Category Archives: Government

Bourbon County, Government

Uniontown City Lists Services During Pandemic

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All Uniontown city facilities are OPEN. 

DUE TO RECENT SPIKE IN BOURBON COUNTY POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES, WE ASK THAT ALL VISITORS TO CITY HALL WEAR A MASK.  We ask that you continue to practice physical distancing when visiting City Hall, the Library, the Park, and when renting the Community Center. 

You can access Ad Astra-A Plan to Reopen Kansas at https://covid.ks.gov/ad-astra-a-plan-to-reopen-kansas/.

 

The Library is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, 2-5PM.

DUE TO THE RECENT SPIKE IN BOURBON COUNTY POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES, WE HAVE CLOSED THE LIBRARY TO THE PUBLIC. 

WE WILL PROVIDE CURBSIDE OR DELIVERY SERVICE.  TO CHECK OUT A BOOK(S), PLEASE CALL CITY HALL, GIVE THE TITLE AND AUTHOR OF THE BOOK(S), YOUR NAME, AND PHONE NUMBER. 

WE WILL SEE IF THE BOOK(S) IS IN OUR LIBRARY, IF NOT WE WILL ORDER FOR YOU.  WE WILL THEN CALL YOU AND LET YOU KNOW WHEN YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR BOOK(S) OR HAVE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR.

We are in the process of reorganizing the Library, we apologize for the clutter.

 

The Community Center is open and available for reservations. We ask that you practice social distancing as much as possible, limit your guests to 45 at this time, wipe the tables AND CHAIRS with provided disinfectant wipes before putting away.

 

Submitted by Sally Johnson, Clerk for the City Of Uniontown

620-756-4742

[email protected]

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

Governor Seeks to Improve Response Time For Unemployment Services

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Update on KDOL Operations

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced today that Accenture, will work with the Kansas Department of Labor to provide operational and technological assessments and improvements to support the delivery of unemployment services. 

 

“I am pleased to announce that Accenture will be assisting the Kansas Department of Labor to improve response times for Kansans who need help and to revamp our systems, so we can mitigate the technical issues we have been experiencing the past several months due the unprecedented high volume of claims,” Governor Laura Kelly said.

 

Accenture will be working on a fast timetable to improve the unemployment system and services through evaluating and providing recommendations for claims processing optimization, call center operations, and a comprehensive technology review. 

 

Accenture has deep experience in this type of work, including rapidly assisting more than half a dozen other states with COVID-related programs during the pandemic and economic downturn. Accenture will immediately begin a first phase of the review and initial options for actionable steps, followed by additional data gathering, analysis and ongoing recommendations for the duration of their work.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Special Meeting June 30 To Discuss Opening Facilities

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There will be a Special Meeting of the Fort Scott City Commission held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30th, 2020. This meeting will be held to discuss opening of City facilities, the opening of City Commission meetings, and the COVID-19 pandemic. This meeting will be held at 123 S. Main Street in the City Commission meeting room. This meeting will be broadcast on the City’s You tube channel. This meeting will not be open to the public.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Bourbon County Has 21 COVID-19 Cases as of June 29

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

June 29, 2020

Allen County

Current Positive Cases 3
Current Recovered Cases 1
Total Positives Since Testing 4-1 removed-out of state and to remain there
Deaths 0

Anderson County

Current Positive Cases 0
Current Recovered Cases 3
Total Positives Since Testing 3
Deaths 0

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 12
Presumptive Cases 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Current Recovered Cases 10-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing 21
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 2
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 8
Deaths 0

Recovered cases are based on dates of onset of symptoms, not on day testing results are received.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Mobile Testing Unit To Assist Underserved Communities

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Governor Laura Kelly Deploys Mobile Testing Unit to Assist Communities

with COVID-19 Testing for Underserved Populations

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) deployed a Mobile Testing Unit to assist communities with COVID-19 testing for underserved populations.

 

“In order to combat the spread of COVID-19 and safely reopen Kansas, our public health experts must be able to track the scale and scope of this virus,” Governor Kelly said. “Working with local communities and public health officials, this mobile unit helps us reach the vulnerable populations that are experiencing barriers to testing access.”

 

KDHE is working with local health departments and other health organizations to identify locations throughout Kansas which would benefit from this service. The Mobile Testing Unit is a van outfitted with COVID-19 laboratory-sampling equipment that can travel to locations and areas as requested. Currently, the Mobile Testing Unit is tentatively scheduled through mid-July. It will make its first appearance in conjunction with an Advent Health/Mercy and Truth Medical Missions event in Wyandotte County on June 27. For information regarding that event or future events, please reach out to the organizing entity.

 

“We recognize there are disparities with COVID-19 testing,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “Part of our testing strategy in Kansas is to alleviate the barriers to getting tested.”

 

The lab testing is provided at no cost to any individual seeking testing. There is also no cost to the community. The test being performed is a diagnostic test, meaning it will say if the individual currently has COVID-19. The Mobile Testing Unit will collect the samples while at each site and then send them to the Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories for processing. Results will be available to individuals in approximately 1-2 days through the partnering local health department or health organization.

 

If you are interested in having the Mobile Testing Unit in your community, KDHE encourages people to coordinate with their local health departments or also reach out to our [email protected].

 

Photos below:

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van.png

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van2.png

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van3.png

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van4.jpg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van5.jpg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van6.jpg

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/van7.png

 

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Updated: If You Were Served at Common Ground Coffee Company

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 25, 2020;

It is the recommendation of the Bourbon County Health Officer, that if you were served at Common Ground Coffee Company (12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS) on the dates of June 15th (between 7:00am-3:00pm) June 16th (between 7:00am-9:30pm), June 17th (between 6:30am-3:00pm), June 18th (between 7:00am-3:00pm), and June 19th (between 5:00-9:00pm), to please quarantine yourself in your home and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Johnson asked that this update be added:

“It is recommended that if you were served on any of these dates listed you quarantine for 14 days since your exposure date (date you were last served-from dates listed).”

Symptoms are:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

Government, Health Care, Kansas

Sahara Desert Dust Alert

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KDHE shares steps to protect health amid potential

air quality impacts from Sahara Dust

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) wants to alert Kansans to a potential air quality impact from Saharan dust.  The Saharan dust comes from the Sahara Desert in Africa, where storms can lift the dust into the atmosphere. Dust is picked up by trade winds and carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic and eventually to the U.S.  The particulate matter from this event has the potential to impact Kansas.

 

Editors note, here is a National Public Radio story on the dust:

https://www.npr.org/2020/06/25/883555736/saharan-dust-cloud-arrives-at-the-u-s-gulf-coast-bringing-the-haze

 

Particulate matter can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals.  Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing and illnesses such as bronchitis.  Individuals with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children and elderly may experience worse symptoms.

Steps to protect your health on days when particulate matter is present in your community include:

  • Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
  • People with respiratory or heart related illness should remain indoors.
  • Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running the air conditioners with air filters.
  • Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water.
  • Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath or severe fatigue.
Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

Recommendations For Those Served at Common Ground Coffee Company, Updated

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SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon County, Kansas

PRESS RELEASE:

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19

June 25, 2020;

It is the recommendation of the Bourbon County Health Officer, that if you were served at Common Ground Coffee Company (12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS) on the dates of June 15th (between 7:00am-3:00pm) June 16th (between 7:00am-9:30pm), June 17th (between 6:30am-3:00pm), June 18th (between 7:00am-3:00pm), and June 19th (between 5:00-9:00pm), to please quarantine yourself in your home and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

Johnson asked that this correction be added:

“It is recommended that if you were served on any of these dates listed you quarantine for 14 days since your exposure date (date you were last served-from dates listed).”

Symptoms are:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. This list does not include all possible symptoms.

For more information you may call the SEK Multi-County Health Department: Bourbon: (620)223-4464 Monday-Thursday 7:00am-5:30pm OR the COVID-19 Hotline: (866)534-3463.You may also visit the COVID-19 Resource Center at: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/OR Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments on Facebook or our website: www.sekmchd.com for local updates.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

Health Care and Child Care Support During Pandemic

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Kelly Administration Announces Enhancements to Hero Relief Program

Revenue replacement and health care/emergency support worker bonuses provide additional support to child care providers

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard and Child Care Aware of Kansas today announced additional benefits within the Hero Relief Program to continue to support child care providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought forth unexpected challenges for many Kansas families and businesses, and our child care providers were among the hardest hit,” Governor Kelly said. “These resources will help offset lost income, and will make sure our families have access to high-quality child care programs as we get Kansans back to work and back to school.”

 

Providers will now be eligible for Revenue Replacement and Health Care and Emergency Worker Support bonuses. The funding for these opportunities is provided by the Kansas Department for Children and Families through the federal CARES Act and is administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas.

 

“We know the pandemic continues to have significant impact on the child care community,” Howard said. “These new benefits will provide additional supports to providers who are working hard to keep their businesses viable.”

 

The revenue replacement grant opportunity is designed to provide financial assistance to DCF-enrolled child care providers and relative providers who have lost child care subsidy income due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

All DCF-enrolled providers will be eligible to receive this payment if they experience a measured decrease in subsidy payments, including school age programs and Head Start programs. Child care providers who are open or who have closed temporarily are eligible. Relative providers, enrolled as DCF providers, who have remained open are eligible.

 

The Health Care and Emergency Worker Support bonus is a one-time bonus to provide recognition to the child care provider and elevate the importance of ensuring that child care options are available to the health care and emergency workforce in Kansas.  Due to the increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 by caring for children of workers (parents/legal guardians) on the frontlines, a bonus acknowledges the additional protective measures needed to ensure a child care provider can meet the demand of a healthy and safe environment.

 

  • Healthcare workers are defined for this program as hospital and nursing home employees.

 

  • Emergency workers are defined for this program as fire, law enforcement, and corrections officers.

 

The following child care programs are eligible for the Health Care and Emergency Worker Support Bonus:

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs must be licensed by and in good standing with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs must hold a current Kansas Child Care Center License or a Kansas School Age Program License or a Kansas Day Care Home License or a Kansas Group Day Care Home License.

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs must be currently open to provide care at least full-time (30 hours or more per week).

 

  • Child care centers, school age programs and day care home (to include Group Day Care Home) programs who care for children with a parent/legal guardian working as a health care or emergency worker for organizations such as hospitals, nursing homes, fire and rescue, law enforcement, or correctional staff which have operated during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Child(ren) identified must be or have been attending the program from the date of application to August 1, 2020.

 

For more information and for instructions on how to apply, visit KSHeroRelief.com or ks.childcareaware.org

 

Government, Kansas, Schools

Governor Discusses Education With Kansas Teachers

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Governor Laura Kelly Holds Virtual Distance Learning Discussion with Kansas Teachers

Kelly asks for ways to improve partnership between state and educators

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today joined a zoom call with Kansas teachers, Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers, and Representative Cindy Holscher to discuss ways to improve education access and continuous learning during COVID-19.

 

“Kansas teachers stepped up when schools were closed, and continued to give our kids the education they deserve,” Governor Kelly said. “Today Lt. Gov. Rogers, Rep. Cindy Holscher, and I spoke with teachers about the challenges of distance learning and how this administration can support their work in the fall.”

 

On March 17 Governor Kelly took aggressive actions to save lives and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by closing school buildings for the duration of the school year. In just a few days a group of dedicated teachers and administrators from across the state came together to develop the continuous learning plan, which provided robust guidance on how schools can continue education safely.

 

“Our state’s educators are resilient, passionate, and dedicated to their students,” Lt. Gov. Rogers said. “I enjoyed our conversation this morning, and I look forward to future discussion and collaboration with educators from across the state.”

 

During the call, Governor Kelly asked educators how their districts met the challenges presented by the pandemic, and how her administration can support their work as the school year nears.

 

The below photo is available for media use:

 

https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Governor-Zoom-Screenshot.jpg