MANHATTAN, Kansas — As Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, the Kansas Department of Agriculture reminds all those in the Kansas agriculture community that mental health needs to be a priority all year round. As farmers and ranchers face unavoidable pressure from the daily challenges that are part of agriculture, from unpredictable weather to fluctuations in commodity market prices, added stress can be difficult to manage.
Several years ago, the Kansas Department of Agriculture, along with several Kansas ag partners, developed a website to provide resources and support to those dealing with ag-related stress. The website can be found at KansasAgStress.org.
The website serves as a resource for those struggling with issues ranging from mental health, anxiety and suicide to substance abuse and food insecurity. Visitors will also find information regarding financial counseling, legal assistance, disaster recovery, and much more. As more tools are developed and become available, this website continues to be updated and serves as a hub of current information and resources. For example, KDA collaborated with Kansas Corn to add a section of mental health providers with agriculture-specific experience, called Ag Aware.
KansasAgStress.org features resources and support for every member of the family, from teens to aging adults. Unique resources are also available to assist our farmer veterans, who face the issues that come with farming, along with the possible challenges of being a military veteran.
“The purpose of this website is to help care for and assist Kansas farmers and ranchers in their well-being,” Beam said. “We encourage all Kansans to care for themselves and their neighbors in difficult times, and this site provides information about the resources available in communities across the state.”
The Kansas Department of Agriculture and the State of Kansas is committed to serving Kansas farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses and the customers they serve. Together with our partners, we have made it a priority to provide support and assistance to Kansans battling ag-related stress and mental health struggles.
The SEKMHC Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair in Fort Scott is THE place to be Tuesday, May 23! From 5 to 8 p.m. at Fort Scott Middle School, we are welcoming the community to an evening focused on self-care and good mental health. You are invited!
Self-Care Information and Booths
We will be hosting over 20 Self-Care “Superstars” (vendors), including:
Author Maranda Collins
SEK Multi-County Health Department
The Massage Artist
SEK Recovery Resources
Fort Scott Public Library
Fort Scott Walking Labyrinth
Momentum: Health, Wellness, and Athletic Development
Mmm Flavor Shop
COPE
K-State Research and Extension
Riggs Chiropractic of Fort Scott
Arbonne
Courtland Hotel and Spa
Flying P Ranch
Renewed Strength, LLC
Azar Health and Wellness
Faithfully Fit Forever Yoga
Desert Bloom Boutique
Happy Snappy Art
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Bourbon County Garden Club
Self-Care Micro-Sessions
During the evening, expert presenters will share information about self-care during micro-sessions provided FREE to the public! Micro-sessions are scheduled as follows:
5:30 p.m. – Self-defense skills/tips with Kim Schwab, Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office
6:00 p.m. – Yoga with Certified Instructor Megan Hageman, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center
6:30 p.m. – FSHS Orchestra (Music is good for your mental health!)
7:00 p.m. – Food tips and nutrition (healthier chicken nuggets) with Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research and Extension
7:30 p.m. – Mobility/strength training with Katie Holtzman, Renewed Strength, LLC
Food! (It’s good for mental health!)
Come for dinner while you’re at the Self-Care Fair! The Fort Scott High School Choir is hosting a baked potato bar fundraiser onsite during our event. For just $7, you’ll get a baked potato with your choice of toppings, a drink, and dessert. All funds raised will support the students’ trip to Orlando next May. The choir will travel with the band to participate in an educational workshop at Universal Studios.
Get a FREE Speaker!
Come early and get a FREE Bluetooth speaker! We are giving the first 100 attendees a FREE Bluetooth speaker – limit 1 per household, please.
Details:
Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair
Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th Street
5 to 8 p.m.
This will be a fun night focused on self-care and good mental health! Come for dinner, enjoy the orchestra, and learn some tips about self-care! We hope to see you there!
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
DCCA is dedicated to supporting efforts to educate young people about the importance of medication safety and using skills to refuse invitations to misuse opioids.
DCCCA is offering $500 mini grant opportunities for youth serving community organizations willing to provide opioid prevention messages and activities for groups of elementary, middle and/or high school youth. This would be a great summertime activity opportunity!!
Opioid prevention curriculum is available and easily tailored to your community needs. For more information about the mini grant opportunity and contact Crystal Dalmasso [email protected]
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center in Fort Scott has recently signed an agreement with Legacy Health LLC for the center to move into the former Mercy Hospital Building at 401 Woodland Hills.
The building was recently vacated by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas who moved to another Fort Scott building.
The former Mercy Clinic Suites C and D, at 401 Woodland Hills, will be renovated by the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Clinic and move in will be thereafter.
“We don’t have an official date for the move as we need to secure a contractor for some renovations but are hoping this summer,” said Holly Jerome, SEKMHC’s director of marketing and human resources said. “Once a move date has been set, we will be notifying clients and the community.”
“We are certainly not new to Fort Scott,” said Jerome. “We were established in 1961! But due to our growth after becoming a Certified Community Behavioral Healthcare Clinic ( in 2022) we are outgrowing our current building which is located at 212 State Street.”
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, Fort Scott.
“We will continue offering our current and expanded services,” Jerome said. “This new space will allow us to continue adding to our team!”
“SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification,” CEO Nathan Fawson said in a press release https://fortscott.biz/news/legacy-health-partners-with-southeast-kansas-mental-health-to-expand-services. “The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our six–county catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recovery–oriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when youtreat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”–
According to its website https://www.sekmhc.org/ the services they provide to the community are:
Substance use and addictions counseling
Clinical therapy and counseling
Community support and groups
Crisis intervention
Psychiatric and medication management
They have locations in:
Allen County
Anderson County
Bourbon County
Linn County
Neosho County
Woodson County
Last year they served over 4,000 clients, according to its website. The staff provide school based therapy and case management in 12 school districts. They have 15 team members in the crisis department and 10 in the psychiatry department.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is in transition to become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), according to its website. A CCBHC provides comprehensive behavioral health services, while also focusing on physical health and whole person wellness.
What the transition means is, the following is added:
Patient navigation services
Comprehensive behavioral health screening at intake
Primary health screening including gathering health metrics (height, weight, and blood pressure)
Primary health resources and referral
What won’t change is:
Access to counseling and therapy
Access to crisis services
Access to medical services and psychiatry
Community-based services for adults and children
Services and programs previously provided, unless otherwise noted
Upcoming Community Self-Care Event:
A Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center Self-Care Fair will be held on May 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Fort Scott Middle School, 1105 E. 12th.
For questions about the self-care fair, contact: Dawne Burchett at 620-496-8702 or Vicki Wright at 620-212-9391.
About Legacy Health
Legacy Health has a mission to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches, according to the Legacy Health press release. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful, it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.
Legacy Health LLC was registered on June 7, 2022 as a Limited Liability Company – CA company type incorporated at 269 WEST BONITA CLAREMONT, CA 91711. according to /https://ca.ltddir.com/companies/legacy-health-llc/
Troy Schell is the Legacy HealthChairman of the Board, according to the press release.
Chief Clinical Officer is Jennifer Massey and she is the contact person at [email protected]
Chief Strategy Officer is Merrill Eisenhower.
Locally, Matthew Wells is Legacy Healthcare Foundation Director of Plant Operations at the 401 Woodland Hills site. His duties are technical and equipment maintenance. Wells recently helped the building receive joint hospital accreditation, which is necessary because of the patient care given in the Ascension Via Christi Emergency Department that is also housed in the facility, he said.
The Legacy Health Foundation received the building from the Bourbon County Commission in November 2022. In addition to the building, the commission gave Legacy Health Foundation $2 million dollars from funds received from Mercy Hospital and American Rescue Plan Act Funds to develop the property, according to a prior story.
Legacy Health is pleased to announce the finalization of an agreement with Southeast Kansas Mental Health. The agreement will secure an office space in the building acquired by Legacy Health from Bourbon County in October 2022. The new Southeast Kansas Mental Health office will be located at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd, Fort Scott.
“Legacy Health is well aware of the significance of providing access to appropriate mental health services in the Southeast Kansas area,” said Legacy HealthChairman of the boardTroySchell. “We are delighted to be able to furnish an environment that will enable Southeast Kansas Mental Health to expand its services.” “We have been working closely with CEO of Southeast Kansas Mental Health Nathan Fawson and their Board of Directors for several months to come to this agreement,” said Chief Clinical Officer Jennifer Massey. “We look forward to welcoming them in partnership and to the building.”
“This past year has been a year of tremendous growth for Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center (SEKMHC). We’ve expanded services, hired additional staff, developed new departments, and became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). By partnering with Legacy Health and expanding our physical space we will continue to meet the needs of our community. Our certification as a CCBHC establishes a foundation for continuous development in the coming years. SEKMHC is one of the first five community mental health centers to earn certification. The CCBHC model of care concentrates on the overall health of a client, not just their mental health. We have expanded our care to integrate holistic care approaches, connect people with care coordination, and increase accessibility to services throughout our six–county catchment area. Looking into the future, we are striving to provide each client with a much more individualized experience by assisting clients in recovery–oriented ways in their homes, in our communities, or via telehealth whenever possible. We know that recovery is possible when youtreat the person, not just their mental health challenge.”– Nathan Fawson, CEO
Legacy Health is dedicated to ensuring the sustained availability of superior healthcare services in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. This partnership will allow both organizations to focus on services to the community. In addition, this partnership is only the first step in instituting other clinicalservices in the building.
“We arethrilled about this development and look forward to upcoming projects and partnerships in Fort Scott and Bourbon County,” said Chief Strategy Officer Merrill Eisenhower. “Legacy Health remains committed to fulfilling our promise to Bourbon County and its citizens to revitalize the facility and supply essential healthcare services to the community.”
For more information contact Legacy Health representative,Jenn Masseyat [email protected].
Legacy Health
Legacy Health has a mission, driven by passion, to bring development and healthcare to rural communities through sustainable and proactive approaches. Legacy believes that for a project to be successful,it is necessary to understand the needs of the community and the people.
Southeast Kansas Mental Health
Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center was established in 1961 and is a non–profit. It provides, advocates,and coordinates mental health care, services,and programs throughout southeast Kansas. The 250–person professionals and support specialists are committed to assessing,treating,and supportingthe mentalhealth needs of the communities they serve
OB/GYN Victoria Shirley, DO, has joined Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Dr. Shirley, who has been practicing since 2002, knows the importance of close-to-home, community-based care and is excited to care for women in all stages of life.
Dr. Shirley earned her undergraduate and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa and then did her OB/GYN residency through Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital.
Prior to joining Ascension Via Christi, Dr. Shirley spent nearly a decade caring for patients at Kings’ Daughters’ Health in Madison, Indiana. During that period, she served as their Chief of Surgery and additionally as Medical Director of Choice’s Pregnancy clinic.
“We are excited that Dr. Shirley chose Ascension Via Christi to practice, further improving access to care for women in Southeast Kansas,” says Drew Talbott, hospital president. “Dr. Shirley’s compassion, experience, courtesy and patient-first mindset makes her a great fit for our OB/GYN team.”
Dr. Shirley wants her future patients to know that they will be coming into a welcoming, non-judgemental environment and encourages them to feel open to ask questions. She looks forward to collaborating on every aspect of her patients’ care, from teens to seniors.
Patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Shirley by calling 620-230-0044. For more information, visit ascension.org/PittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities
Members of the USD 234 Board of Education met at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023, for their regular monthly meeting at the board office.
President Danny Brown opened the meeting.
The board approved the official agenda and the consent agenda as follows:
Board Minutes from the 03-06-23 regular board meeting and 03-27-23 special board meeting
Financials-Cash Flow Report
Check Register
Payroll – March 9, 2023 – $1,571,728.00
Activity Fund accounts
Negotiations Training
LEA Assurances
Point of Interest: Board Meeting on May 8th will be at the normal time of 5:30 pm. The Employee Recognition Reception will be held on May 17, 2023, starting at 1:00 pm.
Nick Johnson, Fort Scott Preschool Center Principal, introduced FSPC students Solloman Davis, Ryker Felt, Ronin Flanner, Maizie Fiegener, and Sheridan Stephan. They were joined by FSPC teachers Andrea Heckman, Teresa Hurd, and Megan Webb. The teachers and students did an exercise to teach the board how to “Wake Up Their Brain.”
Classified Tiger Team Members – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Charlotte Thompson and Laurie Bollinger as the Classified Tiger Team Members of the Month.
Thompson is a paraprofessional over at the Fort Scott Preschool Center. She has worked 7 years with the District but has been at FSPC for another 38 years for a total of 45 years working with our preschool kids. Charlotte pitches in to help with whatever is needed.
Bollinger is a paraprofessional over at Winfield Scott Elementary. She has worked in the District for 30 years as a paraprofessional helping our kids. She is one of those paras that does all kinds of jobs and is an example of the excellence in our classified staff that make our schools work.
Licensed Tiger Team Member – Superintendent Destry Brown recognized Brenda Hill as the Licensed Tiger Team Member of the Month.
Hill is a 5th grade teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary. Mrs. Hill has an awesome classroom where the kids are always doing something and are engaged. She hosted a “Book Tasting” event that the students really enjoyed. Brenda is the epitome of excellence in teaching in the District. Mrs. Hill has taught for the district for 31 years.
Board Members shared comments.
Superintendent Destry Brown invited the board to the Employee Recognition Reception that will be held on May 17th at Fort Scott High School.
Assistant Superintendent Dalaina Smith updated the board on state assessments and work being done on essential standards.
Gina Shelton, Finance Director, noted the June 1 filing deadline for board elections, premium pay, ESSER III plan approval, and the plan to bring in new staff over the summer for orientation.
Superintendent Brown updated the board on expansion of preschool options. The board then directed Superintendent Brown to explore options outside of Legacy Health. The cost to relocate to Legacy Health had become cost prohibitive. These options might include mobile units to be stationed at the existing preschool location.
The board approved the following items:
FSHS Tennis Court resurfacing to Hellas Construction in the amount of $37,400.00
Resolution 22-13 to enter into a lease purchase transaction for energy conservation improvements
KASB Membership & Legal Assistance Fund for 2023-24
Payment to Meridian Roofing in the amount of $90,990.00
Science Textbook purchase from McGraw Hill in the amount of $65,705.07 for grades 3-5 and 6-8
Contract for Occupational Therapy Services with Outreach Occupational Therapy LLC
Premium Pay Rates for the 2022-23 and 2023-24
Approval of Personnel Report (following)
Additionally, Superintendent Brown noted that letters were exchanged with Fort Scott KNEA and the District regarding negotiations.
The board went into an executive session for negotiation and personnel matters.
Vice-President Kellye Barrows adjourned the meeting.
Air Quality Advisory Issued for Parts of the Flint Hill Region Due to Seasonal Burning
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing an air quality advisory for the Flint Hill region, through Manhattan toward Nebraska.
KDHE activated the Kansas smoke modeling tool on March 1, prior to widespread burning in the Flint Hills. The computer models use fire data and current weather conditions to predict the potential contribution of smoke to downwind air quality problems.
Modeling has predicted conditions will worsen because of existing smoke combined with weather inversion patterns starting at 10 p.m. – 10 a.m. with a brief reprieve possible between noon and 5 p.m. and may continue for several days. The advisory took effect on April 7 for central and north-central counties in Kansas due to smoke from the Flint Hill seasonal burning between Topeka, Manhattan, and Salina, Kansas. When human health impacts are reduced, KDHE will rescind the advisory.
KDHE reminds Kansans that March and April are when large areas of the state’s rangelands are burned, especially within the Flint Hills. These burns help preserve the tallgrass prairie ecosystem, control invasive species, reduce woody encroachment from species such as Eastern Red Cedar, and provide better forage for cattle. Prescribed burning also reduces the risk of wildfires and effectively manages rangeland resources. Smoke from the burns can influence the air quality of downwind areas.
Smoke management techniques are vital to reduce air quality and health impacts for the most vulnerable individuals, including those with respiratory issues, pre-existing heart or lung diseases, children, and the elderly.
“Because air quality levels can change quickly, we are asking people to remain vigilant,” Doug Watson, meteorologist, said. “Prescribed burns release large amounts of particulate matter and other pollutants that can form ozone. Particulate matter and ozone can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals.”
Common health problems include burning eyes, runny nose, coughing, and illnesses such as bronchitis.
If individuals live or have activities near these areas, they can take these steps to protect themselves when smoke is present:
Healthy people should limit or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise.
More vulnerable people should remain indoors.
Help keep indoor air clean by closing doors and windows and running air conditioners with air filters.
Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.
Contact their doctor for symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue.
For more information about the burning in the Flint Hills, the Flint Hills Smoke Management Plan, April burn restrictions, and the smoke modeling tool, please visit http://ksfire.org.
Kristen Mitchell, RN, who serves at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, is among the nominees for CURE magazine’s 2023 Extraordinary Healer Award for Oncology Nursing.
Each year, CURE gives readers the opportunity to honor an oncology nurse by submitting essays describing their compassion, expertise and helpfulness. Nominations are collected from colleagues, patients, friends and family of nurses throughout the country.
Mitchell’s nomination was submitted by her coworker and fellow Oncology nurse Marcus Yoakam, RN.
“Kristen is the epitome of what every oncology nurse should strive to be,” Yoakam wrote. “I have met and interacted with a countless number of nurses, but Kristen stands out a head above the rest.
“She is always there to help and actively goes out of her way to help everyone. In addition to being incredibly helpful, her clinical skills are second to none. It’s a great comfort to know that we have such a reliable and competent colleague like Kristen.”
Mitchell, who has been with the hospital since 2008, spends her days caring for patients in the Cancer Center. She starts by getting everything ready for that day’s chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood transfusion, IVIG and iron treatments. She says her favorite part of the job is making her patients smile and being able to spoil them while in her care by being a listening ear, bringing a warm blanket, providing nutrition, or bringing a warm cup of coffee.
“I do this type of work because I honestly believe it was my calling, especially when it comes to oncology,” says Mitchell. “I’m truly honored to have been nominated for this award.”
The winner will be announced on Apr. 6 in San Antonio during the Oncology Nursing Society’s annual Congress. For more information on the award, visit event.curetoday.com.
To learn more about cancer services at Ascension Via Christi, visit ascension.org/pittsburgKS.
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About Ascension Via Christi
In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and 75 other sites of care and employs nearly 6,400 associates. Across the state, Ascension Via Christi provided nearly $89 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2021. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia
In celebration of Mental Health Month in May, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center is holding the 1st annual Spring into Summer Self-Care Fair on May 23 from 5 to 8 pm! We invite anyone who provides self-care products, activities, or services to participate.
We hope to provide an opportunity for participants to learn the importance of incorporating self-care into their daily routines, along with giving them limitless options for self-care in our community! This is a great opportunity to showcase your business, club, or organization to an audience eager to connect with local resources!
If you have questions, please call Vicki Wright (620-212-9391) or Dawne Burchett (620-496-8702).
Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce | 231 E. Wall Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
CHC/SEK INCREASING PATIENT AWARENESS AS MEDICAID UNWINDING BEGINS
On March 31, thousands of Kansans with Medicaid coverage (KanCare) are at risk of losing their coverage as the state moves forward with eligibility redeterminations for more than 500,000 KanCare recipients. The process has been referred to several ways, including “unwinding,” eligibility reviews, renewals, redetermination. The Medicaid unwinding process also affects Medicaid recipients in Missouri and Oklahoma and in all states, the redetermination process begins when the Medicaid recipient receives a letter from their respective state that they must respond to in order to remain covered.
At Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas about 20,000 patients are enrolled in Medicaid coverage and Community Health Workers are working to inform covered patients that renewals are coming back, and to be looking for a letter from their state plan.
At the start of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Congress enacted the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which included a provision that state Medicaid programs keep recipients continuously enrolled through the end of the month in which the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) ends, in exchange for enhanced federal funding.
Three years later, the continuous enrollment provision is set to expire on March 31, and states including Kansas are starting to re-determine annual eligibility for all of their Medicaid recipients. All beneficiaries will receive a Medicaid eligibility redetermination letter requesting information that they must respond to in order to remain covered.
Some patients will no longer be eligible due to income, age, or health status change.
“One of our concerns at CHC/SEK is that we know the pandemic displaced many KanCare/Medicaid] recipients from their traditional mailing addresses,” says Leah Gagnon, Director of Patient Engagement. “Our worry is whether or not they thought to notify KanCare or their respective agency of their address change, because if not, they might not know to respond to their redetermination letter.”
Gagnon says there are three important questions every KanCare or other Medicaid patient or their guardian needs to ask themselves They are, “Have I moved in the last three years? If so, did I report my change of address to the appropriate Medicaid agency? And, have I seen an official redetermination letter in my mail box and responded to it? If not, you are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage.” she says.
CHC/SEK has planned an extensive awareness campaign including signs and flyers, text messaging, social media posts and videos to educate Medicaid enrollees of the importance of the coming redetermination letters.
At CHC/SEK clinics, Community Health Workers and Benefits Enrollment Specialists are available to assist patients in the process and can reach them directly by calling 620-240-8919.
Medicaid Recipients can also go to Medicaid.gov and click on their state map, where it takes them to their state Medicaid website to update their address and other information.
Medicaid recipients can also contact their appropriate agencies by telephone. The number for Kansas Kancare is 800-792-4884 For Missouri, the MoHealthnet number is 573-751-3425 and, for Oklahoma the Oklahoma Health Authority/Soonercare number is 800-987-7767.
