Safe Kids Kansas, State Farm and KDOT partner up for safety message

Topeka – Thousands of vehicles will be traveling the Kansas roadways during the Labor Day weekend.  Many families will head out on one last camping trip or getaway as the school year begins.  Safe Kids Kansas, (sponsored in part by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment), State Farm and the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) want to encourage families to buckle up and drive safely to protect their most valuable asset, their families.

This year, August 28 through September 12, a safety belt awareness campaign called “Bucks for Buckles” is being held in 46 cities across Kansas.  Dollar bills are being distributed by local volunteers to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicle.  Those riding unrestrained will receive educational materials about the effectiveness of seat belts and child safety seats in saving lives and reducing injuries.

“No one can predict when they will be involved in a motor vehicle crash, yet almost all of us will be involved in an automobile crash in our lifetime.  In 2020, 365 people lost their lives on Kansas roadways and 56 percent of them were unbuckled,” said Cherie Sage, State Director for Safe Kids Kansas.  “The single most effective means of protecting the lives of you and your passengers is wearing seat belts and using appropriate child restraints every time you ride in the vehicle – even short distances.”

According to the 2020 KDOT Seat Belt Survey, 85 percent of Kansans surveyed were wearing their seat belts.  This compares to the national average is 90 percent.  Kansas ranked 42nd in belt use in 2019, among 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Seat belts save more than 15,000 lives every year and are the best defense against drunk, aggressive, and distracted drivers. “Seat belts are the single most effective device you can use to save your life during a vehicle crash,” said Sage.   “They also reduce your chances of having a serious injury by as much as 50 percent.  It’s such a simple thing, so take your life into your own hand and buckle up.”

For more information about safety belt or child safety seat use, call 785-296-1223 or visit www.safekidskansas.org, www.safekids.org and www.facebook.com/safekidskansas.

A list of Bucks for Buckles sites and coordinators can be downloaded here.

This information can be made available in alternative accessible formats upon request. For more information about obtaining an alternative format, you may contact Safe Kids Kansas at 785-296-1223, or [email protected]. Both speech/hearing disabled and hearing Kansans can access the Kansas Relay Center by calling toll-free 1-800-766-3777. Callers should inform the relay operator of the number they wish to call and the type of call they are making direct, credit card, collect, person-to-person, etc.

Visit us at www.safekidskansas.org and on Facebook.

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Receives $2.7 Million to Fund New KS HEART Program

~ KDADS one of five organizations receiving funding to provide substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum women ~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is one of only five organizations nationally to be awarded a three-year, $2.7 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). Grant funds through the FY 2020 State Pilot Grant Program for Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women (PPW-PLT) will be used to provide evidence-based, family-centered treatment services to pregnant and postpartum women in Kansas with substance use disorders.

“This grant will expand critical treatment services to support pregnant and postpartum Kansans with substance abuse disorders – along with their children,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “By addressing the behavioral needs of mothers, we can protect mothers and their families.”

The KDADS program, which will be known as KS Helping Empower And Recover Together (KS HEART), will take effect September 30, 2021.

It’s estimated the KS HEART program will serve approximately 55 women a year at two pilot locations, for a total of 165 women over three years. Partners identified in the grant are DCCCA, Inc. and CKF Addiction and Treatment Services, with pilot sites in Salina and Wichita.

“By focusing on family-centered therapy, expanding outpatient programs, and providing community-based wraparound services, the KS HEART program aims to accomplish the goals of decreasing substance use, including opioids, among pregnant and postpartum women in Kansas,” KDADS Secretary Laura Howard said.

The purpose of the KS HEART program is to enhance flexibility in the use of funds designed to:

1. Support family-based services for pregnant and postpartum women with a primary diagnosis of a substance use disorder, including opioid use disorders;
2. Help state substance abuse agencies address the continuum of care, including services provided to pregnant and postpartum women in nonresidential-based settings; and
3. Promote a coordinated, effective, and efficient state system managed by state substance abuse agencies by encouraging new approaches and models of service delivery.

Pregnant and postpartum women using substances face complex challenges that put the health and stability of their family at risk. Funding and eligibility restrictions to existing substance use treatment services often cause women to lose access to care during some of the most vulnerable points postpartum.

“The KS HEART program will bridge identified gaps to services and provide evidence-based treatments, including Medication Assisted Treatment and tobacco cessation as well as increase family stability and support and maintain community tenure and recovery for the whole family unit,” said KDADS Behavioral Health Services Commissioner Andy Brown.

“CKF Addiction Treatment is excited about this grant partnership with KDADS to help further treat the behavioral health needs of pregnant and postpartum women attending our services,” said CKF President and CEO Shane Hudson, MS, MSHCT, LCP, LCAC. “Addiction involves many layers and those with mental health symptoms that only exacerbate the symptoms of addiction need extra support. This grant aligns well with CKF’s focus of positively impacting patient health outcomes in addiction health care settings.”

“DCCCA is proud to partner with this project and excited to bring our expertise in women’s treatment to this work,” DCCCA CEO Lori Alvarado said. “We have prioritized services for pregnant and parenting women for more than 20 years and are eager to expand these critical services to women and children in Kansas.”

Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Firefighter Josh Schwindt

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly directed flags be flown at half-staff at all state grounds, buildings, and facilities on August 20, 2021 in honor of Morton County firefighter Josh Schwindt, who was fatally electrocuted while searching for survivors of a rollover accident on August 16, 2021.

“Today, I directed flags be flown at half-staff to honor Morton County firefighter Josh Schwindt,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “My condolences are with his family, loved ones, and fellow Morton County firefighters during their time of loss. Josh’s commitment to protecting his community and his service to our state will not be forgotten.”

Josh Schwindt will be interred during services held on August 20, 2021.

To receive future email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor.

Governor Laura Kelly Directs Flags be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor Former Kansas Attorney General Vern Miller

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly directed flags be flown at half-staff at all state grounds, buildings, and facilities on August 17, 2021 in honor of former Kansas Attorney General Vern Miller. Attorney General Miller will be interred during services held on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

“As Attorney General, District Attorney, Sheriff, or Marshal, Vern Miller was one of Kansas’ great law enforcement officers,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “His commitment to enforcing the law fairly and standing up for all Kansans defined law enforcement like few before or after. I know that Vern’s legacy will live on through his impact and service to our state.”

To receive future email alerts when the governor orders flags to half-staff, please visit: https://governor.kansas.gov/newsroom/kansas-flag-honor.

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office lobby will close to walk-in services due to COVID-19 effective Monday, Aug. 16. Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app.

To order certificates eligible for Will Call pickup, visit our website www.kdheks.gov/vital. Select the type of certificate and then complete the ordering process under the Will Call section. You will be notified by email when your certificate is ready to be picked up. Those customers using Will Call pickup should wear a mask when entering Vital Statistics.

For more information, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital.