“Bourbon county has 3 more COVID-19 cases this evening,” said Rebecca Johnson, Bourbon County Health Officer. “All are from out of state and staying in Bourbon County. The Bourbon County Public Health Department is diligently working to complete the investigations.”
Category Archives: Government
Bourbon County Health Department Gives Recommendations
SEK Multi–County Health Departments
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties
Coronavirus (COVID–19) Update
July 8, 2020
The Bourbon County Order of the Local Health Officer goes through the end of the day today and then will end.
The Governor and Kansas Department of Health and Environment have strongly suggested that Kansans follow the Ad Astra plan and remain in Phase 3 for the time being.
With Bourbon County‘s amount of increase in positive COVID-19 cases recently, I as the Bourbon County Local Health Officer, also strongly suggest that Bourbon County follow the Ad Astra plan and remain in Phase 3, as well as follow the Governor’s Executive Order 20-52 to require masks or other face coverings in public. I strongly suggest this as well for my other counties, Allen, Anderson and Woodson.
Submitted by:
Rebecca Jan Bowen
Rebecca Johnson BSN, RN
Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Woodson County Local Health Officer
Bourbon County Has Another COVID 19 Case
“Allen, Anderson, and Bourbon Counties all have a new positive COVID-19 case this afternoon,” said Rebecca Johnson, health officer for Bourbon County. “These Public Health Departments are diligently working to complete the investigations.
Please stay home if sick, wear a mask in public, practice social distancing and good hygiene.”
Submitted by:
Rebecca Johnson, SEK Multi-County Health Departments Administrator
*411 N. Washington
Iola, KS 66749
*524 S. Lowman
Ft. Scott, KS 66701
(620)223-4464 work
(620)223-1686 fax
COVID 19 in Bourbon County: 8 More Cases
SEK Multi-County Health Departments
Bourbon County
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
July 8, 2020
From late yesterday evening until this morning, Bourbon County has 8 more positive COVID-19 cases. 2 individuals are contacts of previously listed positive cases. 6 individuals are from out of state and out of county that are currently staying in Bourbon County. The individuals are in isolation. Because of the number of new cases, the investigations are still being conducted and this is all the information that can be released at this time.
Please STAY HOME IF SICK (ie: feeling sick, awaiting COVID-19 test results or instruction from the county health department, if you tested positive for COVID-19, if you were in contact with a positive case, if you were notified to isolate or quarantine), wear a mask when applicable (Bourbon County is following the Governor’s order for mask wearing), practice social distancing, practice good hygiene and avoid touching your face!
Bourbon County
| Current Positive Cases | 16 |
| Presumptive Cases | 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative |
| Positive Out of State/County-staying in Bourbon | 6 |
| Current Recovered Cases | 29-includes presumptive case |
| Total Positives Since Testing | 47 |
| Deaths | 1 |
Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.
Family Stability Grants Awarded
Kelly Administration Awards TANF Youth and Family Stability Grants
Grants will support children and help move families out of poverty
TOPEKA – Kansas families will now have greater access to family support programs that provide stability during these uncertain times. Today, Governor Laura Kelly and Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard awarded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Youth and Family Stability Grants to eight agencies from across the state.
“COVID-19 has created a lot of new burdens for vulnerable communities across Kansas,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I’m pleased to announce these grants that will immediately provide a boost in critical services like childcare, education, and mental health services for Kansas families and kids who need them more than ever.”
TANF is a federally funded program designed to help needy families support their children in the short-term and move out of poverty in the long-term. The Youth and Family Stability Grants provide federal TANF funds to programs that aim to reduce poverty by providing primary prevention and early intervention services to prevent youth from engaging in high-risk behaviors and to help families achieve and maintain stability.
DCF awarded Youth and Family Stability Grants to:
- Communities in Schools for in and out-of-school programming that includes case management services for at risk school age youth and their families to help students graduate from high school and connect their families with needed resources.
- Youthrive for case management services and programming for former foster youth aging out of the Independent Living program in Johnson, Wyandotte, Douglas, and Shawnee counties.
- IRC Kansas Family Connections and Resiliency Program for case management services and prevention intervention programming to address trauma, help families achieve and maintain stability, and reduce risk factors for at risk youth and their families in Sedgwick county.
- Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health for case management services and programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency, and family stability for at risk youth and families in Douglas county.
- Connections to Success for case management services and programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and family stability for at risk youth and families in the Kansas City area.
- Mental Health Association of South-Central Kansas for case management services and mental health programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and family stability for at risk youth and families in Sedgwick county and the surrounding area.
- Mirror, Inc. for case management services and programming targeting healthy relationships, self-sufficiency and family stability for at risk youth and families in Shawnee county and the surrounding area.
- Urban Scholastic Center for programming for at risk school age youth in Wyandotte county including financial literacy education, entrepreneurial and furthering education opportunities, educational supports, and case management related services.
“DCF is excited to work with both new partners and familiar faces to provide these vital services to Kansans,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Programs that provide support and stability will now be available to children and families across the state when they need them most.”
DCF received a total of 23 proposals. A review team composed of DCF program and budget staff members considered all applications and assigned scores based on the strength of the proposals.
The grant term awarded is July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2022.
Foster Care Report Card Implemented
Governor Laura Kelly signs Executive Order Implementing Foster Care Report Card
Another Step Toward Improving Foster Care System
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today signed Executive Order #20-53 establishing an annual education report card for students in foster care. The report card will track educational outcomes and collect data to give state leaders, education providers, and stakeholders a picture of where the state needs to improve when it comes to educating foster care kids in Kansas.
“This executive order is another step my administration is taking to improve outcomes for vulnerable children in the foster care system,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Education is key to a strong future workforce in Kansas. This report will help us track educational outcomes of all Kansas students in foster care – which will in turn help Kansas’ vulnerable families and make our public education system more accountable. I will continue to preserve the foster care programs that are already in place during this unprecedented pandemic. We will grow these foundational services and continue to fight on behalf of all Kansas children.”
The foster care report card will track the following:
A: The graduation rate of students in foster care at the end of each academic year;
B: The number and percentage of students in foster care who were promoted to the next grade level;
C: The number and percentage of students in foster care who were suspended during the school year, and the average number of days each student spent in suspension;
D: The number and percentage of students in foster care who were expelled during the school year;
E: State standardized assessment scores for students in foster care, including the number and percentage of students meeting academic standards as determined by the state board of education;
F: The number and percentage of students in foster care enrolled in any preschool-aged at-risk program, Kansas preschool pilot program or early childhood special education program under section 619 of part B of the individuals with disabilities act;
G: The number and percentage of students in foster care who participated in the mental health intervention team pilot program or a similar mental health program;
H: The total number of students in foster care enrolled in a school district or accredited nonpublic school and the disaggregated number and percentage of students in foster care enrolled in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools; and
I: De-identified disaggregated race and ethnicity data for each data set required in (A) through (H); and
J: Any additional data elements that both the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Department for Children and Families deem appropriate for inclusion.
The executive order directs the Department for Children and Families to work with the Kansas Department of Education to accumulate the data. The report card will be published annually and presented to the House and Senate Educations committees by the Kansas Department for Children and Families by January 15 of each year.
“I commend Governor Kelly for her continued leadership and commitment to building a strong foster care system in Kansas,” Secretary of Children and Families Laura Howard said. “I have long supported the idea of a foster care report card because I believe that a child’s success in education is a predictor for their success in life. The Department for Children and Families has already engaged with the Department of Education to begin gathering data. I look forward to seeing where the data leads us so we can identify ways in which both agencies can support foster youth in meaningful ways that ensure their wellbeing.”
The foster care report card was a provision in House Bill 2510 during the 2020 Legislative session that was vetoed by Governor Kelly due to the fiscal crisis the state faces.
Please find the executive order here.
Tourism Advisory Board Meets July 9
The Tourism Advisory Board will meet on Thursday, July 9th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main.
Please call the City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or email Diane Clay at [email protected] to sign up to speak.
The meetings are limited to 45 total in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in one at a time at their scheduled time to ensure the public health orders are followed.
The Tourism meeting will be available on the City’s YouTube channel.
Governor Recommends Staying in Phase 3 To Reopen
Governor Laura Kelly Recommends Kansas Continues to Use Phase 3 of “Ad Astra” Plan
TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly today announced that her administration, and officials with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, recommend that most local communities again do not move into Phase Out of “Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas” at this time, and instead stay in Phase 3.
“Nearly 3,500 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Kansas over the past two weeks – which is the steepest rate of new case development since the pandemic began,” said Governor Kelly. “After careful consideration, Secretary Norman’s team at KDHE and members of my administration have decided we still do not feel most communities are ready to move into the final phase of the ‘Ad Astra’ plan at this time.”
The emergency disaster declaration issued by the Governor on May 26 transfers reopening decisions back to local officials, which means counties continuing with Phase 3 of the plan is only a recommendation. However, the State continues to monitor health metrics daily, and remains committed to supporting local communities in a safe, gradual transition.
“If we’re going to keep our loved ones healthy and keep Kansas open for business, every Kansan must step up, wear a mask, socially distance, and practice good hygiene,” said Governor Kelly. “I will continue do everything in my power to save lives and keep our economy open, and I strongly encourage other elected leaders in our state to do the same.”
Key Phase 3 highlights for communities:
- Mass gatherings of more than 45 individuals are not recommended;
- All education, activities, venues and establishments may operate and are recommended to follow all public health guidelines;
- On-site staffing has no recommended restrictions;
- Nonessential travel may resume, provided travelers follow KDHE travel and quarantine guidelines for travel to high-risk areas.
As always, Kansans should continue to adhere to hygiene and social distancing protocols, including:
- Washing hands frequently, while avoiding contact with one’s face;
- Remaining home when sick or running a fever;
- Following isolation and quarantine orders issued by state or local health officers;
- Wearing a cloth face mask when in public;
“Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas,” is available in full at covid.ks.gov, in addition to industry-specific guidance for Kansas businesses.
Bourbon County Is In A Drought Watch
Governor Declares Drought Emergency, Warnings and Watches for Kansas Counties
The Governor’s Drought Team examines conditions; fire dangers and encourages Kansans to be mindful of the state’s worsening conditions
TOPEKA – Today Governor Kelly issued Drought Declarations for Kansas counties with Executive Order #20-54. The declaration includes 74 out of 105 counties either in an emergency, warning or watch status.
“Unfortunately, the majority of the state of Kansas has been considered in drought or abnormally dry conditions for the past several weeks, which has led to high risk of fire hazard,” said Governor Kelly. “This declaration will allow affected communities to access the water they need. I encourage Kansans to continue to be mindful of drought conditions, and work to minimize the threat of fires across the state.”
The drought declaration placed 13 counties in emergency status, 18 into a warning status and 44 into a watch status. This action was recommended by Earl Lewis, Director of the Kansas Water Office and Chair of the Governor’s Drought Response Team. Most of the state has received fewer than 70% of its normal rainfall since January, and many southwestern counties have received less than half of their normal precipitation.
“It has been a very dry winter and spring, especially in western Kansas, and forecasts into the coming summer months predict higher temperatures and fewer chances of precipitation,” said Lewis. “The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to monitor the situation closely as future outlooks call for drought persisting and make recommendations to the Governor as necessary.”
Counties who are in emergency stage are eligible for emergency use of water from certain state fishing lakes due to the Kansas Water Office (KWO) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism (KDWPT).
Individuals and communities need to contact KWO for a water supply request prior to any withdrawals from lakes. They will in turn be referred to the appropriate KDWPT office to obtain the necessary permit to withdraw the water.
This Executive Order shall remain in effect for those counties so identified until rescinded by Executive Order or superseded by a subsequent Executive Order revising the drought stage status of the affected counties. Effective immediately:
- Declare a Drought Emergency, Warning or Drought Watch for the counties identified below;
- Authorize and direct all agencies under the jurisdiction of the Governor to implement the appropriate watch or warning level-drought response actions assigned in the Operations Plan of the Governor’s Drought Response Team.
The Governor’s Drought Response Team will continue to watch the situation closely and work to minimize the effects the drought has on Kansans.
For more detailed information about current conditions, see the Kansas Climate Summary and Drought Report on the Kansas Water Office website at: www.kwo.ks.gov
County Drought Stage Declarations:
Drought Watch: Allen, Anderson, Barton, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Coffey, Cowley, Decatur, Dickinson, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Greenwood, Harper, Harvey, Johnson, Kiowa, Labette, Linn, Lyon, Marion, Miami, Mitchell, Montgomery, Morris, Neosho, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Republic, Rooks, Rush, Sedgwick, Sheridan, Sumner, Trego, Wilson, Woodson, Wyandotte
Drought Warning: Barber, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Crawford, Ford, Gray, Hodgeman, Jewell, Lane, Logan, Meade, Ness, Rawlins, Sherman, Smith, Thomas
Drought Emergency: Finney, Grant, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Kearny, Morton, Scott, Seward, Stanton, Stevens, Wallace, Wichita
To view a Kansas drought map, click here.
KS Stays in Phase 3 Of Reopening
Governor Kelly stated that Kansas Department of Health and Environment is recommending Kansas stay in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra Plan.
The Health Officer of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon and Woodson Counties, Rebecca Johnson, said she strongly suggests this as well.
Bourbon County: New COVID 19 Case
Bourbon County has a new positive COVID-19 case today, according to Rebecca Johnson, Bourbon County Health Officer.
The individual is in isolation and has been in quarantine prior to testing positive.
This case is a contact of previously listed positive cases.
Their family is in quarantine.
The case investigation is complete.
Bourbon County Agenda for July 7
Agenda
Bourbon County Commission Room
1st Floor, County Courthouse
210 S. National Avenue
Fort Scott, KS 66701
Tuesdays starting at 9:00
Date: July 7, 2020
1st District-Lynne Oharah Minutes: Approved: _______________
2nd District-Jeff Fischer Corrected: _______________
3rd District-Nick Ruhl Adjourned at: _______________
County Clerk-Kendell Mason
MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE COMMISSION ROOM. ANYONE ATTENDING THE MEETING WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY. MUST MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.
9:00 – 9:10 Justin Meeks, Executive Session, Matters relating to the security of a public body or agency, public building or facility or the information system of a public body or agency, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting would jeopardize the security of such public body, agency, building, facility or information system
9:10 – 9:45 JT Heckman
9:45 – 10:00 Cops Grant
10:00 – 10:15 Jody Hoener, CDBG-CV Grants
10:15 – 10:30 David Neville, Second Floor Air Conditioner
10:30 – 10:45 Sparky Schroeder, Hospital
10:45 – 11:00 Clint Anderson, 2021 Budget Review
11:00 – 11:15 Patty Love, 2021 Budget Review
11:15 – 11:30 Justin Meeks, Executive Session, Consultation with an attorney for the body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship