Governor Laura Kelly Announces Additional Grants to Support Child Care Providers in Kansas

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced that Child Care Aware of Kansas, in partnership with Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), is launching a second round of Child Care Sustainability Grants to aid child care providers in meeting the costs of operating their business.

Grant awards will range from $5,000 for family child care programs to $60,000 for large centers.

“At the height of the pandemic, the Child Care Sustainability grant program supported nearly 3,200 child care centers in Kansas, allowing them to stay open when families needed them most,” Governor Kelly said. “As we grow the economy, this second round of grants will provide the continued support our child care facilities need to stay open and to ensure that Kansas families have access to safe, quality child care.”

“Time and again we heard from child care providers that as families sheltered in place during the pandemic, they were faced with difficult decisions involving staffing, operating expenses and even providing classroom supplies,” Kansas DCF Secretary Laura Howard said. “We are confident the second round of grants will continue to provide needed support to child care providers and offer one less worry for Kansas families.”

The Child Care Sustainability grant application will be available via the Child Care Aware of Kansas website beginning Oct. 1, 2021, and must be received by 5 p.m., Nov. 5, 2021. To be considered for funding, child care programs must maintain an active permanent license with Kansas Department of Health and Environment, whether they remain open or temporarily closed.

Funds may be used for any normal operational expenses, additional expenses the child care program has due to meeting CDC guidance for mitigating the spread of COVID-19, and other activities necessary to maintain or resume the operation of programs.

“Child care providers are essential to parents’ ability to work, especially at a time when child care is in such short supply. Financial support from these grants will stabilize our existing child care infrastructure, ensuring that parents have a safe, nurturing environment for their young children,” Kelly Davydov, Executive Director, said.

For more information about the Child Care Sustainability Grants, visit https://ks.childcareaware.org.

Governor Laura Kelly Applauds Kansas Delegation Members for Bipartisan Support for Wildlife Conservation, Extinctions Prevention

~Governor Kelly Thanks Senators Moran, Marshall, Rep. Davids, Continues to Push All Kansas Delegation for Passage of Recovering America’s Wildlife Act~

TOPEKA — Governor Laura Kelly applauds Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Representative Sharice Davids for their bipartisan support of the most significant wildlife conservation bill seen in nearly half a century: The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act (RAWA). The bipartisan bill will devote $1.4 billion annually to locally-led efforts – including $17.6 million to Kansas – to help prevent extinctions and help at-risk wildlife species. More than 280 local species would benefit from the bill, including lesser prairie chickens, barn owls and swift foxes.

Since 2017, Kansas Wildlife and Parks has advocated for RAWA and its many benefits to Kansas native wildlife and plants which are at risk. The bipartisan bill requires state agencies to work with locally led wildlife restoration efforts and interested Kansas partners to help conserve sensitive species in Kansas and keep them off protected lists. In Kansas, 98% of land is privately owned, and KDWP staff have the technical expertise and long-standing relationships with landowners that will accomplish the tasks of increasing habitat quality and reversing habitat loss trends.

“Conserving sensitive species in Kansas is an all hands-on-deck project, requiring vital collaboration from our federal delegation, our restoration and conservation organizations, and our local landowners,” Governor Kelly said. “Voluntary programs like this give us the resources we need to support both landowners and the species. I appreciate Kansas’ congressional delegation’s work to create a healthy environment that supports all of our native plant, fish and animal species.”

The money to fund the Act comes from civil or criminal penalties and fines generated from violations of environmental and natural resources laws and regulations. At least 15 percent of the funds will be used to help species already designated as endangered or threatened. Federally recognized tribal nations, such as the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation in Kansas, would share $97.5 million annually to fund wildlife conservation efforts on tribal lands.

“We’re facing a critical period with many sensitive species in precipitous decline. This is the most important piece of wildlife legislation in the past fifty years because of the help it offers,” Brad Loveless, Secretary of Kansas Wildlife and Parks said. “Ultimately, helping species recover and stay off of protected lists is in everyone’s best interest. By signing on as bill cosponsors in the House and Senate, Rep Davids and Senators Marshall and Moran are leading the way, and all of Kansas is grateful.”

“The Kansas Wildlife Federation is excited for Senators Moran and Marshall and Rep Davids’ engagement in this bipartisan process. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a once in a generation opportunity to do something great for wildlife and we thank these legislators for being part of this on behalf of all Kansans,” Jeff Seim, Board President, Kansas Wildlife Federation said.

Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration Announces Learning Sessions

Examining racial inequities to grow understanding and create change for Kansas children

TOPEKA – Creating understanding through collaboration is the goal for the Kansas Racial Equity Collaboration, a statewide effort to understand the history of racial inequities in child welfare and how to move from controlling to supporting Kansas Black and Brown families.

“Black and Brown children are in the foster care system at double the rate they are in the population,” said Shanelle Dupree, DCF regional director. “And even more, data suggests that once these children are in foster care, they have worse outcomes and experiences.”

“Our hope is that by examining the history of racial inequities, asking tough questions and listening to uncomfortable answers, we as a state, may be able to more fully support Kansas families and children,” continued Abby Fry, CarePortal Regional Manager.

The Collaboration is a partnership between the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, and CarePortal, created by The Global Orphan Project. Group conversations, both virtually and in person, led by nationally respected speakers will be the cornerstone of the Collaboration.

“We invite educators, medical community leaders, legislators, judges, attorneys and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to take part in the sessions,” said Dr. Michelle Mohr Carney, Dean and Professor in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. “By the end, participants will have a toolkit that will provide them ways they can address racial disparities and advance racial equity in the child welfare system.”

The conversation will continue through a dedicated list serv. This information source will share on topics of racial equity for children and families, spotlighting progress, and continuing to highlight data and research to explain the need for action.  Sign up for updates here.

Register for the virtual sessions here, Kansas Racial Equity – CarePortal.

Four virtual sessions are scheduled followed by an in-person symposium, scheduled for April 15, 2022 at the University of Kansas.

Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topics: Understanding the historical context of structural racism and current day implications. How we got here and a better path forward

Speaker: Haywood Burns Institute

Oct. 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic: Addressing racial inequities in child welfare. View from early childhood education

Speaker: Iheoma U. Iruka, Ph. D.

Jan. 26, 2022, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic Debunking myths around racial inequities in child welfare

Speaker: Panel Discussion

Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Topic: Forward movement: Shifting from control to support for black and brown families

Speaker: Panel Discussion

Hear more about the Racial Equity Collaborative from the people who will help lead the effort.

Tuesday, Oct. 5, the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) plans to close K-39 from U.S. 59 east to K-3. Crews will replace the fill between pipes running underneath a bridge on K-39 and repair the driving surface. The closure will be in effect from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

 

Traffic should use alternate routes. Check KDOT’s updated traveler information website, www.Kandrive.org, for more road conditions and construction details. Persons with questions may call KDOT Area Superintendent Derrick Shannon at (620) 901-6550 or Public Affairs Manager Priscilla Petersen at (620) 902-6433.

 

 

 

 

KDHE Encourages Eligible Kansans to Receive Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot

TOPEKA – Today, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has authorized all COVID-19 vaccine providers in Kansas to begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot to eligible Kansans following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorization this morning.

“We have over 2,000 COVID-19 vaccine providers across the state who are ready to provide the booster dose to eligible Kansans,” said Lee Norman, M.D., Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “This booster dose will help protect Kansans who are more vulnerable for severe infection and hospitalization due to their position of working on the front lines, age or an underlying medical condition. It will take all of us doing our part by getting the vaccine to end this pandemic.”

The vaccine booster dose only applies to individuals who completed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine series at least 6 months ago. Proof of previous COVID-19 vaccination is not required. The authorization does not allow for providing a booster dose to anyone who has previously been vaccinated with the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Eligibility for a booster dose based on an underlying medical condition will only require self-attestation – a prescription or assessment from a health care provider is not required.

Eligible Populations

• People aged 65 years and older, regardless of a medical condition, should receive a Pfizer booster shot
• Residents in long-term care settings should receive a Pfizer booster shot
• People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a Pfizer booster shot
• People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a Pfizer booster shot
• People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a Pfizer booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks. (Occupational or institutional settings are not specifically defined in the CDC recommendation, however, it is intended to include health workers, teachers, grocery store, workers, congregant settings, etc.)

The COVID-19 vaccine is the most direct path to ending this pandemic. Kansans who qualify for the Pfizer-BioNTech booster dose, please find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit Vaccines.gov.

Kansas DCF Announces Permanent Increase to Food Assistance Benefits

Temporary increase during pandemic to end Sept. 30

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families Secretary Laura Howard today announced that Kansas residents who receive food assistance will benefit from a permanent increase in the maximum benefit amount beginning Oct. 1.

“Access to healthy food is a key component of a family’s well-being” Howard said. “This permanent increase helps us address food insecurity, especially among children, which has a positive impact on the overall health of our community”

The change is taking place due to the 2018 Farm Bill that directed USDA to re-evaluate the Thrifty Food Plan which is used to calculate benefits for food assistance. Through this year’s adjustment, the maximum allowable allotment increased to $250 for a household of one. The maximum allotment amounts for households the size of two or more also have increased.

Other annual adjustments also have been made:

• The gross and net income limits have increased this year
• The maximum excess shelter deduction is increasing from $569 to $597
• The standard utility allowance is increasing from $364 to $392
• The limited utility allowance is increasing from $247 to $286
• The telephone standard is increasing from $35 to $37
• The Standard Medical Deduction remains the same $175

Most households will see changes in their benefits for the month of October to reflect the annual adjustments.

Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) temporarily increased food assistance benefits by 15% from March 2021 through September 2021 due to the national public health emergency.

The temporary 15 percent increase ends Sept. 30 and will be replaced with the new amounts. Taken together, food assistance recipients will see a 10 percent increase from pre-March 2021 benefit levels.

The chart shows the Oct. 1 maximum benefits as well as gross income and net income limits for food assistance:

Household size	October 1, 2021 maximum benefits	October 1, 2021 maximum gross income	October 1, 2021 maximum net income
1	$250	$1396	$1074
2	$459	$1888	$1452
3	$658	$2379	$1830
4	$835	$2871	$2209
5	$992	$3363	$2587
6	$1190	$3855	$2965
7	$1316	$4347	$3344
8	$1504	$4839	$3722
Each additional person	+ $188	+ $492	+ $379

The minimum allotment is $20. All food assistance benefits are based on household size, household income and allowable deductions.

USDA provides shopping strategies and meal planning advice to help families serve more nutritious meals affordably through the following:

• gov (http://www.choosemyplate.gov/)
• Plan, compare and prepare (http://blogs.usda.gov/2013/03/28/healthy-eating-on-a-budget/)
• Team Nutrition Recipes (https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition-recipes), which helps find healthy low-cost recipes and create cookbooks and shopping lists.

For more information on the food assistance program, visit http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Pages/default.aspx.