Category Archives: Kansas

Government, Kansas

Kansas Hits 10 Straight Months of Record-Low Unemployment

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TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly celebrated that for the past ten months, Kansas’ unemployment rate has been below 2.9% — the previous historic low last reached in August 1978. For each of those months, Kansas’ unemployment rate was over a full percentage point below the nation’s unemployment rate.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Kansas has the 8th lowest unemployment rate in the country.

“We have been tireless about prioritizing job creation, business investment, and workforce development – and it’s clear our efforts are paying off,” said Governor Kelly. “For ten straight months, Kansas has far outstripped the nation as a whole when it comes to ensuring people have the high-quality employment they need to provide for their families and contribute to their communities.”

This month, Governor Kelly announced that Kansas has surpassed 50,000 jobs created and retained since the start of her administration.

Kansas began keeping records of monthly unemployment rates in January 1976.

Government, Kansas

Legislative Update By State Senator Caryn Tyson

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Caryn Tyson

 

Sept 19, 2022

Even though the Legislature is not in session, there have been some interim committee meetings and several people have asked that I write an update.

COVID Money

Last week, a Legislative Post-Audit (LPA) report on federal COVID-19 money distributions and spending was presented.  Kansas governments (state, counties, cities, schools…) received over $34 billion of the $5.2 trillion from six major federal COVID relief programs in 2020 and 2021.  The $34 billion doesn’t include federal money sent directly to Kansas non-profits, businesses, and individuals through other programs, like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Keep in mind state spending in 2014 (before the two massive tax increases that I did not support) was under $6 billion State General Funds and $15 billion All Funds.  In 2022 it is estimated to be $8.5 billion and $22.3 billion, so the federal government dumped more money on Kansas governments than the state spends in one year.  With the federal government handing out this amount of money it is no wonder we are experiencing inflation.

Out of the $34 billion, LPA reviewed a sampling of 78 CARES Act purchases, projects, and grants totaling just under $18 million.  Approximately $4.3 million of the $18 million reviewed had possible issues and a portion “appeared to be wasteful or of concern”.  “For example, one county spent almost $225,000 to add showers to a community emergency shelter… [another community] spent $20,000 to help put on a local festival… another county spent funds on donuts, pastries, and coffee for meetings”.  The report is posted online at https://www.kslpa.org/audit-report-library/covid-relief-funding-distribution/.  Such waste in the $18 million makes one question how much of the $34 billion was wasted?  And what the total waste was of the trillions of dollars given away by the federal government?

Unemployment Fraud

The Unemployment Council also met to review an independent audit.  The audit estimated over $400 million was paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims and over 200 security vulnerabilities were found within the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) unemployment system.  The $400 million is a considerable drop from estimates of over $700 million presented by LPA earlier this year.  Neither number is good news.  To put it into perspective, our neighbors to the west, Colorado with a population of almost double Kansas, reported $73 million in fraudulent payments.

On a positive note, many property taxpayers will not see as high of increases because of the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) transparency.  Several counties and other local governments, including a school district in Leavenworth County, chose not to increase property taxes this year.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

Caryn

 

Government, Kansas, Youth

Governor: Kansas Welfare System Improves

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First Report Shows Kansas Child Welfare System Making Significant Progress

McIntyre settlement agreement requires yearly reports from neutral party

TOPEKA – Kansas foster children have stable placements and are experiencing fewer moves while in care, according to the first report from the Neutral Third Party in the McIntyre class action lawsuit settlement.

“My administration inherited a broken child welfare system that had an unacceptable number of children in care, a lack of placement stability, and limited prevention services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Under my Administration, we now have 1,300 fewer children in the system, and the Neutral Report shows we have made substantial progress in making sure kids are in stable placements and experience fewer moves. There’s more work to be done, but this report shows we are headed in the right direction.”

The McIntyre class action lawsuit was filed in 2018 under the Colyer Administration by Kansas Appleseed, Children’s Rights, and the National Center for Youth Law against the Governor, Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Governor was later dismissed from the case.

The parties agreed to a settlement in 2020. The settlement was structured to ensure Kansas would achieve substantial progress and compliance in key performance areas over a multi-year period. Performance areas include accountability, reporting and implementation, practice improvements and outcomes. The settlement recognizes that the outcomes and practice improvements will not all be accomplished in one year. Outcome goals were set for a three-to-four-year period.

Judith Meltzer, President of the Center for the Study of Social Policy serves as the Neutral Third Party responsible for assessing the State’s first year progress.   This first report covers calendar year 2021.

“Reforming a child welfare system is a complex and multi-year endeavor,” Meltzer said. “During this first year, Kansas has made considerable progress in addressing some fundamental problems and has started down a path that we anticipate will lead to further improvements in the years ahead and to sustainable and meaningful improvements for Kansas children and families.”

Kansas made significant progress in placement stability. The Neutral validated that Kansas achieved its first-year benchmarks for placement stability and placement moves. Children in care experienced a rate of 5.84 moves per 1,000 days – more than meeting the benchmark of seven moves per 1,000 days. The report also shows that 86% of Kansas kids were in stable placements during CY 21, surpassing the benchmark of 80%.

“The report affirms our commitment to Kansas children by continuing efforts to build an effective child welfare system,” DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “Using tools like kinship placements, partnerships with community agencies to provide trauma-informed support to foster parents and prioritizing families over facilities, these have all had a positive impact on this issue.”

The state does have more work to do in both temporary overnight placements and night-to-night or short-term placements. Children who experience a failure to place often have complex developmental, medical, behavioral or safety needs.

DCF is working to build capacity through several new initiatives. The agency has created the Failure to Place Prevention Network with the goal of creating stand-by service beds and other ways for family foster home to serve one child at a time. DCF also is addressing gaps with the addition of Therapeutic Foster Homes that launched in 2022.

The report also shows Kansas achieved several accountability benchmarks mandated by the agreement. Those include:

  • Amending case management provider contracts to clarify responsibilities arising from the settlement
  • Creating an independent advisory group to inform planning and program improvement
  • Collecting and reporting data on Class Members placed in a jail, correctional or detention facility

State agencies also are making significant progress in mental health practice improvements and outcomes despite not reaching the CY 21 benchmarks.

  • DCF approved a contract with Beacon Health Options to create the Mobile Family Crisis Helpline which launched in Oct. of 2021.
  • Unvalidated period 2 data shows significant improvement in addressing mental and behavioral health needs with nearly 80% of Class Members having their needs met.

“Addressing mental and behavioral health needs is vital if we are to have a strong child and family well-being system,” Howard said. “We know there is more work to do to strengthen the timely and consistent access to mental health assessments and reviews.”

DCF and its partner agencies will continue to collaborate with the Center for the Study of Social Policy to ensure valid data and look forward to showing more progress in the Period 2 report in 2023.

Those interested in the full CY 21 report can access it via the Center for the Study of Social Policy website.

Government, Kansas

Evergy Asked to Explain Increase

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Kansas Corporation Commission requires Evergy
to explain increase in capital spending plan

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) has ordered Evergy to explain a $1.2 billion increase in the company’s capital spending plan filed this year compared to projections shared when the company presented its Sustainability Transformation Plan (STP) last year.  Today’s order requires that a workshop to discuss the matter be scheduled by September 28 and take place before December 1, 2022.

During the workshop, which can be viewed by the public on the KCC YouTube channel, Evergy will have the opportunity to explain the necessity and impact of the proposed capital spending and answer questions from Commissioners, Commission Staff, and the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB). Prior to the workshop, Evergy is required to file updated and comprehensive financial modeling showing expected retail rate changes resulting from the continued increases in projected capital expenditures.

Evergy is required to file a Capital Investment Plan with the KCC annually. A report filed by Commission Staff in response to the 2022 report expressed concern that the expenditures outlined exceeded those reported in the STP by 21.82%. The 2022 five-year Capital Investment plan was $1 billion higher than the 2021 five-year plan, and this increased spending projection was on top of a previously announced $1 billion increase between Evergy’s 2020 and 2021 five-year plan.

The Commission echoed the Staff’s concerns regarding the dramatic capital expenditure increases projections and whether that trend will undermine the goal of achieving regionally competitive rates and reliable electric service, especially with rising inflation.

The Order states, “Evergy’s Capital Improvement Plan affects the majority of Kansans and thus requires public scrutiny.”

Today’s order is available here.

A recording of today’s Business Meeting featuring comments by Commissioners, is available on the KCC YouTube channel.

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Bourbon County, Government, Kansas

Do You Know A Health Champion?

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Jody Hoener. Submitted photo.

The Governor’s Council on Fitness is seeking nominations for its annual Health Champion Award program.  This recognizes those community champions across the state who work hard to improve the health and wellness of your community.

“We are seeking individuals AND organizations that go above and beyond for the health and well-being of communities, residents or worksites,” Jody Hoener, said. “Please consider nominating today!”

Hoener was appointed by the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to serve on the Governor’s Council on Fitness board.

“This year I am the chair for the awards committee,” she said. “I am a previous honoree of this award as well.”

 

What does this champion look like?

 

Any Organization or Business: Anything from a company that takes pride in its robust workplace wellness program to a city municipality that prioritizes complete streets and active infrastructure.  We want to hear about that non-profit who feeds the hungry, or the school who implements a vaping prevention program.

 

Anyone: A public official, a community leader, a concerned citizen, a health or human serve worker, or a volunteer who works hard to improve the quality of life for residents.

 

Community First: Whether it’s an organization or an individual, these champions think of the greater good first; they’re committed to making things better for everyone.

 

Candidates will be selected based on their exemplary work to promote the health and wellness of Kansans. Individual and organizational awards will be presented at the Community Health Promotion Summit held on January 26, 2023, in Wichita, KS.

 

 

There is a champion in all of us, nominate an individual or an organization today! Deadline for submissions is September 30, 2022.

For easier access to the form, here is a direct link: http://www.getactivekansas.org/Documents/Health_Champion_Nomination_Form_2023.pdf

or visit http://www.getactivekansas.org/gcof.html or contact Alyssa Nava at [email protected].

 

 

 

or contact Jody Hoener
Healthy Bourbon County Action Team, Inc.
President and CEO

104 North National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
1-620-215-2892 Mobile
[email protected]

HBCAT.org

 

Bourbon County, K-State Extension, Kansas

Heart of FCE Award: Doris Ericson

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Heart of FCE Award


Doris Ericson, rural Hiattville, has been notified that she is the State winner of the Heart of FCE Award for 2021.

She was nominated by the Starlite FCE (Family and
Community Education) and represented Bourbon County.

After winning the District level, Doris was then declared winner at the State level. She will receive the state award for the
Heart of FCE at the October KAFCE State Conference in Newton, Kansas, October 3-5, 2022.

Doris Ericson has lived in Bourbon County since 1957. In 1962 she and her late husband Henry bought a farm, Cloverdale Angus, at Hiattville. Doris and Henry have six children who were members of the Hiattville 4-H Club. The first one entered 4-H in 1964
with the last child entering in 1980. 4-H was a major part of the children’s upbringing.


Their projects were livestock, cooking and sewing. Mom and dad were involved supporters of the 4-H program. Doris was a sheep leader for many years. If there was a 4-H event in the county the Ericson family was represented.


In 1990 Doris and Henry were inducted into the Kansas Master Farmer Homemaker group for their Extension, Agriculture and Community involvement.

In 2007 the Ericsons were awarded the title of “4-H Family of the Year”, in the State of Kansas.


Whatever happens in Hiattville, Doris is always ready to help. Building a fire station was one of the biggest projects. They provided food and labor. Doris and Henry were honored for their community service by being selected to be parade marshals for
the Hiattville Homecoming.


Doris joined the Bourbon County Garden Club after she became a Master Gardener. She says she has weeded, watered, and planted all around the pool of Fort Scott. She has helped beautify Heritage Park and downtown Fort Scott, filling planters and hanging baskets and taking her turn at weeding and deadheading the plants to make
sure they stayed healthy.


Doris volunteered to manage the dining room at the Bourbon County Fair. She bought supplies and ran errands. Cooking, making the early coffee and setting out things for the 4-H club that had breakfast duty; she was always busy. She held this
position for over 20 years. As a member of the Starlite FCE, Doris helps to clean and set up before the Fair. She has worked in the Prepared Foods Division for over 30 years,
entering exhibits and assisting the judge. She represents the FCE at the baked goods sale. This money funds the County FCE scholarship. For over 40 years Doris has taken entries to the Bourbon County Fair. She has collected many top ribbons and awards.
When the Fair closes Doris can be found helping to clean and put things up for next year.


Doris joined the Hiatville EHU in 1967. She was President and Secretary and then back to President when it dissolved in 1981. Joining The Starlite FCE in Fort Scott, she has been president twice , and in her words, “treasurer forever.” She is currently the
County Council representative and treasurer. For more than 45 years she has presented a lesson at the meetings. Doris takes an active part in the projects and meetings of the Starlite FCE donating her time and talents. She never misses an FCE gathering and
especially enjoys attending the Fall Follies and Spring Tea.
Doris is a member of the Friends Home Lutheran Church of Savonburg. She has served on the church board two times, and belongs to the womens’ organization,

 Doris is an active member and helps make quilt tops and tie quilts for the Lutheran World Relief. Her group of 4 women made and sent 15-20 quilts last year.


I am proud to present Doris Ericson, my neighbor of 53 years, for the Heart of FCE Award. She is a full time mother, farmer’s wife, and helper to anyone in need. She has done house and farm chores, raised children, and worked livestock, worked in the fields,
and then fed the harvest crews. Doris is always working. She is dedicated to her church ,family and community. She is a woman worthy of the Heart of FCE Award.


Submitted by :
Glenda Miller
President
Starlite FCE
1236 Fern Rd.
Fort Scott, KS 66701
[email protected]
620-547-2401

Bourbon County, Fort Scott, K-State Extension, Kansas

Family and Consumer Week is Oct. 13-19

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KAFCE WEEK – October 13-19, 2022


What is KAFCE you ask ? Kansas Association for Family and
Community Education. FCE was founded in 1936 under the name of
National Home Demonstration Council (HDU) during an international women’s conference held in Washington D.C. It became the driving force in providing rural women with education in basic life skills.


Today FCE continues to stress education, concerns of family and
communities.


This organization worked to promote public opinion for investing
funds to establish public health services, County Health Departments.

In the 1940s members prepared hot meals and took them to local classrooms.


They worked to raise public awareness to establish a school lunch
program.

Fostering rural reading programs, members took carloads of books into rural communities and supported bookmobiles.
Using easy to understand and easy to teach lessons named , “The
Hearth Fire Series,” rural women learned about a variety of topics ranging from consumer issues such as buying safe food, to health lessons, learning about mammograms and the pap test, to public policy areas, the Judicial System, to media awareness topics.


FCE is a recognized leader in the areas of children. The
organization was a force in getting rating symbols displayed at the
beginning of television programs. Addressing media sources – video
games, the internet, music, books, magazines, etc. – FCE tries to help
parents make purchasing and viewing choices appropriate for
their children by educating adults and youth to the pros and cons of
various media sources that the youth are exposed to in the 21st
Century – books, video games, cyberspace, music, movies, cell
phones and sexting.


FCE also works to instill values in elementary children to
build and promote character using storybooks to teach children
character values. Volunteers present these lessons in the schools at
the fourth grade level.

Leadership through education is the key, volunteerism is the
means. The mission of the FCE – past, present and future – connects
with families. FCE looks to the future to empower women to change
their lives, their families and their communities for the better with
three main goals in mind:
CONTINUING EDUCATION
DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY ACTION


Kansas FCE Creed


I believe in the principles of the Kansas Association for Family
and Community. Education which strives to promote a better way of
life for all families and communities in making the world a better place in which to live. Through leadership, may we have pride in our role as volunteer educators, be conscious of the needs of others, and be strengthened by our unity.


There are 82 Family and Community Units in the Southwind
District. Two of these units are in Bourbon County – Starlite FCE,
which meets at 2:00 on the third Thursday of each month in the
Yeager Building at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds (for more
information call Glenda Miller 620-547-2401) and Thursday Night Live FCE, which meets at 5:30 on the third Thursday of the month at
various locations (for more information call Lori Nelson
620-215-9373.) An educational lesson is presented at each meeting,
with refreshments and lots of good fellowship.


Come join us! Consider this your invitation to drop in and find
out for yourself what FCE is all about. Join with us as we strive to
strengthen families, through continuing education, leadership
development and community action. We welcome you !

Government, Kansas

Internet, Phone Discounts Available for Families

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Broadband, phone discounts are available for students and families

TOPEKA – The start of a new school year is an expensive time for families. If you are struggling to pay for phone and internet services while navigating back to school costs, help is available to stay connected.

During Lifeline Awareness Week, the Kansas Corporation Commission encourages Kansans in need of assistance to apply for Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP). Both programs help low-income individuals and families stay connected so they can access healthcare, attend classes, keep up with homework, find jobs and call for help in an emergency.

Anyone who qualifies for Lifeline is automatically eligible to participate in both programs. Due to higher income maximums, ACP also has the potential to help many families with internet costs that may not qualify for other types of assistance. For example, the maximum income for a family of four on the ACP program is $55,500 per year. The maximum annual income for a family of four on the Lifeline program is $37,463.

Lifeline provides federal and state discounts up to $17.02 per month on phone service (wireless or residential) and broadband. The Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP) provides a service discount of up to $30 per month for broadband service and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer or tablet purchased through a participating provider. Both programs offer additional discounts for subscribers living on tribal lands.

Eligibility is based on income (at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for Lifeline or at or below 200% for ACP) or participation in certain assistance programs such as:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FHPA)
  • Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension Benefit
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
  • Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
  • Head Start Tribal Programs (income based)
  • The Food Distribution Program on Tribal Lands.

Regardless of Lifeline eligibility, Kansans may still qualify for ACP if they meet any of the following criteria:

  • Are approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including the USDA Community Eligibility Provision.
  • Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year.
  • Experienced a substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020.
  • Meet the eligibility criteria for a participating broadband provider’s existing low-income program.

More information on income eligibility, participating providers, and the enrollment process is available on the KCC website.

Government, Kansas

Funding Grants for Revitalizing Downtown Buildings Announced

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Commerce and Patterson Family Foundation Announce More Funding Available for Revitalizing Downtown Buildings

TOPEKA – Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced a second round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants intended for revitalizing downtown buildings in small communities across the state.  The HEAL program, which is funded by the Department of Commerce and the Patterson Family Foundation, will invest $850,000 in projects in the Fall 2022 grant round.

The HEAL program is designed to bring downtown buildings back into productive use as spaces for:

  • New or expanding businesses
  • Housing
  • Arts and culture
  • Civic engagement
  • Childcare or
  • Entrepreneurship

“The first round of the HEAL program is supporting the revitalization of 32 commercial buildings in small towns across the state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The need for this program was staggering, with more than 200 applications received. Thanks to our strong partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation, we are able to offer another round of the HEAL program allowing us to invest in more communities and continue to create new jobs and services for Kansans across the state.”

HEAL is intended to close financial gaps in restoring underutilized properties and making downtown districts throughout the state more economically vibrant. Projects submitted must show potential as economic drivers in the community.

There are a few changes to this round of the HEAL program. HEAL matching grants will be awarded for either 1) façade or 2) building construction projects. Eligible applicants must be organizations applying on behalf of building owners and may include designated Kansas Main Street programs, economic development organizations, cities, counties, 501c3 or 501c6 organizations, and local community foundations. Communities that received a previous HEAL grant are not eligible to apply in this round.

Proof of matching funds from the building owner will be required at the time of application. The application window opens September 12 and closes October 21 with award notifications in early December. A spring round of HEAL is anticipated for February 2023.

A virtual webinar on the specifics of the program is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 13. Registration is required and the Zoom link will be provided after registration. Organizations and building owners interested in applying should register and attend the webinar.

Information about the HEAL grant program and the online application can be viewed at www.kansascommerce.gov/healfall2022.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award in 2021 and 2022, and was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Cup by Site Selection Magazine.

Government, Kansas

Organic Certification Program Funds Available

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MANHATTAN, Kansas — The Kansas Department of Agriculture has funds available for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP). Through this program, farms, ranches, and businesses that produce, process or package certified organic agricultural products may be reimbursed for eligible expenses.

The purpose of the NOCCSP is to defray the costs of receiving and maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program. For Federal Fiscal Year 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency set the reimbursement amount at 50% of the certified organic operation’s eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per scope. Scopes include the areas of crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling (i.e., processing). This change is due to a limited amount of funding available and will allow a larger number of certified organic operations to receive assistance.

FSA awards the NOCCSP funds to eligible state agencies that serve as administering entities who work directly with organic operations to reimburse organic certification costs. The current period of qualification for organic operations seeking reimbursements is from Oct. 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2022. Applications are now being accepted through November 1, 2022, or until all funds are expended, whichever comes first. Applications may be submitted either by mail or email.

It is the mission of KDA to support all facets of agriculture, including lending support to those who wish to market and sell their products as certified organic. For more information, go to the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/OrganicCostShare or contact KDA economist Tori Laird at [email protected] or 785-564-6726.

Government, Kansas

Fostering A Skilled Workforce

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Governor Laura Kelly Establishes Office of Registered Apprenticeship

~~Executive Order Expands Administration’s Workforce Development Efforts~~

TOPEKA – Today, on the heels of Labor Day, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order #22-07 establishing the Office of Registered Apprenticeship within the Kansas Department of Commerce. The Office will dramatically scale up the Kelly Administration’s efforts to meet the talent needs of Kansas businesses, give workers the skills and experience they need to compete in the modern economy, and knock down barriers to employment.

“We have spurred remarkable economic growth here in Kansas, but to continue that success, we have to ensure Kansas workers have the skills and opportunities they need to compete in today’s global economy,” Governor Kelly said. “I created this new Office of Registered Apprenticeship to prioritize fostering a workforce that meets the needs of Kansas businesses and of essential industries like education and healthcare.”

Registered Apprenticeship programs are a key workforce development tool for the Kelly Administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce.

In May, Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced appointments to the Kansas Apprenticeship Council (KAC), a significant step in modernizing the Registered Apprenticeship program in Kansas. The 12-member KAC helps establish Registered Apprenticeship programs in traditional and non-traditional occupations and provides approval for submitted program requests.

All Registered Apprenticeship programs must have five core components to be recognized for certification, including on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, wage progression, and industry-recognized credentials. However, the driving force must be a business or industry willing to support an apprentice to “earn and learn” a career.

“The Office of Registered Apprenticeship is a key part of our strategy to develop the workforce that Kansas companies need,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Engaging and partnering with businesses to provide on-the-job training allows for a more highly skilled and qualified workforce, which in turn reduces turnover rates and recruitment costs while increasing productivity.”

The Office of Registered Apprenticeship will be housed in the Kansas Department of Commerce and led by Shonda Atwater, current Director of Internships and Apprenticeships. Kansas currently has 212 recognized Apprenticeships programs with 3,396 Kansas residents participating.

“Robust partnerships are essential to growing Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across Kansas,” said Director of Internships and Apprenticeships Shonda Atwater. “The new Office of Apprenticeship will serve as the primary resource to connect industry partners and training providers, in order to prepare Kansans for the jobs of today and tomorrow.”

The Office of Registered Apprenticeship will:

  • Evaluate, and report annually on, the extent, quality and impact of registered apprenticeships in Kansas.
  • Develop strategies to modernize the registered apprenticeship program to include additional industries such as healthcare, IT, agricultural manufacturing, and distribution and logistics – all critical segments in the Kansas economy.
  • Develop and advocate for registered apprenticeship program policies that place a special focus on veterans, women, people of color, those formerly incarcerated and others with barriers to successful employment.

Governor Kelly made the announcement at a state-of-the-art auto body repair shop at Washburn University Institute of Technology alongside leaders in organized labor and higher education.

“Registered apprenticeships give workers the tools they need to learn a trade and help build a stronger, more resilient Kansas economy. In fact, an apprenticeship program is how I first entered the construction industry,” said Alise Martiny, Business Manager of the Greater Kansas City Building and Construction Trades Council. “Thank you Governor Kelly for creating this new office to expand apprenticeships and economic opportunities for working Kansans.”

“We have to do college differently, work differently, and train differently to continue to produce and recruit highly technical and skilled employees to our Kansas communities,” said Washburn University Institute of Technology Dean Michael Strohschein, Ed.D. “That’s what we’re doing here at Washburn Tech, and what we believe this new Office of Registered Apprenticeship will help achieve throughout the state.”

More information on Kansas Registered Apprenticeships can be found on the Kansas Department of Commerce website. In addition, regular “Dinner Bell Calls” are held to help build and promote registered apprenticeship programs, share resources, connect with others, and hear and share success stories.

Government, Kansas

Deadline for KDOT Poster/Video Contest

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Contests aim to Put the Brakes on Fatalities

Students and school/class/booster club can win prizes

A reminder that deadlines are coming up soon for statewide poster and video contests as part of this year’s Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day safety campaign. Kansas students can win great prizes and learn about traffic safety.

In addition, the school, class or booster club of the grand prize-winning students will also receive money as part of the contests’ prizes.

Poster contest – deadline is Friday Sept. 23: For Kansas students ages 5 to 13 – students who submit completed poster entries will be eligible for a random prize drawing of a $100 Amazon gift card. A total of 18 regional winners in the six regions and age groups (ages 5-7, ages 8-10 and ages 11-13) will receive a bicycle from the Kansas Turnpike Authority and a helmet from Safe Kids Kansas. Three statewide winners will each receive:

  • Kindle Fire Tablet and case from the KTA;
  • $50 Amazon gift card from Fuel True/Independent Energy and Convenience;
  • Movie passes from AAA Kansas; and
  • $200 for the school, class or the booster club.

Posters can now be entered digitally as well as by mail. Information and entry forms are available here.

Video contest – deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25: For Kansas teens in grades 8-12. Prizes from the KTA include a GoPro, a DJI Stabilizer and a DJI Drone, and the grand prize winner’s school, class or booster club will receive $500. Video entries must be submitted to the KTA – entry details are available here.

About 37,000 people die in traffic crashes each year across the United States. That’s nearly 101 fatalities every day. Let’s encourage everyone – drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists – to exercise caution every day and Put the Brakes on Fatalities.

The Kansas Department of Transportation, KTA and other transportation organizations in Kansas are sponsoring the contests. More information about Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day is available here.

Winners from the 2021 contests are listed below:

Poster Contest Winners –

Northeast Kansas – Annika Mick, Manhattan; Emma Kuhlman, Topeka; Kyla Kuhlmann, Olpe

North Central Kansas – Hattie Krug, McPherson; Raynee Eddy, Inman

Northwest Kansas – Journie Hake, Grainfield; Matthias Miller, Gorham; Janessa Miller, Gorham

Southeast Kansas – Nash Forester, Garland; Antonio Guerrero, Ottawa; Lola Ogden, Fredonia

South Central Kansas – Riley Leake, Sterling; Isabelle Kaufman, Kingman; Cade Brown, Andale

Southwest Kansas – Wren Berggren, Tribune; Seryiah Munoz, Garden City; Elizabeth Linke, Spearville

 

2021 Video Contest winners –

Students from St. John – Hudson Tigers USD 350 won first place. Two groups of

students from Eudora Schools captured second and third place in the video contest.