Government, Health Care, Kansas

Nursing Homes Surveys and Inspections Expediated

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KDADS Contracts with Healthcare Management Solutions to Expedite Meeting Federal and State Survey and Inspection Requirements

TOPEKA –  Secretary Laura Howard announced today the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has entered into a contract with Healthcare Management Solutions (HMS) that will help the agency expedite completion of focused infection control surveys (FICS) in federally certified nursing facilities as required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and inspection of all adult care homes in the state as mandated in Kansas House Bill 2016.

On March 4, 2020, CMS called for states to conduct focused surveys in Medicare/Medicaid certified facilities on infection control related to the COVID-19 pandemic. CMS document QSO-20-31-All, released June 1, 2020, requires states to complete 100 percent of FICS by July 31, 2020, to maintain full FY 2021 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocations.

Since the March 4 directive was received from CMS, 57 full-time KDADS surveyors have completed surveys in 169 of the state’s 332 certified, licensed facilities. KDADS has secured a contract with HMS to ensure Kansas facilities receive onsite targeted FICS in the required timeframe while existing and ongoing abuse, neglect and exploitation complaint investigations, required follow-up inspections and responses to identified positive cases of COVID-19 are also conducted.

“We believe partnering with HMS will allow us to better manage the critically important workload our surveyors have been tackling since March,” Secretary Howard said. “They have a good reputation for helping state survey agencies ensure facilities are in compliance and we’re certain they can assist us as we continue working to ensure nursing facility residents receive safe, quality care.”

States that complete 100 percent of their nursing home FICS by the July 31 target date will be able to request their entire FY 2020-FY2023 CARES Act funding allocation (at their discretion) and can also apply for redistributed funding from states that fail to meet CMS performance goals.

In addition to completing the FICS of nursing homes, CMS is also requiring states to implement the following COVID-19 survey activities:

  1. Perform onsite surveys (within 30 days of this memo) of nursing homes with previous COVID-19 outbreaks, defined as:
    • Cumulative confirmed cases/bed capacity at 10% or greater; or
    • Cumulative confirmed plus suspected cases/bed capacity at 20% or greater; or
    • Ten or more deaths reported due to COVID-19.

 

  1. Perform onsite surveys (within three to five days of identification) of any nursing home with 3 or more new COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases in the since the last National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 report, or 1 confirmed resident case in a facility that was previously COVID-free. State Survey Agencies are encouraged to communicate with their State Healthcare Associated Infection coordinators prior to initiating these surveys.

 

  1. Starting in FY 2021, perform annual Focused Infection Control surveys of 20 percent of nursing homes based on State discretion or additional data that identifies facility and community risks.

 

Under HB 2016, passed during the 2020 Special Legislative Session, KDADS is also required to conduct infection control inspections at all adult care homes licensed by Kansas including those that are state licensed only. State licensed only facilities rely solely on state funding and oversight without federal dollars, to include assisted living facilities, Home Plus, Adult Day Care and Residential Health Care facilities. To be in compliance with the legislative mandate, inspections of these facilities are to be completed within 90 days of the effective date of HB 2016, or about September 30. Again, having HMS surveyors available will also help KDADS balance the demands between state licensed only facilities and federally certified nursing facility survey staff.

HMS employs federally certified nursing facility surveyors and has collaborated through contracts with KDADS and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to provide services in Kansas previously.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

Government, Jobs, Kansas

Governor Kelly Praises KANSASWORKS Virtual Job Fair

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TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today applauded the success of the recent KANSASWORKS Statewide Virtual Job Fair, which involved some 165 employers and 1,497 jobseekers.

 

After the online event from Tuesday, June 23, to Thursday, June 25, participating employers reported strong response from people looking for work statewide.

 

“The economic impact of COVID-19 has led to an enormous need for workforce services in our state, but health and safety concerns mean in-person job fairs can’t happen,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “The virtual job fair was an innovative model to keep Kansans healthy and to keep Kansas open for business.”

 

The success of the virtual job fair demonstrated Kansans’ ability to adapt to challenges in providing a virtual tool to connect jobseekers with a variety of employment opportunities across the state. Employers represented in the June 23 virtual job fair included:

 

  • KanEquip Inc.
  • Foley Equipment
  • Fuller Industries
  • Johns Manville
  • National Beef
  • PKM Steel Service Inc.
  • Salina Regional Health Center
  • Cornejo
  • Russell Stover
  • Reser’s Fine Foods
  • Johnsonville
  • Dillons
  • Glassman Corporation
  • CivicPlus
  • ADT
  • Bombardier Aviation
  • Creekstone Farms
  • Southwest Medical Center
  • Farmers Insurance
  • Goodwill Industries of Kansas
  • Emprise Bank
  • Wichita Public Schools
  • The University of Kansas

 

“In these challenging times, we have to be flexible,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “I’m proud of our KANSASWORKS team for its creativity in making sure that Kansans continue to have access to employers in a way that keeps everyone safe.”

 

As concerns for the health and safety of Kansans remain high due to COVID-19, the Department of Commerce will maintain the virtual job fair system for the remainder of 2020. Statewide events will be held on the following dates:

 

  • July 28-30
  • August 25-27
  • September 22-24
  • October 27-29
  • December 8-9

 

As these dates get closer, updates will be provided with employer and jobseeker registration links for each individual virtual fair.

 

Fort Scott, Government

FS Zoning Board Meets July 6

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The Board of Zoning Appeals will meet on Monday, July 6th, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Meeting Room at City Hall, 123 S. Main. This meeting is to consider a variance for residential property to allow the replacement of a garage with additional square footage for the property at 216 S. Eddy Street.

Please call the City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or email Diane Clay at [email protected] to sign up to speak under the public comment section.

The meetings are still limited to 45 total in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in one at a time at their scheduled time to ensure the public health orders are followed.

The City Commission meeting will still be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Fort Scott, Government

FS Commission Meetings Open To Public July 7

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The City of Fort Scott City Commission meetings will begin to be opened to the public starting July 7th, 2020. If you are wanting to appear before the Commission and speak during the Public Comment section, it is imperative that you sign up beforehand and you will be given a specific time to speak.

Please call the City Clerk at 620-223-0550 or email Diane Clay at [email protected] to sign up to speak under the public comment section.

The meetings are still limited to 45 total in number due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however the room will only hold 14 due to the 6’ social distancing rules. Patrons will be let in one at a time at their scheduled time to ensure the public health orders are followed.

The City Commission meeting will still be available on the City’s YouTube channel.

Fort Scott, Schools

International Thespian Festival Attended Virtually By FSHS Students

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Film and theatre star Tina Fey, assisted by International Thespian Officer Anna Hastings from Olathe, and interpreter Jeffrey Johnson speaks with Thespians at the International Thespian Festival. Submitted photo.

Fort Scott High School Thespians got the opportunity to attend an entire week of theatre performances, workshops, and livestream events at the first-ever Virtual International Thespian Festival.

 

The annual festival was held June 22-26, 2020. The students from FSHS who qualified to compete nationally in individual events attended this year’s event along with FSHS Thespian Director Angie Bin.

2020 senior Mesa Jones and sophomore Jenna Stockstill competed in Musical Solo and junior Ashanti Green competed in Monologues. Each student received an “Excellent” rating on her performance. They qualified for the Festival by receiving a “Superior” rating at the KS Thespian Festival in January.

International Thespian Festival qualifiers Ashanti Green, Jenna Stockstill, and Mesa Jones. Submitted photo.

 

Green said, “I loved how so many people were able to come together virtually even if we couldn’t be together in person!”

 

Although students missed being able to travel across the country and spend a week with fellow thespians, this year’s festival had unique benefits. All workshops were recorded throughout the week and all attendees will have access to all videos, performances, and interviews with theatre professionals for the next three months.

 

“ITF was great because even though it was online, we still got to do many workshops and listen to many stars talk, which is something that wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t have it online,” Jones said.

 

The festival included more than 2,400 Thespians from many countries. Guest speakers included Tina Fey, Dolly Parton, Stephen Swartz, Andrew Lloyd Webber and many other Tony, Oscar, and Emmy award winners and Broadway stars.

 

COVID-19, Exercise, Fort Scott, Government

Swimming Pool Reopens July 1 With Modifications Due to COVID 19

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The Aquatic Center will resume normal business hours beginning July 1st, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. There will be more restraints and guidelines to follow:

Only 30 people will be allowed in the pool at any given time.

At the top of each hour 30 new patrons will be allowed in the pool and the previous 30 will be asked to leave.

Cash only will be taken due to an issue with the credit card system.

They will take the first 30 people at the beginning of each hour. If patrons leave before their hour time has expired, we will NOT allow the next person in. This is so we can stay on the hourly change of patrons as a whole and allow us to clean all areas at the conclusion of each session.

The fees will remain the same as posted.

These guidelines will be reevaluated on July 8th, 2020 when the Public Health Officer’s order ends.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.

Business, Fort Scott, Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce

Downtown Meet and Greet July 7

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Join us for the Quarterly Downtown Meet & Greet, Tuesday, July 7, 2020!
8:30 am to 9:30 am
hosted by the Chamber at Courtland Hotel & Spa
Rita Schroeder, Administrative Assistant
Lindsay Madison, President & CEO
620-223-3566
These informal, quarterly meetings are hosted by the Chamber for downtown business owners, representatives and community members to network and share ideas on events, promotions and anything related to downtown. Coffee, juice and light refreshments will be served.
Special Note from the Chamber Board:
Following KS state safety recommendations & health practices ~subject to Bourbon County’s continued advancement through the reopening phasing plans.
You may wear a mask at your own discretion.
Exercise, Fort Scott, Government, Sports

Buck Run Opens July 1, Limited to 45 People

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Buck Run Community Center will be open to the public beginning on July 1st, 2020. The hours for Buck Run will be 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays.

The facility will be limited to a gathering of 45 individuals or less including Buck Run staff. Individuals are reminded to social distance when using this facility.

This will be reevaluated on July 8th, 2020 when the Public Health Officer’s order ends.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall at 223-0550 if you have questions.

Bourbon County, COVID-19, Government, Health Care

New COVID 19 Cases in Bourbon County

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Both Bourbon and Woodson Counties have seen new cases today. Here is an update for today.

 

SEK Multi-County Health Departments

Bourbon and Woodson Counties

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

June 30, 2020

Bourbon County

Current Positive Cases 17
Presumptive Cases 1-listed on KDHE website, tested negative
Current Recovered Cases 11-includes presumptive case
Total Positives Since Testing 28
Deaths 1

Woodson County

Current Positive Cases 4
Current Recovered Cases 6
Total Positives Since Testing 10
Deaths 0

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

Fort Scott, Government

New Community Development Manager: Allyson Turvey

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Allyson Turvey. Submitted photo.

Allyson Turvey, 30,  is the new Fort Scott Community Development Manager, as of May 26, 2020.

Her office is in city hall, phone number 620-223-0550.

She was already performing duties as the Fort Scott Tourism Manager, and when Robert Uhler resigned as Community Development Manager at the end of May, Turvey was given then the additional role.

” My duties will be pretty widespread now that I’ve taken on community development as an additional role,” Turvey said.

“I will be responsible for working with the (Fort Scott)Tourism Advisory Board, Design Review Board, Planning Commission, and Zoning Board. I am also now a member of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team. I’m now responsible for the LaRoche Complex and Memorial Hall. This includes oversight of each facility, assisting in booking of events, and continuing to market LaRoche (baseball stadium).”

“From a tourism standpoint, I will continue to market Fort Scott as a destination,” she said.  “As well as continuing to attend trade shows in an effort to bring group tours, conventions, and meetings to our community. This doesn’t cover all of my duties, but the ultimate goals of the department are to bring more tourists to town in an effort to create an economic impact, and increase Tourism Guest Tax revenues.”

“From a Community Development standpoint, I will work to create a better community for our residents, which will ideally entice new residents along the way,” she said.  “This is achieved through widespread collaboration, and continued research for funding opportunities.”

“While I have a wide array of open projects, my major project currently is the Smart Growth America planning and implementation,” Turvey said. “The Smart Growth team visited Fort Scott for a community workshop in February, and recently provided a next steps memo including short, and long term goals and action steps to create progress within our community.”

“Both positions require me to represent the city on a local, regional, statewide, and federal level in an effort to better collaborate, and ideally increase funding opportunities for our community, ” she said.

Turvey has been with the city for just over three years, she said.

 

” I started as an administrative assistant, where I worked between Fort ScottTourism, Community Development, and Economic Development,” Turvey said.  “Last August I was promoted to tourism manager, and have continued to be heavily involved with other city departments, and projects.”

 

“I have also spent the last year representing the city on a local, regional, statewide, and federal level from both a tourism and community standpoint,” she said. “I’ve been working on alongside the community and economic development departments to meet Smart Growth objectives.

 

Turvey is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, but has been living in Kansas for nearly eight years.

 

Her community involvement includes being the current president of the Young Professionals League and was invited to join PEO just before the start of the pandemic.

 

“I hope to be initiated as a member once meeting activities resume,” she said.

 

Allyson Turvey can be reached at  620-238-4919 or

www.visitfortscott.com

Bourbon County Local News