The Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition met Aug. 7 with Board President Billie Jo Drake leading the meeting.
Welcome: Billie Jo welcomed seventeen members representing twelve agencies. She noted that the applications for the Family Swim Passes to the Fort Scott Aquatic Center were now available at Buck Run and The Beacon. Applications must be completed and returned to Buck Run by April 28. She also recognized Key Charitable Trust for their continued support of the Coalition Board’s projects.
Member Introductions and Announcements:
Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research: Eating Smart and Saving More class will start in Bronson, Kansas, on April 20; the class will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays through May 11 at the Bronson Community Building.
Dawn, Cubbison, Aetna Better Health of Kansas: Reminded members that Medicaid redetermination packets will be mailed later this month and stressed that clients need to make sure their contact information is correct. Dawn can also present programs on the benefits and programs available through Medicaid.
Elizabeth Schafer, Pioneer Kiwanis and CASA: CASA will be starting a six-week program to train new CASA volunteers; contact Elizabeth for further information; CASA needs more volunteers!
Janelle Tate, Early Childhood Block Grant: Spring Fling at the FSPSC will be tomorrow, April 6, 5:30 – 7:00. All preschools and several childcare providers will be in attendance.
Kaytlyn Hazen, Career Navigator with DCF: Helps with work programs and employment.
Christine Abbott, SEK Works: Reminded members about the virtual job-fair on the Kansas Works website and introduced John Willey who is the75% youth, 25% adult advisor in the Chanute office. Christine and John reported that there were eighty venders at the FSHS job fair this morning. She also reminded members that the office in Fort Scott is open five days each week; Christine is in the Fort Scott office two days each week. They will soon be piloting Workshop Wednesdays which will feature fifteen minute prerecorded workshops. Christine is always looking for 16-24 year old clients to help them with GED and supportive services.
Tammy Alcantor, Crawford County Health Department: Continuing to do Baby and Me Tobacco Free and Teen Pregnancy classes at the Health Department or wherever the client feels most comfortable.
Kelli Mengarelli, Early Childhood Block Grant: Kelli’s main focus is on providing quality childcare for working parents.
Shanna Willy, CHC Community Health worker: Connects clients/patients with resources in the community. She can also help with the Medicaid recertifications.
Amy Hagan, Family Resource Specialist, CHC: Amy introduced Megan Smith, also with CHC. While Amy’s focus is on out-clinic addictions, Megan will be focused on in-clinic situations. Amy also shared that they recently returned from a state conference and will be working on some grant opportunities. Amy is also car seat certified. Challenges with her programs are transportation, child care, and overcoming trust issues. Child care is a problem that our community needs to tackle. Grant allows Amy to work with more people. CHC will be in the new building on April 17.
Maggie Young: CHC, Tobacco Cessation Grant: Maggie is willing to volunteer with any organization or agency in order to learn about our Fort Scott community so she can effectively help people overcome tobacco addictions.
Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice of Cherokee, Bourbon, Linn, and Crawford counties: Melanie is willing to present programs to educate people on the nuances of hospice care. The Crawford County resource fair is Friday, April 7 in Pittsburg. She plans to do other resource fairs in Fort Scott and Riverton in the near future.
Dee Dee LeFever, Early learning services through Greenbush: Resource for any question or concern about children birth to five. The Bourbon County Early Childhood Coalition will be meeting this Friday.
Sandy Haggard, RSVP: Sandy was unable to attend in person but wanted members to know about volunteer opportunities at the next Red Cross bloodmobile on April 19 and 20; contact Sandy to sign up for a two-hour shift.
Patty Simpson, Fort Scott Housing Authority: Sent word that they continue to take applications but are completely full and have waiting list for all size units at this time.
Program: Carson Felt and members of the USD 234 Orchestra: Felt and ten students from the Fort Scott High School Orchestra entertained the members with various selections. The May program will be presented by COPE, LHEAT, and SEK-CAP; they will be discussing a transportation program in Bourbon County. Dawn Cubbison will explain KanCare/Medicaid for our June program.
Open Forum: Nothing further came before the membership.
Adjournment: Next General Membership meeting will be May 3, at 1:00 p.m.
