those stuck in addiction. She decided to move back to Fort Scott with the goal of opening recovery homes and building a recovery community. Jenni is opening the first women’s and children’s house in Fort Scott. She eventually plans to open a men’s and children’s house. She has received a lot of support in Fort Scott. She hopes to partner with AA and Celebrate Recovery to coordinate services. Jenni is also waiting for approval to place a Narcan vending machine in the downtown area. Applications for recovery homes can be found on The Path of EASE Facebook Page, DCF, and soon Salvation Army/Compassionate Ministries. Currently have housing for 7 women and their children. Clients will only be responsible for paying $60 per week to cover the cost of living in the house. Jenni will be living in the house and helping run it. A Grand Opening and ribbon-cutting event will be announced. Jenni also plans to incorporate a Farm-to-Table project with those living in the house. On April 26, a Paint and Praise fundraiser and raffle will be taking place at the Recovery House, 728 Heylman. The Path of EASE has a CashApp and will take monetary donations for anyone interested in helping.
- Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be May 7, 2025.