|
|
|
|
|
|
Category Archives: Bourbon County
Unapproved Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Uniontown City Council
The Special Council Meeting on March 25, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 5:30PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin (5:31), Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting was City Clerk Sally Johnson.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to enter in to executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order discuss offer of position of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 6:05PM
Johnson in at 5:41, out at 5:42. Open meeting resumed at 6:05.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to authorize Mayor Jurgensen to hire a City Clerk at $15/hour with benefits as specified in employee policy manual
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 6:08PM
DCF Announces Grants
DCF announces Innovative Capacity Building Grants for Therapeutic Family Foster Homes
Kansas to invest more than $4.7 million to grow availability and training of needed services to support families and prevent foster care
TOPEKA – In response to the need to provide more Therapeutic Family Foster Homes (TFFH), the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announce that seven agencies will receive $4,765,355 in grants to build capacity through innovative approaches that will significantly increase the number of homes available and provide needed training and supportive services.
Last year, the Kansas Legislature appropriated $6 million in State General Funds to support the TFFH capacity building program. TFFH receive increased training and supportive services to provide a temporary home for youth with significant emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs. The homes are part of the continuum level of care and support as a resource for children and families.
“Together, the selected agencies will grow the network of Therapeutic Family Foster Homes while providing meaningful services and supports,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “The approaches by the agencies span a number of thoughtful innovations with an ability to have resources customized to meet a child’s or family’s individualized needs.”
The innovative mix of service delivery options will result in specific recruitment strategies and increased wraparound supports to resource families, biological families and youth. Some grants include collaboration with agencies who operate similar programs or support youth requiring a therapeutic level of care.
“DCF is committed to providing supports and services to all agencies sponsoring these types of homes,” Howard continued.
The grants are effective March 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 with the possibility of three one-year renewals. The remaining $1.2 million of the allocated resources will be available to provide other TFFH supports, training and services.
|
Agency |
Area of focus |
Counties |
Estimated support |
Initial Award Amount: March 1 to June 30, 2024 |
Full grant amount |
|
Cornerstones of Care |
Prevention |
Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Doniphan, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Jefferson, Wabaunsee and Shawnee |
Therapeutic prevention-based care |
$177,123 |
$512,766 |
|
DCCCA |
Prevention and Foster Care |
Douglas, Johnson, Sedgwick and Crawford |
50 children per year |
$143,905 |
$1,017,306 |
|
Eckerd Connects |
Foster Care |
Butler, Cowley, Reno, Sedgwick and Sumner |
5 to 8 TFFH |
$131,117 |
$332,014 |
|
EmberHope YouthVille |
Foster Care |
Sedgwick |
12 TFFH + 25 percent growth in outyears |
$360,509 |
$1,221,644 |
|
Foster Adopt Connect |
Foster Care |
Bourbon, Crawford, Douglas, Ellis, Johnson, Leavenworth, Reno, Shawnee and Wyandotte |
Rapid expansion of Behavioral Intervention Program |
$82,930 |
$189,507 |
|
KVC |
Foster Care |
Shawnee |
Implementation of The Mockingbird Family Model |
$245,643 |
$532,255 |
|
Pressley Ridge |
Training, Data Collection & Learning Management Software |
Statewide |
Training to staff |
$231,584 |
$959,863 |
Cornerstones of Care: Cornerstones will support families identified through open family preservation cases by supporting safety plan or respite placement options. Additional support will be available to the placement providers such as access to a virtual resource library, a daily reimbursement rate, incentive payments to placement providers, access to functional family therapy, and an in-home support specialist. This program will support increasing the capacity of TFFH homes by engaging in prevention activities to support youth in their homes and communities rather than in out of home care.
DCCCA: DCCCA will focus on the recruiting, training, and sponsoring TFFH to serve youth in DCF custody as well as through therapeutic stability placements. Therapeutic stability placements are designed for youth who are not in the custody of DCF but may be receiving support through Family First Prevention Services, Family Preservation, or Post Adoption Support. DCCCA will employ a dedicated TFFH recruiter, provide in-person and virtual support groups, specialized training for TFFH providers, mentoring, and incentives for youth, parents and placement providers. DCCCA will utilize Behavioral Interventionists as well as Functional Family Therapy when appropriate.
Eckerd Connects: Eckerd Connects will establish five to eight TFFH homes in Sedgwick, Butler, Cowley, Sumner, and Reno counties to provide TFFH services to youth placed in these homes. The approach will include a recruiter/trainer, clinical licensed mental health professional, respite, support groups, mentoring, flex funds and specialized training for TFFH. Eckerd will make their Functional Family Therapy program available to assist with care coordination and rapid response to support TFFH placements. Eckerd is creating a TFFH Peer Respite model to ensure respite support is available to families providing TFFH as well as accessing flex fund supports for TFFH.
EmberHope YouthVille: EmberHope will recruit TFFH families in Sedgwick County for youth between the ages of three and 18. They will provide specialized training for TFFH providers. EmberHope will create a TFFH team including a therapist, foster care worker, supervisor, TFFH recruiter, and quality improvement coordinator. EmberHope will also provide a resource room for TFFH to supply youth and families with hardgoods needed during placement.
Foster Adopt Connect: Foster Adopt Connect will support a rapid expansion of their Behavioral Intervention (BI) Program into Johnson, Wyandotte, Bourbon, Crawford, Shawnee, Douglas, Leavenworth, Reno and Ellis counties. BI is an in-home support that engages both parents and children with daily management of behaviors to decrease the need for short term hospitalization and assist with crisis de-escalation, re-direction, and the teaching of positive replacement behaviors to the youth. BI services can follow the child and be available to support the transition to either the parents’ home or an adoptive placement.
KVC – Mockingbird: KVC will create a Mockingbird Family Model of foster home constellations. These constellations consist of a maximum of 11 families, 10 foster homes and 1 Hub Home. The Hub Home serves to provide support to the homes within the constellation of families. Constellations may include licensed foster homes, relatives or non-related kin placements. The Mockingbird Family Model is designed to assist placement providers in utilizing supports not only from professionals involved in the child welfare system but also their peers. Hub Homes are specially trained to build community within the constellation and maintain open beds to provide respite and emergency supports to other constellation families, and plan social activities for the constellation. KVC will provide support to the hub and constellation through a KVC Liaison staff person, as well as attendant care workers. KVC will utilize the Registered Behavior Technician training to prepare their attendant care staff.
Pressley Ridge: Pressley Ridge will provide TFFH training statewide to agencies in Kansas who wish to utilize this model. Pressley Ridge training will be available in multiple cohorts throughout the state.
###
The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) mission is to protect children, strengthen families, and promote adult self-sufficiency. DCF’s more than 35 service centers across the state offer a wide range of support services, including food, utility, child care assistance, child support services, and employment education and training. DCF also partners with grantees to provide foster care services to children, including case planning, placement, life skills, and foster parent recruitment and training. DCF works in partnership with organizations, communities, and other agencies to support families, children, and vulnerable adults, connecting them with resources, supports, and networks in their home communities.
Free Trees Available From Fort Scott Kiwanis: Deadline For Request Is April 13
Among the Fort Scott Kiwanis Club community service projects is a free tree to Bourbon County residents.
The trees were purchased using a Fort Scott Area Community Foundation grant, said Kiwanis member Craig Campbell.
“Sugar Maple was recommended by our area Kansas Forestry expert Tim McDonnell this year,” Campbell said. “Tim is very knowledgeable about what trees thrive in southeast Kansas. Tim also knows the existing tree inventory in Bourbon County and works to ensure we remain diverse to avoid widespread loss due to drought, late freezes, wind, and pests.”
The trees are very hardy 4 to 5 feet tall and in a 3-gallon root ball pail.
“Anyone in Bourbon County who commits to adequately caring for the tree is eligible,” he said. “This requires 5 gallons of water each week regardless of rainfall for the first year. With the drought last year, we asked folks to water every 4 to 5 days.”
The trees will be received by the Kiwanis Club on the last Saturday in April.
“The Kiwanis group will plant trees on the morning of Saturday, May 4th for anyone needing our assistance,” Campbell said. “If the Kiwanis plants them, Tim McDonnell and I will go to each location on April 16th and ‘spot’ the tree for optimum growth, and shade, and to avoid utilities. We do NOT plant under power lines.”
The deadline to request a tree is April 13th.
To apply for a free tree, text your address to Campbell at 620-224-0167.
Fort Scott Kiwanis Club meets at Burris Hall on the Fort Scott Community College campus every Tuesday from 12-1 p.m.
Light towers to be replaced on U.S. 69/54 in Bourbon County
Wednesday, April 3, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) expects to begin a project to install new light towers on the U.S. 69 and U.S. 54 interchange north of Fort Scott. The highway shoulders will be closed at the work zone with minimal effects to traffic.
KDOT awarded the construction contract of $396,512 to Phillips Southern Electric Company Inc., Wichita. Weather permitting, the work should be finished by late May.
Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.gov, for more highway condition and construction details. Persons with questions may contact Construction Manager Warren Ebberts at (620) 901-6549 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.
160th Street Will Close Tomorrow For One Month
From Bourbon County Public Works, in conjunction with Mission Construction:
160th Street from Express to Fern will be closed for approximately one month beginning tomorrow, March 26th.
Submitted by
Becky Robertson
Bourbon County Public Works
Bo Co Commission Agenda For This Evening, March 25
Bourbon County Courthouse
210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800
Fax: 620-223-5832
Attachments:
Bourbon County, Kansas
Nelson Blythe
1st District Commissioner
Jim Harris, Chairman
2nd District Commissioner
Clifton Beth
3rd District Commissioner
Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
March 25, 2024 5:30 p.m.
- Call Meeting to Order
- Flag Salute
- Approval of Consent Agenda
- Approval of Minutes from 3/11/2024
- Approval of Payroll Totaling $295,311.50
- Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $445,254.99
- Approval of January and February Financials
- Public Opening of Hay Bids at 5:35 p.m.
- Public Comments
- Jennifer Hawkins, County Clerk
- Retailer’s Sales Tax Election
- KDHE Public Notice
- Real Property Relief Application 928 S. Osbun
- Contingency Funds
- Eric Bailey-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Justin Meeks-Executive Session KSA 75-4319(b)(1)
- Commission Comments
- Adjourn Meeting
Executive Session Justifications:
KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with th representative(s) of the body or agency.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual proprietorships
KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.
KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize such security measures.
HBCAT Receives Sunflower Foundation Capacity Building Grant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
|
Update on Uniontown Teacher Accused of Felony With A Student
Breanna Janise Hampton Taylor was arrested on February 25, 2024, by the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office for unlawful sexual relations of a teacher with a student 16 + years of age, according to Bourbon County District Court Documents.
This was Taylor’s first year of teaching.
The offense date was February 17 and was outside the school environment, according to a press release from the school.
Taylor, who in court documents is now using her maiden name, Hampton, was arrested on February 25, and a $10,000 bond was posted on February 29. The case is listed as pending.
Her first appearance hearing was February 29, and her next court date, a preliminary examination, is March 28.
In the State of Kansas VS Breanna Janise Hampton, the prosecuting attorney is Bourbon County Attorney Tiana McElroy and the defense attorney is Geoffrey Clark.
Mark Ward is the judicial officer.
Hampton is being charged a Level 5 Person Felony in violation of K.S.A. 21-5572 ((a)(9)) and (b)(2).
The penalty range is a minimum of 31 months to a maximum of 136 months in prison and/or fines of up to $300,000 and 24 months post-release supervision.
The presumption of innocence in a criminal case is considered a due process of the law:
- The term “innocent until proven guilty” is not in the U.S. Constitution, according to https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/criminal-defense/is-the-presumption-of-innocence-in-the-consti.html .
- The presumption of innocence is recognized as a due process right under the Fifth Amendment.
- The prosecutor has the burden of proof to show (one is) guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
To view the USD 235 press release on February 25, about the arrest:
Uniontown Teacher Arrested for Allegation of Inappropriate Conduct Towards a Student
Local Reservoir Is Dead In The Legislature, But A Community Discussion Meeting is March 22 in Mapleton
The Kansas Senate Bill 497, to begin the long process of building a reservoir in northern Bourbon County, is dead.
Kansas Senator Tim Shallenberger introduced the bill to start a discussion on a new reservoir in northern Bourbon County on February 9, 2024. Shallenberger is the District 13 Republican from Baxter Springs.
The bill was to establish the Pike Reservoir Project District Act to provide for a lake and related commercial and residential development in Bourbon County and authorize a governing board and sales and property tax increment financing for such project, according to HTTPS://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb497/
To view the bill introduced on February 9, 2024: sb497_00_0000(3)
The bill was referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources on February 12.
“There is a process, you introduce a bill, they have hearings, committees, then goes to the House and Senate,” Shallenberger said. “It’s a decades-long thing, the bill was just to kick it off.”
“The whole thing is dead, as best as I can tell,” Shallenberger said. “Unless someone locally wants to take it up again. The next thing that would have to happen is a feasibility study.”
“By looking at the bill, it could give a framework for possible future plans,” he said. “Before you do anything you have to have a framework. That’s why the bill was drafted. There would have been a lot of public input in the years-long process.”
“There are no plans currently,” he said. “The bill is gone, the whole process would all have to start over again.”
“There was pushback from local people,” he said. “They were upset.”
Shallenberger said when he visited Fort Scott last year he met with local business and government representatives “People were talking about a new lake.”
Shane Walker, Bourbon County Director of Information Technology, “had a map of the proposed lake…(and) took me up through the area.”
“It was an interesting landscape, hills and valley, perfect for a lake,” Shallenberger said. “Water is needed in Kansas and there is federal money for it.”
“If someone wanted to do a feasibility study they would have the bill as a framework,” he said.
Shallenberger said “I am optimistic about Fort Scott, there is a lot of potential, even without a new lake. You are a net win on sales tax. People are coming to Fort Scott to buy things.”
Community Members Facilitate Discussion On The Reservoir
There is a meeting this Friday, March 22, in Mapleton, which was initiated by Joe Bisogno, property owner near the reservoir site.
The meeting is scheduled to discuss the reservoir from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Mapleton Community Center tomorrow, Friday, March 22.
“It was Joe Bisogno’s idea to get something together for information for citizens,” Mike Hueston, Mapleton City Councilman said. “Everybody I talked to, didn’t have a clue about this (reservoir).”
Landowners, community members, and political representatives are welcome to come.
Joe Bisogno owns Timber Hills Ranch in the proposed area.
“I own property that would be flooded,” he said. “The meeting will be about the pros and cons and questions of a lake in the proposed area.”
“I don’t know enough about it to be ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but I know we need water,” Bisogno said. “If the landowners and the officials can work out the details, I think it’s a great project.”
Core Community Events Community Calendar for April 2024
April 16, 2024
Core Friend Training hosted by Core Community
If you are considering becoming a Core Friend (mentor) for Core Community, you are encouraged to attend this zoom training session. We will be matching Core Leaders (program participants) with Core Friends (mentors) in May of 2024.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 via Zoom
Please email Cinta Becker (Admin Assistant) to register for the training – cinta.corecommunity@gmail.com
For more information about becoming a Core Friend, please contact Janice Lamb at ccbbco.janice@gmail.com or 620-215-1703.
April 22, 2024
Core Community Graduation
6:30-7:30 PM, United Methodist Church, Fort Scott
Our first class of Core Leaders have met all the requirements to graduate from Phase one of our program and enter Phase Two. The entire community is invited to attend to help us celebrate this monumental achievement! Come and hear the stories of transformed lives!
For more information contact Cherri Walrod at ccbbco.cherri@gmail.com
The Agenda for the Special Meeting on March 25 of the Uniontown City Council
There will be a special council meeting at 5:30 p.m. on March 25, 204.
CALL TO ORDER AT _________ by __________________________________________
ROLL CALL:
____ Jess Ervin ____ Danea Esslinger ____ Amber Kelly ____ Mary Pemberton ____ Bradley Stewart
Motion by _____________, Second by __________, Approved ______, to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1), in order to discuss offer of position of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at ____________.