Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. Begins Accepting Nominations for Governor’s Community Service Award Recipients

TOPEKA, KS – Governor Jeff Colyer today announced the start of accepting nominations for the Governor’s Community Service Award. Gov. Colyer, in association with the Kansas Volunteer Commission, is recognizing the hard work and selfless service of Kansas high school students through this award. Starting today, teachers, counselors and administrators can nominate both a junior and senior from their school who have displayed a dedicated commitment to serving his or her community. One junior and one senior from each nominating school will be selected to receive this award. Last year, 55 students received the award from over 40 Kansas communities.

“We have so many exceptional students across our state who are doing a great deal to help in their community and striving to make a difference where they live,” said Governor Colyer, “This award delivers a powerful message to encourage other students to take action. I believe students who possess such dedication to giving back deserve our gratitude.”

“I applaud Governor Colyer’s commitment to recognizing Kansas students who are giving back to their communities,” said Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson, “Teaching our students to be good citizens builds strong communities and is a critical piece of the Kansans Can vision for education. All of this contributes to what makes Kansas so great.”

“Civic engagement is about students sharing their skills and knowledge through actions that improve their communities,” said Board of Education member Jim McNiece, “This award is a great way to honor students who have chosen to do something with their time that can have a lasting impact on the world around them.”

In order to qualify for nomination for this award, students are required to volunteer their time to help those in need at a nonprofit, community organization, faith-based organization, business, school or national service program. The deadline for submitting nominations is April 30^th.

Nominations can be submitted through the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/F5VklxKNJbvFF9Ql2

State of Kansas Launches “My (Re)Employment Plan” Workforce Program to Improve Services for Job Seekers

In an effort to match unemployed job seekers with Kansas employers looking to hire workers, Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D., is proud to announce that the State of Kansas has launched “My (Re)Employment Plan,” a program that blends enhanced workforce services with personal responsibility to get Kansans back to work faster.

The collaboration between the Kansas Department of Labor, Kansas Department of Commerce and the KANSASWORKS Workforce System will provide enhanced reemployment services to Kansans who are unemployed and looking for work. The program, called “My (Re)Employment Plan” connects unemployment recipients with workforce service professionals in their area. Unemployed Kansans who are receiving benefits will be provided, free of charge, personalized job search assistance, including:

• Creation of a personalized “My (Re)Employment” Plan that focuses on goals and accountability
• Skills assessment to match interests and skills with occupations
• Resume, interview, and networking assistance
• Labor market information highlighting current in-demand jobs

To emphasize the importance of a planned, dedicated job search to match unemployed workers with jobs, individuals who fail, without good cause, to participate in this free of charge service will lose unemployment benefits until such time as they can demonstrate a reasonable job search. The program is designed to help people achieve their reemployment goals and to reduce time spent on unemployment.

Kansas jobseekers assigned for My (Re)Employment Plan services will be referred to one of 21 KANSASWORKS facilities throughout the state. Participants will be notified by mail around the midpoint of their unemployment claim. The notification will provide appointment details, including where and when the jobseeker will receive services, and the steps they need to take to better prepare for a successful job search.

“Kansas is experiencing low unemployment and Kansas businesses are ready to hire qualified workers,” said Governor Jeff Colyer. “The My (Re)Employment Plan program will connect unemployed job seekers with the 48,000 job openings at businesses across the state.”

“Workforce needs is one of the top concerns of the Kansas business community. The Kansas Chamber and its members appreciate the increased focus on getting Kansans back to work when there are thousands of open jobs and employment is at near record highs,” stated Alan Cobb, President, and CEO of the Kansas Chamber.

“Kansas SHRM supports efforts to connect unemployed individuals with job opportunities. A planned job search that emphasizes the importance of networking and access to quality job search tools will benefit both those looking for employment and employers,” said Shelbye Smith, State Council Director of Kansas SHRM.

“NFIB’s latest Small Business Economic Trends survey found that ‘quality of labor’ is the No. 1 problem facing America’s small-business owners,” NFIB State Director Dan Murray said. “The My (Re)Employment Plan Workforce Program is welcome news to Kansas small businesses that are struggling to find qualified applicants to fill must-needed jobs.”

“I know all the Local Workforce Development Boards in Kansas are constantly hearing from employers seeking talent and this initiative will assist in connecting job seekers to the large number of career opportunities available throughout Kansas,” said Keith Lawing, CEO, Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas.

“The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Kansas, which is recognized as the ‘Chamber of Commerce of the Kansas Construction Industry,’ applauds Governor Colyer’s focus on workforce development for Kansas. This is a key issue, as the construction industry in the state needs 8-10,000 new workers over the next few years to meet the demand that is driven by an enhanced state economy and the retirement of our baby boom generation of workers,” stated Mike Gibson, AGC of Kansas Executive Vice President.

“This commonsense initiative by Governor Colyer couldn’t come at a better time for our state’s employers, especially those in advanced manufacturing,” added Gary Plummer, President, and CEO of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited about the future prospects in this high paying industry sector and creating a pathway to connect those needing work with those firms that need workers is a wise and welcome program.”

In Shawnee County, foster parent training option goes from 10 weeks to two weekends

Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Gina Meier-Hummel is pleased to announce an effort to make a major change to the training commitment required to become a licensed foster parent in Kansas.

Currently, individuals interested in becoming foster or adoptive parents are required to attend 10 weeks of classes, three hours each. Through a partnership with The Call to Care and the Kansas Children’s Service League, a pilot is now underway in Shawnee County, to provide an optional two full weekends of classes instead.

The Call to Care Initiative was developed after Secretary Meier-Hummel stepped into the leadership role at DCF, and began seeking innovative solutions to safely reduce the number of children sleeping overnight in offices, and being forced to move hundreds of miles from their homes to be placed in available foster homes.

“With more than 7,300 children in foster care, the demand for family foster homes is great, and it’s time to make some changes, so we can accommodate the loving people who want to open their homes to children in need, but simply don’t have the time to spend 10 weeks in a classroom,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “Additionally, we need homes now, not 10 weeks down the road.”

Although the length of time it takes to become trained is reduced, through the pilot, the total time commitment remains the same. The training is a 30-hour course that covers a wide range of topics that are essential to prepare families to foster.

To kick off this pilot, an information meeting was held Monday, March 26, at the First Church of the Nazarene, Topeka. There, families learned about the Call to Care Initiative and the support services that will be offered to them as they make their journey to become foster parents. At that meeting, an estimated 40 families initiated the process or expressed interest in providing help to foster families, with supports such as clothes and supplies for children coming into care, for example.

The piloted two-weekend training will get underway in mid-April.

Secretary Meier-Hummel is working with Child Placing Agencies to expand the piloted two-weekend training to other parts of the state.

“It is our intent to allow all Child Placing Agencies the ability to offer training in this fashion,” Secretary Meier-Hummel said. “This is a solution to address an urgent issue. We need to eliminate the barriers standing in the way for families to begin fostering.”

The new training option will not eliminate other crucial steps in the foster care licensing process, such as backgrounds checks and home inspections.

For more information about becoming a foster parent, visit www.FosterKSKids.org