Human Resource Roundtable Hosted by the Chamber on July 29 at Labconco
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Summer Spotlight at The LMC: Breaking Records & Sharing New Stories
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Location: Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes
Date: Thursday, July 24, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM
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2025 Discovery Award – Submissions Closed
Summer Adventure Awaits at the Lowell Milken Center!
Perfect for families, friends, and history lovers!
Plan your visit today: 
(620) 223-1312
Congressman Derek Schmidt Newsletter
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ArtEffect Certificate of Excellence Winners
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Fort Scott’s Design Advisory Board Meets July 31
The City of Fort Scott Design Review Advisory Board Meeting
When: July 31, 2025
Time: 3:00 pm
Location: City Hall
The meeting is open to the public and the recording is available to watch on YouTube after the meeting is held.
Submitted by Lisa Dillon
Chamber Coffee hosted by Fort Scott Presbyterian Village on July 24
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KS Modernizes Child Welfare System
DCF Announces Contracts Awarded to Modernize State’s Child Welfare System
New System Will Help Agency Work More Efficiently, Effectively
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) announced on July 22, 2025, three contracts have been awarded for the department’s new Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS). The CCWIS project will modernize DCF’s child welfare information systems and develop interfaces between the various agencies serving DCF’s Prevention and Protection Services (PPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) programs.
Many states are pursuing CCWIS projects. Kansas’ CCWIS project will consolidate the functions of the agency’s multiple legacy information systems – most of which are based on 20th century technology – into a single, integrated solution that is flexible and collaborative, streamlining work processes and services for employees, partnering agencies, and clients.
The three new contracts joining the DCF project team include: Design, development, and implementation (DDI); independent verification and validation (IV&V); and quality assurance (QA). The three selected vendors will work with the DCF CCWIS project team to develop and implement the new system.
Design, Development, and Implementation Contract
The DDI contract is the largest contract for the project. This contractor will work alongside DCF staff to develop and roll out the new system. Eleven bids were received for the DDI RFP. RedMane Technology LLC, a Chicago-based software solutions and systems integration company, was selected during the competitive bid process and has been awarded a $44 million contract to design, develop, and implement the department’s CCWIS.
Since 2000, RedMane has created software solutions to help health and human services organizations implement, modernize, and optimize systems for child welfare, child support, and critical case management.
Independent Verification and Validation Contract
Maximus US Services, Inc. has been selected as the IV&V vendor. Maximus brings 23 years of experience, providing IV&V and real-time objective assessment services to the CCWIS project as well as independent oversight of the DDI contractor’s project performance and adherence to schedules and scope of work. The contract award amount is $2,192,200.
Quality Assurance Contract
CSG Government Solutions, headquartered in Chicago, has been selected as the Quality Assurance (QA) vendor for DCF’s CCWIS project. The CSG team offers 25 years of experience delivering quality assurance services for complex health and human services agencies across the country, including multiple active CCWIS projects.
Under the awarded contract valued at $4,745,760, CSG will provide quality analysis of the project’s output, validate system functionality, and ensure Kansas receives the system as contracted.
“A modern and adaptable information technology infrastructure system will help our employees and partners seamlessly work together to better serve Kansans,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “We’re happy to be working with RedMane, Maximus, and CSG to bring the information technology side of Kansas’ child welfare system into the 21st century.”
Benefits of a CCWIS
The new CCWIS will replace multiple older systems, eliminating redundancy and standardizing practice and service delivery statewide. The CCWIS solution will better support key child welfare functions such as management of client files, intake functions, ongoing case management, visitation report entries, court record production, comprehensive reporting, and decision support processing.
Other key benefits may include:
- Improved interfaces with Title IV-A (TANF), Title IV-D (Child Support Enforcement), Title XIX (Medicaid), and the State’s financial and administrative systems;
- Better data sharing with key community partners, including courts, schools, law enforcement, and other state agencies;
- Data accuracy and timeliness.
Once implemented, the CCWIS solution will be fully compliant with the CCWIS Final Rule and subsequent communications by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
“This project aligns with our mission to protect children and promote healthy families by transforming our dated child welfare information technology systems into a modern, adaptable ecosystem that will provide the right services and supports needed to help support the well-being of Kansas children and families,” Howard said.
Process and Funding
DCF has spent the past few years planning for the new CCWIS. The project is expected to cost a total of $100 million over the estimated four-year development period. Approximately 50% of the total cost will come from the State General Fund and 50% from Federal IV-E funds.
During the 2024 Legislative session, Governor Laura Kelly requested, and the Kansas Legislature approved, an enhancement request for an additional $17 million per year for four years starting in FY2025. This $68 million of additional funding, along with $32 million from the base budget, will provide $100 million over the next four years to finish the development. The total cost includes contracts for DDI, QA, and IV&V vendors as well as costs for internal salaries, staffing contractors, travel, training, and other required contracts.
Timeline
Project initiation is anticipated to begin immediately now that all contracted partners have been approved by ACF and the State of Kansas. The DDI contract, the centerpiece of the project, is for four base years and includes three optional 36-month renewals.
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Bourbon County Veterinary Clinic Is Open For Business
From the business Facebook page.
Bourbon County Veterinary Clinic, LLC is fully open for business at 1251 240th Street in Fort Scott.
Owners are Dr. Trent Callahan and Dr. Joely Roe Johnson.
Dr. Callahan and Dr. Joe (Joely Johnson) both come from an agricultural background and share a love for providing veterinary care to rural communities, Dr. Callahan said.
The new business is just over the Bourbon County line in Bates County, Missouri, where the two are vets at the Bates County Veterinary Clinic in Butler.
The two clinics will share goals, clients, veterinarians, and patients.
Their core values are “Keeping your pets happy and healthy and your livestock profitable!”
Dr. Joe and her family also call Bourbon County home, with her husband’s family having deep roots in the area, she said.
“We will have a broad range of experience and knowledge,” said Dr. Joe. “We will provide large animal and small animal services ranging from routine vaccines, surgeries, herd work, consulting, and much more. We are excited to serve Bourbon County and surrounding areas.”
Dr. Callahan earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Missouri with the class of 1998. He opened his first practice in 2008 in Bates County after practicing for eleven years as an associate veterinarian in Butler, Missouri.
Dr. Joe earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue University, class of 2023
In 2021, Bates County expanded and remodeled its facility, offering the newest technology and expanding the veterinarians on staff. In 2023, Dr. Joe joined the Bates County Veterinary Clinic team.
They will have a rotation of four veterinarians with support staff at the Kansas clinic. Other vets who will be rotating are Dr. Levi Cade and Dr. Megan Westerhold.
Contact info: phone:620-223-1171, email: bourboncountyveterinary@gmail.
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Department Daily Reports July 22
Freeman Recognized for Providing High-Quality Cardio Care
American Heart Association’s Awards Showcases Life-Saving Care
Joplin, MO. – Freeman Health System has received five American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease and stroke, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
Heart disease and stroke are the number 1 and number 5 causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to American Heart Association data. Studies show patients can recover better when providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.
Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. As a participant in the Get With The Guidelines programs, Freeman qualified for the awards by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care.
“Freeman is committed to improving care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines and streamlining processes to ensure timely and proper care for heart attacks and strokes,” said Paige Moschner, Director of Cardiac and Vascular Services at Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute. “Get With The Guidelines programs make it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which helps us ensure more people in Southwest Missouri experience longer, healthier lives.”
This year, Freeman received the following achievement awards:
* Get With the Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center – Gold Plus Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
* Get With the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
* Get With The Guidelines-Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes
* Get With the Guidelines – Resuscitation Silver – Pediatric
* Get With the Guidelines – Resuscitation Target Survival
“These awards show Freeman Health System’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, Freeman can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions, and lower mortality rates—a win for health care systems, families, and communities.”
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About Freeman Health System
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.
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About Get With The Guidelines
Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 14 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.
August 1-3 Sales Tax Holiday Weekend in Fort Scott
SALES TAX HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN FORT SCOTT
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce an opportunity for shoppers to save money while supporting local businesses. From Friday, August 1st through Sunday, August 3rd, select retailers will be participating in a Sales Tax Holiday Weekend by voluntarily paying the sales tax for customers by offering shoppers a 9.65% discount at checkout.
Participating merchants include: 110 South Main Mercantile, Angie Dawn’s Boutique, Barbed Wire & Roses Vintage Market, Be the Light Boutique, Bids & Dibs, Care to Share Gift Shop, Laree + Co., Long Creek Outfitters, Main St. Vintage & Co., Papa Don’s Pizza, Ruddick’s Furniture (on the first $500), Shirt Shack, and Sunshine Boutique.
These local stores offer a wide variety of merchandise including apparel, home décor, new and repurposed furniture, school supplies, and much more. Save money, shop local, shop Fort Scott.
This Sales Tax Holiday is organized by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. For more information, contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
