Jun 24, 2026 Budget Committee

WASN'T THERE. GOOD MORNING SHAUN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

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WE HAVE WITH US TODAY CHARLIE FRANKLIN, WHO I AM ASKING TO SIT IN, PLEASE, AS PART OF THE JOB.

CAN YOU OPEN IT? 915 OF YOU KNOW, HE SAID I COULD OPEN NOW.

I'D BE GLAD TO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND CHAIR IBAKA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND OPEN NOW BECAUSE THE SCHEDULES THAT WE SENT OUT TO OUR FINE ORGANIZATIONS HAD ALERTED THEM TO 9:00. SO I WANT TO RESPECT YOUR TIME AS WELL.

ALTHOUGH IT'S JUST THREE MINUTES, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE AHEAD.

WE HAVE AN 2027 OUTSIDE AGENCY HEARINGS, AND WE ARE BEGINNING THIS MORNING WITH MADDIE ROSE. I WILL REMIND EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE HAD 157 ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE APPLIED FOR OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING.

AND WHILE I KNOW YOUR ORGANIZATIONS DO AMAZING WORK, I KNOW YOU'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT THAT WORK.

WE REALLY ARE ASKING THAT YOU RESPECT THE TIME SO THAT WE CAN GET AS MANY ORGANIZATIONS IN, IN A TIMELY MANNER AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE BEGIN INTRODUCING YOURSELVES AND TELL US ALL ABOUT MARY PAYTON, CHAIRMAN OF BARCA. MY NAME IS JOHN FIERRO. IS OUR CHIEF FUNDRAISING OFFICER, ANGELA BRUNER.

WE ARE I'M NOT GETTING ANY AUDIO FROM THIS. YEAH.

THE GREEN. MAKE SURE THE GREEN LIGHTS ON. SORRY, I FORGOT ABOUT THAT PART. SORRY. YOU'LL HAVE TO.

HOPEFULLY THE RECORD PICKED UP. LEGISLATOR PEYTON AND I SAID, YOU'RE A WONDERFUL PERSON.

OH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR REPEATING THAT.

WELL, GOOD MORNING ONCE AGAIN. JOHN FIERRO, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MATTIE RHODES CENTER.

I'M JOINED THIS MORNING BY OUR CHIEF FUNDRAISING OFFICER, ANGELA BRUNER, AND CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE THE MEMBERS OF THE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO SPEAK TO OUR 2027 OUTSIDE AGENCY REQUEST.

MATTIE RHODES, CENTER, IS ONE OF JACKSON COUNTY'S OLDEST NONPROFIT PROVIDERS, HAVING BEEN ESTABLISHED IN 1894 TO WORK WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS. AND OUR REQUEST JUST ALIGNS WITH THAT VISION, WITH WHAT THE PURPOSE OF THE OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING IS TO SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN POVERTY, PROVIDING FOOD INSECURITY, HOUSING STABILITY, ETC. WE HAVE A CHALLENGE. WE HAVE TWO FULL TIME CASE MANAGERS WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN OUR PARTICIPANTS OF JACKSON COUNTY AND THE MANY RESOURCES THAT EXIST IN OUR COUNTY, SUCH AS RENTAL ASSISTANCE, FOOD ASSISTANCE, HEALTH CARE, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

A LOT OF THOSE RESOURCES ARE INTERNAL WITHIN MATTIE RHODES, BUT A LOT ARE PROVIDED BY OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

AND RIGHT NOW, DUE TO SOME BUDGET CUTS WITH EXISTING FUNDING, WE ARE HAVING TO SECURE ABOUT 50% OF EACH INDIVIDUAL'S SALARY.

AND SO WHAT WE HAVE PRESENTED TO JACKSON COUNTY IS A REQUEST OF JUST OVER 50,000 AT $50,750.

WE WOULD USE THOSE FUNDS, SPLIT THEM UP EVENLY, AND APPLY THEM TO TWO FULL TIME INDIVIDUALS.

SO OUR HOPE IS, IS THAT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT US AS WE CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS.

ANNUALLY, OUR AGENCY AS A WHOLE SUPPORTS ABOUT 20,000 INDIVIDUALS IN THE AREAS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND A HOST OF OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FROM THE WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD AND HISTORIC NORTHEAST.

I THINK YOU COVERED IT, JOHN. I WOULD I WOULD JUST I CONTINUE TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMING.

DURING TIMES LIKE THESE. OUR, OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE DEFINITELY MORE STRESSED.

UNABLE TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE ON A, ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND SO OUR STAFF ARE JUST VERY VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THIS PROGRAMING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THESE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO YES. LEGISLATOR BARKER SO CAN YOU TELL US HOW MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS SERVE THE POPULATION YOU SERVE? BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION THAT MADDIE RHODES IS UNIQUE IN.

SO CAN YOU SHARE WITH US WHO ELSE IS DOING THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING?

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YOU KNOW, THERE'S PROBABLY AN OVERALL POPULATION OF ABOUT 30 INDIVIDUALS.

I WOULD SAY WE'RE PROBABLY 30,000, RIGHT? 3000.

OH 30 I'M SORRY. YEAH. IT'S LIKE IN YOUR BUILDING BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S TOTAL POPULATION THAT EXCEEDS 30,000.

THANK YOU. AND I WOULD SAY WITHIN THAT SERVICE AREA ALONE, WE ARE PROBABLY JUST ONE OF TWO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE MEETING THE NEEDS IN REGARDS TO HEALTH, FOOD ASSISTANCE, ETC..

AND THEN IN HISTORIC NORTHEAST, CERTAINLY IT'S MUCH SMALLER IN THE WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT'S A MUCH SMALLER POPULATED AREA WITH JUST OVER 4000.

CERTAINLY THERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE RESOURCES IN TERMS OF GUADALUPE MADI ROADS AND WEST SIDE HOUSING.

BUT I WOULD SAY IN TERMS OF HISTORIC NORTHEAST, WE'RE PRIMARILY IT IN TERMS OF SERVING HISPANIC, SPANISH SPEAKING POPULATION. AND WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT SOMALIAN POPULATION THAT EXCEEDS 5000.

SO I WOULD SAY CERTAINLY THAT THAT IS OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA.

CHAIRMAN ABARCA. YEAH, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT NOTE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU ALL HAVE MULTIPLE REQUESTS SOMETIMES, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH OF YOUR REQUESTS IS, IS PRETTY CRITICAL BECAUSE YOU'RE KIND OF THE ONLY ONES DOING IT.

AND SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WAS NOTED FOR THE COLLEAGUES.

THANK YOU. AND I WOULD JUST ADD TO THAT TOO. THE COUNTY HAS BEEN A PARTNER IN VARIOUS AREAS AND I'M ALWAYS HEARD SAYING THAT THE COUNTY'S INVESTMENT IS TYPICALLY ANYWHERE IN COLLECTIVELY, PROBABLY UNDER 15% OF OUR OVERALL BUDGET.

SO WHILE WE COME TO YOU ON MANY TIMES, WE ARE LEVERAGING MORE THAN 80% OF OUR TOTAL AGENCY RESOURCES BY A HOST OF OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT FUNDING AND PRIVATE FOUNDATIONS. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I WILL. MADAM CHAIR, CAN I ASK ONE QUESTION, JOHN? WHAT'S THAT JERSEY YOU'RE WEARING RIGHT THERE? IT IS.

I KNOW IT'S VIVA MEXICO AND I AND I, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A PUBLIC SETTING.

I WON'T USE THE SLOGAN THAT I'VE STARTED TO HEAR FROM MEXICAN NATIONALS.

WHEN YOU RUN INTO SOMEBODY AND TALK SOCCER YOU KNOW, IT WAS INTERESTING.

I WAS IN EUROPE A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND I HAD A MEXICO JERSEY ON, AND SOMEBODY CAME UP TO ME AND SAID, I'LL BE CLEAN ABOUT THIS. HURRAY! YOU SON OF A GUN, MEXICANS.

AND I WAS JUST LIKE, WHERE'S THIS COMING FROM? AND I HAD TO LOOK IT UP. AND I WAS LIKE, OH NO, THAT'S THAT'S KIND OF THE SAME DURING SOCCER. BUT AGAIN, THAT WAS THE THAT WAS THE CLEAN VERSION. BUT IT IS A MEXICO JERSEY, MR. CHAIRMAN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

MISSOURI GOODWILL INDUSTRIES, MERS.

GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATORS.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT MERS, GOODWILL AND OUR OUTSIDE AGENCY PROPOSAL.

MY NAME IS KRISTEN WOOD. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT, AND I'M JOINED BY JUNE ROSS, THE EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST CURRENTLY OFFERING THE SERVICES DESCRIBED IN OUR PROPOSAL MERS MISSOURI GOODWILL INDUSTRIES IS THE NEW NAME FOR GOODWILL OF WESTERN MISSOURI AND EASTERN KANSAS. WE MERGED WITH MERS GOODWILL, HEADQUARTERED IN SAINT LOUIS, IN NOVEMBER 2025.

WHILE OUR NAME HAS CHANGED, OUR PURPOSE REMAINS THE SAME, WHICH IS CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE POWER OF WORK.

OUR PROPOSAL FOR OUTSIDE AGENCY IS TO SCALE UP OUR SKILL UP PROGRAM.

WE ARE A CONTRACTED, SKILL UP PROVIDER WITH THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND SKILL UP WORKS ALONGSIDE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OR SNAP RECIPIENTS TO PROPEL THEM OUT OF POVERTY THROUGH EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

SO OUR PARTICIPANTS ARE LOW INCOME EARNERS. THEY'RE MAKING 130% OR LESS OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, AND THEY HAVE LIMITED ASSETS, BUT THEY WANT TO WORK.

THE SKILL UP PROGRAM PROVIDES CAREER PLANNING, CASE MANAGEMENT, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, AND JOB PLACEMENT AND RETENTION SO PARTICIPANTS CAN DO THINGS LIKE DECIDE ON CAREER GOALS AND A CAREER PATHWAY, CREATE OR UPDATE THEIR RESUME, CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS, CONNECT WITH RESOURCES AND AT NO COST TO THEM.

RECEIVE THINGS LIKE SHORT TERM TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS, RECEIVE CLOTHING, BOOK SUPPLIES OR TOOLS REQUIRED FOR TRAINING OR A JOB, AND RECEIVE TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT TO HELP THEM GET TO TRAINING OR WORK.

WE SEE A CLEAR HEALTH NEXUS HERE. THIS PROGRAM SERVES THOSE FIGHTING FOOD INSECURITY, LEVERAGING THEIR BENEFITS TO ACCESS NUTRITION AND IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH.

AND THERE'S A DIRECT HEALTH BENEFIT WITH FEDERAL WORK REQUIREMENTS.

ENROLLING IN A PROGRAM LIKE OURS COULD HELP SOMEONE MAINTAIN THEIR FOOD BENEFITS BY SECURING THE 80 HOURS A MONTH OF WORKING OR TRAINING NECESSARY.

THERE'S ALSO THE INDIRECT QUALITY OF LIFE BENEFITS, SINCE EMPLOYMENT IMPROVES A HOUSEHOLD'S CAPACITY TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT WHILE COMBATING THE

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OUR SKILL UP CONTRACT IS 50/50, MEANING THE STATE REIMBURSES 50% OF OUR COST.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF DEMAND FROM PARTICIPANTS TO GROW OUR SERVICES.

SO WITH JACKSON COUNTY SUPPORT, WE CAN LEVERAGE MORE MATCH DOLLARS TO SCALE SERVICES.

FUNDS WOULD COVER THINGS LIKE ESSENTIAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES LIKE TRANSPORTATION OR WORK READY ASSISTANCE LIKE CLOTHING AND BOOTS, AND FEES FOR OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING, AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY DIRECT SERVICE STAFF WITH GROWTH.

OUR GOAL NEXT YEAR WOULD BE TO SERVE 120 PEOPLE INTENSIVELY, AND THE PRIMARY OUTCOME IS JOB PLACEMENT.

OUR AGENCY'S GOAL IS FOR 60% OF CLIENTS TO EARN NEW EMPLOYMENT.

AND WE ALSO HAVE A GOAL FOR 80% TO COMPLETE OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING AND UPSKILL.

SKILL UP SUPPORTS ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND HEALTH TO STABILIZING SERVICES AND PLACEMENT AND THRIVING JOBS.

WE APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? I DO, YES, SIR. CHAIR BARKER. CAN YOU JUST REMIND US ALL OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DO BESIDES HOST THRIFT STORES? YES, JUST BRIEFLY, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE KNOWS YOU ALL AS AND THE PROGRAMS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WHAT YOU'VE ALREADY TOLD US ARE SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. BY THE WAY, THERE'S A TV OUT THERE SO I CAN HEAR EVERYTHING YOU SAID. OH, THANK YOU MANNY. SO I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

I THINK GOODWILL IS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE THAT LEVERAGES ITS THRIFT STORES TO DO ECONOMIC MOBILITY PROGRAMING.

SO WE'RE ALL ABOUT HELPING JOB SEEKERS OVERCOME BARRIERS LIKE HOUSELESSNESS, TRANSPORTATION ISSUES.

CHILD CARE. LOTS OF OUR FOLKS HAVE DIFFERENT ABILITIES.

LOTS OF OUR FOLKS HAVE LEGAL HISTORY. WE WORK WITH THEM TO CREATE INDIVIDUALIZED CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

ACCESS OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING AND EARN CERTIFICATES AND ULTIMATELY EARN AND KEEP EMPLOYMENT.

WE ALSO RECENTLY OPENED THE EXCEL CENTER, WHICH IS AN ADULT HIGH SCHOOL, AND CELEBRATED THE FIRST TEN GRADUATES A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

SO NOW ADULTS IN OUR REGION 18 AND UP, WHO DON'T HAVE A DIPLOMA CAN ENROLL AND PURSUE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AS WELL.

AND REMIND ME, SOME 90 PLUS CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR YOU RAISE GOES BACK TO THE MISSION.

IS THAT STILL ACCURATE? YES. SO IT IF YOU LOOK AT OUR 990, BASED ON HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LOOKS AT IT, ABOUT 6% OF OUR AGENCY GOES TO OVERHEAD. PERFECT.

THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. METRO LUTHERAN MINISTRIES.

SPINNY CHAIRS. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO PRESENT TO THE LEGISLATURE TODAY.

MY NAME IS BECKY POITRAS. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH METRO LUTHERAN MINISTRY.

WE ARE A SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY THAT SERVES OVER 30,000 LOW INCOME, POVERTY STRICKEN HOUSEHOLDS, HOMELESS HOUSEHOLDS, AND AT RISK HOUSEHOLDS ANNUALLY.

OVER 20,000 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE UNDUPLICATED JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS COMING FROM ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTY, INCLUDING EASTERN JACK, NORTHEAST WEST SIDE, MIDTOWN, SOUTH SIDE THE BREADTH AND SCOPE OF OUR SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE THROUGH OUR BASIC AND EMERGENT NEEDS. PROGRAMING FOCUSES ON HEALTH AND WELLNESS, HOUSING STABILIZATION AND FOOD SECURITY.

AND OUR PROPOSAL TO THE THE COUNTY THIS YEAR, IS THIS ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS IT HAS BEEN THE PAST FEW YEARS? BECAUSE THE NEED IN THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO GROW.

WE ARE ASKING FOR DIRECT SERVICE DOLLARS THAT ARE PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HOUSEHOLDS MOST AT NEED OF FOOD SECURITY AND HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES. THOSE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY, HOUSING AND FOOD ARE HEALTH CARE. WE BELIEVE THAT BY PROVIDING FOLKS A STABLE PLACE TO STAY WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING THEM WITH ANCILLARY SUPPORT SERVICES AND CASE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING EMPLOYMENT AND FINANCIAL COACHING, INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT, ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THERAPY SERVICES, AND A HOST OF OTHER SUPPORTIVE NEEDS WILL HELP THEM TO EITHER OBTAIN OR MAINTAIN SELF-SUFFICIENCY LONG TERM.

I WANT TO TELL YOU A SHORT STORY ABOUT A FAMILY THAT WAS SERVED THIS YEAR WITH JACKSON COUNTY OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDS.

JASMINE IS A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE. SHE HAS THREE SONS UNDER THE AGE OF TEN, ONE OF WHOM HAS A CHRONIC HEART CONDITION.

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REFUSED TO REPLACE BASIC ITEMS LIKE ELECTRICAL.

SO THEY WERE LIVING IN A SAFE, STABLE HOME. THEY WERE LIVING IN A PLACE NOT MEANT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND BEING FORCED TO CONTINUE TO PAY RENT AS ENFORCED BY A JUDGE.

WE HELPED THEM WITH A DEPOSIT TO MOVE INTO A NEW, SAFE, STABLE UNIT THAT HAD RUNNING WATER, THAT HAD WORKING ELECTRICITY THAT WAS WEATHERIZED IN BLUE SPRINGS.

HER SON WAS THEN ABLE TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE SERVICES AT A NEARBY HOSPITAL, AND SHE WAS THEN ABLE TO ACCESS PART TIME EMPLOYMENT SO THAT SHE COULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY. BECAUSE OF JACKSON COUNTY OUTSIDE AGENCY DOLLARS, WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HER TO GET HER MOVED AND KEEP HER SAFELY AND STABLY HOUSED ALONG WITH HER FAMILY.

CURRENTLY, JACKSON COUNTY DOLLARS ARE VERY LIMITED.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI HAS A LOT OF FUNDING STILL THROUGH CDBG THROUGH EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANT.

BUT FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOUSING INSTABILITY AND FOOD INSECURITY OUTSIDE OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, SPECIFICALLY, RESOURCES ARE VERY LIMITED.

THE $20,000 WE RECEIVED FOR 2026, WHEN OUR CONTRACT WAS SIGNED ON APRIL 22ND, WERE GONE BY MAY 31ST.

WE NOW HAVE VERY LIMITED RESOURCES TO HELP. LEE'S.

SUMMIT, BLUE SPRINGS, GRAIN VALLEY, ALL OF THE OTHER PARTS OF JACKSON COUNTY WHERE PEOPLE ARE STILL IN NEED.

SO WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER OUR PROPOSAL FOR $100,000 TO SUPPORT THOSE MOST IN NEED IN THE COUNTY, TO HELP KEEP THEM SAFELY AND STABLY HOUSED LONG TERM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? CAN I GET A COPY OF MY SIGNED CONTRACT FROM THIS PAST YEAR? I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT YET. YES. WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT.

I WAS GOING TO SAY, I THINK AKILA WILL PROBABLY TEXT JONATHAN, WHO'S OUTSIDE, AND TEXT MELINDA TO GET THE CONTRACT FOR YOU. THERE'S A LOT OF APPLICANTS.

WE APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERATION AND ANY SUPPORT THAT THE COUNTY CAN PROVIDE.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR CONSIDERATION. DO YOU HAVE ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS CARDS WITH YOU? I DO, IF YOU COULD PLEASE GIVE ONE TO MISS AKILA.

ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE PLANNING TO BECAUSE YOU'RE RIGHT.

WE HAVE VERY LIMITED FUNDS WITH JACKSON COUNTY FOR OUR OUTSIDE AGENCY.

SO WE ARE GOING TO WORK TO TRY TO GET ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

AND I THINK YOUR STORY WOULD BE HELPFUL TO THAT PURSUIT.

ABSOLUTELY. HAPPY TO SHARE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION.

GOOD MORNING. OKAY. OKAY. GOOD MORNING, LEGISLATOR PAYTON. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, CHAIR BARCA. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ENTERTAIN OUR PROPOSAL AND ALL OF THE OTHER LEGISLATORS THAT ARE JOINING US VIRTUALLY AS WELL. THE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION IS THE SOLE RECIPIENT AND DISTRIBUTOR OF FINANCIAL AID AND PROGRAMMATIC AID TO EACH OF THE COLLEGE'S PROGRAMS ACADEMIC AND IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, WORKFORCE DRIVEN AS WELL.

I'M RYAN MOORHEAD, I'M THE DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS, AN ANNUAL GIVING IN THE MCC FOUNDATION.

MY COLLEAGUE, DOCTOR TIFFANY HUNTER, IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT MCC.

THIS PARTICULAR PROPOSAL IS DRIVEN DIRECTLY BY THE NEED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH ALL ACROSS THE COUNTY OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI. COMING OUT OF THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE ALL REALIZED WAS THAT COMMUNITY HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH WORKER PROGRAMS WERE SEVERELY LACKING. THE COLLEGE TOOK IT UPON ITSELF TO CREATE THIS PARTICULAR INITIATIVE AND WAS VERY, VERY LUCKY TO HAVE RECEIVED INITIAL SEED FUNDING FROM THE HEALTH FORWARD FOUNDATION.

ONCE THOSE DOLLARS WERE DEPLETED, THE COLLEGE ADOPTED THE PROGRAM AND HAS MADE IT SELF-SUFFICIENT AND PART OF THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ARM OF METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT EVERY ACADEMIC INSTITUTION IN THE UNITED STATES STRUGGLES WITH IS FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF FINANCIAL AID DOLLARS GO TOWARD CREDIT PROGRAMS IN AMERICA'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THIS THEN ALLOWS THE FOUNDATION TO TRY AND GO OUT AND SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT NONCREDIT AND WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, NOT JUST AT MCC, BUT AT EVERY ACADEMIC INSTITUTION ACROSS THE SPHERE.

THE CREDIT HOURS AND PROGRAMMATIC COSTS FOR THIS PROGRAM ARE RELATIVELY LOW, HENCE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT WE'RE SEEKING TO PROVIDE DIRECT SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT TO

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THIS PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS TO REALLY DEVELOP QUALITY COMMUNITY HEALTH AND PUBLIC HEALTH WORKER PROGRAMING AND PROGRAMS ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY.

WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE WITH THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT THAT WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM JACKSON COUNTY. FOR OUR CREDIT PROGRAMS, I'M REFERENCING THE KC GUARANTEE, IN PARTICULAR, THE LEVEL OF GRATITUDE THAT THE MCC FOUNDATION AND EVERY SINGLE MEMBER OF THE MCC FOUNDATION AND MCC HAS, IS, IS ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULAR. THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM WILL REALLY ALLOW THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND NONCREDIT SIDE TO BROADEN ITS REACH AND APPEAL TO 15 STUDENTS PER COHORT IN THIS COMING ACADEMIC YEAR.

YES. THAT'S IT. YOU GUYS ARE JUST KILLING IT WELL, WE'RE TRYING TO.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH. I WANT TO SEE IF YOU CAN GIVE US SOME DATA OR EVEN ANCILLARY STORIES ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE CHANGES THAT HAPPEN FROM THE STUDENTS THAT MAY RECEIVE THESE TYPES OF DOLLARS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM AND THEIR FUTURE AND IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THE HEALTH OF OUR COUNTY.

CERTAINLY TIERRA ABARCA. WE HAVE AS OF TODAY SERVED 45 STUDENTS THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS, PAYING FOR THEIR TUITION AND FEES FOR THIS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE A CLASS STARTING ON TUESDAY WITH 17 STUDENTS REGISTERED WHERE THEY ARE GETTING THEIR TUITION COVERED AS WELL.

ONE STORY THAT I CAN SHARE IS A STUDENT THAT WAS OUR STUDENT SUCCESS STORY AT OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING IN THE FALL, WHERE HE TALKED ABOUT HOW HE WAS A SINGLE FATHER, AND THROUGH THAT, HE WAS WORKING TO PROVIDE FOR HIS FAMILY PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

HE DECIDED TO BECOME A PART OF THIS PROGRAM THROUGH A RECRUITING EVENT WHERE ONE OF MY ADVISORS WAS HE'S, YOU KNOW, LOCKED INTO THIS PROGRAM, WENT THROUGH IT FOR 15 WEEKS, LEFT WITH A JOB AT BEACON HEALTH AS A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER.

AND HE SHARED HOW IT CHANGED HIS FAMILY'S LIFE.

HE NO LONGER LIVES PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. HE'S WORKING IN A SPACE WHERE HE CAN SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

AND OTHER CHALLENGES, LIKE HIS SON. AND HE SAID, NOW I HAVE THE SKILLS TO SUPPORT MY SON BETTER AT HOME, BUT I'M ALSO DOING A JOB THAT I LOVE THAT I KNOW IS MAKING AN IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE WAS NOT A DRY EYE IN THE ROOM THAT NIGHT, AS THIS 62 YEAR OLD MAN SHARED THIS STORY OF COMING BACK TO SCHOOL AS AN OLDER ADULT WHO NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD PURSUE ANYTHING AT A COLLEGE, AND HE LEFT WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY OF A CERTIFICATE THAT WAS PAID FOR THROUGH SOME HEALTH FORWARD FUNDING. HE LEFT WITH NO DEBT. HE NOW HAS THIS GREAT CAREER WHERE HE IS THRIVING, SO HE COMES BACK AND SPEAKS TO OUR CLASSES VERY REGULARLY NOW ABOUT HOW YOU JUST KEEP PERSEVERING AND MOVING FORWARD.

THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? NO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION COUNTERING SEXUAL ASSAULT.

WE WERE AT FOUR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

GOOD MORNING. I'LL GO AHEAD AND GET US STARTED, I GUESS, WITH INTRODUCTIONS.

MY NAME IS BRANDI WILLIAMS. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT MOXA.

I'M KATIE GUERRA, I'M ALSO GRANTS MANAGER. I'M GOING TO ASK THAT YOU LADIES MOVE THE MIC A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE PRETTY SOFT SPOKEN, OR YOU CAN SLIDE ONE OF THEM OVER IF YOU WANT TO SLIDE THE OTHER ONE OVER TOO. YEAH, YOU COULD JUST MAKE SURE YOU HIT THE MAKE SURE THE GREEN LIGHT IS ON.

THERE IT IS. THANK YOU. TECHNOLOGY. IT'S GREAT WHEN IT WORKS. WHEN THE WHEN THE USER KNOWS HOW TO WORK IT.

YEAH. LIKE I SAID, MY NAME IS BRANDY WILLIAMS. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AT MOXA. AND SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE THIS MORNING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT WE THINK IS OUR AMAZING ORGANIZATION.

MOXA IS THE METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION COUNTERING SEXUAL ASSAULT.

IT'S BEEN IN KANSAS CITY FOR OVER 50 YEARS. IT'S THE ONLY STANDALONE RAPE CRISIS CENTER PROVIDING SERVICES TO SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN JACKSON COUNTY AND ALL OF OUR SURROUNDING KANSAS CITY METROPOLITAN AREAS ON BOTH THE MISSOURI AND THE KANSAS SIDE.

OUR SERVICES EXIST FOR SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES.

WE PROVIDE 24 OVER SEVEN ADVOCACY SERVICES, BOTH HOSPITAL ADVOCACY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVOCACY.

WE HAVE A 24 OVER SEVEN CRISIS AND SUPPORT LINE THAT ANYBODY CAN ACCESS.

WE ALSO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES, EDUCATION AND PREVENTION AND COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN FIVE AND UP AND ADULTS.

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SO HAVING ANY TYPE OF SERVICES OR FUNDING PROVIDED FOR US OBVIOUSLY IS VERY HELPFUL.

WE HAVE EVERY YEAR ANNUALLY REACH ABOUT 7000 PEOPLE.

SO THAT'S ACROSS THE RANGE OF OUR SERVICES AND ALSO ALL OF THE OUTREACH SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE IN THE COMMUNITY SETTINGS.

SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE HAD IN 2025, WE WERE ABLE TO REACH OVER 37,000 PEOPLE IN JACKSON COUNTY.

AS A DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. OBVIOUSLY, MY PRIORITY IS EDUCATING YOUTH.

SO WE ARE IN SCHOOLS, PRE-K THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

WE ALSO TRAIN ADULTS. WE HAVE A LOT OF EDUCATION SERVICES AND ALSO THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM.

WE ALSO SOME OF MY STAFF SUPPORT THE CRISIS LINE WITH THIS JACKSON COUNTY OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING THAT IS AVAILABLE.

247. JACKSON COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF REPORTED SEXUAL OFFENSES FROM ANY OTHER COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

SO OUR SERVICES ARE NEEDED. PREVENTION OBVIOUSLY IS SOMETHING THAT WE WORK TOWARDS AS WELL.

SO HAVING ANY TYPE OF EXTRA FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION IS ALWAYS VERY NECESSARY.

WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST $50,000, AND THAT $50,000 WILL SUPPORT THREE MOXA EDUCATORS.

AS BRANDY MENTIONED, WE SERVE 37,000 PEOPLE JUST IN JACKSON COUNTY.

LAST YEAR, AS WE'RE LOOKING TO SCHEDULE SCHOOL PROGRAMING FOR NEXT YEAR, WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING TO THE SPRING SEMESTER, SO THE DEMAND REMAINS HIGH FOR OUR SERVICES. SERVICE CONTINUITY AT MOXA IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR US.

WE HAVE A DEMONSTRATED HISTORY OF SPENDING OUT FUNDS, MEETING OUR GRANT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, AND PROVIDING VITAL PROGRAMING THAT DOES NOT EXIST ELSEWHERE.

WE GET A LOT OF SCHOOL DISCLOSURES FROM STUDENTS AS THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, TO THEN RECOGNIZE THAT SOMETHING HAS BEEN DONE TO THEM, AND THEN WE CAN EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE THE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT WILL MEET THE NEEDS AND HELP THEM HEAL FROM THAT TRAUMA. OUR FUNDING REQUEST IS DRIVEN BY COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS.

IT'S GOTTEN MORE EXPENSIVE FOR EVERYONE LIVING IN THIS TIME AND AGE, AS WELL AS FEDERAL UNCERTAINTY WITH CONTRACTS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR FUNDING OUTSIDE AGENCY DOLLARS ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE WORK THAT WE DO, AND ENSURING THAT JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH HAVE ACCESS TO VERY SIGNIFICANT EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP THEM IDENTIFY SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND WHAT TO DO IF THAT HAPPENS TO THEM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? CHAIR BARKER HOW IS YOUR NEW BUILDING GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO EXPAND SERVICES? OH, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. HONESTLY, I THINK, WELL, THERE'S A COUPLE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT I THINK THAT WE CAN BE DOING BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE A TRAINING ROOM, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR PEOPLE IN HOUSE.

I THINK WE CAN. I DEFINITELY SEE MY DEPARTMENT EXPANDING IN THAT WAY, PROVIDING SOME ADULT EDUCATION TRAINING, MAYBE BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THE PARENTS IN A WAY THAT WE PREVIOUSLY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THEM BEFORE.

WE WILL BE NEXT DOOR TO BROOKSIDE CHARTER, WHICH IS ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT WE DO PROVIDE OUR YOUTH PREVENTION PROGRAMING AND GREEN DOT PROGRAMING SPECIFICALLY. SO WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH WITH BROOKSIDE CHARTER.

SO IT COULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW WE CAN EXPAND THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM AND MAYBE SOME OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT AT LEAST WHEN I WAS AT CCK, YOU'RE PROVIDING THESE SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO A LOT OF THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HINT, HINT CCK PS DOCTOR COLLIER FYI. SO THESE SUPPLEMENTAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO CONTINUE THE MISSIONS IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

SO APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS OUTCOME.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

WITH THE ALARMING RATES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SKYROCKETING THAT EDUCATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NEXT WE HAVE MIDWEST MUSIC FOUNDATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING READY TO GO.

GOOD MORNING. I'M RHONDA LYNN. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MIDWEST MUSIC FOUNDATION.

I SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES, BUT FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH OUR MISSION, WE BASICALLY PROVIDE HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE TO KANSAS CITY AREA MUSICIANS THROUGH ABBEY'S FUND FOR MUSICIANS HEALTH CARE.

ABIGAIL HENDERSON WAS OUR FOUNDER. SHE WAS A KC MUSICIAN THAT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH INFLAMMATORY BREAST CANCER IN 2008.

THE KANSAS CITY MUSIC COMMUNITY RALLIED TO HER SIDE.

WE HAD SO MANY BANDS THAT WENT TO PLAY OUR FUNDRAISER.

WE HAD TO DO A THREE DAY EVENT. FROM THAT ROSE, THE MIDWEST MUSIC FOUNDATION, WE SADLY LOST ABBEY IN 2013, BUT WE MADE HER A PROMISE TO KEEP HER MISSION GOING OF SUPPORTING THE KANSAS CITY AREA MUSIC COMMUNITY.

MANY MUSICIANS DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, AND THE LIFESTYLES THEY LIVE ARE OFTEN PRETTY HARD.

[00:30:01]

WE TRY TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS SIMPLE AS WE CAN AND WE GIVE OUT SMALL GRANTS.

WE ALSO HAVE SEVERAL RESOURCES AND COLLABORATIONS WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

WE HAVE SOME DOCTORS ON OUR BOARD THAT CONSULT, AND WE WORK WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.

WE ALSO HAVE A VOLUNTEER THAT'S BEEN HELPING WITH DISABILITY.

WE HAD A LOCAL MUSICIAN HE'D BEEN WORKING FOR FOR YEARS TO GET DISABILITY HAD HE'D BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, YOU KNOW, COULDN'T WORK A LOT OF THE TIME. HE HAD AN ATTORNEY AND IT JUST WASN'T GOING THROUGH.

OUR VOLUNTEER WITHIN A FEW MONTHS GOT HIM FINALLY APPROVED.

AND SO THAT WAS BECAUSE HE WAS COMING TO US EVERY YEAR JUST, YOU KNOW, NEEDING SUPPORT.

SO THAT'S BEEN A HUGE BENEFIT TO HAVE HER ON OUR STAFF.

WE ARE ALMOST ALL VOLUNTEER STAFF. SO THAT ALLOWS US TO, ALL THE FUNDS THAT ARE RAISED GO DIRECTLY TO THE MUSICIANS THAT WE HELP.

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE AND THANKFUL FOR THE FUNDING FROM JACKSON COUNTY.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. IT'S REALLY HELPED US KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

AS EVERYONE KNOWS, THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN OUR COUNTRY IS GETTING SO EXPENSIVE AND INSURANCE IS UNFORTUNATELY NOT COVERING THAT.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, DON'T QUALIFY FOR WHAT THEY CALL AFFORDABLE INSURANCE.

WE'VE REQUESTED 2000, WHICH IS THE AMOUNT WE'VE HAD THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THIS HAS REALLY HELPED US OUR DEMAND. WE'VE ALREADY GIVEN OUT 5000 SO FAR THIS YEAR.

WE'RE ON TRACK TO GIVE OVER 100,000. UNFORTUNATELY THE LAST FEW YEARS OUR INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES HAS DECREASED.

SO WE'VE BEEN RUNNING A BIT OF A DEFICIT. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD SURPLUS IN THE PAST THAT HAS CARRIED THAT.

BUT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FUNDING THIS YEAR WE WILL PROBABLY BE EXPENDING MOST OF OUR FUND.

WE DO HAVE SOME MONEY INVESTED, BUT WE'RE KIND OF KEEPING THAT HOPEFULLY TO EVENTUALLY WHEN I HAVE TO RETIRE, HIRE AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON A VOLUNTEER BASIS AS I HAVE.

WE ALSO DO PREVENTATIVE CARE CLINICS THIS YEAR.

WE DID ONE OVER IN LAWRENCE. A LOT OF KANSAS CITY MUSICIANS COME, WE'RE PLANNING ONE IN THE FALL.

WE GIVE OUT CUSTOM EARPLUGS, WHICH ARE VERY HELPFUL.

PROTECTING HEARING IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND THEN WE ALSO DO COVID AND FLU SHOTS AT OUR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER IN THE FALL.

AND WE PROVIDE MAMMOGRAMS, DENTAL, WE'RE WORKING WITH UMKC DENTAL COLLEGE TO PROVIDE DENTAL CARE, VISION CARE. AND WE'VE ALSO ADDED MENTAL HEALTH DURING COVID.

WE THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT. SO WE PAY FOR COUNSELING AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENTS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE CHAIR BARKER DO YOU ALL WORK WITH UNIVERSITY HEALTH OR OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT ALL? NOT SO FAR. WE'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE FROM UNIVERSITY HELP CAME OUT TO SOME OF OUR EVENTS WHEN WE HAD LIKE MORE OF A HEALTH FAIR.

I THINK ONE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH. SAMANTHA.

I CAN'T REMEMBER HER LAST NAME. WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH SOME OTHER DOCTORS THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND WE'VE TRIED TO.

WE BASICALLY JUST NEED TO MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS, I THINK.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF FULLY FUND THEM. SO HAPPY TO HELP MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS ON BOTH ENDS, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF RESOURCES THAT THEY CAN LEVERAGE AS WELL TO ASSIST YOU.

SO WE DEFINITELY REFER PEOPLE THERE BECAUSE WE KNOW THEY HAVE THE SLIDING SCALE, AND ONE OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS ACTUALLY HAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

SO SHE KIND OF KNOWS A LOT OF THE TIMES THE PAPERWORK IS, YOU KNOW, MUSICIANS AREN'T ALWAYS KNOWN FOR, YOU KNOW, AND IT'S VERY COMPLICATED PROCESS, YOU KNOW, NAVIGATING ALL THE DIFFERENT RESOURCES OUT THERE.

IS THERE A QUANTIFIABLE, A QUANTIFIED AMOUNT OF GIG OR MUSICIAN WORKERS THAT ARE WITHIN THE POPULATION IN JACKSON COUNTY? BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE YOU'RE PROVIDING, AND THE $20,000 SEEMS SO MARGINAL FOR THE NEED.

AND BEING THE CITY OF MUSIC AND BEING THE JAZZ HUB AND ALL THAT WE ARE, THIS SEEMS LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STEP IN AND DO MORE.

YEAH. I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS OFFHAND. I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN DOING SOME ART SURVEYS AND THEY'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET MORE FOLK ALLIANCE I THINK HAS GOT SOME OF THAT DATA, BUT I DON'T HAVE IT OFFHAND. SO PERFECT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MINE. DRIVE. THANK YOU.

I WILL. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

HI. AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE NOT MINE. DRIVE. WE SWITCHED WITH MINE.

DRIVE. OUR CLINICAL DIRECTOR'S MOTHER PASSED AWAY, SO WE NEED TO GO TO HER FUNERAL.

SO WE SWAPPED PLACES SO WE COULD DO THAT. BUT I'M MARY ESSELMAN, AND I'M THE CEO AT OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH,

[00:35:04]

SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY AND TO SHARE OUR GRANT REQUEST.

OUR GRANT REQUEST IS FOR $50,000 FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION, 35,015 THOUSAND FOR A FAMILY ADVOCATE SOCIAL WORKER TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY BASED CHILDREN. BUT WE SERVE OVER 750 CHILDREN FROM BIRTH THROUGH MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND THEN ALSO NOW WE'RE THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. IN ADDITION, WITH OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM SOME OF OUR CHILDREN ARE MOST VULNERABLE IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE SENSE THAT THERE'S A HIGH NEED FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION AND THAT CAN BE TRANSPORTATION.

OFTENTIMES IT'S RENT OR FOOD. MICHELLE I'LL BE TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT FOOD ASSISTANCE AND HOW THAT CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR FAMILIES.

I'M GOING TO JUST TOUCH ON LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, RIGHT NOW, TRANSPORTATION IS REALLY BIG WITH THE NEW BUS FARES.

SOME OF OUR FAMILIES WITH HOW THE AGE FOR PASSES HAS CHANGED OR BEING ARE NEEDING TO FIND A WAY TO PURCHASE FOR PASSES.

AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN IN THE BUDGET. SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM ON THAT AND THEN QUALIFYING FOR THE REDUCED BUS PASSES.

RENT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR MANY OF OUR FAMILIES.

NOT ONLY ARE RENTS HIGHER, BUT SOMETIMES THEY'RE STRUGGLE.

A COUPLE EXAMPLES. THREE THAT WE'RE WORKING ON THIS WEEK, ONE OF THE FAMILIES HAS IS A 19 YEAR OLD MOTHER WITH THREE YOUNG CHILDREN.

SHE'S HAD AN EVICTION IN THE PAST, BUT IT WASN'T HER EVICTION.

FAMILY PUT ALL OF THE BILLS AND THE LEASE IN HER NAME.

AND SO THE EVICTION WENT ONTO HER. SO WE'RE NAVIGATING, TRYING TO GET HER A VOUCHER, BUT STRUGGLING TO HAVE STABLE HOUSING FOR HER AND HER FAMILY, SOMETHING WE'RE SUPPORTING. ANOTHER MOTHER BECAME HOMELESS DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

AND SO WE'RE ABLE TO USE OUR FAMILY ADVOCATES TO WORK WITH HER TO GET HOUSING.

SO THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE KINDS OF EXAMPLES.

IN ADDITION, UTILITIES, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE TO NAVIGATE WITH LANDLORDS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE FIXING WATER LEAKS OR OTHER THINGS THAT ACCELERATE BILLS TO HIGHER LEVELS.

SO I'M GOING TO PASS IT TO MICHELLE SO SHE CAN TALK TO YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR FOOD PANTRY AND HOW THAT HAS BECOME A CRITICAL PART OF OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION.

SO HI, MY NAME IS MICHELLE. HI. MY NAME IS MICHELLE AND I WORK IN THE FOOD PANTRY.

AND THE REASON WHY FOOD IS VERY IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE A LOT OF OUR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW.

AND THE REASON WHY I'M SAYING THAT, BECAUSE I SEE IT LIKE WE USED TO SERVE 75, LIKE 75 A WEEK, BUT NOW I'M HITTING LIKE 100 AND SOMETHING A WEEK IN FOOD.

LIKE BECAUSE MOST OF OUR FAMILIES, WHEN THEY COME TO US AND STUFF, THEY GET A JOB.

AND SO THE FOOD STAMPS AUTOMATICALLY GET CUT DOWN.

SO LIKE WITH ME, BECAUSE I WORK IN THE PANTRY, BECAUSE I WAS LIKE ONE OF THEM PARENTS FIRST, WHERE I CAME IN HERE OFF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SO I KIND OF KNOW HOW THE FAMILIES WORK AT OPERATION BREAKTHROUGH.

AND SO WHEN I GO TO THE STORE AND I COUPON SHOP, IT'S LIKE SO HIGH.

SO WE GET SO MANY FAMILIES THAT COME IN THAT IT'S LIKE FOR ME AND DIFFERENT STUFF AND THE PRICES ARE LIKE STEAMING HOT.

LIKE I GO GET THEM A PACK OF CHICKEN LEGS BECAUSE WE SHOP AND IT COSTS LIKE $10 JUST FOR A PACK FOR A FAMILY.

BUT I HAVE ONE FAMILY THAT I COULD TELL YOU THAT THE FOOD WE'RE LIKE, REALLY LIKE HURTING IN OUR PANTRY FOR FOOD BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE ONE LITTLE THREE LITTLE BOYS AND THEY ALWAYS COME TO ME AND THEY CALL ME MAMA MICHELLE.

I THINK THAT I'M LIKE, BECAUSE THEY MAKE ME LIKE, CRY WHEN I TALK ABOUT THEM.

SO HE'LL COME IN, HE'LL WAIT TILL EVERYBODY LEAVE AND HE'LL COME DOWN THE STAIRS. HE'D BE LIKE, MAMA MICHELLE. I'LL BE LIKE, YES.

HE WAS LIKE, I GOTTA TAKE SOME FOOD HOME TO MY MAMA.

AND I WAS LIKE, ALRIGHT. SO HE WAS LIKE, BUT DON'T DO IT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY ELSE.

SO I MAKE THEM WAIT. AND THEN I SAY, I'LL MAKE SURE I SAVE YOUR FOOD.

AND THEN I LET THEM COME INSIDE THE PANTRY AND HE GET THE SHOT, AND HE ALWAYS GET HIS STUFF AND HE WANT ME TO PUT IT IN THE BAG SO PEOPLE CAN'T SEE IT AND STUFF. SO IT'S LIKE THREE OF THEM. THEY TEEN BOYS AND THEY COME IN, THEY SHOP, THEY GET THE CANNED GOODS, THEY GET EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED. AND THEN HE'LL ASK ME, WHAT SHOULD WE COOK TONIGHT? AND I'M LIKE, YOU GUYS ARE COOKING. AND HE WAS LIKE, YEAH, WE HAVE TO COOK BECAUSE OUR MOM IS SICK.

SO IT'S LIKE TWO TIMES OUT OF THE WEEK THEY COME IN AND GET FOOD AND IT'S LIKE SO AMAZING BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE THE TEAMS ARE OUT HERE REALLY HURTING.

AND SO I MAKE SURE, LIKE I SAY, FOOD BACK FOR THEM SO THEY CAN PICK AND THEN I'LL PACK THEIR STUFF UP IN THE BACK, TIE IT UP AND THEY GO OFF THEY WAY, BUT THEY WANT TO GO OUT THE BACK DOOR SO NOBODY CAN SEE THEM.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? CHAIR BARKER HOW IS HARVESTERS HELPING WITH THAT OR IS THAT SOMETHING THAT'S A CHALLENGE FOR YOU ALL BECAUSE OF AGAIN, SKYROCKETING SKYROCKETING PRICES ALL AROUND HARVESTER.

WE ORDER FROM HARVESTER, BUT HARVESTER ONLY HAS THREE PAGES.

AND SO HALF OF THE STUFF THAT THEY HAVE IN THERE, LIKE FOR LIKE THE MEAT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, IT'S LIKE BOLTS. WE CAN'T, YOU CAN'T DEAL WITH BULK.

WE CAN'T TAKE THE BOLTS. ONE THING THOUGH, I THINK THAT REALLY HELPS WITH THE, THE FUNDING THAT YOU PROVIDE IS IT ALLOWS US TO LEVERAGE ACROSS OTHER

[00:40:08]

SO WHETHER IT'S RENTS OR WHETHER IT'S FOOD, IT ALLOWS US TO EXPAND ACCESS.

CAN YOU SHARE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION WITH THE KEY? I'D LIKE TO CONNECT YOU ALL WITH THE UNITED MARKET, THE NEW PROSPECT SUN FRESH, BASICALLY BECAUSE I THINK THEY CAN ALSO HELP WITH SOME OF YOUR YOUR CHALLENGES AND MAYBE OFFER YOU DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES.

SO AND THEY USED TO HELP US WITH THANKSGIVING BECAUSE AT THANKSGIVING WE DO A THOUSAND FAMILIES.

AND SO WE, WHEN THEY WERE OPEN, THAT'S WHERE WE GOT ALL THE FOOD FOR THE THE FOOD BOXES.

YEAH. I THINK YOUR PROXIMITY HELPS WITH THAT.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIT BETTER. SO IF YOU'LL LEAVE YOUR INFORMATION WITH AKEELA, WE'LL WE'LL CONNECT THE DOTS THERE FOR YOU.

AND THEN ONE LAST QUICK COMMENT. AND WHEN MICHELLE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE TEENAGERS, THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGES WE'VE SEEN.

WE'RE WE'RE SEEING OVER 150 TEENS PER WEEK. AND THE NUMBER OF TEENS.

I WAS ASKING MICHELLE ON OUR WAY HERE, CLOSE TO HALF OF THEM ARE COMING AND USING THE PANTRY AS WELL FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

SO WE'RE REALLY SEEING IT. I THINK THE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY COMING ON BEHALF OF THEIR FAMILIES IS REALLY HUGE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING THAT EXPAND AND WE'RE ALSO SEEING IT'S HARDER FOR FAMILIES BECAUSE OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS TO REQUALIFY.

THAT WE'RE SEEING LAPSES, YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE A ONE MONTH OR A TWO MONTH LAPSE WHERE THEY'RE NOT GETTING ANY FOOD ASSISTANCE.

AND SO THESE DOLLARS HELP US ALSO INCREASE ACCESS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MORNING STARS.

MAKE SURE YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF. WE DON'T. WE DON'T REMEMBER.

GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE ON TODAY TO SHARE WITH YOU CONCERNING MORNING STAR AND ON THIS, WE WANT TO EXPRESS THAT WE WORK SO HARD WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND THIS IS TO REALLY WORK.

OH. THANK YOU. WE WORK HARD WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AS IT RELATES TO SUMMER TRAINING.

AND ALSO NOT ONLY SOME SUMMER TRAINING, BUT ALSO SOME OF OUR CHRISTMAS BREAK, THANKSGIVING BREAK.

AND ALSO WHEN THEY SPRING BREAK AND WITH THESE THINGS, WE TEACH THEM ONE OF THE ONE OF OUR BEST, BEST TEACHING EXPERIENCES WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IS THAT OF OUR CHESS TEAM.

WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST CHESS TEAMS. WE ALL KNOW THAT CHESS ENHANCED OUR EDUCATION AND, AND WE HAVE ONE OF, I THINK ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE CHESS TEAM. ALSO, WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY.

WE WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND YOUNG PEOPLE. MANY OF THEM CAN LEARN QUICKLY AS IT RELATES TO DEALING WITH TECHNOLOGY THE DIFFERENT GADGETS AND SO ON TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE WITH THEM. AND THEN WE WORK WITH, IN MANY OF THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE TRAINING FOR SUMMER CAMP SCHOOL AND FOR THE SOME CHRISTMAS BREAK, THANKSGIVING BREAK, AND REGULAR BREAKS.

THEY DON'T HAVE CLOTHES, THEY DON'T HAVE FOOD.

AND WE HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM IN THAT. WE DO ALSO GIVE THEM HOT MEALS AND SHARING WITH THEM AS IT RELATES TO HEALTHY LIVING.

SO THESE ARE THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING WITH WITH THAT OF MORNINGSTAR IN THIS DEVELOPMENT EFFORT.

SO WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO MAKE IT ONE OF OUR, THE BEST.

AND I THINK, AND I'M NOT, YOU KNOW, REALLY TRYING TO BRAG, BUT I THINK WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST AS IT IS TO WORKING WITH CHILDREN, WORKING WITH OUR FAMILIES AT MORNINGSTAR. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. I WILL SAY THAT YOUR LIST WAS VERY SUCCINCT BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU DO SO MUCH MORE. OH, YES. YOUR DOORS ARE OPEN ALL THE TIME TO ANYBODY THAT KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

YOU ARE TRULY AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY. YOUR MORNING STORE IS AN ASSET TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND, AND, AND FAMILIES, WE WORK WITH THEM.

IT'S NOT JUST ON CERTAIN DAYS OR CERTAIN CARE.

EVERY DAY, EVERY DAY THEY'RE WITH CHILDREN AND WITH FAMILIES.

YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADAM CHAIR. ONE QUESTION.

YES, I KNOW YOU DO A COLLABORATIVE EVENT, I THINK IN THE SUMMERTIME WITH LINK.

DO YOU DO YOU HAVE THAT SCHEDULED YET FOR THIS SUMMER? YES. BECAUSE I KNOW LAST YEAR THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK, PARTICIPATED AND HAD A BOOTH.

YES. WE'D LOVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE THERE AGAIN FOR YOU ALL TO PROVIDE ACCESS AND RESOURCES FROM OUR END.

[00:45:05]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WE WILL GET THAT DATE.

WE'LL MAKE SURE WE TALK TO DRAKE. OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE MOUNTAIN TOP, INC..

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JOHN BROOKS, PRESIDENT OF MOUNTAIN TOP, INC.. MY NAME IS PATRICK RILEY. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT A PROGRAM CALLED DARE TO CARE.

WHAT DARE TO CARE IS IS A PROGRAM THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS THOSE OF LOW INCOME WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND OBESITY AND HEALTH.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO GO OR THERE'S A STIGMA ATTACHED TO PEOPLE IN THE INNER CITY, AND ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE TO GO GET MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SO THEREFORE, THE DARE TO CARE PROGRAM IS GEARED TOWARDS THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY NOT NEED EXACTLY THE PROFESSIONAL HELP.

SO WE HAVE AROUND 30 TRAINED WORKERS THAT WORK WITH THEM IN TERMS OF THE ENTRY LEVEL FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY PROVIDE COUNSELING FORM SESSIONS FORM.

SOME OF THEM ARE IN GROUP FORMS. SOME OF THEM ARE DONE WITH GENDER SPECIFIC.

AND IT'S GEARED TOWARDS TWOFOLD. ONE, TO HELP WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH IN TERMS OF THE STRESS THAT THEY DEAL WITH ON AN EVERYDAY BASIS AND JUST IN LIFE AND COPING AND ALSO WITH FOOD DESERT IN THE THIRD DISTRICT IN TERMS OF LIVING AND NOT NOT HAVING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF MONEY AND FOOD NUTRITION.

SO OBESITY IS A HUGE PROBLEM. SO IT GIVES THEM NUTRITIONAL VALUES AND ALSO GROCERIES AND FOODS FOR HEALTHY FOODS THAT THEY CAN HAVE.

THEY'RE DONE IN SESSIONS. AND WHEN WE IDENTIFY AREAS THAT WE CANNOT SERVICE, THEN WE HAVE A GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS THAT COME IN AND THEY GIVE THEIR SERVICES AT A DISCOUNTED RATE.

WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT. WE DO HAVE COORDINATORS THAT WORK WITH THEM ON AN ONGOING BASIS EVERY YEAR TO DO THAT FOR THINGS THAT WE CAN'T.

AND AGAIN, IT HELPS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE, AGAIN, TAKES AWAY THE STIGMA OF MENTAL HEALTH IN TERMS OF STIGMA THAT IS ATTACHED WITH ASKING FOR HELP AND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE INNER CORE AND THOSE WHO ARE UNDERPRIVILEGED.

RIGHT. AND THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT WITH OUR PROGRAM.

SO FIRST OFF, WITH THE ADDITION OF THE, I GUESS, NEW SUN FRESH BACK THERE ON, ON PROSPECT AND THE PROXIMITY OF THEIR DAYCARE AND WHERE IT'S HELD AT ABOUT 0.5 MILES FROM THE LOCATION. IF FUNDED, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FRESH GROCERIES AND GIFT CARDS TO THAT SPECIFIC LOCATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE COMMUNITY. SO THAT'S VERY EXCITING THAT WE HAVE THAT TO HELP WITH THAT FOOD DESERT.

THEN THE SECOND THING IS THE EXPANDED GROUP WITH THE TEENS.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH IS A BIG THING. LAST YEAR WE LEARNED THROUGH OUR CONFERENCE THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF TEENS WHO NEEDED HELP.

AND THEN THIS YEAR, WE'VE LEARNED BY SURVEYING THOSE PEOPLE FROM THAT AGE GROUP, THOSE TEENS, THAT THEY NEED EVEN MORE HELP. SO WE WANT TO EXPAND TO PROVIDING THINGS ALL YEAR ROUND FOR THEM WITH THEIR SUPPORT GROUPS AND CONFERENCES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO THAT'S VERY EXCITING. AND THIS FUNDING WILL HELP US EXPAND THAT TO THE TEENAGERS WHO NEED HELP.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS? LAST LAST YEAR, WE SERVICED 7 OR 1700 PEOPLE.

1700 PEOPLE PROJECTED IN 2027 IS 1900. AND AGAIN, SOME OF THAT IS DONE IN GROUPS.

SOME OF IT IS DONE INDIVIDUAL WITH THE TRAINED CERTIFIED COUNSELORS, AGAIN, ON A VERY ENTRY LEVEL BASIS.

AND THEN WE HAVE SOME PROFESSIONALS THAT DO IT.

AND WE SERVE A LOT WITH AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE WHERE WE HAVE ABOUT 303 TO 400 INDIVIDUALS THAT COME TO THE CONFERENCE AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS AND DO IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I APPLAUD YOU BECAUSE THERE IS A STIGMA OFTENTIMES IN THE ZIP CODE THAT YOU SERVE A 64109 AND THAT ZIP CODE IS ALSO PART OF AN AREA (641) 286-4127 THAT ARE THE HIGHEST POVERTY HAVE THE HIGHEST POVERTY LEVELS WITHIN OUR CITY.

SO I APPLAUD YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING, TAKING AWAY THAT STIGMA, OFFERING HELP THAT IS NOT ORDINARILY AVAILABLE IN

[00:50:02]

YES, 2217 500. I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND MR. ROWLEY. YES. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

NEXT, WE HAVE NEW HOUSE.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE AND FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK TODAY ABOUT OUR AGENCY, NEW HOUSE. MY NAME IS EMILY LUCKY. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF GRANTS.

MY NAME IS CATHERINE SNOW. I'M THE GRANT AND COMPLIANCE MANAGER.

SO NEW HOUSE IS THE FIRST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGENCY IN KANSAS CITY.

THE ONLY ONE IN ITS URBAN CORE. WE WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1971 BY TWO WOMEN WHO SAW THE RISE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND TOOK ACTION TO HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS.

AND WE'VE GROWN FROM A FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE DISTRIBUTING FOOD AND CLOTHING.

AND NOW WE ARE A 104 BED, 26 ROOM FACILITY. AND WE BUILD SYSTEMS CHANGE FROM THE GROUND UP.

WHILE NEW HOUSE PROVIDES EMERGENCY SHELTER AND CRISIS SERVICES, WE ALSO WORK TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF ABUSE TO BREAK THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF VIOLENCE BY ADDRESSING TRAUMA, ECONOMIC INSTABILITY AND UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS BEFORE HARM, FUTURE HARM OCCURS. SO THROUGH A STRATEGIC PILLARS, WE DELIVER COORDINATED, HIGH IMPACT SUPPORT.

AND OUR FOUR PILLARS ARE SAFETY AND HEALING. SO FOR EXAMPLE, PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER 24 OVER SEVEN CRISIS RESPONSE THERAPY FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN, LEGAL ADVOCACY, CHILD CARE, AND WRAPAROUND STABILIZATION.

THROUGH ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE, WE EQUIP SURVIVORS WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, NAVIGATION, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND EDUCATION.

THROUGH PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION, WE REDUCE FUTURE VIOLENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION, EARLY INTERVENTION AND PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES AND OTHER PROVIDERS.

AND LASTLY, WE SUPPORT SYSTEMS CHANGE AND COLLECTIVE IMPACT THROUGH ADVANCING CROSS SYSTEMS, COLLABORATION, COURT PARTNERSHIPS AND POLICY CHANGES TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF AND REDUCE FRAGMENTATION ACROSS SOCIAL SERVICES.

SO TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS ENSURE SURVIVORS CAN ACCESS WHAT THEY NEED, WHEN THEY NEED IT AND CREATE PATHWAYS TO SAFETY, INDEPENDENCE AND GENERATIONAL CHANGE. SO EXCUSE ME.

SO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE REMAINS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC ISSUE IN JACKSON COUNTY.

LAST YEAR, KANSAS CITY EXPERIENCED THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED HOMICIDES IN A TEN YEAR LOOKBACK.

AND THIS UNDERSCORES THE URGENT NEED FOR INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION EFFORTS.

SO THE NEED FOR SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES CONTINUES TO OUTPACE AVAILABLE RESOURCES AS WELL.

SO MORE THAN 31,000 REQUESTS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES IN KANSAS CITY WENT UNMET IN 2025 DUE TO INSUFFICIENT BED SPACE AND LIMITED RESOURCES AT NEWHOUSE. THE OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING APPLICATION THAT WE SUBMITTED FOR A $50,000 WILL SUPPORT OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER OPERATIONS.

THIS MAINTAINS OUR RESIDENTS QUALITY OF LIFE AND SUPPORT OUR SERVICE.

DELIVERY AND OPERATIONAL COSTS ARE ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE EXPENSES THAT ENABLE US TO DELIVER PROGRAMS EFFECTIVELY AND SUSTAIN OUR MISSION.

THESE CRITICAL NEEDS ENSURE THAT OUR FACILITY REMAINS SAFE, REMAINS FUNCTIONAL, AND THAT OUR ORGANIZATION CAN CONSISTENTLY DELIVER PROGRAMS AND TO THE SURVIVORS WHOM WE SERVE. SO OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING IS ONE OF THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE INVESTMENTS JACKSON COUNTY MAKES.

THESE DOLLARS ALLOW NONPROFITS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS BEFORE THEY BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE.

PUBLIC SAFETY OR HEALTH CARE OR HOUSING OR JUSTICE SYSTEM CHALLENGES.

SO JACKSON COUNTY, OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING, ESPECIALLY FOR NEW HOUSE, IS AN INVESTMENT BOTH PUBLIC SAFETY AND IN PREVENTION.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? THANK YOU AND THANK YOU.

I WILL SAY THIS. AND BECAUSE IT WAS A TOUR OF NEW HOUSE THAT DID THIS TO ME.

YEAH. I HAVE TWO IMAGES THAT STAY WITH ME CONSTANTLY.

ONE OF THEM IS A YOUNG MOTHER THAT WAS ELATED AND EXCITED BECAUSE SHE WAS LEAVING THAT DAY FOR HER NEW HOME.

SHE AND HER CHILDREN. THE OTHER WAS GOING INTO THE ROOM WHERE THE MONITORS ARE REVIEWED, TRYING TO FIND A BED FOR ANYONE AND HOW UNAVAILABLE BEDS WERE AND HOW HIGH THE NEED WAS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. AND I WILL SAY THAT NEW HOUSE IS ONE OF THE ONLY AGENCIES THAT WE DO NOT PLACE A LIMIT ON LENGTH OF STAY FOR SURVIVORS.

[00:55:07]

SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT. AT NEW HOUSE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE BEACON THAT YOU ARE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

YES. THANK YOU FOR BEING IN THAT AREA AS WELL.

THANK YOU. IT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HOW LONG YOU BEEN DOING THAT? I'M SORRY.

COULD YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION? SHARE HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN SUPPORTING? YEAH, I'VE BEEN THERE ABOUT THREE YEARS. DO YOU MEAN THE ORGANIZATION? YEAH, LIKE I SAID, ME. WE. THAT'S OKAY. WE WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1971.

AND THEN WE, YOU KNOW, WE MOVED INTO THAT BUILDING. WANTED TO BE ON RECORD.

OH, YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

GOOD WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES. NORTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER.

GOOD MORNING. THEY'RE STILL ON. SO GOOD. AND, DONNA, HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN USE THIS OR THE PODIUM, WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE. LIKE, DO YOU WANT TO USE THE OTHER ONE? YOUR CHOICE. JUST MAKING SURE I'M COMFY. NOW THESE ARE GOOD.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KYLA. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND TODAY WE ARE ASKING THE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE FOR $100,000 TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN JACKSON COUNTY THROUGH MUSIC EDUCATION, WRAPAROUND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AND HIGHER EDUCATION ACCESS.

AND THAT'S RIGHT IN 64124 HARMONY PROJECT KC IS THE FLAGSHIP PROGRAM OF THE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER.

AND THE REASON WE CHOSE MUSIC IS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT MUSIC IMPACTS EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF A CHILD'S LIFE.

IT INCREASES THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. IT INCREASES THEIR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

AND WHEN IT HAPPENS AFTER SCHOOL, IT KEEPS THEM SAFE, PROTECTED, AND GROWING.

SO STUDENTS ATTEND HARMONY PROJECT CLASSES THROUGHOUT THEIR ENTIRE CHILDHOOD, STARTING AT AGE EIGHT TO WHEN THEY GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL, AND THEY SPEND 4 TO 6 HOURS WITH US EVERY WEEK.

SO WE ESTABLISHED SOME PRETTY CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS DURING THAT TIME.

HARMONY PROJECT KANSAS CITY IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE HARMONY PROJECT IN LA, WHICH WAS DEVELOPED IN 2001 BY A DOCTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ADDRESS ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, PROVIDE SAFE SPACES DURING OUT OF SCHOOL HOURS, AND IMPROVE YOUTH AND FAMILY CONNECTIONS.

SO MUSIC IS WHY CHILDREN COME THROUGH THE DOOR, BUT ONCE THEY'RE WITH US, IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST THAT WRAPAROUND INITIATIVE.

SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUNDS, COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

EVERY STUDENT WHO GRADUATES WITH US RECEIVES AN $8,000 SCHOLARSHIP DESIGNATED BY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

THEY RECEIVE MUSIC THERAPY AND RESOURCE CONNECTIONS, AND I'LL PASS IT OVER TO MY COLLEAGUE JULIE JUNGERS TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

HI. GOOD MORNING. I'M JULIE YOUNGERS, I'M THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT THE NORTHEAST COMMUNITY CENTER, AND I'LL JUST SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TARGET POPULATION WE'RE SERVING.

SO THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR 2526, OUR PROGRAM SERVED OVER 400 JACKSON COUNTY CHILDREN FROM AGES 5 TO 18.

86% OF THESE STUDENTS ARE CHILDREN OF COLOR, 91% QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED PRICE LUNCH, AND 53% LIVE IN ZIP CODES WITH SOME OF THE HIGHEST SOCIOECONOMIC NEEDS AND CRIME RATES IN THE AREA.

IN TERMS OF OUR IMPACT, RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHILDREN ENGAGE IN MUSIC EDUCATION, DEMONSTRATE IMPROVED ACADEMIC OUTCOMES, AND WE DO SEE THIS IN OUR PROGRAM, AND OUR STUDENTS OUTPERFORM THEIR PEERS ON STANDARDIZED TESTS.

THEY ARE 45% MORE LIKELY TO SCORE PROFICIENT OR ADVANCED IN MATH ON STATE STANDARDIZED TESTS, 18% MORE LIKELY TO SCORE PROFICIENT OR ADVANCED IN ENGLISH, AND 8% MORE LIKELY TO SCORE PROFICIENT OR ADVANCED IN SCIENCE AND IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH A GRADUATION RATE LESS THAN 90%. ALL OF OUR 2026 SENIORS HAVE GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL AND TRANSITIONED TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.

SO WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU. THEY ALSO ARE RECEIVING A RENEWABLE SCHOLARSHIP FROM THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO SUPPORT THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION GOALS.

SO IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT RANKS IN THE 10TH PERCENTILE FOR SAFETY NATIONALLY, OUR PROGRAM HELPS KEEP YOUTH SAFE AFTER SCHOOL AND ON TRACK TO GRADUATE.

AND THEN I'LL JUST SHARE A QUOTE FROM ONE OF OUR GRADUATING SENIORS THIS YEAR.

HIS NAME IS BRIAN. HE SAYS THE IMPACT HARMONY PROJECT KC HAS HAD IS SIGNIFICANT.

ON WHAT MY FUTURE GOALS LOOK LIKE. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, I'VE HAD ACCESS TO COLLEGE PREP RESOURCES, FIELD TRIPS TO INSTITUTIONS, AND GUIDANCE THAT HAS SHAPED HOW I THINK ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION AND WHAT I WANT FROM IT.

MORE THAN THAT, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CARING FOR AN INSTRUMENT, SHOWING UP CONSISTENTLY AND PRACTICING WITH COMMITMENT HAS TAUGHT ME HABITS THAT CARRY OVER INTO EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE. RESPONSIBILITY AND DEDICATION ARE LIFE, VALUES AND HARMONY.

PROJECT KC INSTILLED THEM IN ME AS I LOOK AHEAD TO COLLEGE AND BEYOND, I FEEL GENUINELY PREPARED.

[01:00:02]

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE LEGISLATURE CHAIR BARKER? YOUR WORK IS INSURMOUNTABLE. TO MY COLLEAGUES CAMILLA WAS A PART OF THIS PROGRAM, MY DAUGHTER, FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE COULD NOT CONTINUE BUT LOVED EVERY ELEMENT AND EVERY SECOND OF IT.

AND TRY NOT TO BE EMOTIONAL ABOUT IT. BUT YOU DO A TREMENDOUS JOB TO ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES THAT YOU IMPACT.

SO AS SHE HAD SHARED, SHE LOOKED FORWARD TO PICKING OUT AN INSTRUMENT AND ALL THE PROGRAMS DO GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU. AND I WILL ALSO SAY THAT I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM.

I STARTED PLAYING THE CLARINET IN THE NINTH GRADE.

AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY I STARTED PLAYING THE CLARINET. THEY TOLD US THAT WHEN WE WENT TO MIDDLE SCHOOL, WE'D HAVE TO HAVE SOME TYPE OF ART, VOCAL MUSIC ART OR INSTRUMENTAL. I COULDN'T SING, COULDN'T DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE.

SO I DECIDED TO PICK UP THE CLARINET. DIDN'T MEAN TO LAUGH AT YOU.

LET'S JUST SAY THAT THAT IS JUST THE TRUTH. AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE.

IT WAS PLAYING THE CLARINET THAT ALLOWED ME TO GO TO COLLEGE, AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THEY DO BAND SCHOLARSHIPS ANYMORE, BUT THAT WAS LIKE A LITTLE KNOWN FACT THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY PLAY AN INSTRUMENT AND GET A SCHOLARSHIP.

SO THAT PROGRAM IS VALUABLE AND MUSIC HELPED PUT ME ON THE TRAJECTORY THAT I, THAT MY LIFE BECAME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? I THINK THE ONLY THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS THIS INCREASED INVESTMENT WOULD ALSO HELP US NEARLY DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT WE'RE OPEN AFTER SCHOOL.

WE'RE STRIVING NEXT YEAR TO BE OPEN TILL 7:45 P.M.

INSTEAD OF 6:00, WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

SO WE WOULD APPRECIATE THE CONSIDERATION AND APPRECIATE THE TIME OF, OF ALL OF YOU TODAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NURTURE.

CASEY.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. I'M TRACY RUSSELL AND I SERVE AS THE CEO OF NURTURE CASEY.

AND WITH ME TODAY IS SHANNON WILLIAMS, WHO'S OUR HEALTHY START PROGRAM DIRECTOR.

NURTURE CASEY SERVES MOSTLY MOTHERS AND BABIES IN THE URBAN CORE IN KANSAS CITY.

WE SERVE FAMILIES FROM THE SIX ZIP CODES WITH THE HIGHEST RATES OF INFANT MORTALITY.

WE SERVE 700 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR, AND FAMILIES STAY IN OUR PROGRAM UNTIL THE CHILD IS 18 MONTHS OLD.

AS I LIKE TO SAY, WE'RE KIND OF A ONE STOP SHOP IN THE CITY IN TERMS OF SERVICES AND GOODS AND REFERRALS TO OTHER AGENCIES. WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR SERVICES IN RECENT YEARS TO INCLUDE DOULAS FOR EVERY MOTHER WHO WOULD LIKE ONE. WE PROVIDE. WE HAVE TWO COUNSELORS WHO PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL THERAPY AS WELL AS GROUP THERAPY.

WE THINK THOSE PEER SESSIONS ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE INDIVIDUAL.

WE PARTICIPATE IN FOOD PHARMACY, WHICH IS CLEARLY GETTING TRACTION AT A STATE LEVEL IN MISSOURI AS WELL.

AND WE PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION NOT ONLY FOR VISITS TO OUR OFFICE, BUT TO OTHER HEALTH APPOINTMENTS THAT FAMILIES MIGHT HAVE, AS WELL AS TRIPS TO THE GROCERY STORE SHOULD THEY NEED THEM.

WE HAVE BEEN AROUND, WE'VE BEEN INCORPORATED SINCE 2001, BUT HAVE BEEN AROUND EVEN LONGER THAN THAT.

AND THE ORGANIZATION REALLY RESULTED FROM A STATE OF MISSOURI REPORT ON THE UNACCEPTABLE RATES OF INFANT MORTALITY ACROSS THE STATE AND, AND THE INEQUITY FOR OUR BLACK BABIES AS WELL AS OUR BLACK MOTHERS.

WE OPERATE ON A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER MODEL.

WE FEEL LIKE HAVING THOSE ONE ON ONE CONNECTIONS IS REALLY WHAT MAKES THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL FOR US.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE, WE PROVIDE CRIBS AND CAR SEATS TO EVERY FAMILY.

WE PROVIDE DIAPERS UNTIL THAT CHILD LEAVES THE PROGRAM.

AND SHANNON HAS WORKED TO EXPAND EVERY SERVICE THAT WE OFFER TO HAVE A REAL TANGIBLE IMPACT.

WE ENGAGE AT A POLICY LEVEL AS WELL AND HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN EXTENDING POSTPARTUM COVERAGE FOR MOMS WHO ARE MEDICAID ELIGIBLE,

[01:05:03]

AND WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO SHANNON, WHO CAN SPEAK SPECIFICALLY TO OUR DOULA PROGRAM AND WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SHANNON WILLIAMS, AND I'M THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF KANSAS CITY HEALTHY START.

WE BEGAN OFFERING OUR OUR FREE DOULA SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER OF 2022.

AND SINCE THEN, WE HAVE RECEIVED 166 REQUESTS FOR DOULA SERVICES.

AND THAT'S IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. WE COVER THE COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE.

SO THAT MEANS MOMS ARE GOING TO GET PRENATAL DOULA SERVICES CHILDBIRTH CLASSES, BIRTH PLANNING.

WE COVER THE LABOR AT THE HOSPITAL AND THEN POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES.

AND SO THE WAY THAT IT'S SET UP NOW, MOMS GET 1 OR 2 VISITS FROM THEIR DOULA AFTER THEIR HOME WITH THE BABY.

AND SO SOMETHING THAT WE LEARNED IS THAT THERE'S A GREATER NEED FOR THOSE POSTPARTUM DOULA SERVICES.

SO ESPECIALLY ESPECIALLY FOR MOMS THAT HAD A C-SECTION.

SO THAT MEANS THEY'RE GETTING EXTRA BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT.

REITERATING SAFE SLEEP EDUCATION. THERE'S SOME LIGHT HOUSEWORK, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S EYES ON MOMS AND BABIES WELL-BEING.

AND THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF MATERNAL DEATHS HAPPEN DURING THE POSTPARTUM PERIOD DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

SO THIS IS ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR MOMS AND BABIES ARE TRULY GETTING THAT HEALTHY START.

AND SO WE ARE ASKING FOR 5000. AND THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO POTENTIALLY HAVE POSTPARTUM SERVICES FOR EVERY PREGNANT WOMAN THAT COMES THROUGH OUR PROGRAM. AND JUST BRIEFLY TO AN EXAMPLE OF HOW IMPORTANT OUR DOULA SERVICES ARE WE HAD A MOM WHO DID NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. AND SO HER DOULA WAS SPANISH SPEAKING.

SHE HAD A BIRTH PLAN BUT COULD NOT EXPRESS IT TO HER TEAM.

HER DELIVERY TEAM. AND SO SHE COULDN'T EVEN ASK FOR WATER.

THEY DIDN'T, THEY HADN'T GOTTEN THEIR MEAL TICKETS.

AND SO THAT DOULA DID DOUBLE DUTY. SO SHE WAS ABLE TO TRANSLATE.

AND THEN ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS AT HOME WHEN MOMS ARE REALLY STRUGGLING FOR BREASTFEEDING, THEY NOW HAVE SOMEONE THAT'S THERE IN THE HOUSE TO SHOW THEM TO MODEL AND TO HELP BOND WITH THAT BABY.

SO WE KNOW THAT JUST FROM TALKING TO OUR MOMS, HOW CRUCIAL THE DOULA SERVICES ARE.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. WE HAD A PRESENTATION FROM OUR JACKSON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT SHED A BRIGHT LIGHT ON THE INFANT MORTALITY RATE, AND PARTICULARLY WITH BLACK MOTHERS.

DOULAS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE IN ADVANCE OF THE ALARM.

THAT YOU RECOGNIZE THIS AND WENT INTO ACTION IS ADMIRABLE.

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF A POSTPARTUM DOULA BEFORE.

SO I THINK THAT THAT IS SUCH A NEEDED ADDITION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. MINE. DRIVE.

MORNING. GOOD MORNING. MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, COUNCILWOMAN. PEYTON. THANK YOU TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR HAVING US AND LETTING US BE HERE TODAY.

MY NAME IS OZ QURESHI. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF MY DRIVE.

I HAVE WITH ME MY COLLEAGUE CARLOS ALONSO, WHO IS A A FORMER A KID FROM JACKSON COUNTY, A GRADUATE FROM JACKSON COUNTY FROM MIND DRIVE AND UMKC.

AND HE'S OUR ENGINEER. HE'S OUR IN-HOUSE ENGINEER AT OUR AT OUR PROGRAM.

SO WE ARE SEEKING A LITTLE BIT MORE THIS YEAR THAN, THAN LAST YEAR.

2000 TO SUPPORT STAFF FACILITATORS IN OUR PROGRAM, WE SERVE 250 KIDS, A MAJORITY OF WHICH COME FROM JACKSON COUNTY.

WE PROVIDE EVERYTHING FROM CREDIT EARNING, TRAINING AND AUTOMOTIVE AND WELDING AND OSHA AND SAFETY AND SKILLS THAT THEY, THEY, THEY, THEY CAN USE FOR EMPLOYMENT. 51% OF OUR GRADUATES GO TO SCHOOL FOR ENGINEERING, GO TO COLLEGE FOR ENGINEERING. THE ONES THAT DON'T PURSUE ENGINEERING GO TO THE WORKFORCE, EITHER WELDING, METAL FABRICATION, OR SOME SORT OF TRADE.

WE HAVE ABOUT 90% GRADUATION RATE WITH THE STUDENTS THAT, THAT PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAM.

[01:10:06]

SO IF WE DON'T MEET THAT YOUNG PERSON UNTIL THEY'RE A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, THAT GOES DOWN A LITTLE BIT. BUT, BUT OUR IMPACT IS WHAT WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY.

AND THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT CARLOS WITH ME. I WANTED TO TELL A QUICK STORY ABOUT CARLOS WHEN HE WAS A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL, HE WAS APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. HE KNEW HE WAS HE WAS GOING TO BECOME AN ENGINEER.

AND ONE OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS HE APPLIED TO WAS HONEYWELL'S SCHOLARSHIP.

HE APPLIED FOR THE HONEYWELL SCHOLARSHIP. I GOT AN EMAIL BACK FROM THE LIAISON FROM HONEYWELL THAT WAS LIKE, I DON'T I THINK THIS THIS MIGHT BE A MISTAKE BECAUSE HE HAD APPLIED TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS AT THE TIME THAT THEY HAD A SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS. AND SHE REACHED OUT TO ME AND WAS I DON'T I DON'T THINK HE QUALIFIES.

I COULD BE WRONG, BUT. AND I WAS LIKE, NO, THAT WAS PROBABLY A MISTAKE ON OUR PART.

WE WERE JUST SENDING HIM LINKS, HAVING HIM APPLY FOR EVERYTHING HE COULD APPLY FOR. BUT I SHARED HIS STORY, HOW, HOW CARLOS'S FAMILY HAD COME TO THE US, AND HOW THEY HAD HAD WORKED SO HARD TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY, AND HOW HE WOULD GET UP BEFORE SCHOOL AND GO WORK ON THEIR FARM AND AND STILL GO TO SCHOOL AND STILL PARTICIPATE IN MINE, DRIVE AFTER SCHOOL AND THEN GO HOME AND DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND SHE SENT THAT UP TO THE CEO AT HONEYWELL, AND THEY CREATED A SCHOLARSHIP FOR LATINX STUDENTS, WITH CARLOS BEING THE FIRST RECIPIENT. SO HE GOT FOUR YEARS OF SCHOOL PAID FOR.

AND THEN WE HIRED HIM AS OUR ENGINEER. AND OF ALL OF THE STATISTICS I COULD SHARE ABOUT MY DRIVE, THE ONE I'M PROBABLY THE MOST PROUD OF IS WE HAVE GROWN OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS TO NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 24 STAFF, ABOUT SEVEN FULL TIME, THE REST PART TIME, A LOT OF INTERNSHIPS, HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE.

BUT ONLY THREE OF THOSE STAFF ARE NOT FORMER STUDENTS, AND WE BELIEVE THAT IS HOW YOU CHANGE THE DYNAMIC IN THE INDUSTRIES THAT WE REPRESENT IS, IS BY DOING THAT KIND OF WORK. SO I WOULD LIKE TO JUST LET CARLOS SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE.

THANK YOU. HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

MY NAME IS CARLOS ALONZO, AS I STATED, AND I WAS 14 YEARS OLD WHEN I STARTED MY DRIVE.

AND TO BE HONEST IF I, IF I WASN'T A PART OF MY DRIVE, I PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE HERE IN THIS POSITION THAT I'M CURRENTLY IN.

MY FAMILY COMES FROM STRUGGLE AND PERSEVERANCE AND IT TAKES, IT TOOK A LOT FOR THEM TO PROVIDE FOR US.

AND I WOULD SEE MY PARENTS STARVE TO PROVIDE FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS.

AND WHEN YOU SEE THAT, YOU GET SCARED OF THE WORLD AND WHAT IT THINKS OF YOU, THAT YOU'RE ONLY SET ON ONE PATH, AND IT'S NOT THE CASE. WITH MY DRIVE, THEY SHOWED ME I HAD MULTIPLE PATHS THAT I COULD PURSUE.

THEY SHOWED ME I DIDN'T HAVE TO BE WHAT THE WORLD SAID I WAS.

AND SO. IT GAVE ME. IT GAVE ME A SENSE OF PURPOSE.

IT GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO CONTINUE. IT GAVE ME THE COURAGE TO GO INTO ENGINEERING AND TRY AND SHOW THEM THAT I WASN'T WHAT THEY ASSUMED.

AND WHEN I GRADUATED, MY DRIVE REACHED OUT TO ME AGAIN.

AND SINCE THEY OFFERED ME SO MUCH, HOW COULD I POSSIBLY DENY THEM? AND WHAT I SAW WERE THE KIDS THAT WERE THE SAME AS ME, WHO SAW WHAT I SAW, WHO SAW THE STRUGGLE OF THE WORLD.

AND I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO FEEL THE SAME. THEY HAD GENERAL ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ALL OF US, AND I WANTED THEM TO SHOW THAT WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE PATH.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? GILBERT? YOU DID, AND I APPLAUD MINE DRIVE FOR WORKING WITH YOUNG ADULTS AS WELL.

WE HAVE PROGRAMS A LOT, OFTENTIMES FOR ADULTS AND OFTENTIMES FOR YOUTH, BUT YOU FEEL A GAP THAT NEEDS TO BE FILLED.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD DAY. THANKS FOR SWITCHING.

NO PROBLEM. PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION OF KANSAS CITY DBA FOLLY THEATER.

NOW, THAT'S WHO SAVED ME. NO. THEY DID. YOU KNOW, I STAY BUSY, I BREAK DOWN TRIP. ONCE I SAW HOW EASY IT WAS, I GOT INTO ALL OF THE WORDS.

YOU'RE NOT COMING UP, BRIAN. WE GOT A CHAIR FOR YOU.

THERE'S ROOM FOR BRIAN. COME ON, BRIAN, DON'T BE SHY.

HOW CAN YOU DENY AN INVITATION LIKE THAT? RIGHT? RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. I'M BRIDGET KANE. GRANTS AND DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER AT THE FOLLY THEATER.

WITH ME TODAY IS RICK TRUMAN, CEO AND PRESIDENT, AND BRIAN WILLIAMS, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR.

[01:15:04]

THE FOLLY THEATER HAS BEEN A CORNERSTONE OF KANSAS CITY'S CULTURAL LIFE SINCE IT FIRST OPENED ITS DOORS IN 1900.

IT REMAINS A BEACON OF ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE, WELCOMING AUDIENCES FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

TODAY, WE SEEK YOUR SUPPORT TO HELP US FOSTER MORE INCLUSIVE ARTS ECOSYSTEM RIGHT HERE IN JACKSON COUNTY.

SPECIFICALLY, WE REQUEST $45,000 WITH $25,000 TO SUBSIDIZE TICKETS AND TRANSPORTATION FOR JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO FACE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO ACCESSING THE ARTS, AND $20,000 TO PARTIALLY UNDERWRITE OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH POSITION TO REACH THOSE UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS.

OUR OUTREACH FOCUSES ON JACKSON COUNTY SENIORS, VETERANS, AND UNDERSERVED YOUTH, INCLUDING TITLE ONE SCHOOLS, GROUPS THAT OFTEN EXPERIENCE ISOLATION AND THE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT ACCOMPANY IT.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER? THE PERFORMING ARTS CREATES SHARED MOMENTS OF JOY, REFLECTION, AND DISCOVERY THAT EXPANDS KNOWLEDGE AND LEADS TO INCREASED SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING. RESEARCH REINFORCES THESE TRUTHS.

A STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOARDS OF EDUCATION DEMONSTRATES THAT YOUTH PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS STRENGTHENS KEY SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS, INCLUDING EMPATHY, COLLABORATION, AND CONFIDENCE AND SELF-EXPRESSION.

SIMILARLY, THE NOVA INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS HOW ARTS ACCESS BENEFITS VETERANS AND SENIOR CITIZENS BY REDUCING ANXIETY, IMPROVING COGNITIVE ABILITIES AND INCREASING OVERALL LIFE SATISFACTION.

TIMOTHY JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS FACE ECONOMIC BARRIERS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE ARTS.

AND WITH YOUR FUNDING, WE AIM TO CHANGE THAT.

OUR PROGRAM PROVIDES 2800 RESIDENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND UP TO 26 FOLLY PRESENTED PERFORMANCES.

PARTICIPANTS CAN SELECT FROM ANY FOLLY PRESENTED PERFORMANCE THAT RESONATES PERSONALLY WITH THEM.

SO IT'S NOT LIMITED THROUGH OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING.

THIS YEAR SO FAR, WE HAVE SERVED 1543 JACKSON COUNTY STUDENTS, SENIORS AND VETERANS.

AND I WILL NOTE THAT THREE QUARTERS OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE TITLE ONE SCHOOLS AND UNDERSERVED STUDENTS.

EXPANDING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE ARTS REQUIRES DEDICATED AND SUSTAINED OUTREACH.

THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH MANAGER WILL FOCUS ON BUILDING TRUSTED PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, IDENTIFYING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, AND CREATING PATHWAYS FOR UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS TO ENGAGE WITH THE PERFORMING ARTS.

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS REQUEST AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE VITAL ROLE THAT ARTS PLAY IN BUILDING A STRONGER, HEALTHIER, AND MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITY. TOGETHER, WE CAN ENSURE THAT JACKSON COUNTY RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF AGE, BACKGROUND, OR INCOME, HAVE ACCESS TO THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE ARTS, HELPING MAKE OUR COMMUNITY'S CULTURAL LIFE MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL.

I BELIEVE THAT I GOT THROUGH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

EVEN AS A VOLUNTEER. SO I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE, EVEN REACHING OUT TO THE PUBLIC, THE SENIORS AND THE CHILDREN. YES. AND UNDERSERVED, UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS.

SO I KNOW IT'S TRUE. HOW DO YOU ADVERTISE THIS PROGRAM? BECAUSE I THINK THE VALUE YOU ALL BRING IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

BUT WHAT, WHAT ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP SHARE THAT SO THAT FOLKS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES? WELL, DEFINITELY, WE DO A LOT ONLINE NOW. WE HAVE A LOT OF WELL, MAYBE YOU CAN EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT MORE THE VETERANS, WE SPECIFICALLY WORK THROUGH THE VET TIX PROGRAM.

AND THEY HAVE A WHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE WORK WITH THEM.

THE SENIOR PROGRAM IS MOSTLY A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND ORGANIC RELATIONSHIP, WHICH IS WHAT REQUIRES THE, THE SERVICES OF THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER.

IT'S A LOT OF PERSONAL MEETINGS GOING OUT ONE ON ONE.

AND WE'RE DEFINITELY REACHING OUT TO A LOT MORE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, WHICH WE COULDN'T DO WITH OUR WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH POSITION. AND WE'RE GOING, YOU KNOW, INTO SOUTH JACKSON COUNTY TOO, WHICH IS A PLACE THAT WE HAVEN'T ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO DO OUTREACH.

YOU KNOW, YOU STAY HERE IN THE CORE A LOT OF TIMES, BUT SO THAT'S BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SCHOOLS AND VETERANS AND SENIORS THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO OUTREACH BEFORE. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE HEARTLAND MEN'S CHOIR IS ON LOAN TO JOHNSON COUNTY.

RIGHT? THEY'RE COMING BACK TO THE ABSOLUTELY ON LOAN.

[01:20:03]

THEY'LL BE BACK IN DECEMBER FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT AS YOU CAN SEE. YES, ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. PHOENIX FAMILY SERVICES.

THANK YOU BRIAN. GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I'M JUST I ALMOST PUT MY FACE INTO THAT.

JUST ONE QUICK SORT OF THING. WE ARE NOT ACTUALLY PHOENIX FAMILY SERVICES.

WE ARE PHOENIX FAMILY. PHOENIX FAMILY SERVICES IS A DIFFERENT IS A DIFFERENT ENTITY.

SO WE USED TO BE CALLED PHOENIX FAMILY HOUSING CORPORATION.

WE'RE NOW JUST PHOENIX FAMILY. SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GUYS KNEW THAT.

FAIR ENOUGH. THANK YOU. LET ME STOP YOU FOR ONE MINUTE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT. AND WE HAVE THEM UNDER THE RIGHT NAME BECAUSE WE HAVE YOU UNDER PHOENIX FAMILIES UNDER PHOENIX FAMILY SERVICES.

YES. THAT'S WHAT YOUR APPLICATION SAYS. WE DIDN'T TYPE ANYTHING OUT EITHER.

OH, INTERESTING. SO. SO SORRY. NO. OKAY. YEAH.

I'M SO SORRY. BUT HOW? I MEAN, IS IT THE SAME 501 C THREE OR IS IT.

IT IS. WE'RE OKAY. EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT. ALL THE APPLICATION CHECKS OUT.

I DIDN'T SEE THAT ON OUR APPLICATION. I DO APOLOGIZE.

SO YEAH, MY NAME IS LAUREL. LAUREL, THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AT PHOENIX FAMILY.

OUR GOAL AT PHOENIX FAMILY IS TO HELP PEOPLE EXIT POVERTY BY DELIVERING SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITY AND SERVICES DIRECTLY WHERE THEY LIVE IN JACKSON COUNTY.

THAT MEANS WE WORK INSIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

TO HELP CHILDREN, ADULTS AND SENIORS MAKE SURE THAT THEY STAY STABLE, MEET THEIR IMMEDIATE NEEDS, AND BUILD TOWARDS SOMETHING STRONGER OVER TIME.

OUR WORK IS BUILT AROUND A REALLY SIMPLE IDEA.

IN ORDER TO EXIT POVERTY, YOU FIRST HAVE TO BE STABLE.

YOUR HOUSEHOLD YOU NEED. WHEN YOU ARE WORRYING ABOUT THINGS LIKE FOOD, RENT, TRANSPORTATION, OR HEALTH ISSUES, THERE IS NO WAY THAT YOU CAN THINK ABOUT ANYTHING LONGER TERM AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO EXIT POVERTY.

SO OUR GOAL IS WE COME IN AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THE HOUSES WE SERVE ARE STABLE.

AND THEN ONCE THEY ARE STABLE, THEN WE CAN WORK WITH THEM MORE IN DEPTH TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET ADDITIONAL ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.

AND WE DO CASE MANAGEMENT. WE CONNECT THEM WITH THINGS TO HELP THEM REACH THEIR DREAMS OF BECOMING INDEPENDENT AND HAVING A GOOD PAYING JOB, OR MAKING SURE THAT AS AN AS A SENIOR, THAT THEY CAN STAY AND LIVE IN THE HOUSING THAT THEY CHOOSE TO.

SO THEY STILL HAVE INDEPENDENT AND CHOICE. IN JACKSON COUNTY, WE SERVE MORE THAN 4000 PEOPLE DAILY ACROSS CHILDREN, SENIORS AND ADULTS ACROSS 21 AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

THE PEOPLE WE SERVE ARE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY.

THE AVERAGE IS LESS THAN $12,000 PER YEAR. AND MANY ARE NAVIGATING MULTIPLE CHALLENGES ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

OUR WORK HAPPENS ACROSS THREE INTERCONNECTED PROGRAMS. THE FIRST ONE IS HIKE, WHICH IS OUR AFTER SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAM AND HELPS CHILDREN BE BUILD READING SKILLS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS SO THEY CAN SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND STAY ENGAGED, AND THEN INCREASE THEIR CHANCES OF GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH, AS WE ALL KNOW THEN CAN HELP THEM ON THE PATHWAY TO EXITING POVERTY.

OUR FAMILY FIRST HELPS ADULTS AND FAMILIES MEET URGENT NEEDS, WHILE ALSO WORKING THEM TOWARDS GOALS THAT HELP THEM BUILD LONG TERM STABILITY AND TO EXIT POVERTY. OUR SENIOR EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM HELPS OLDER ADULTS REMAIN HOUSED, NOURISHED, CONNECTED, AND THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO AGE IN PLACE WITH CHOICE.

WHAT MAKES OUR MODEL REALLY DIFFERENT THAN ANY OF THE OTHER ONES THAT YOU SEE HERE, IS THAT WE DON'T ASK PEOPLE TO COME FIND US ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY.

WE BRING SUPPORT DIRECTLY TO WHERE THEY LIVE.

THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US, AND THAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A FULL FAMILY, WHILE ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE WALKING ALONGSIDE THEM, BOTH FOR THE FORWARDS AND THE BACKS.

SO WE GET THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILDING WITH THEM WHERE WE ARE PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND PART OF THEIR FAMILY.

AND WE HAVE MANY RESIDENTS. WE HAVE ONE RESIDENT WHO HAS MOVED WHO COULD MOVE INTO MARKET PLACE, MARKET RATE HOUSING. AND SHE SAID, I DON'T WANT TO.

SHE SAID WHAT SHE WAS DOING. SHE'S CHOOSING TO STAY IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE SHE IS AND PAYING MARKET RATE THERE BECAUSE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO NOT HAVE PHOENIX FAMILY AS AS HER SERVICE COORDINATOR, NOT PHOENIX FAMILY IN GENERAL, BUT HAVE HER STAFF PERSON AS HER SUPPORT.

AND SO WE REALLY RELY ON THAT AND ALLOWS US TO BUILD THESE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ADDRESSES THE WHOLE PERSON.

[01:25:02]

WE WANT TO HELP CHILDREN THRIVE. WE WANT TO HELP ADULTS AND FAMILIES TO BUILD STABILITY AND EXIT POVERTY.

WE WANT OLDER ADULTS TO REMAIN STABLE AND TO BE ABLE TO AGE WITH DIGNITY AND WITH CHOICE.

WE'D BE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR GRANT, AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE HERE AND TELLING YOU ABOUT FENG'S FAMILY.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YEAH. CHAIR BARKER, HOW HAVE THE JACKSON COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES IMPACTED FOLKS TRYING TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES? SO MOST OF OURS ARE IN APARTMENTS, SO THEY'RE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITIES.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST FACTOR HAS BEEN FEDERAL CHANGES.

SO THEN, FOR EXAMPLE, OUR, THE AMOUNT OF SENIORS WHO ARE ASKING FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE THAT WE ARE DISTRIBUTING TO THEM ON A DAILY, WELL, A MONTHLY BASIS HAS QUADRUPLED. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE LIVING AT FAMILY SITES, WE'RE ALSO SEEING WHERE IF YOU DON'T HAVE FOOD BECAUSE YOU'VE REACHED THE BENEFITS CLIFF AND YOU'RE WORRYING ABOUT PAYING YOUR RENT, OR YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT ALL THOSE OTHER THINGS THAT COME WITH IT. THANKFULLY, MANY OF OUR SITES, WE HAVE REALLY GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHILDREN.

AND AS YOU KNOW, CHILDREN ARE NEVER QUIET ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

AND SO WE GET A LOT OF TIMES WHERE A KID WILL COME IN AND WE FEED ALL OF OUR KIDS AFTER SCHOOL MEALS AND THEN HAVE FOOD TO GO HOME WITH THEM AND THEY'LL SAY TO US LIKE, OH, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T DO THIS.

I DIDN'T DO WELL IN SCHOOL TODAY BECAUSE I WAS HUNGRY OR WHATEVER.

AND THAT ALWAYS, IF WE'RE NOT ALREADY WORKING WITH THE PARENT, OPENS UP THE DOOR FOR US TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM MORE.

SO THE, THE SORT OF PROPERTY TAXES AREN'T IMPACTING THEM, BUT THE IDEA OF KIND OF EVERYDAY LIVING IS IMPACTING THEM.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? I DO NOT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. YOU TOO.

THANK YOU. I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE LEGISLATOR ANDERSON AND LEGISLATOR ANDERSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING US KNOW THAT YOU WOULD BE HERE.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I APOLOGIZE FOR MY TARDINESS.

WE UNDERSTAND PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREAT PLAINS.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.

MY NAME IS ARIEL ZURICH. I'M WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD, GREAT PLAINS.

WE AIM TO UPHOLD THE STANDARD FOR PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE, PROVIDE EDUCATION THAT PROMOTES INFORMED, PROUD, AUTHENTIC SEXUALITY, AND CHANGE THE CULTURE THROUGH PROACTIVE ADVOCACY TO ENSURE EQUALITY IN REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL DECISIONS.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD GREAT PLAINS, ALSO KNOWN AS PJP.

MUCH EASIER TO SAY. HAS FIVE CENTERS IN THE KC AREA WITH TWO IN JACKSON COUNTY.

THEY'RE OPEN SIX DAYS A WEEK AND PROVIDE EXPERT, INCLUSIVE HEALTH SERVICES LIKE BIRTH CONTROL, LONG ACTING AND REVERSIBLE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION, SEXUAL EDUCATION, PREGNANCY TESTING AND PLANNING, STI TESTING AND TREATMENT AND CANCER SCREENING, AND MORE.

PGP EMPOWERS JACKSON COUNTY PATIENTS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND THEIR FUTURE, AND WE ARE PROUDLY THE REGION'S LARGEST SAFETY NET PROVIDER OF SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FOR UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED PATIENTS.

JACKSON COUNTY'S HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN CALLED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO CARE AND BUILD EQUITY AND COMMON GOOD.

HR S DATA ALSO SHOWS THAT JACKSON COUNTY IS A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER SHORTAGE AREA.

ADDITIONALLY, OUR REGION HAS EXPERIENCED HOSTILE REGULATIONS, INCLUDING A PROLONGED HALT TO TITLE X AS WELL AS MEDICAID DEFUNDING.

THESE BOTH WORSEN THE AREA'S SHORTAGE OF OB GYNS AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH PROVIDERS.

THIS GRANT WOULD DIRECTLY SUPPORT TWO JACKSON COUNTY BASED ADVANCED PRACTICE CLINICIANS.

IT'S YOUR RN'S APRN'S PAS. AND THEY WILL RECEIVE TRAINING IN COMPLEX CARE SUCH AS SUCH AS VASECTOMY, COLPOSCOPY, MENOPAUSE, AND OTHER SPECIALIZED SERVICES.

OVERALL, WE ARE COMMITTED TO REDUCING BARRIERS IN HEALTHCARE AND ENSURING PATIENTS DO NOT DELAY OR FOREGO REALLY ESSENTIAL CARE.

THIS GRANT WOULD HELP OUR OVER 5000 JACKSON COUNTY PATIENTS ACCESS CARE AS WE CONDUCT PROVIDER TRAINING TO REINFORCE CURRENT SERVICES, AS WELL AS LAUNCH NEW ONES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? CHAIR BARKER.

[01:30:02]

THANK YOU FOR THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE US. AND I THINK TO OUR COLLEAGUES, IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE, A PROGRESSIVE BODY, STEP UP AND DO MORE TO FUND YOU ALL BECAUSE OF ALL THE CRITICAL SERVICES YOU'RE PROVIDING OUTSIDE OF THE ONES THAT ARE BEING TARGETED BY THIS LEGISLATURE AT THE STATE LEVEL. CONTINUE TO DO YOUR GOOD WORK.

KNOW THAT WE CARE. PLEASE ASK US FOR MORE MONEY.

AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU ANSWER THE CALLS WHEN FOLKS COME, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU ALL MISSED OUT ON SIGNIFICANT ARPA DOLLARS BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHO TO TALK TO. SO PLEASE CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FROM THIS BODY BECAUSE WE ARE HERE TO FIGHT WITH YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU PAL. POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE OF KANSAS CITY.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO TO TALK TO YOU THIS MORNING ABOUT POWELL.

MY NAME IS SKIP COX. I'M A RETIRED SERGEANT WITH KCPD.

AFTER 25 YEARS NOW SERVE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS FOR POWELL.

WITH ME, I HAVE MY COLLEAGUE AND GOOD FRIEND, JIM CARR, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NAIA AND SERVES AS A VOLUNTEER ON OUR BOARD AND AS OUR BOARD TREASURER. IT'S INTERESTING TO ME AND I PROMISE YOU, I, I COULD TALK ABOUT POWELL FOR HOURS.

I KNOW THAT WE'RE ON A SO I HAVE A SCRIPT. SO I'M GOING TO TRY AND STICK TO IT, BUT I WILL SAY THAT IT IS INTERESTING TO ME.

I'M FROM KANSAS CITY, BORN AND RAISED HERE. AND SO AS A SIDEBAR, THIS IS PRETTY SPECIAL TO SEE ALL THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS BEING SUPPORTED BY LEGISLATORS. BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE ON THE WORLD STAGE AND PEOPLE ARE HERE VISITORS TALKING ABOUT WHAT KIND OF COMMUNITY THIS IS, IT'S PRETTY SPECIAL TO ME THAT IT SHOWS HOW MUCH SUPPORT AND THEY LOVE BEING HERE BECAUSE OF ALL THE PEOPLE AND HOW FRIENDLY WE ARE.

SO THANK YOU. KUDOS I AGREE. YES. OKAY, SO TO THE POINT JUST SO YOU KNOW, 65% OF OUR FAMILIES ARE HISPANIC, 33% ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN BLACK. AND THEN WE HAVE 2% THAT ARE UNDECLARED.

WE ARE AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, BUT POWELL SERVES JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH PROVIDING SAFE, STRUCTURED AND POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT AFTER SCHOOL, DURING SUMMER AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WHILE MANY PEOPLE KNOW POWELL THROUGH SPORTS, OUR MISSION IS MUCH BROADER.

SPORTS TUTORING, ROBOTICS, MENTORING, WELLNESS PROGRAM, AND RECREATION ARE ALL TOOLS THAT WE USE TO BUILD POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN YOUTH, POLICE OFFICERS, CARING ADULTS AND THE COMMUNITY.

AT POWELL. THE OFFICERS, THE STAFF ARE NOT JUST SEEN AT MOMENTS OF CRISIS OR ENFORCEMENT.

THEY ARE COACHES, MENTORS, TUTORS, LISTENERS AND TRUSTED ADULTS.

THOSE DAILY RELATIONSHIPS HELP TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS, BUILD TRUST AND GIVE PEOPLE.

GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE A SENSE OF BELONGING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

MANY OF OUR YOUTH SERVE MANY OF THE YOUTH THAT WE SERVE FACE CHALLENGES OUTSIDE OF THEIR CONTROL, INCLUDING POVERTY, FOOD INSECURITY, FAMILY STRESS, TRAUMA, TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS, AND LIMITED ACCESS TO SAFE PLACES.

THAT IS WHY POWELL HAS BECOME MUCH MORE THAN A PROGRAM SITE.

MANY OF OUR KIDS. FOR MANY OF OUR KIDS, POWELL IS A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN FEEL SAFE, VALUED, SEEN, AND SUPPORTED. BUT BEFORE A CHILD CAN FULLY LEARN.

AND FOCUS, REGULATE EMOTIONS OR BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, BASIC NEEDS NEED TO BE MET.

A YOUNG PERSON'S BRAIN BEST DEVELOPS WHEN THEY FEEL SAFE.

WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THEY MATTER, AND WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM. FOOD, WATER AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS AND BASIC HUMAN DIGNITY ARE NOT EXTRAS.

THEY ARE PART OF A FOUNDATION THAT ALLOWS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, MENTORING, EDUCATION AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION TO WORK.

POWELL SPENDS APPROXIMATELY $80,000 EACH YEAR TO PROVIDE MEALS, SNACKS, DRINKS AND BASIC NEEDS TO SUPPORT THE YOUTH WE SERVE.

WE ARE REQUESTING 50,000 FROM JACKSON COUNTY TO HELP SUPPLEMENT OUR ANNUAL FOOD INSECURITY BUDGET.

THIS FUNDING WOULD DIRECTLY SUPPORT ONGOING MEALS, SNACKS AND DRINKS TO SUPPORT THE POWELL CHILDREN AND TEENS WHO COME TO POWELL THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WHEN KIDS ARRIVE HUNGRY, WE FEED THEM.

WHEN THEY. WHEN THEY NEED WATER OR DRINKS. AFTER PRACTICE, WE PROVIDE IT FOR THEM.

WHEN THEY NEED HYGIENE PRODUCTS OR BASIC SUPPLIES.

WE DO OUR BEST TO MEET THOSE NEEDS WITH DIGNITY AND WITHOUT JUDGMENT.

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AT GIVING THE BASICS. THIS SUPPORT ALLOWS US TO DO MORE THAN FILL A STOMACH.

IT CREATES A CONDITION WHERE YOUNG PERSON CAN CALM DOWN, CONNECT WITH AN ADULT, COMPLETE HOMEWORK.

[01:35:03]

WE BELIEVE THIS INVESTMENT SUPPORTS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, VIOLENCE PREVENTION, COMMUNITY TRUST, AND BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AT ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

POWELL IS ALREADY DOING THIS WORK EVERY DAY. JACKSON COUNTY'S SUPPORT WOULD HELP US CONTINUE MEETING ONE OF THE BASIC AND URGENT NEEDS FACING OUR YOUTH.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TODAY, AND MY COLLEAGUE HAS A COUPLE OF WORDS AS WELL.

YEAH, JUST REAL QUICK, I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE POINT THAT YOU KNOW, AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, THE, THE COST OF OUR SERVICES CONTINUES TO INCREASE WITH INFLATION AND OTHER THINGS.

AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED THIN.

SO ANY SUPPORT THAT JACKSON COUNTY CAN PROVIDE WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS US, NOT ONLY PROVIDING A SAFE PLACE, BUT PROVIDING FOR SOME OF THESE KIDS, THE ONLY GOOD MEAL OR HEALTHY SNACKS THAT THEY'LL GET, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY'RE NOT IN SCHOOL. SO APPRECIATE THE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM.

WHAT WAS THE ASK FOR FUNDING? 50,000. 50,000.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND DO YOU RECEIVE FUNDS FROM THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES FUND? YES. OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE GETTING THAT THAT THAT MONEY.

WE DO. AND YOU KNOW THAT THAT'S SEPARATE SO THAT THEY WE CAN'T USE ANY OF THAT FUNDING FOR.

THAT'S WHY THERE'S, THERE'S THIS GAP HERE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS IS SO IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BECAUSE THERE'S SUCH A STIGMA SOMETIMES THAT'S CREATED WITHIN CERTAIN AREAS ABOUT.

SO THAT RELATIONSHIP BUILDING IS KEY, I THINK.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. YEAH. AND THE COOL THING ABOUT THAT IS IT JUST ORGANICALLY HAPPENS WHEN THEY'RE, THEY'RE PARTICIPATING IN SPORTS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THOSE BARRIERS GET BROKEN DOWN.

YES. WONDERFUL. YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU ALL. HAVE A GREAT DAY. YOU TOO. SO.

I AM GOING TO GO CLOSE THIS DOOR RIGHT QUICK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. YES. THANK YOU.

AND. TODAY. MY NAME IS JOE HOOD. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS.

THE AVERAGE RESIDENT AT DEL SOL IS 74 YEARS OLD.

OH, SORRY. THANK YOU SO MUCH, SASHA. OKAY, THERE YOU GO.

OKAY. YOU HAVE TO REPEAT EVERYTHING YOU JUST SAID. EVERYTHING I JUST SAID. PERFECT.

I'LL START FROM THE BEGINNING. GOOD MORNING, AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU ALL TODAY.

MY NAME IS JOE HOOD AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT, AND I AM REPRESENTING POSADA DEL SOL, A 60 UNIT AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING COMMUNITY SERVING LOW INCOME ADULT OLDER ADULTS IN JACKSON COUNTY.

THE AVERAGE RESIDENT OF POSADA DEL SOL IS 74 YEARS OLD, AND MANY LIVE ON FIXED INCOMES WITH LIMITED FAMILY SUPPORT.

OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE MORE THAN HOUSING. WE WANT TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY WHERE SENIORS CAN AGE WITH DIGNITY, INDEPENDENCE AND CONNECTION. THE FUNDS WE ARE REQUESTING WILL SUPPORT RESIDENT SERVICES, EDUCATION AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND PROPERTY IMPROVEMENTS TO ENHANCE THE RESIDENTS QUALITY OF LIFE.

THESE SERVICES HELP REDUCE SOCIAL ISOLATION, CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH NEEDED RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT HEALTHY AGING WHILE MAINTAINING A SAFE AND WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT. MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS SPENT THEIR LIVES LIVING, WORKING AND RAISING FAMILIES AND CONTRIBUTING TO JACKSON COUNTY.

TODAY, POSADA DEL SOL PROVIDES THEM WITH A STABLE AND AFFORDABLE PLACE TO CALL HOME.

JACKSON COUNTY SUPPORT HELPS SENIORS REMAIN INDEPENDENT, ENGAGED, CONNECTED WHILE PRESERVING AN IMPORTANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESOURCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED AND AND CONSTANT SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HEALTHY AGING,

[01:40:02]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM. AND YOU'RE ASKED FOR FUNDING. 75,000.

75,000. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. WE HAVE NOW A SENIOR TAX, AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE.

THEY SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE VERY SOON. OKAY.

IF YOU WILL EMAIL ME, I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY CARDS.

I BELIEVE I HAVE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH THEN, AND LET ME KNOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE NOTIFY YOU WHEN THOSE FUNDS BECOME AVAILABLE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU.

NEXT, WE HAVE RECLAIMING OUR COMMUNITY.

I KNOW THAT. YOU'RE DOING GOOD. OH, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN. RECLAIMING OUR COMMUNITY DOES A LOT AS IT RELATES TO FEEDING.

I WANT TO EXPRESS ALSO THAT WE DO ABOUT RIGHT NOW OUR PLACE IS DOING ABOUT 500 BASKETS AND ABOUT 500 HOT MEALS AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW. AND WE DO ABOUT 500 TO SEVEN, 800 PER WEEK. AND NOT ONLY THAT. AND THEN JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, WE DO ABOUT 2200 TO 3000 IN 1 DAY. AND THAT'S NOT COUNTING ON THE ONES WE DO.

AND WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT, YOU SEE ON OUR BUDGET, WE TALKED ABOUT THE COURT.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE MUNICIPAL COURTS COMING INTO THE CENTER, AND MUNICIPAL COURT COMES INTO THE CENTER SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY PERSONS THAT CANNOT AFFORD ATTORNEYS. AND SO THEY COME IN AND TAKE THE WARRANTS OUT FOR PERSONS THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO, THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO GO, DRIVE AND BE ON THE STREETS WITHOUT BEING PICKED UP.

WE ALSO HAVE WE TALKED ABOUT OUR CLOSE EARLY, BUT WE ALSO GIVE OUT EVERY WEEK ABOUT 3 OR 400 PERSONS WITH CLOTHES THAT DON'T HAVE SOCKS AND CLOTHES.

AND THEN THE THE FOOD AND THEN WE WORK WITH PERSONS THAT HAS UTILITY ASSISTANCE.

WE HAVE A REAL GOOD RELATIONSHIP NOW THAT HELPS US OUT WITH THE, WITH THE LIGHT COMPANY.

THEY ARE ARE THEY? MANY TIMES. WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY IT.

SEVERAL TIMES WE DO PAY POTIONS, AND THEN SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO PAY IT ALL.

BUT ANYWAY, AND WE HAVE OTHERS WHO ARE SUPPORTING US ALONG WITH YOU SUPPORTING US.

AND THEY IF A PERSON IS SICK SO MANY TIMES, THE LIKE COMPANY WILL PAY IT.

AND THEN SOMETIME WE HAVE TO PAY A PORTION OF IT.

AND THEN IF THEY JUST HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LIGHT, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO PAY IT ALL.

SO THE WHOLE STORY IS NAME IT. WE DO IT. WE DELIVER FOOD TO PERSONS THAT CANNOT GET THERE. ON MONDAYS IS DELIVERY DAY. NOW TODAY IS YOU DRIVE THROUGH OR YOU WALK THROUGH, BUT ON MONDAYS, I MEAN, ON MONDAYS, IT'S DELIVERY DAY. WE DELIVER, WE DELIVER OUR FOOD TO ABOUT 10 TO 30 PEOPLE ON MONDAY, SENIORS THAT CAN COME TO OUR PLACE. SO THE WHOLE STORY IS JUST NAME IT.

WE DO IT. WONDERFUL. AND BUT LET ME EXPRESS, THIS COURT SITUATION HAS BEEN A JEWEL BECAUSE AND AND THEN NOT ONLY THAT, WE WORK WITH THE COURTS. WE GO TO THE COURTS AND SIT DOWN WITH DON'T GO BUSTING IN THE COURTROOM.

BUT WE GO AND SIT DOWN WITH THE PROSECUTORS AND ALSO WITH THE JUDGES.

AND THAT'S AND THAT'S NOT ONLY MUNICIPAL COURT.

THAT'S STATE COURT THAT WE WORK WITH PEOPLE TO SAVE THEM FROM THEIR SITUATIONS.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? PASTOR, PASTOR, WHAT WAS YOUR ASK FOR? OUT OF THE 525, 125,000.

THANK YOU, SIR. OF COURSE, NOW WE AS I SAID TO YOU AS I SAID WE HAVE TO HAVE MORE TO HELP. SO WE GO OUT BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, BE A PROBLEM.

THANK YOU SIR. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. NEXT, WE HAVE RECONCILIATION SERVICES.

[01:45:14]

ALL RIGHT. HELLO. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

MY NAME IS ALEXIS MARTIN. I AM THE PROGRAM MANAGER.

THE GREEN LIGHTS ON. YES, MA'AM. CAN YOU PULL IT A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOU? BECAUSE YOU ARE VERY SOFT SPOKEN. OKAY. CAN YOU HEAR ME BETTER NOW? THANK YOU.

OKAY. NO PROBLEM. MY NAME IS ALEXIS MARTIN. I'M THE SOCIAL SERVICES AND PROGRAM MANAGER.

OVER TRAUMA THERAPY, AS WELL AS OUR EMERGENCY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

AND TODAY I HAVE HEATHER LOOSFELT. SHE IS THE PROGRAM MANAGER AT RECONCILIATION SERVICES.

AND TODAY I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE, THE PROGRAM THAT I OVERSEE AND THE CLIENTELE THAT WE SERVE.

SO WITHIN THE RENEWAL PROGRAM, ALL OF OUR CLIENTS THAT WE SEE ARE 200% BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINE IN WHICH WE PROVIDE THE WHOLE PERSON SUPPORT FOCUSING ON PERSON CENTERED CARE, USING TRAUMA INFORMED CARE AS A TECHNIQUE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT WITH IDS AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES IN STATE AND OUT OF STATE AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT WERE BIRTHED OUT IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE ALSO SUPPORT WITH RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE AND THEN MIGRATING INTO WHAT WE CALL OUR CASE MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE.

WITHIN CASE MANAGEMENT, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE WITH FINDING HOUSING, ENSURING THAT THEY HAVE THE BUDGETING TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES SO THAT THEY CAN NOT ONLY MAKE IT A HOME FOR THAT DAY, BUT CONTINUE TO HAVE A HOME FOR YEARS AHEAD AND WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR TRAUMA THERAPY PROGRAM AS WELL, IN WHICH THEY GET THE INDIVIDUAL ONE ON ONE SUPPORT BETWEEN OUR LICENSED CLINICAL STAFF WITH OUR GROUPS.

THIS YEAR, I WANTED TO MAKE NOTE VERY MUCH SO EXPANDING WITHIN THE REBUILD PROGRAM, BEING WITH OUR OUR PARENTING GROUP SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVE CHILDREN THAT HAS AUTISM AND ARE ON THE SPECTRUM TO COME IN AND TO GET THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE WITHIN A A PUBLIC SETTING AND BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS AND THEIR EMOTIONS WHILE GOING THROUGH AND FINDING SUPPORT FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND WORKING ALONGSIDE OF OUR CASE MANAGERS TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE SEEN IN THAT.

LET'S GO A LITTLE BIT BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE TODAY.

WE HAVE INTEGRATED AND WE'LL START NEXT WEEK WITH OUR GUN VIOLENCE SUPPORT GROUP, WHICH TARGETS THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE. AND WITH US BEING IN THE HEART OF KANSAS CITY ON 31ST AND TRUTH.

TRUTH IS IMPERATIVE WITH WHAT WE SEE TODAY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY RIGHT THEN AND THERE.

TODAY WE ARE ASKING FOR 203,000. MAJORITY OF THAT 153,000 FOR OUR DIRECT SUPPORT, ENSURING THAT OUR CASE MANAGERS, THERAPISTS, INTERNS, AND ALL OF THE SUPPORT PEOPLE WITHIN THE REBUILD PROGRAM CAN CONTINUE TO EXPAND ON THE SERVICES, ENSURE THAT WE ARE NOT ONLY MEETING THE NEED, BUT CREATIVELY, CREATIVELY MEETING A NEED.

BECAUSE WITH THE GROWING POPULATION, THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE SEE AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND ON AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE OVERALL SUPPORT TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE. SO, HEATHER. SURE. AND I WOULD JUST JUMP IN AND SAY YOU KNOW, R S IS SO GRATEFUL FOR THE FACT THAT OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING FUNDED US FOR THE FIRST TIME IN, IN 2025.

AND, AND WE WERE SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT. AS ALEXIS YOU KNOW, STATED, SHE'S DONE SO MUCH WORK WITH INTEGRATIVE SERVICES BETWEEN CASE MANAGEMENT AND THERAPY SO THAT WE'RE NOT JUST LOOKING AT ONE OFFS, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO PROVIDE THAT THOSE BASIC NEEDS, THE IDS, THE DOCS, THE, THE UTILITIES ASSISTANCE.

BUT WE WANT TO GO FURTHER WITH OUR CASE MANAGEMENT COMPREHENSIVE HOMELESS PREVENTION GOAL SETTING, LOOKING AT SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH THROUGHOUT ALL THE AREAS AND REALLY LIKE, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH OUR THERAPISTS AND OUR TEAM TO INCREASE OUR CLIENTS SELF-SUFFICIENCY, STABILITY IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES, LONG TERM WELL-BEING. AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE CASE MANAGEMENT THAT ALEXIS AND HER TEAM PROVIDE, ALONG WITH OUR TRAUMA INFORMED THERAPY FOR INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS IS, IS SO INTEGRATIVE AND SO IMPORTANT.

AND EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS, WE, WE REALLY TRY AND TAKE A WHOLE PERSON APPROACH AND TRAUMA INFORMED APPROACH STRENGTH BUILDING APPROACH

[01:50:10]

AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, FOUNDED UPON THE PRINCIPLES, PRINCIPLES OF DIGNITY, COMMUNITY, AND ADVOCACY, WE'RE STICKING TO OUR MISSION TO TRANSFORM TRUTHS FROM A DIVIDING LINE INTO A GATHERING PLACE EACH AND EVERY DAY.

AND I KNOW THAT SOUNDS, YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE SORT OF LOFTY, BUT THAT'S WHAT REALLY DRIVES US IN OUR WORK.

AND WE ARE WE WE WE CANNOT MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KEEP EXPANDING OUR OUR BUDGET HAS GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO RAISE MORE MONEY, BUT WE STILL CAN'T MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS.

SO EACH AND EVERY PENNY THAT WE GET FOR FROM MUNICIPAL, STATE, LOCAL FUNDING FOUNDATIONS, WE ARE SO GRATEFUL. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ON. THANK YOU SO MUCH, HEATHER.

IS THAT WITHIN THE CORRIDOR THAT WE SIT ON, ONE OF THE ONLY PROGRAMS PROVIDING FREE COUPLES THERAPY, COUPLES COUNSELING HAS, WE HAVE SHOWN AN INCREASED NEED TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL COUPLES RIGHT THERE AT 31ST AND TUCSON.

SO WITH THAT EXPANSION, IT'S JUST ONE, ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT OVER THE, OVER THE YEAR, AS WELL AS THE MEN'S THERAPY, IT WAS A GROUP WE, WE ALWAYS HOLD COMMUNITY SURVEYS NEED SURVEYS.

AND SO THESE ARE THE RESPONSES THAT WE'RE GETTING AND BEING ABLE TO IMPLEMENT AND SUCH SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME IS A TRUE TESTAMENT OF WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM. IF YOU COULD REPEAT, I, I HEARD THE 153.

WHAT WAS THE TOTAL COMPLETELY 203203 YES. SO 153,000 YOU KNOW, WE'RE ASKING FOR OUR DIRECT YOU KNOW, SERVICES, OUR DIRECT CLIENT ASSISTANCE, COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT THERAPY, CASE SUPPORT SERVICES, AND THEN THE INDIRECT THE 5000 IS JUST FOR, YOU KNOW, FINANCE PROGRAM OVERSIGHT.

THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT WE, WHAT WE WOULD LOVE.

THANKS VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU MENTIONED THAT THE LOFTY IDEA OF CHANGING THE AREA.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S ACTUALLY LOFTY BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENING WHEN YOU LOOK AT 31ST AND TROOST.

NOW, BECAUSE OF YOUR PRESENCE, THERE'S NOW A CREDIT UNION COMING IN.

YEAH. THERE IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAS YOUTH AMBASSADORS AND JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE.

I MEAN, YOUR PRESENCE AND YOUR LONG TERM PRESENCE IS DEFINITELY IMPACTING THE LOOK OF THAT AREA.

AND IT'S A DESTINATION PLACE FOR LUNCH NOW AS WELL.

THAT'S RIGHT. BUT WE'RE KEEPING I MEAN, WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, WE KEEP PUSHING FORWARD. THANK YOU.

SO HOLD ON TO THAT IDEA. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT'S LOFTY BECAUSE WE SEE IT'S DOABLE.

BUT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHANGES THAT ARE YET TO COME.

IT'S SO EXCITING. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING THAT AND BEING THERE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. IS REDEMPTORIST HERE? REDEMPTORIST SOCIAL SERVICE CENTER. WE. IF YOU DON'T MIND, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A.

ARE YOU WITH REDEMPTORIST, BY ANY CHANCE? OKAY.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE FIVE MINUTES. WE'VE BEEN AT THIS SINCE 9:00.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH US. JUST FIVE MINUTES.

SO THIS COMMITTEE WILL RECESS FOR FIVE MINUTES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

WE WILL RESUME AT 11:12 A.M.. REDEMPTORIST SOCIAL SERVICES CENTER.

NO. REGAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

GOOD MORNING. EITHER MICROPHONE. EITHER ONE. OKAY.

I FEEL FAMOUS. SOME OF YOU ARE. MY NAME IS DOCTOR JUANITA SINGLETON, AND I AM THE FOUNDER EDITOR OF REGAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS. AND THE RESCUE. YOU RESCUE HER INITIATIVE.

WE ARE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT OUTREACH NETWORK WITH EMPHASIS ON ELIMINATING POVERTY AND EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS WHO RESIDE IN SOCIALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY AREAS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS MISSION THROUGH PROGRAMING, EDUCATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND TRAINING IN HEALTH CARE CAREERS.

I AM A RETIRED NURSE. I MEAN, I AM A NURSE FOR OVER.

I HAVE BEEN A NURSE FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND I DO HEALTH CARE TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND DIRECT SERVICE WORKERS AND COMMUNITY

[01:55:04]

AND WE OWN LESS THAN 1% OF THE WORLD'S PROPERTY.

AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE AS WOMEN, WE MUST REACH OUT AND LEAN IN TO HELP EACH OTHER.

AND THROUGH OUR RESCUE, YOU RESCUE HER. INITIATIVE.

OUR THREE PILLARS ARE BEAUTY, HEALTH, AND SUCCESS.

WE BELIEVE THAT IF YOU FEEL BEAUTIFUL, MAINTAIN YOUR HEALTH, YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE EMPOWER OUR WOMEN AND GIRLS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

WE ENCOURAGE INCLUSIVITY, INCLUSIVITY, AND VOLUNTEERISM.

WE ENCOURAGE PROSPERITY, ECONOMIC MOBILITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF INTERPERSONAL SKILLS.

WE OFFER HEALTHCARE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT REGAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND THE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE. YES, MA'AM. AND WHAT WAS YOUR ASK FOR? WE WILL BE ASKING FOR $80,000 BECAUSE I WOULD DESPERATELY LIKE TO HIRE A PART TIME WORKER, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW I'M WORKING BY MYSELF. SO I WOULD LIKE TO HIRE SOMEONE.

AND IF I COULD ASK, IS THE COUNTY IS IT BEING LIKE 5050 OR IS THIS THE SALARY FOR COMPLETELY FOR THIS PERSON? WHAT DO YOU MEAN 50? LIKE IS THE SALARY IS, IS ARE WE PAYING FOR THE ENTIRE SALARY OF THIS PART TIME INDIVIDUAL OR IS THIS LIKE A 5050? YOU PAY 50%, WE PAY 50%. HOW MUCH IS THE 80,000 WOULD GO TOWARDS THE SALARY.

OH YEAH. YEAH. OKAY. 20 LIKE $20,000 IS FOR A PART TIME PERSON.

AND THIS IS MY FIRST TIME APPLYING FOR ANY BIG FUNDING.

I MISSED OUT ON ARPA FUNDING. AND SO YEAH, I'VE BEEN FUNDING THIS MYSELF.

SO THIS IS MY FIRST TIME APPLYING FOR ANY TYPE OF FUNDING.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN OPERATION? FOR FIVE YEARS.

WONDERFUL. YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I HAVE RESTART INK TWICE SO THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ASK FOR RESTART.

STEPHANIE BOWER. IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

YOU'RE BECOMING A REGULAR AROUND THE PLACE. I KNOW.

ONE MORE TIME. MAYBE THIRD TIME'S A CHARM. THANK YOU.

IT'S SO NICE. AND IN THE FRONT, SO I CAN ACTUALLY SEE YOU OVER EVERYONE'S HEAD.

LIKE, CAN MAKE EYE CONTACT. GOOD MORNING. STEPHANIE BOYER RESTART.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. YES. WE HAVE TWO REQUESTS BEFORE YOU TODAY.

SO THE FIRST ONE FALLS UNDER THE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES CATEGORY.

AND THIS ONE IS TO REQUEST $50,000 TO HELP SUPPORT ONE CASE MANAGER AT OUR FAMILY LODGE THAT'S OPENING THAT I SHARED WITH YOU GUYS A FEW DAYS AGO. SO WE'LL HAVE FOUR CASE MANAGERS THERE. SO OBVIOUSLY THE CASE MANAGERS ARE SUPPORTING EACH OF THE FAMILIES. WE USUALLY HAVE 10 TO 12 FAMILIES ON EACH CASELOAD FOR EACH ONE OF THE CASE MANAGERS.

SO, AND AGAIN, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SERVE 45 FAMILIES AT A TIME THERE WHICH WE'LL TURN OVER SEVERAL TIMES IN THAT YEAR.

SO WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE AROUND 150 FAMILIES A YEAR THERE FOR SURE.

SO. DO YOU WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS ON THAT ONE FIRST AND THEN LET ME GO TO THE NEXT ONE? OR DO YOU WANT ME TO JUST ROLL. YES, PLEASE. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? PLEASE PROCEED.

OKAY. THE SECOND CATEGORY IS FALLS UNDER QUALITY OF LIFE WORKFORCE.

SO WE HAVE A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAM THAT WE ARE TRYING TO GROW EVEN BIGGER.

SO WE HAVE ONE AND A HALF TIME, WE HAVE A FULL TIME PERSON, AND NOW WE HAVE A HALF TIME PERSON THAT IS RUNNING OUR NEW DIGITAL LITERACY COURSES THAT WE'RE OFFERING FOR FOLKS WHERE THEY'RE GETTING A CERTIFICATION ON SITE AT RESTART AT OUR NINTH AND HARRISON LOCATION.

AND SO WE ARE REQUESTING $65,000 TO HELP SUPPORT ANOTHER POSITION TO ADD TO THAT TEAM THAT SINCE OUR FAMILY LODGE IS TRIPLING IN SIZE WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME MORE FOLKS TO HELP THEM WORK ON THEIR SIDE OF EMPLOYMENT AS WELL AS SOME FOLKS AT THE NINTH AND HARRISON LOCATION. SO WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO GROW CONTINUE OVER THIS NEXT YEAR TO GROW THAT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THOSE PARTNERSHIPS WITH FOLKS. AND ALSO REALLY NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS KIND OF NEW LAB SET UP WE ALSO HAVE A GREAT NEW SPACE TO BE ABLE

[02:00:10]

APPRENTICESHIPS, THINGS LIKE THAT. WHAT WE REALLY FIND IS WE NEED TO BE BRINGING IN MORE FOLKS TO, TO REALLY EXPOSE PEOPLE TO MORE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

RIGHT. ESPECIALLY A LOT OF OUR YOUNGER FOLKS, THEY JUST REALLY AREN'T SURE WHAT THEIR INTERESTS ARE OR WHAT DIRECTION THEY MIGHT WANT TO GO. AND SO REALLY KIND OF, YOU KNOW, BUILDING UP, CONTINUING TO BUILD UP THAT WORKFORCE SIDE.

WE'VE DONE A GREAT JOB, I THINK, ON OUR OVERALL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND OUR CASE MANAGEMENT AND THE CLINICAL SIDE OF IT.

AND NOW IT'S TIME TO REALLY GROW THAT WORKFORCE SIDE.

SO OBVIOUSLY THAT LEADS TO LONGER TERM HOUSING STABILITY FOR FOLKS, RIGHT? WHEN WE CAN GET PEOPLE INTO BETTER PAYING JOBS OR ACTUAL CAREERS THEN THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE A RETURN TO HOMELESSNESS LATER.

SO ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. ANY QUESTIONS? WELL, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

OKAY. WE WON'T WE WON'T ASK TOO MANY QUESTIONS BECAUSE WE KNOW OF AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. YEAH. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

ROSE BROOKS CENTER. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. HI, I'M LISA FLEMING, THE CEO AT ROSEBURG CENTER.

OUR PROPOSAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,000 SUPPORTS OUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE AND SHELTER ANNUALLY.

WE'RE PROJECTING THIS WOULD SERVE 10,000 JACKSON COUNTY BASED SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN.

OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, WE'VE RECEIVED OVER 1000 HOTLINE CALLS PER MONTH FROM SURVIVORS SEEKING HELP IN FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND NEEDING RESOURCES.

OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER HAS A CAPACITY FOR 100 ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

THE OCCUPANCY RANGES DEPENDING ON FAMILY SIZE, ONE BEDROOM MAY PROVIDE SAFE REFUGE FOR A MOTHER AND HER TODDLER, AND ANOTHER BEDROOM MAY SHELTER A FATHER AND HIS SIX CHILDREN.

ALL TOO OFTEN, SHELTER IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR SURVIVORS.

A MAJORITY NEED IT FOR SAFETY AND PROTECTION BECAUSE THEY ARE AT RISK OF BEING KILLED, AS ASSESSED THROUGH THE LETHALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.

LAST YEAR, WE SERVED OVER 3000 SURVIVORS AT RISK OF BEING KILLED THROUGH OUR HOTLINE, SHELTER AND COURT ADVOCACY SERVICES.

OTHERS CANNOT AFFORD TO FLEE ALTERNATIVE HOUSING OR DO NOT HAVE SOCIAL SUPPORTS TO HELP PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH IS AT THE CORE OF THIS PROGRAM.

OUR OUTCOMES FOR HAVING INDIVIDUALIZED, LONG AND SHORT TERM SAFETY PLANS AND CONNECTIONS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE DERIVED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND DELIVERABLES INCLUDE WRAPAROUND CARE COORDINATION AND ADVOCACY TO OBTAIN HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT, CREDIT REPAIR ASSISTANCE, OBTAINING ORDERS OF PROTECTION, AND NAVIGATING THE COURT SYSTEM.

PROVISION OF BASIC NEEDS, HEALTH ASSESSMENTS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

THIS REQUEST IS MADE AT A TIME WHEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE OF MISSOURI ARE FACING OVER 50% CUTS TO OUR VICTIMS OF CRIME ACT FUNDING.

WE ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION ON THE STATE BUDGET.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. SAMUEL U.

ROGERS. MR. TICE, I DON'T KNOW THOSE PEOPLE.

I CAN TALK FOREVER, SO. GOT IT.

THERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

GOOD AFTERNOON. OUR ASK IS FOR $100,000 FOR OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT.

AS YOU KNOW AS YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH DONNA, WITH LEGISLATOR DONNA PEYTON AND A COMMUNITY TEAM TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT KEEPING THEIR MEDICAID.

SEVERAL THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL ROLL OFF MEDICAID NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN HAS GOTTEN SO MUCH HIGHER.

AND SO THE $100,000 WILL GO TO SEVERAL STAFF MEMBERS TO HELP SIGN UP AND KEEP ENROLLED IN MEDICAID. THIS IS PRIMARILY GOING TO HIT THE MEDICAID ADULT EXPANSION GROUP.

AND WE WANT TO BE THAT HELPING HAND WHERE PEOPLE GO TO.

[02:05:09]

AND 40% OF OUR ADULTS ON MEDICAID, AT LEAST 40% OF OUR ADULTS ON MEDICAID ARE ON MEDICAID EXPANSION. AND I'M JUST SO CONCERNED.

AS LEGISLATOR PAYTON KNOWS, THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR JACKSON COUNTY, KANSAS CITY, THE SAFETY NETS. IT'S GOING TO BE DEVASTATING TO EVERYONE.

THE ERS ARE GOING TO BE OVERRUN BY RURAL AND, AND JACKSON COUNTY FOLKS.

AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO. AND, AND OUR JOB IS TO KEEP AS MANY PEOPLE SIGNED UP FOR MEDICAID AS POSSIBLE AND REDUCE THAT ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN. SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT FUNDS FOR, FOR THE MARKETPLACE FOLKS TO KEEP PEOPLE ON MEDICAID.

AND AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE IMPORTANCE ABOUT, OF WHAT'S GOING ON, I'M SURE LEGISLATOR PEYTON CAN KEEP EVERYONE TO SHARE THAT. YES. SO 70, 70 PLUS PERCENT OF OUR PATIENTS ARE FROM JACKSON COUNTY. AND WE HAVE HIGH QUALITY SCORES.

WE WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND OUR PATIENTS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE DIFFICULT SYSTEM CALLED HEALTH CARE.

THAT'S THE ONE THING WE ALL HAVE IN COMMON. WE ALL NEED HEALTHCARE AT SOME POINT.

AND WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE DO THAT AS SEAMLESSLY AS POSSIBLE.

SO QUESTIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE PEOPLE IN MISSOURI WANTED MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THEY USE THEIR VOICE AND WE HAVE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST. THERE WILL BE NEW REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE NO REGULATIONS RULES YET.

AND THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN JANUARY 1ST. IT MAY EVEN BE RETROSPECTIVE REGARDING THE WORK REQUIREMENTS AND THE VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE QUALIFIED TO BE ON MEDICAID.

AND WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE WE ANTICIPATE MAY LOSE THOSE SERVICES? I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE AT LEAST 50%, MAYBE HIGHER.

THAT MAY DROP OFF OF THE ROLLS OF MEDICAID AND SNAP.

SO I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT SAMUEL ROGERS IS DOING AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS AS WE COME TOGETHER WITH DOCTOR STAN, ARCHIE, WHO CALLS IT A TSUNAMI, JUST TO BE ABLE TO ALERT PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THEY RECERTIFY, TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. I AM VERY PROUD TO BE A PART OF THAT WORK.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL RIGHT. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. AND ANYTIME ANYONE WANTS A TOUR OF OUR NEW PEDIATRIC WING, WELL YES, PLEASE. AND I KNOW WE'RE PLANNING ON HAVING A MEETING OVER THERE.

YES WE ARE. YES WE ARE. WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND I WAS AT THE RIBBON CUTTING, SO I KNOW, I KNOW.

NEW PEDIATRIC. THAT'S VERY EXCITING. WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER ORGANIZATION IN REGARDS TO INFANT MORTALITY.

YES. SO YEAH. SO WE WE APPRECIATE THE LONG STANDING RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD WITH JACKSON COUNTY AND APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SAVE CASEY.

I KNOW THAT YOU'RE HERE. I SEE THE LOVELY T SHIRT ON THE T SHIRT, IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHO I WAS OR IF I FORGOT.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. I'M BACK AGAIN, MISS DONNELLY.

[02:10:05]

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MOLLY MANSKY. I AM THE PROJECT DIRECTOR FOR SAVE CASEY.

SAVE CASEY IS STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE, EVERYONE, EVERY DAY.

AND IT IS KANSAS CITY'S FOCUS DETERRENCE MODEL.

BASICALLY WHAT FOCUS DETERRENCE IS. IT'S A NATIONAL PROGRAM WHERE WE FOCUS THE MAJORITY OF OUR EFFORTS ON THE SMALL PORTION OF THE POPULATION INVOLVED IN GANG AND VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY. THAT SMALL PORTION OF THE POPULATION IS EVEN LESS THAN 1%.

AND WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THAT WITH OUR COALITION PARTNERS, OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH KCPD, OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS AT DEA, ATF, FBI, JACKSON COUNTY PROSECUTORS, SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, PROBATION AND PAROLE, AND JACKSON COUNTY JUVENILE FAMILY COURT.

YOU'RE BUSY. VERY BUSY, VERY BUSY. AND SO WHAT MY ROLE IS WITH SAVE CASEY AS I RUN THE SOCIAL SERVICES TEAM.

SO THE WHOLE GOAL OF SAVE CASEY IS TO ENGAGE THOSE MOST CLOSEST TO VIOLENCE IN SERVICES AND GET THEM CONNECTED TO RESOURCES, EMPLOYMENT, STABILITY, SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO LEAVE A LIFE OF VIOLENCE BEHIND.

I RUN A TEAM OF THREE CASE MANAGERS AND ONE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST, AND LIKE YOU SAID, WE ARE EXTREMELY BUSY. SOME OF JUST, YOU KNOW, THE WORK THAT WE DO, OUR CUSTOM NOTIFICATIONS, WHICH IS WHERE WE GO OUT TO THESE INDIVIDUALS HOMES WITHIN JACKSON COUNTY TO DELIVER THE MESSAGE THAT VIOLENCE HAS TO STOP IN OUR CITY.

AND THAT HELP IS LITERALLY COMING TO YOUR DOORSTEP, KNOCKING AND LETTING YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

WE DO CALL IN MEETINGS, WHICH ARE OUR INTERVENTION MEETINGS, WHERE WE HAVE SPEAKERS FROM KCPD, OUR JACKSON COUNTY PROSECUTOR, THE MAYOR SOCIAL SERVICE TEAM MEMBERS.

DELIVERING THE UNIFIED MESSAGE OF VIOLENCE NEEDS TO STOP AND HELP IS HERE.

WE'VE HAD OVER 100 PARTICIPANTS ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS ACROSS DIFFERENT GANGS AND GROUPS IN KANSAS CITY, AND WE'VE HAD EIGHT OF THOSE SO FAR. SO WE DO THOSE QUARTERLY.

AND THEN FINALLY THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF SAVE CASEY, WHICH IS THE SOCIAL SERVICES TEAM.

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE OVER 70 INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN SERVICES WITH US AND SEVEN JUVENILES.

AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE IS DIFFERENT FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT WE WORK WITH.

WHAT STABILITY LOOKS LIKE, WHAT HOME LIFE LOOKS LIKE, WHAT ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, EMPLOYMENT DOCUMENTATION YOU KNOW, LEGAL ADVOCACY, ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THE TEAM THAT I HAVE WHO WORKS WITH THEM IS INCREDIBLE.

AND SO OUR ASK OF TODAY, WE'RE REQUESTING $500,000, 400,000 OF THAT IS GOING DIRECTLY TO OUR SOCIAL SERVICES CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM TO KEEP AND RETAIN THE AMAZING STAFF THAT I HAVE POTENTIALLY HIRE ON ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER FOR OUR JUVENILE, JUVENILE SIDE OF SAVE CASEY, WHICH IS GROWING.

AND AS MANY OF YOU KNOW, THE JUVENILE VIOLENCE IN KANSAS CITY IS SOMETHING THAT CONTINUES TO BE PRESENT IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO THE MORE WORK THAT SAVE CASEY DOES, WE ARE GOING TO BE BUSIER WITH THAT.

AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE AND STAFF AND CLIENT DELIVERABLE DOLLARS NECESSARY TO SERVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR PROGRAM. A BIG PART OF OUR SERVICES PROGRAM IS OUR CLIENT DELIVERABLE DOLLARS, WHICH IS THE MONEY THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND ON WHATEVER IS NEEDED IN THAT CLIENT'S LIFE, WHETHER THAT'S TRANSPORTATION, RELOCATION, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, UTILITY RENT, WHATEVER THOSE BARRIERS ARE, THAT MAY PUSH SOMEBODY TO GO DO SOMETHING IN ORDER TO MAKE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY. AND SO IF WE'RE ABLE TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE STRESSORS IN THEIR LIFE AND THEIR LIVES, THAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM MORE SUCCESSFUL. OUR INDIVIDUAL IS MORE SUCCESSFUL AND JACKSON COUNTY MORE SUCCESSFUL.

AND THE OTHER 100,000 THAT WE ARE REQUESTING IS GOING TOWARDS INDIRECT SUPPORT.

OUR STAFF BENEFITS, OUR FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FEES, OUR FACILITY COSTS, AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. YES. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU WERE VERY THOROUGH, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ABSOLUTELY. HAVE A GREAT DAY.

SETON CENTER. WAS JUST AS SETON CENTER A FEW WEEKS AGO.

MEETING WITH PAULA. YES. AND I MISSED THAT MEETING.

I'M SORRY. I'M STACEY MAYOR, AND I'M THE CEO OF SETON CENTER AS OF ABOUT A YEAR AND A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.

WE ARE SUPER GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE MORE WITH YOU ALL ABOUT OUR WORK.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, WE DO A NUMBER OF THINGS, INCLUDING FOOD PANTRY RENT, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, RENT. I JUST SAID RENT AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, HYGIENE ITEMS AND THINGS YOU NEED FOR BASIC DIGNITY AND TO LIVE.

WE ALSO HAVE A REALLY VITAL DENTAL CLINIC THAT SEES ABOUT 2000 PEOPLE A YEAR PERFORMING OVER 5100 PROCEDURES A YEAR.

AND ABOUT 60% OF THE FOLKS WE SERVE THERE RELY ON MEDICAID AND MEDICARE TO HELP PAY FOR PART OF THE COST OF THEIR SERVICE.

[02:15:05]

THE GAP RIGHT NOW BETWEEN WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN THE CLINIC, WHICH IS WHAT WE'VE ASKED YOU FOR SUPPORT FOR AND WHAT WE RECEIVE CURRENTLY FROM MEDICAID AND MEDICARE IS ABOUT $300,000 TO, TO MAINTAIN AT THAT LEVEL.

THE $20,000, I BELIEVE WE REQUESTED, I WOULD LOVE TO ASK FOR MORE WOULD HELP TO COVER COSTS FOR FOLKS BECAUSE EVEN WHEN WE HAVE THE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT, THERE'S STILL A GAP USUALLY OF ABOUT $200 ON AVERAGE PER PATIENT.

AND THAT'S JUST FOR NORMAL PREVENTATIVE CARE.

SO IF YOU'RE THINKING THEN ABOUT THINGS LIKE DENTURES, PARTIALS, LOTS OF EXTRACTIONS.

IT JUST GETS HIGHER. BUT THE GAP USUALLY IS AROUND $200 PER PATIENT.

SO THE $20,000 THAT HOPEFULLY WE'RE RECEIVING FROM YOU ALL WILL HELP REDUCE THE THAT THAT 200 IN HALF FOR 200 PATIENTS, WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO SERVE MORE. I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THE REQUEST DOES, ALTHOUGH WE WOULD TAKE MORE SHOULD YOU FIND A SURPLUS, WE CAN USE IT. AS THEY SAY, IT'S 50,000. OH IS IT 50.

OH GREAT. WELL THANK YOU. THAT'S GREAT. THAT IS NOT WHAT I WAS TOLD BEFORE I CAME, SO THAT WOULD REALLY HELP.

THAT MEANS YOU WOULD BE HELPED. YEAH. THANK YOU DONNA.

THAT WOULD BE BE HELPING. ABOUT 500 PEOPLE CUT THEIR COSTS IN HALF, WHICH IS TREMENDOUS FOR US.

WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST DIFFERENTIAL, YOU KNOW, AS WE KNOW THAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE A HEALTHY MOUTH, IT'S HARDER TO EAT NUTRITIOUS FOOD. YOU MISS OUT ON FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT ARE HARDER TO CHEW.

I THINK THE NUMBER IS OVER 243 MILLION LOST WORK HOURS AND SCHOOL HOURS EACH YEAR ON A NATIONAL LEVEL DUE TO DENTAL CRISES.

WHICH IS ABOUT $45 BILLION IN LOST LOST PRODUCTIVITY.

THAT'S FOR THE NATION. SO OBVIOUSLY. SCALE THAT TO KANSAS CITY.

I COULDN'T FIND ANY RELEVANT COUNTY NUMBERS. RIGHT NOW.

ABOUT 95% OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE ARE JACKSON COUNTY.

PROBABLY HIGHER THAN THAT. VERY FEW COME FROM THE KANSAS SIDE.

AND, AND WE JUST ARE WORKING HARD TO ANTICIPATE WHAT WILL BE HAPPENING WHEN THE HR ONE CHANGES COME INTO PLAY.

WE'RE AMPING UP OUR VOLUNTEER, OUR OPPORTUNITIES.

SO FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED TO ACCESS VOLUNTEER HOURS TO QUALIFY, AND THEN WE'RE ALSO GOING THROUGH OUR ROLLS OF FOLKS THAT SAY TO US, WE'RE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT. AND AS WE HAVE OPENINGS, WE'RE CONTACTING THOSE PEOPLE EVEN AHEAD OF POSTING A JOB PUBLICLY TO SEE IF WE CAN HELP THE PEOPLE WE SERVE GET WORK AT A PLACE THAT ACTUALLY HELPED THEM SUSTAIN LIFE.

SO WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL. AND THANK YOU FOR CORRECTING ME.

THE DENTAL CLINIC DIRECTOR TOLD ME IT WAS 20 BEFORE I LEFT AND I THOUGHT, WOW, THAT'S NOT GREAT NUMBER.

SO 50 SOUNDS MUCH BETTER AND WE'LL PUT EVERY DOLLAR TO USE.

OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS? YEAH. ANY QUESTIONS? IF YOU WOULD PLEASE LEAVE YOUR CARD WITH US.

WE'LL MAKE SURE WE INVITE YOU TO THOSE MEDICATIONS.

I'M COMING. OH, YOU ARE COMING. I'VE BEEN TO ONE.

I HAD TO MISS TWO. MY 92 YEAR OLD DAD HAD BRAIN SURGERY.

OH, MY GOD, HE MADE IT THROUGH. SO THERE'S THAT.

PRAISE THE LORD. BUT I'M COMING TO THE NEXT ONE.

OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I WILL LEAVE MY CARD ANYWAY.

THANKS, GUYS. SHEFFIELD PLACE.

I'M IN THE PARKING LOT. SOME IN HERE. ISN'T THAT GREAT? I KNOW DOWN HERE. EARLIER I SAW THE HOURS AND WE'RE LIKE, OH, WE'RE LATE, BUT WE MADE IT.

SO IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN TO SEE YOU.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. FIRST I JUST WANTED TO SAY HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE COUNTY AND OUTSIDE AGENCY.

AND INTERESTINGLY, THE THREE OF YOU ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT OVER THE YEARS. AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE IT. WE ASKED THIS YEAR FOR, WE'VE ASKED FOR IN THE PAST, WHICH WAS TO PAY FOR PART OF OUR FACILITIES MANAGER.

IT IS IT'S A LOT OF PLACES DON'T WANT TO PAY FOR FACILITY MANAGERS OR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE FOR YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO PROVIDE HOUSING AND SPACE FOR SUPPORT AND FOR THERAPY AND FOR CASE MANAGEMENT.

SO WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT YOU ALL HAVE IN THE PAST AND THAT YOU CONSIDER IT.

I BROUGHT AND I THINK I BROUGHT HER BEFORE, BUT THIS IS SHELBY HANSEN.

SHE'S OUR CLINICAL DIRECTOR, AND I ASKED HER TO JUST GIVE YOU A BRIEF WHO WE'RE SERVING NOW.

THANK YOU. SHELBY. YEAH. SO LIKE SHE SAID, I'M SHELBY HANSEN, I'M THE CLINICAL DIRECTOR OVER AT SHEFFIELD PLACE.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF WOMEN AND, YOU KNOW, IT KIND OF SPEAKS TO THE FACILITIES DIRECTOR.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WOMEN THAT HAVE JUST CHRONIC INSTABILITY FROM THEIR YOUTH ALL THE WAY THROUGH ADULTHOOD.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM HAVE EXPERIENCED PARTNER VIOLENCE.

MANY OF THEM HAVE VERY LIMITED EDUCATION. EVEN IF THEY HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, THEY STILL HAVE EITHER SOME COGNITIVE DEFICITS OR LITERALLY LIKE CANNOT READ THAT WELL.

[02:20:05]

A LOT OF TRAUMA A LOT OF DFS INVOLVEMENT. THERE'S A LOT OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS THAT ARE IMPACTING THEIR ABILITY TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT.

JUST A LOT OF BARRIERS IN THEIR LIVES THAT HAVE PREVENTED THEM FROM REALLY BEING INDEPENDENT IN THEIR LIVES.

THAT HAVE CAUSED PROBLEMS. SOME OF THEM HAVE EVICTIONS THAT ARE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT OR HAVE NEVER REALLY LEARNED HOW TO MAINTAIN A HOUSEHOLD.

AND I MEAN, THAT IS PART OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT OUR FACILITIES TEAM DOES A LOT OF IS REPAIRING SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES.

AND WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME EDUCATION PROVIDING PSYCHOEDUCATION FOR OUR WOMEN BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE BASIC SKILLS DON'T PUT GREASE DOWN YOUR GREASE INTO YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND SO YEAH, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THAT ONE.

YES, WE DO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THAT. IT'S JUST, YOU KNOW, A VERY HIGH NEED POPULATION THAT HAS A LOT OF ROOM FOR GROWTH AND EXPANSION, BUT THEY JUST HAVE A LOT OF BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES AND JUST GAPS IN THEIR EDUCATION ABOUT BASIC LIFE STUFF TOO.

SO MANY OF. WELL, I KNOW YOU'VE VISITED AND A LOT OF YOU KNOW THIS, BUT WE HAVE OPENED A FACILITY IN OCTOBER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO OUR THREE FACILITIES ARE WITHIN A QUARTER OF A MILE OF EACH OTHER, WHICH IS NICE BECAUSE WE WALK, YOU KNOW, IN BETWEEN. AND WE HAVE GROUPS AT BOTH.

AND SO THAT INCREASED THE NUMBER OF GROUPS THAT WE PROVIDE.

WE'RE PROVIDING ABOUT 35 HOURS A GROUP A WEEK.

AND THEN THEY ALSO HAVE, OF COURSE, CASE MANAGEMENT THERAPY.

WE ADDED A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER COUNSELOR AND A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST WHO ACTUALLY IS SOMEBODY THAT WENT THROUGH OUR PROGRAM SEVEN YEARS AGO.

SO THAT'S REALLY COOL TO SEE HER, YOU KNOW, HAVE THESE SKILLS AND COME BACK TO WORK IN THE FIELD.

WE HAVE NOTICED A REAL INCREASE IN NEED, PARTICULARLY THE NUMBER OF OUR WOMEN WHO HAVE FELONIES.

AND WE'VE ALWAYS HAD WOMEN THAT HAVE A LOT OF FELONIES, BUT WE'RE SEEING MORE WOMEN THAT THEIR FELONIES ARE VERY RECENT AND IT'S STUFF LIKE ASSAULT OFFICER ASSAULT, ARSON STUFF THAT'S REALLY HARD TO GET HOUSING AND REALLY HARD TO GET JOBS.

THIS PAST YEAR, IN ADDITION TO OPENING OUR NEW BUILDING SO THAT WE NOW CAN PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL SERVICES TO 29 FAMILIES AT ANY ONE TIME AND AFTERCARE.

THIS YEAR WE'VE DONE AFTERCARE FOR 60 FAMILIES.

OUR AFTERCARE IS YOU CAN COME FOR AS LONG AS YOU WANT, GET ALL THE SERVICES YOU WANT.

THERE'S NO COST, THERE'S NO END DATE. IF YOU THINK YOU GOT IT AND YOU LEAVE, AND THEN YOU REALIZE, WELL, I MIGHT NOT HAVE THAT LIKE I THOUGHT I DID, YOU CAN COME BACK AND RESUME SERVICES.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF WOMEN THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T SEE FOR A YEAR OR SIX MONTHS, AND THEN THEY COME BACK AND GET INVOLVED, WHICH IS THE POINT, RIGHT? THEY HAVE TO HAVE A POSITIVE ANCHOR IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT WHAT WE ADDED ALSO THAT WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT AND HAS BEEN A GAP FOR YEARS, IS A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT'S VERY SPECIFIC FOR OUR WOMEN.

SO WE HAVE A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT STAFF PERSON THAT WORKS INDIVIDUALLY WITH THEM, BUT HE ALSO GOES OUT AND TALKS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HIRING AND SAYS TO THEM, YOU KNOW, I HAVE WOMEN WITH THESE SKILLS. WILL YOU HIRE FELONS? THEY WORK THROUGH THAT. YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU HIRE A FELON? JUST ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF. SO THAT MAKES EMPLOYMENT MUCH MORE ATTAINABLE FOR OUR MOMS. SINCE HE'S BEEN HE CAME IN FEBRUARY, I BELIEVE HE'S WORKED WITH ABOUT 40 OF THE WOMEN.

12 OF THEM ARE NOW FULLY EMPLOYED. AND THOSE ARE SOME OF OUR HARDEST TO EMPLOY WOMEN.

SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S ALWAYS KIND OF BEEN A GAP BECAUSE OUR MISSION STATEMENT, OF COURSE, IS SELF-SUFFICIENCY. YOU KNOW, WE DON'T WE DON'T WANT YOU TO LIVE IN OUR HOUSING FOREVER. WE DON'T WANT YOU TO STAY WITH US FOREVER EXCEPT IN AFTERCARE.

YOU GOT TO GO OUT THERE AND, YOU KNOW, BE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY, RIGHT? SO WE FEEL LIKE THAT'S A BIG STEP TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES YOU HAVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. AND WHAT WAS THE ASK FROM THE COUNTY? 25. 25,000. YES, MA'AM. OKAY. I MEAN, YES, SIR.

YEAH. THAT WAS THE OTHER FOLKS. I BELIEVE. YEAH.

NO. YES. NO, WE AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE WITH THE THING THAT WE FOUND WITH OUTSIDE AGENCY IS, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY HAVE WE GOT FINANCIAL SUPPORT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE GOT TO KNOW YOU ALL AND HAVE THAT SUPPORT.

AND, YOU KNOW, I CALL WHEN WE NEED SOMETHING.

SO I MEAN, IT'S MUCH BIGGER, FRANKLY, THAN ONLY FUNDING.

SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

OF COURSE, HOLLER IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR IF YOU NEED SOMETHING OR COME BY.

ABSOLUTELY. YOU CAN COME AGAIN. I CAN COME ANYTIME.

OKAY. THANK YOU, THANK YOU. SLEEPYHEAD BEDS WITH ME.

[02:25:09]

PAM GLICKMAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH SLEEPYHEAD BEDS.

AND IN A VERY SHORT THREE MINUTE, WE COLLECT, SANITIZE, AND REDISTRIBUTE BEDS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN NEED.

CURRENTLY, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FAMILIES DO COME FROM JACKSON COUNTY.

IT'S A GREAT THING WE GO OUT, LIKE I SAID, IN THE COMMUNITY, WE REQUEST, WE PUT OUT ASKS, WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE HOTEL THAT IS RENOVATING AND THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE US 75 QUEEN BED SETS.

WONDERFUL. I'M SO EXCITED. WE REALLY WANT TO GET THE LIST DOWN.

WE'RE ESPECIALLY CONCENTRATING RIGHT NOW IN THE SUMMER MONTHS OF TRYING TO GET OUR CHILDREN IN BEDS.

STUDIES SHOW THAT CHILDREN WHO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP DO BETTER ACADEMICALLY.

THEY DO BETTER SOCIALLY. THEY'RE WELL RESTED.

IF THEY'RE NOT SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR, SLEEPING ON A SOFA, SLEEPING, SHARING A BED WITH OTHERS.

SO WE'RE REALLY WORKING HARD THIS SUMMER TO GET OUR KIDDOS IN A BED TO GET THEM OFF TO A GOOD START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

WE ALSO PROVIDE MOSTLY GENTLY USED LINENS, SHEETS, AND BLANKETS THAT WE HAVE THE FACILITIES IN OUR WAREHOUSE TO WASH AND BAG UP AND REDISTRIBUTE. WE PURCHASED NEW PILLOWS.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT A USED PILLOW BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T.

BUT THE SHEETS WE DO WASH AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S NO PERMANENT STAINS OR TEARS.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO HAVE TO REJECT SOME BEDS THAT ARE DONATED DUE TO STAINS.

THANK YOU. DIRT, MOLD, ALL KINDS OF STUFF THAT PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, WE KIND OF GO BY THE WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT A BED, IF WE DON'T WANT OUR CHILDREN SLEEPING IN IT, WE DON'T WANT CHILDREN SLEEPING IN IT.

SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE DO OVER AT SLEEPYHEAD BEDS.

WE'RE RIGHT UP THE STREET. THE WAREHOUSE IS 5604 TROOST.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ANYBODY COME BY AND VISIT OR DO LAUNDRY.

WE WE, THE HOTEL IS ALSO PROVIDING US WITH AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SHEETS.

AND WE DID JUST RECEIVE A, I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HOSPITAL BLANKETS, THOSE LITTLE THIN BLANKETS.

SO WE'RE PUTTING EVERYTHING TOGETHER, MAKING SURE EVERYTHING'S CLEAN AND READY TO GO FOR BACK TO SCHOOL TIME.

SO WONDERFUL. LIKE THE YOUNG LADY BEFORE SAID, IT'S IT'S BEYOND THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT YOU ALL HELP US WITH.

JOHN IS A DREAM TO WORK WITH. HE'S HELPED ME OUT SO MANY TIMES ON SO MANY DIFFERENT QUESTIONS, AND JUST THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AND SHARE WITH YOU IN MORE DETAIL.

WHAT WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY IS, IS TRULY A BLESSING FOR US TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD WORK ON A WAIT LIST.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE WORK ON A WAIT LIST AND CHILDREN ARE WAITING FOR BEDS.

THAT'S WHAT I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH. SO OUR GUYS ARE OUT THERE.

DRIVERS ARE OUT THERE PICKING UP BEDS EVERY DAY, SANITIZING THEM AND GETTING THEM BACK ON DISTRIBUTION DAYS 2 TO 4 TIMES A MONTH, WHERE FAMILIES CAN COME AND PICK UP THEIR BEDS AND THEIR LINENS AND THEIR PILLOWS.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PURCHASE BED FRAMES.

WE DON'T ACCEPT A USED BED FRAME AGAIN FOR SAFETY CONCERNS.

WE DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S A NOT THAT ANYONE WOULD EVER DO IT INTENTIONALLY, BUT IF THERE'S A SCREW OR SOMETHING MISSING, WE DON'T WANT ANYONE THINKING THEY GOT THE FRAME FROM US AND IT WAS FAULTY.

SO WE DO. WHEN WE CAN PURCHASE BED FRAMES AND WE ALWAYS HAVE PILLOWS.

THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR ANDERSON. YES. AND WHAT WAS YOUR REQUEST FOR THE.

I THINK IT WAS 20, 2020. OKAY. I CAN IS THAT A I THOUGHT HELLO? I'M LIKE, I DIDN'T LOOK BEHIND ME IN A VISION IMPAIRED ON MY LEFT SIDE, SO I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS YOU.

SHE CAME TO PLAY WITH US. WHAT DID YOU SAY? 60 60.

THIS IS THIS IS SORRY. THE OTHER ONE WAS 20. WE'RE SURPRISING EVERYBODY WITH THE MONEY.

WELL, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST TEASING. I'M TEASING. I 2027 AND WE JUST FINISHED 2026.

SOME THINGS GOT KIND OF. OH, SURE. BACKLOG. AND.

NO. OKAY. AND LIKE I SAID, AKILA WAS THAT I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT SHE WOULD COME BACK, BUT THE LAUNDRY IS PILED.

I. NEED TO SEE WHAT THEY. WELL, YOU'LL HAVE TO TAKE US WITH YOU NEXT TIME YOU AND JOHN. JOHN DIDN'T COME.

OH, I GOTTA SAY, HE HAS. HE'S IN TROUBLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T COME.

LANAKILA CAME AND GOT THE GRAND TOUR, BUT DIDN'T STAY.

HE'LL HAVE TO TAKE US WITH YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR ESPECIALLY OUR KIDDOS.

LIKE I SAID, WE'RE WORKING HARD NOW TO GET THEM GOING.

[02:30:01]

HAVE A GOOD LUNCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SO MUCH FOR FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THE TIME IS 1149. THE COMMITTEE WILL RECESS UNTIL 1:00 PM.

THANK YOU EVERYONE. WELCOME, EVERYONE. THE TIME IS 1:00 PM.

MY NAME IS DONNA PAYTON. WE HAVE WITH US LEGISLATOR JAYLEN ANDERSON.

AND WE'RE GOING TO RESUME OUR OUTSIDE 2027 OUTSIDE AGENCY HEARINGS.

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP YOUR, YOUR PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU. SUCCINCT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORK YOU DO IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR PASSION. BUT WE HAVE 157 AGENCIES THAT HAVE APPLIED.

SO TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN WITH SPARROW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

OKAY. WHEREVER YOU'D LIKE, THERE'S A MICROPHONE AND MAKE SURE THE GREEN LIGHT IS ON.

PUSH THE BUTTON. YES. THERE YOU GO. GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY.

GOOD MORNING. I AM DOLORES GARDNER AND I AM THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SPARROW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

SPARROW. EXCUSE ME. SPARE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS RIGHT IN THE HEART OF KANSAS CITY.

IT'S RIGHT THERE. LOCATED AT 3400 BASIL BOULEVARD INSIDE THE CAMPUS OF VICTORIOUS LIFE CHURCH, AS WELL AS LEE COMMUNITY ACADEMY. SPARROW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY PROJECT COORDINATOR THAT HELPS DO COMMUNITY FESTIVALS, AS WELL AS HELP PEOPLE WITH LOW INCOME RENT, UTILITIES, HOUSING AND DIFFERENT NEEDS WITHIN OUR GREATER KANSAS CITY CORE. MY PRESENTATION IS JUST VERY SIMPLE.

OUR PEOPLE AND OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS HELP. AND AS AN AGENCY FOR HELP.

WE'RE HERE TO SUPPLY WHATEVER THOSE NEEDS MAY BE, WHETHER THERE'S FUNDING OR NOT FUNDING.

IT IS OUR JOB TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE RESOURCES TO DO THAT, TO HELP US EXPAND ON CREATING STABILITY AND HELP FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR COMMUNITY. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS PRESENT TO YOU ALL THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WHO IS PAYING RENT RIGHT NOW AND DEPOSITS IN THE GREATER KANSAS CITY CORE, WHO IS HELPING WITH UTILITY COSTS? WHO IS HELPING WITH FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, NOT TOO MANY AGENCIES.

WE WANT TO BE ONE OF THOSE AGENCIES THAT IS THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GO TO, TO GET THE NECESSARY RESOURCES THEY NEED, INCLUDING DEPOSITS FOR RENT, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, MOST OF OUR COMMUNITY, THEIR INCOME IS VERY LIMITED, AND THE RESOURCES THAT ARE OUT THERE ARE VERY LIMITED AND THEY'RE ALSO TIMELY.

SO WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ONE OF THOSE PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WE ARE.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR MY PRESENTATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANY QUESTIONS? DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, MADAM CHAIR? YES. WELL, THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY. HAVE YOU RECEIVED COUNTY FUNDING BEFORE? YES WE HAVE. AND HOW MUCH ARE YOU ASKING FOR? WE'RE ASKING FOR 100,000. OKAY. AND WHAT IS THE WHAT'S THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE FUNDING GOING TO.

IT IS GOING FOR THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE, JUST AS I WAS MENTIONING, AS WELL AS UTILITIES AND FOR NECESSARY ESSENTIAL FAMILY NEEDS.

THANK YOU. CLOTHING OR FOOD OR WHATEVER. AND MR. LAWRENCE, YOU SAID YOU HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING FROM JACKSON COUNTY.

WAS THAT UNDER OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF FUNDING? IT WAS DURING THE COVID PROGRAMS DIFFERENT. THERE WAS TWO TYPES OF FUNDINGS WE RECEIVED.

ONE WAS FOR COVID, AND THE OTHER ONE WAS TO HELP PEOPLE AND ASSIST AS WELL WITH NECESSARILY NEEDS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. PRIOR TO COVID. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE ASK THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I THINK BOTH LEGISLATOR ANDERSON AND MYSELF DON'T RECALL SEEING YOU PREVIOUSLY AS PART OF THE OUTSIDE AGENCY FUNDING, AND YOU'RE ASKING FOR $100,000. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY.

IT IS MY PLEASURE. Y'ALL ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR. IT IS OUR PLEASURE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, I APPRECIATE THAT. STRATEGIC WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT OURSELVES TODAY. WONDERFUL. CAN WE MAKE SURE BOTH MIKES HAVE THE GREEN LIGHT ON? YES. YES. OKAY. IS THAT ONE DOWN? THERE YOU GO.

[02:35:02]

WE ADVANCE ECONOMIC MOBILITY, COMMUNITY STABILITY AND POPULATION LEVEL HEALTH.

SO WE SERVE THE JUSTICE INVOLVED, THE UNEMPLOYED, THE UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.

WE WORK WITH THE YOUTH 18 AND ABOVE. AND ANYBODY THAT IS ALSO 40 PLUS.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO OUR ORGANIZATION, EVERYONE NEEDS HELP.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ECONOMIC STABILITY, WHICH IS CAUSING THEM FINANCIAL LOSSES.

THEY HAVE NO STANDING IN THE SOCIETY. AND IN THAT 60 TO 70% ARE THE REENTRY POPULATION THAT COMES TO US.

WE ARE ALREADY WORKING WITH THE DOC DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

WE WORK WITH TC. THAT IS AGAIN TRANSITION CENTER OF KANSAS CITY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE THE WELLNESS CENTER WITH THE.

16 JUDICIAL COURT TO BE ABLE TO HELP AND WORK WITH THEIR POPULATIONS, BECAUSE I THINK WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT IS AT THE END OF ALL THE SUPPORT THEY'VE BEEN GIVEN, HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, MENTAL HEALTH.

THE KEY THING THEY HAVE FOUND AT THE END OF IT IS EMPLOYMENT.

SO AS FAR AS EMPLOYMENT GOES, WHAT WE ARE DOING IS WE DO TRAINING, TRADES TRAINING, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US.

WE ARE ALLIED WITH THE GREATER KANSAS CITY BUILDERS AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES.

WE ALLIED WITH BUILDERS ASSOCIATION. WE ARE ALLIED WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BECAUSE WHAT WE DO IS GIVE THE YOUTH THE TRADES BECAUSE THAT IS A CAREER. NOW TRADES BRINGS IN NOT JUST SUSTAINABLE LIVING MONEY OR PAYMENTS, BUT THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED.

HEALTH INSURANCE, THEY HAVE LIFE INSURANCE. THEY HAVE PENSION AND IT'S A CAREER.

SO OUR CANDIDATES, WHEN THEY GO THROUGH OUR PROGRAM, WHICH IS A FIVE WEEK PROGRAM, GO TO ALL OF THESE FIVE WEEK PROGRAMS TO GET STRAIGHT WITH THE TRADES. AND WE ALSO HAVE 60 EMPLOYERS. AND AS FAR AS EMPLOYERS GO, WE WORK WITH THE DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPERS.

WE WORK WITH GCS JUST BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT AT THE END OF OUR PROGRAM, THEY SHOULD HAVE A JOB.

WE DON'T WANT TO DO A PROGRAM FOR THE SAKE OF PROGRAM.

LIKE, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR WE HAD THIS YOUNG WOMAN COME TO US.

SHE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WAS GOING THROUGH OUR PROGRAM. I WAS REALLY PUSHING HARD THAT YOU HAVE TO COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AND YOU HAVE TO BE, YOU KNOW, EMPLOYED. AND WHILE I PUSHED HER, I DIDN'T REALIZE SHE WAS ON THE VERGE OF SUICIDE.

AT THE END OF HER. AT THE END OF IT ALL, SHE CAME BACK TO THANK ME.

SHE WROTE ME A LONG MESSAGE SAYING, HEY, ANDREW, I WAS ABOUT TO COMMIT SUICIDE BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RESOURCES, SHE SAID. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN MY FAMILY. I'M A SINGLE MOM, I'M LGBTQ, ALL RIGHT, AND NOBODY LIKES ME AND I HAVE NO SKILLS.

SO THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT COME TO US. SO WHAT WE ARE DOING IS PUTTING IN HEALTH, WEALTH AND ECONOMIC STABILITY AS FAR AS THE ORGANIZATION GOES.

NOW, WE KNOW THAT THE CRIME RATE IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, JACKSON COUNTY, IS 7703.9, NEARLY 3% MORE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE OUR JOB CUT OUT. SO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS GOING GROWING IN 5.9 ANNUALLY IN TERMS OF JOBS WITH 10,000 JOBS AVAILABLE.

SO WE ARE RIGHT IN THE APEX WHERE WE ARE GETTING THESE PEOPLE IN TO PUT THEM INTO THESE JOBS.

SO WE ALSO HAVE ANNUAL JOB FAIRS AND WHICH MEANS WE PUT IT ACROSS JACKSON COUNTY.

WE HAVE ONE JOB FAIR COMING IN VERY SHORTLY. IN AUGUST 13TH.

WE HAVE THE CITY. THEY PUT IN THEIR JOB FAIRS.

WE HAVE HAD THE REST OF THE EMPLOYEES AND THE TRADES COMING TO OUR JOB FAIRS, WHICH MEANS THE REST OF THE POPULATION THAT NEEDS WORK GETS ACCESS TO ALL OF THIS.

SO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING SO FAR IS PREPARING A GAP WITH JOB READY TALENT.

WORKING WITH EMPLOYERS, WE ARE PREVENTING VIOLENCE AND RECIDIVISM.

THIS IS WHAT WE DO, WHAT THIS IS, WHAT OUR ORGANIZATION DOES.

OKAY, SO THERE ARE FIVE HEALTH IMPACTS THAT WE IMPACT.

ONE IS REDUCED CHRONIC DISEASE AND IMPROVED MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH ELIMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, EXPANDED ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE AND PREVENTIVE CARE VIA UNIONS, CAREERS AND TRADES.

WE HAVE REDUCED TOXIC STRESS AND IMPROVED CHILD HEALTH AS FAMILIES.

THEY MAKE $22 AND ABOVE. IN FACT, I HAD A DISHWASHER WAS MAKING $8 AN HOUR.

MAKE $36 AN HOUR. AND HE'S VERY, VERY HAPPY. HE WENT TO THE WITH THE CARPENTERS UNION.

SO WE HAVE MANY STORIES LIKE THAT, THE IMPACT THAT WE MAKE.

OKAY. SO THE OTHER THING IS INCREASED TELEHEALTH ACCESS AND HEALTH LITERACY, BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE AI, WE TEACH THEM EVERYTHING. WE ARE NOT KEEPING THEM IN THE BACK BECAUSE WORKFORCE INNOVATION IS REQUIRED.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE ANY. OH YES, SIR. SHE SHE DID A GREAT SPEECH AND SHE TALKED ABOUT EVERYTHING.

BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING OUTSIDE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

WE HAVE JUST LAUNCHED OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM, WORKING WITH SMALL BUSINESSES AND GIVING THEM CONSULTING.

WE ALSO HAVE A CDL PROGRAM, BUT THE BIGGEST THING IS OUR AI LITERACY.

[02:40:01]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YES. THANK YOU. WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD TWO AI LABS.

WE GOT ONE OF OUR OFFICE, AND WE GOT ONE DOWN AT THE LAB CAMPUS.

WHERE WE'RE REDISCOVER IS AND WHAT THIS IS THE MAIN THING IS THAT THAT AI IS, IS GOING TO TAKE OVER.

SO WE DON'T WANT OUR POPULATION AND OUR PEOPLE TO, TO BE LEFT BEHIND.

SO WHAT WE'RE DOING, WE'RE GIVING OUR AI LITERACY AND WE'RE BASICALLY GIVING PEOPLE AI LITERACY.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GIVING THEM A TOOL THAT CAN CHANGE THEIR LIFE.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, MA'AM. AND WHAT WAS THE TOTAL THAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR THIS YEAR? OR WE CAN ASK HIM TO LOOK IT UP. 100,000. I HAVE IT DOWN AS 150,000.

150,000. AND WHAT WILL THAT GO TO? WHAT PROGRAM OR SPECIFIC TO US THAT'LL GO TO OUR BUILDING PROGRAM, WHICH IS ALL THIS JOB RELATED PROGRAM AS WELL AS WE WILL, AGAIN, PUT A LITTLE BIT ASIDE FOR OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM AND AI LITERACY.

THANK YOU. THESE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT WE GIVE FOR FREE. FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSION AND WHAT YOU DO.

WHEN I FIRST MET YOU, YOUR PASSION HAS NOT WANED.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

THANKS FOR COMING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. NEXT WE HAVE SWOPE HEALTH SERVICES.

THANK YOU. DEBBIE. THAT BRINGS US TO YOU. HELLO. OH, YEAH.

I TELL YOU, THESE CHAIRS TRY TO THROW PEOPLE CHAIRS ALMOST ALL DAY TODAY.

IT'S A IT'S A CHAIR THING FOR TODAY. YEAH. WE WOULDN'T NORMALLY DO THIS.

WE WOULD NOT. SO THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME TRIP AND SAY, OH YOU'RE WELCOME.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT. IS THIS MIKE? YEAH. OKAY. WE'RE GOOD.

WE'RE USUALLY PRETTY SEASONED, SO. ALL RIGHT.

MY NAME'S EVIE CRAIG. I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARTS ASYLUM, AND I'M JOINED HERE BY.

BY MY ACCIDENT PRONE PARTNER COREY CHILES, WHOSE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR I WANT TO THANK JACKSON COUNTY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF OUR TECH THEATER WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES HANDS ON TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS IN TECHNICAL THEATER SKILLS THAT CAN LEAD TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND ENCOURAGES YOUTH TO STAY AND WORK IN JACKSON COUNTY.

SINCE 2010, THE ARTS ASYLUM HAS BEEN A SAFE PLACE TO CREATE FOR ARTISTS, PERFORMERS, EDUCATORS, AND CREATIVE COMPANIES. IN OUR 2027 OUTSIDE AGENCY APPLICATION, WE REQUEST ONGOING SUPPORT OF $36,500 FOR THE TECH THEATER WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM, WHICH JUST PLACED TWO YOUTH WITH TECH JOBS AT THIS YEAR'S SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK FESTIVAL.

GET OUT AND SEE ME. I OWE MUCH TO SAY. MACBETH, THE SCOTTISH PLAY.

SORRY. IT'S A THEATER. SUPERSTITIOUS THING. IT'S FANTASTIC.

AND THE BUGS WEREN'T BAD LAST NIGHT AT ALL. BUT ALSO TO EXPAND PROGRAMING FOR THE RUSKIN HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY THAT OFFERS REAL WORLD LEARNING IN ALL ASPECTS OF THEATER PRODUCTIONS TO STUDENTS WHO MAY NOT OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO EXPLORE THEIR INTEREST IN THE ARTS.

AND IT ALSO OFFERS CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. BOTH PROGRAMS EXPAND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ARTS, EDUCATION, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, JOB PLACEMENT, AND COMMUNITY ART RESOURCES FOR YOUTH FROM DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

BY PROVIDING SAFE, SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS, MENTORSHIP, CREATIVE EXPRESSION, AND TANGIBLE CAREER PATHWAYS.

OUR PROGRAMS STRENGTHEN. I'M TRYING TO. SORRY.

I COULD HAVE DONE THIS TEN YEARS AGO. MUCH BETTER. STRENGTHEN PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR MENTAL HEALTH, REDUCE RISK FACTORS FOR VIOLENCE AND UNEMPLOYMENT, AND ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES OF HEALTH DISPARITIES IN OUR COUNTY.

THE ARTS, ASYLUMS, RUSTON HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY AND TECH THEATER WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAM DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH BY ADDRESSING MULTIPLE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, INCLUDING EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, MENTAL HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY SAFETY. CDC DATA SHOW THAT POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE ARTS, ARE ASSOCIATED WITH LOWER RATES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND RISK AND RISKY BEHAVIORS.

WORKFORCE TRAINING IN HIGH SCHOOL REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF DISCONNECTED YOUTH WHO FACE SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE HEALTH PROBLEMS. COREY CHILDS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AGAIN, AND MR. TRIPPER. WE HAD A CONTRACT WITH THE RUSKIN HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH ITS PERFORMING ARTS ACADEMY IN 2023 THROUGH 2025, WHEN IT WAS CUT DUE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S DEFICITS.

[02:45:02]

AS EVIE SAID, WITH THE HEART OF AMERICA, SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL, NEW THEATER, RESTAURANT, AND THEN OUR NEW COMING UP PARTNER, UMKC CONSERVATORY. WE REALLY THINK THAT THERE'S AN OUTLET TO NOT JUST LET THEATER ARTISTS HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO CREATE, BUT ALSO A FUTURE IN KANSAS CITY, BECAUSE WE WANT KANSAS CITY TO BE DIVERSE IN SPORTS AND HEALTH, IN THEATER. AND THIS IS JUST OUR LITTLE WAY OF TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE STAY HERE.

THEY REMAIN PROUD OF BEING A KANSAS CITY AND CONTINUE TO SPREAD LOVE AND ART THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THANK YOU. YES. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? NO, I LIKE THAT. YEAH. ME TOO. I WILL SAY THIS.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT YOU WERE INVOLVED WITH RUSKIN HIGH SCHOOL.

YES, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EVIDENT TO ME. AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY.

THIS SCHOOL YEAR, THEY PARTICIPATED IN A COMPETITION AT THE FOLLY THEATER.

I WAS NOT THERE, BUT TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT WERE WERE SO EXCITED ABOUT THEIR PERFORMANCE AND SO EXCITED AS TO WHERE THAT PROGRAM HAS GONE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

WELL, WE'RE REALLY WE WANTED TO ADD THIS TO OUR CURRENT REQUEST BECAUSE IT WAS NOT THE FAULT OF ANY OF THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THE, THE, THE, THE, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD THE DIFFICULTIES THAT IT HAD.

SO THEY HAD A PROGRAM FOR YEARS. AND THEN SO WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING FOR OTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND VERY GRATEFUL THAT WE AT LEAST HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK. WELL, YOUR DIFFERENCE WITH SHIRLEY SEEING AND I, AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU'RE DOING WITH THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THANK YOU. JAYLEN, I WORKED YOUR QUESTION INTO MY RESPONSE.

I JUST WROTE OUR BUDGET AMOUNT IN THE MARGIN AND I HEARD YOUR QUESTION, SO I THOUGHT I COULD SAVE TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

NEXT WE HAVE THE CHILDREN'S PLACE.

I'D BE VERY CAUTIOUS. YES. HELLO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

OH, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE HERE. IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL.

I'M ANN THOMAS, AND I'M THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHILDREN'S PLACE. AND THIS IS RACHEL HERBIG. SHE IS OUR GRANTS MANAGER.

I WANTED TO START TODAY BY TELLING YOU A STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL NAMED MAYA, WHO'S FOUR YEARS OLD.

MAYA HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED MORE ADULT LIKE EVENTS THAN ANY YOUNG CHILD SHOULD, WHICH INCLUDES LIVING IN A HOME WHERE THERE WAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, BEING LIVING WITH A MOTHER WHO HAD SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

SHE WAS THEN SEPARATED FROM HER MOM AND PLACED IN FOSTER CARE, WHERE THEN SHE'S HAD MANY MULTIPLE PLACEMENTS.

BY THE TIME MAYA ARRIVED AT THE CHILDREN'S PLACE, SHE HAD EXPERIENCED SIX TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN HER YOUNG LIFE.

SHE WASN'T TALKING MUCH. SHE WAS PRETTY SCARED OF PEOPLE.

SHE COULDN'T SIT STILL IN A CLASSROOM AND HAD NO INTEREST IN ANY KIND OF LEARNING.

AND YET, LIKE MANY OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE, SHE DID NOT FEEL SAFE.

MAYA'S STORY IS NOT RARE, AND FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, THE CHILDREN'S PLACE HAS SERVED JACKSON COUNTY'S YOUNGEST AND MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS.

THOSE CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT WHO'VE EXPERIENCED ABUSE, NEGLECT, VIOLENCE, LOSS AND OTHER TRAUMAS.

BUT WE KNOW SOMETHING VERY CRITICAL FROM OUR 50 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

EARLY INTERVENTION MATTERS. THE RESULTS, IF WE DON'T INTERVENE, SHOW UP LATER IN OUR SCHOOLS, IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. RESEARCH TELLS US THAT WHEN CHILDREN WITH HIGH LEVELS OF TRAUMA ARE SIGNIFICANT, ARE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE LIKELY TO FACE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE HEALTH, HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES, MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, SPECIFICALLY DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IN FACT, 79% OF INCARCERATED ADULTS EXPERIENCED FOUR OR MORE TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN THEIR CHILDHOOD.

THIS IS JUST NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY'S ISSUE.

BUT THE CHILDREN'S PLACE HAS A PROVEN SOLUTION.

WE HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA PROGRAM. IT IS A DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM WHERE CHILDREN COME FIVE DAYS A WEEK, YEAR ROUND. WE SERVE 50 CHILDREN AT A TIME, AND WE GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO HEAL AND DEVELOP BEFORE THEY ENTER SCHOOLS.

THIS PROGRAM IS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED. WE HAVE SEVEN CLASSROOMS. THERE ARE ONLY EIGHT CHILDREN IN EACH ROOM WITH TWO TEACHERS, SO THEY ARE GETTING THE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION THEY NEED, BOTH FROM A RELATIONSHIP AND AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT.

WE HAVE INTEGRATED THERAPY INTO ALL ASPECTS OF THESE CHILDREN'S LIVES.

[02:50:01]

EVERY CHILD RECEIVES INDIVIDUAL MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY, AND THOSE CHILDREN THAT ALSO NEED INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY ARE GETTING IT. WE PROVIDE DOOR TO DOOR TRANSPORTATION, ENSURING CONSISTENT ATTENDANCE SO THEY CAN GET THIS HIGH DOSING OF SERVICES.

WE ALSO PROVIDE WHOLE FAMILY SUPPORT. A CHILD DOES NOT HEAL ALONE.

THEY HEAL WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR FAMILY, AND STABLE FAMILIES CREATE STABLE OUTCOMES.

THESE RESULTS ARE ALSO MEASURABLE AMONG THE CHILDREN WHO COMPLETED OUR PROGRAM LAST YEAR AND ENTERED KINDERGARTEN, WE FOLLOWED UP WITH THEM SIX MONTHS AGO. 71% WERE SUCCEEDING ACADEMICALLY.

93% WERE THRIVING IN THEIR COMMUNICATION SKILLS, AND 86% WERE THRIVING IN THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS AND THEIR NEW TEACHERS.

THESE ARE NOT SMALL GAINS. THESE ARE GAINS. THESE ARE CHILDREN THAT ARE ENTERING THE SCHOOL READY TO SUCCEED RATHER THAN TO STRUGGLE.

SIMPLY PUT, OUR COUNTY CAN DECIDE TO PAY NOW OR PAY LATER FOR THE OUTCOMES OF THESE CHILDREN.

AND TODAY, MAYA IS A DIFFERENT CHILD. SHE'S NO LONGER TIMID.

SHE CAN ASK FOR WHAT SHE WANTS. SHE CAN TELL YOU WHAT SHE DOES NOT WANT.

SHE IS CURIOUS. SHE HAS LOTS OF FRIENDS AND SHE LAUGHS AND GIGGLES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, SHE HAS A REAL CHANCE OF SUCCESS.

AND THIS TRANSFORMATION IS WHAT YOUR SUPPORT WILL MAKE POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR STORY. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING OUR REQUEST AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO JACKSON COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? LEGISLATOR ANDERSON? YES, MA'AM. WHAT IS YOUR ASK FROM THE COUNTY THIS YEAR? 125,000 IS THE REQUEST FOR THIS YEAR. AND WHAT WILL THAT MONEY BE GOING TOWARDS? THAT MONEY WILL HELP FUND THIS DAY TREATMENT PROGRAM.

SO IT HELPS COVER THE SALARIES. OUR GREATEST TECHNOLOGY, OUR BIGGEST NEED IS THE COST OF EARLY EDUCATORS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. INTRODUCE THE ROOM THERE.

YES WE DID. THE RUDY BEARS ARE OUT. YES. RUDY BEAR IS IN HONOR OF AN EDUCATOR.

HE WORKED FOR 43 YEARS. HE WORKED WITH THE THREE YEAR OLDS, AND HE RETIRED.

AND SO WE NAMED THE BEAR THE RUDY BEAR IN HIS HONOR.

THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO PROVIDING A HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE, EVEN TRANSPORTATION.

THAT'S VERY ADMIRABLE. THANK YOU. AND WHAT IS YOUR POSITION WITH THE CHILDREN'S PLACE? I'M THE CEO. YOU KNOW WHAT? EVERYTHING. THIS IS MY OPINION.

EVERYTHING RISES AND FALLS WITH LEADERSHIP. AND YOU HAVE CERTAINLY DEMONSTRATED A LEADERSHIP THAT EVEN COMES ACROSS AS BEING PASSIONATE.

SO I KNOW THE REST OF YOUR TEAM IS VERY PASSIONATE AND VERY CARING.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. OH MY GOODNESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH KIND THOUGHTS. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

THANKS FOR COMING. THANK YOU. WE HAVE DON BOSCO CENTERS.

CAN I JUST SWITCH THIS CHAIR OUT SO NOBODY FALLS ANYMORE? IS SHE GIVING IT TO ME? LISTEN, WHEN YOU WORK AT A SENIOR CENTER, YOU'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR THIS TRIP AND FALL, SLIP AND FALL. JUST TODAY, I HAD TO GET AFTER AN 85 YEAR OLD WOMAN WITH SOME MEMORY ISSUES.

PUSH YOUR CHAIR IN SO NOBODY FALLS. SO WE'RE USED TO THIS.

MY NAME IS LIZ, Z9. I'M THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR AT THE DON BOSCO CENTERS, AND THIS IS ANN MILLER, OUR SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR. AND SHE WILL BE GIVING A PRESENTATION.

AND SHE GAVE ME A CHAIR THAT DOESN'T ROLL. BUT ANN.

AND I'M SO SHORT. BUT I'LL SURVIVE. SO I'M ANN MILLER, SHE SAID WHEN IT WAS MENTIONED BY SOMEBODY, IF YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS MONTH, 32 YEARS FOR ME AS THE SENIOR CENTER DIRECTOR AT DON BOSCO VERY, VERY PROUD. I MAY HAVE AGED A LITTLE BIT OVER THOSE THOSE YEARS, BUT I'M STILL RARING TO GO WITH.

I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 32 YEARS. YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE I KNOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER, BUT IN NO TWO DAYS ARE EVER ALIKE.

AND THAT'S, I THINK, WHAT KEEPS US VIBRANT AND KEEPS US GOING.

SO I THOUGHT I'D I'D PRESENT ON A DAY IN THE LIFE.

SO TODAY IT WAS PRETTY TYPICAL. NO CALAMITIES, AT LEAST NOT YET THAT WE'VE HEARD OF.

AND WE JUST LEFT THE BUILDING A HALF HOUR AGO AND WE ARE WE'RE A LITTLE SHORT TWO DRIVERS.

WELL, ONE IS A DRIVER, ONE IS THE DRIVER SUPERVISOR AND OTHER.

BUT SO, SO FAR, SO GOOD WITH THE ABSENCES. SO TODAY, LIKE ANY OTHER DAY, OUR KITCHEN STAFF HEADS IN AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND THEY START AT 06:00 IN THE MORNING. I AND ACTUALLY, I GET A CALL FROM THE ALARM COMPANY IF THEY'RE LATE.

IT'S MORE A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THEM.

BUT THEY START THEIR DAY BY 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND THEY START HEATING UP THE STOVES, YOU KNOW, GETTING THE FOODS PULLED OUT, REFRIGERATION, ALL TO GET READY TO COOK BECAUSE TODAY IS PRETTY POPULAR.

MENU, 650 LUNCHES, HOT MEALS WERE ALL PROVIDED TO EITHER DON BOSCO FOLKS OR I'LL TALK ABOUT THE CATERED IN A MINUTE.

[02:55:06]

THE FISH WAS BREADED TILAPIA. THEY LOVED THE MACARONI AND CHEESE.

I THINK THAT'S WHY THEY CAME. BUT THEY LOVE THAT MACARONI CHEESE AND A FRESH FRUIT SALAD.

AND THEN COLESLAW, MILK AND A COOKIE FOR DESSERT.

SO NOT ONLY DO WE SERVE THAT TO THE SENIORS AT OUR BUILDING, WHICH WE AVERAGE ABOUT 90 PEOPLE A DAY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND WE'RE STILL SERVING. IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO US FOR THE IMPACT THE HOT MEALS HAVE.

WE'RE STILL SERVING ABOUT 115 OR SO MEALS, A HOT MEALS TO THE HOMEBOUND, AND A BROAD SERVICE AREA FOR DON BOSCO.

AND THEN WE CATER TEN OTHER SENIOR CENTERS. THE OTHER ONES HERE IN JACKSON COUNTY ARE PACE, WHICH IS AN ADULT DAYCARE. WE PROVIDE THEIR LUNCH.

YEAH. THEY HAVE IT HAS TO BE VERY NUTRITIOUS. AND WE CAN MEET THAT THAT REGULATION THAT THEY HAVE.

AND THEN WE ALSO GO OUT TO INDEPENDENTS. WELL, ACTUALLY THERE'S ANOTHER. SO INDEPENDENCE, WHICH IS THE PALMER SENIOR CENTER. AND THEN WE GO AS FAR WITH THAT SAME DRIVER. HE HEADS OUT TO OAK GROVE.

AND YES, THAT IS IN JACKSON COUNTY. SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW OAK GROVE IS IN JACKSON COUNTY, SO AND THEY'RE THRIVING CENTERS. SO WE'RE HAPPY TO BRING OUT IT'S USUALLY 25 TO 30 MEALS.

BUT FOR THOSE 25 TO 30 FOLKS, THAT'S THE MAIN MEAL FOR THEM.

AND THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO IT EACH DAY THAT THEY GO TO OAK GROVE.

SO ONCE THE KITCHEN GETS GOING, WE THEN HAVE A COUPLE OF DRIVERS WHO COME IN TO PICK SENIORS UP.

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE TWO NEWER WHEELCHAIR EQUIPPED BUSSES TO PICK FOLKS UP.

SO WE PICK UP ANYWHERE BETWEEN TODAY I THINK WE PICKED UP 18 TO 20 FOLKS.

IT WILL TAKE A FEW MORE HOME. SOME LIKE TO SLEEP IN SO THEY'LL THEY'LL TAKE THE METRO IN AND THEN WE TAKE THEM HOME.

AND ONCE THEY ARRIVE, OTHERS ARE ROLLING IN THROUGH THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION.

SOME CAN WALK FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THERE IS A SENIOR BUILDING RIGHT NEXT DOOR, AND THEN OTHERS GET DROPPED OFF BY RIDE KC FREEDOM, WHICH WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF FOR THOSE FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO COME IN IF THEY'RE BEYOND OUR SERVICE AREA. SO ONCE THEY COME IN TO OUR BUILDING, THEY CAN GET READY FOR TODAY. IT WAS CARDIO DRUMMING.

PART OF THE FUNDING WE'VE ASKED FOR THIS YEAR IS TO HELP US CONTINUE WITH OUR EXERCISE PROGRAMS, WHICH WE HAVE FIVE OF EACH DAY OF THE WEEK DIFFERENT DIFFERENT TEACHERS, DIFFERENT TYPES OF CLASSES FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO WORK ON BALANCE, MENTAL HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF. SO THOSE DRIVERS BRING THOSE FOLKS IN AND THE OTHERS ARE COMING.

THEY'LL START THEIR DAY BY GETTING SOME IT'S NO CHARGE, COFFEE, TEA, WATER, WHATEVER THEY'D LIKE, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET READY FOR EXERCISE AND SOME JUST VISIT.

SOME BRING IN THEIR CROCHETING. OTHERS HEAD TO OUR POOL ROOM.

ONE GENTLEMAN HEADS TO OUR. WE HAVE TWO WORKING COMPUTERS RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE WORKING ON THAT. BUT ANYWAY, WE HAVE ONE, 1 OR 2 PEOPLE WHO HEAD TO OUR LITTLE COMPUTER ROOM AND THEY STAY BUSY THROUGHOUT THE MORNING. 1130 THE LUNCH IS SERVED. THAT GOOD HOT LUNCH I MENTIONED EARLIER.

AND THEN TODAY WAS BIBLE STUDY LED BY ONE OF OUR SENIORS.

VERY IMPORTANT WHEN WE CAN INVOLVE OUR SENIORS TO BE THE LEADERS OF DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.

AND FOR THOSE WHO WEREN'T THERE, SOME OTHERS WERE IN THE CRAFT ROOM FOR AN ART CLASS THROUGH THE NELSON-ATKINS MUSEUM.

THEY HAVE A GRANT, SO THEY'RE DOING A CLASS FOR SOME OF OUR SENIORS WHO ARE INTERESTED.

AND WHEN THAT WRAPS UP LATER IN AUGUST, THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A DISPLAY OF THE ART AT THE MUSEUM.

AND THIS YEAR IT'S GOTTEN EVEN BIGGER. THEY CAN INVITE UP TO 100 PEOPLE, FAMILY, FRIENDS, STAFF OF DON BOSCO WILL GO SUPPORT OUR SENIORS WHO BECAME ARTISTS THROUGH THE NELSON DURING THE SUMMER.

SO THE. WE TRY TO KEEP OUR FOLKS BUSY. FIND ACTIVITIES THAT THEY'RE INTERESTED IN.

FOR THOSE WHO AREN'T IN AN ORGANIZED ACTIVITY, THEY CAN USUALLY.

GENTLEMEN. BUT SOME OF THE LADIES ARE REALLY GETTING INVOLVED TO. POOL ROOM.

VERY POPULAR PLACE. WE ALSO HAVE EXERCISE EQUIPMENT SO THEY CAN STAY BUSY FOR FOR THE DAY THAT THEY'RE WITH US.

WE USUALLY HAVE MOST OF OUR FOLKS DEPART BY TWO, AND THAT GIVES US STAFF A CHANCE TO GET READY FOR THE NEXT DAY.

PAPERWORK, GET THE BUILDING CLEANED UP, THE KITCHEN SHUTS DOWN.

BUT SO THAT IS KIND OF IN A NUTSHELL. AND THEN TOMORROW WE'LL DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN.

ANOTHER DELICIOUS MEAL, DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES.

BINGO IS ON TUESDAYS. THURSDAYS VERY POPULAR, BUT IT'S ALSO GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF COMPETITION.

AND ALSO IT'S GOOD FOR THEIR MENTAL MEMORY. YEAH, THEIR COGNITIVE ABILITY SO MUCH.

YEAH. SO AND THEN WHAT I MIGHT SAY, SO THOSE MEALS WE PROVIDE IF THE PERSON THEY ARE THE MAJORITY OF IS THROUGH.

MARK. BUT WE CAN'T ALWAYS MEET THE LOW UNIT RATE THAT MARK PROVIDES BECAUSE THEY HAVE FUNDING MID-AMERICA REGIONAL COUNCIL.

THEY HAVE FUNDING RESTRAINTS, BUT THE OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE NO CHARGE AND THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY. TRANSPORTATION.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO GIVE US A NICKEL AND THE ACTIVITIES.

SO WE WANT TO BE INCLUSIVE AND AGAIN, INCLUSIVE, I MIGHT ADD REAL QUICK BECAUSE I'M SURE I'M OVER THREE MINUTES, BUT WE HAVE THE CAPACITY ON STAFF TO SPEAK IN SPANISH.

WE HAVE SEVERAL CLIENT ADVOCATES BILINGUAL SPANISH.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A PART TIME RETIREE WHO'S OUR VIETNAMESE LANGUAGE INTERPRETER.

WONDERFUL. SO WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THOSE POPULATIONS.

WONDERFUL. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES.

[03:00:01]

BUT SO WE HAVE PART OF THAT IS FOR OUR SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM, FOR INSTANCE.

THE MILK WENT UP, PRICING AND MILK WENT UP UNEXPECTEDLY QUICKER THAN WE EXPECTED.

BUT YOU JUST TRY TO PLAN. AND SO WE HAVE COST OVERRUNS THAT WE TRY TO MINIMIZE.

BUT SO TO HELP WITH OUR NUTRITION PROGRAM ALSO FOR TO OFFSET THE SALARIES OF THOSE TWO CLIENT ADVOCATES WHO ARE BILINGUAL THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, JUST PARTIAL SALARY. AND THEN THE ALL THOSE EXERCISE INSTRUCTORS, THEY DON'T COME FREE.

AND I THINK I MIGHT HAVE OVERLOOKED SOMETHING. YEAH.

OKAY. AND THAT SHOULD ADD UP TO $75,000. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND LISTENING. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. THE PROJECT IS NEXT.

HI. HELLO. HELLO. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

PLEASE GO AHEAD, INTRODUCE YOURSELF. TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM.

SO MY NAME IS TERRY BARNES. I'M THE PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE NIA PROJECT.

AND THIS IS LATOYA ROSOFF. SHE IS MY BOARD CHAIR.

AND WE REQUESTED $60,000 THIS YEAR FROM JACKSON COUNTY TO SUPPORT SALARIES FOR OUR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, WE HAVE RUN AND, AND, AND PRIMARILY THROUGH VOLUNTEERISM, RUN A WOMEN'S HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM EVERY MONTH, OFFERING 5 TO 7 WORKSHOPS IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS, MIND, BODY AND SOUL WELLNESS FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.

AND WE LAST YEAR WE SERVED 525 UNDUPLICATED WOMEN.

WE AVERAGE ABOUT 120 WOMEN EACH MONTH THROUGH OUR PROGRAM, WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS AGENCIES TO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE, WHETHER IT'S IN MENOPAUSE OR PHYSICAL FITNESS, OUR SPIRITUAL WELLNESS, CAREER DEVELOPMENT.

AND WE SPECIFICALLY TARGET THE THIRD AND FIFTH DISTRICTS, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WHERE WOMEN MAY NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO CERTAIN, CERTAIN EXPERTS. AND WHAT THE FUNDING WILL DO FOR US IS REALLY HELP US BUILD CAPACITY AROUND THAT PROGRAM, DO A BETTER JOB OF TRACKING OUR OUTCOMES. WE WANT TO TAKE OUR PROGRAM TO THE NEXT LEVEL WHERE WE ARE ACTUALLY ABLE TO REPORT OUT THAT WE HAVE INCREASED BLOOD PRESSURE OR DECREASED BLOOD PRESSURE, OR THEY DID MEET THEIR GOALS AROUND HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND MENTAL SUPPORT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES, LEGISLATOR ANDERSON. THANK YOU MA'AM. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL, BOTH OF YOU, FOR BEING HERE.

NICE TO MEET YOU. HAVE YOU RECEIVED FUNDING BEFORE FOR.

WE HAVE NOT. OH, I'M SORRY, FROM JACKSON COUNTY.

YEAH, WE HAVE NOT. OKAY. IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME APPLYING? IT IS. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW, ONE OF THE THINGS AND I'M GOING TO RELY ON OUR COMPLIANCE TEAM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ASK IS THAT THE PROJECTS OR THE PROGRAMS CAN BE DIRECTLY TIED TO A HEALTH NEXUS, WHICH IS A REQUIREMENT FOR FUNDING.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO SALARIES, WHAT PERCENTAGE CAN GO TOWARDS SALARIES? YOU CAN'T HAVE A REQUEST THAT IS HIGHER THAN.

OKAY. I JUST WANT YOU TO KEEP THAT IN MIND. WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE. OH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. TRUE LIFE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER.

HOW ARE YOU DOING? IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS ALICE PEGGY WALLACH. I'M WITH TRUE LIGHT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER AT 712 EAST 31ST STREET, KANSAS CITY. OUR MISSION AT TRUE LIGHT IS TO PROVIDE FOR CRITICAL NEEDS FOR AT RISK INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND OUR SPECIFIC MORE TARGETED WORK IS WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WE, WE PROVIDE FOOD,

[03:05:02]

AND WITH WITH YOUR HELP, WE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THIS PARTICULAR COMMUNITY AT ANY NIGHT OVER AT THE EMANCIPATION STATION.

THAT'S OUR SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN. WE HAVE AN AVERAGE OF OVER 30 WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE CASE MANAGEMENT AND HELP WITH DEPOSITS, FINDING HOUSING AND, AND HELP WITH RENT AND UTILITIES. OUR, OUR, OUR JOB IS TO, IS TO KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED THAT ARE HOUSED AND TO HELP PEOPLE BECOME HOUSED WHO HAPPEN TO BE LOOKING OR SEEKING HOUSING.

YES. WE ALSO HAVE A TEACHING COMPONENT AND CONNECT OUR CLIENTS WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES. OUR TEACHING COMPONENT IS TEACHING A COMMUNITY, I'M SORRY, SOCIAL AND LIFE SKILLS WITHIN, WITHIN OUR AGENCY.

AND SO SOMEONE SAID TO ME, IT SAYS YOU'RE KIND OF LIKE A, A ONE STOP SHOP HERE.

AND WE TRY TO BE THAT ONE STOP SHOP. AND IF WE'RE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE, THEN WE MAKE IT OUR BUSINESS TO, TO KNOW WHERE OUR CLIENTS CAN GO TO GET THAT SPECIFIC HELP THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.

THIS PERIOD, WE SERVED OVER OVER 300 PEOPLE WITH THE FUNDING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO RECEIVE. AND MANY OF THEM OH. ARE JUST ARE JUST THANKFUL, YOU KNOW? THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY LIFE. HOW WOULD THAT BE? WELL, FOR EXAMPLE THERE WAS A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WAS IN LOOSE.

PARK. NOW, IT WASN'T OUR CASE MANAGER, BUT IT WAS A CASE MANAGER FROM ANOTHER AGENCY WHO RAN ACROSS THIS FAMILY, A MOM AND THREE KIDS, AND THEY WERE SLEEPING IN THEIR CAR.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WERE THEY WERE DIRTY AND AND DIDN'T HAVE THE, THE FOOD THAT THEY NEEDED FOR A FAMILY OF SUCH A SIZE, BUT THEY WERE REFERRED, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO TO TRUE LIFE AND TRUE LIGHT HAS OVERNIGHT HOUSING FOR YOU AND THEY'LL HELP YOU FIND THE, THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED.

AND SO WITH THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT MOM AND THREE KIDS HOUSE TO HELP HER WITH THE THE DEPOSIT AND THE FIRST MONTH'S RENT THAT SHE NEEDED IN ORDER TO GET IN THAT PLACE.

AND SO THAT'S PRIMARILY WHAT WE DO. IF A PERSON IS HUNGRY, WE FEED THEM.

IF IF THEIR UTILITIES ARE NOT CUT OFF, THEN OF COURSE, WE HELP THEM TO TALK WITH THE UTILITY COMPANIES SO AS TO MAKE PLANS NOT TO BE CUT OFF, AND ALSO TO HELP WITH THE AMOUNT THAT THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO STAY ON. WOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? LEGISLATOR.

HUSKY. WE'RE ASKING FOR $60,000 THIS YEAR FOR 2027? YES. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR US? WELL, I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS THAT WE DO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR BEING A TRUE LIGHT.

ON 31ST STREET. THANK YOU. TAKE CARE. MR. COSTELLO, WE NEXT WE HAVE UNION STATION, KANSAS CITY. GOOD AFTERNOON. IT'S NICE TO BE BACK WITH FRIENDS. HOW ARE YOU ALL? WONDERFUL. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU ALL. AND OBVIOUSLY WE'RE DRINKING FROM THE FIRE HYDRANT RIGHT NOW.

SO WE'VE HAD ABOUT 122 000 PEOPLE IN 11 DAYS AT THE STATION.

SO EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD IS ENJOYING THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BUILDING IN JACKSON COUNTY.

[03:10:04]

YEAH. AND THANK YOU FOR COMING. THE BERLIN WALL IS DOING VERY WELL, AND IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO GREET PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND SAY WE ARE A WORLD CLASS COMMUNITY. ABSOLUTELY. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SEND SO MANY CHILDREN TO SCIENCE CITY.

TODAY I'M GOING TO JUST REFRESH OUR MEMORIES.

HAPPY FACES. I DON'T SAY OLD FACES. BUT IT'S GREAT TO SEE FAMILIAR FACES.

I'M GOING TO BE SHARING WITH YOU THE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR WELL OVER 16 YEARS, WHERE WE PROVIDE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY IN JACKSON COUNTY.

OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS, WE HAVE SERVED WELL OVER 120,000 CHILDREN, SOME OF THE MOST ACTIVE PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO.

AND WE HAVE A DEMAND THAT WE CAN'T FULFILL ON WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

IT'S ONLY LIMITED TO BUDGETS. AND I THINK I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE THAT WHEN WE DO OUR BATTLE OF THE BRAINS PROGRAM THROUGH BURNS AND MCDONNELL AND OTHER COUNTY COMPANY WHERE WE CREATE THE NEXT EXHIBITION IN SCIENCE CITY JACKSON COUNTY HAS BEEN THE NUMBER ONE COUNTY TO PROVIDE THE SCHOOL THAT HAS WON EVERY YEAR. AND THAT SCHOOL IS ONE. THIS IS FOUR OUT OF THE LAST TEN YEARS.

SO FIVE OUT OF THE LAST TEN YEARS. SO THAT SCHOOL GETS $50,000.

AND THEN BURNS AND MCDONALD AGREES TO BUILD THE NEXT EXHIBITION FOR $1 MILLION.

SO IT HAS ALLOWED US TO CHANGE. AND AS THIS PROGRAM HAS CHANGED AND AS THE CHILDREN THAT WE HAVE NEEDED TO SERVE CHANGES, I'M PRESENTING TO YOU TODAY. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM.

AND, BUT WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A MODIFICATION. AND ONE OF THE MODIFICATIONS THAT WE'D LIKE TO ADD THIS YEAR IS WE FIND THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE A CHANCE TO COME.

THEY EXPERIENCE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH IN A DIVERSE OPPORTUNITY, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG GIRLS, TO BE INSPIRED TO BE IN STEM EDUCATION. BUT WHAT WE FIND IS THEY THEN GO HOME AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY OR THE INCOME TO BRING THEIR FAMILIES.

SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY A TEST PROGRAM.

AND WE HAVE NEW PEOPLE THAT WILL BE PARTNERING WITH WHEREBY WE ARE GOING TO CREATE A STEM SUMMER PASS TO ADDRESS THE CHILDREN'S NEEDS IN THE SUMMER, WHEN USUALLY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES HAVE WITH YOUNG ONES.

AND WE WILL PROVIDE A FAMILY OF FOUR, WHATEVER THAT FAMILY UNIT IS A SUMMER PASS SO THAT THEY CAN COME ALL SUMMER LONG.

SO IT WILL BE A SUMMER PROGRAM. IT WOULD BE OPEN TO THE PROGRAM, THE CHILDREN THAT WE UTILIZE AND SUPPORT.

BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO PARTNER WITH JACKSON COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP US.

SO WE'LL BE WORKING WITH GUADALUPE AND THE UPPER ROOM SO THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE A CHANCE FOR THEM TO HELP US FIND THE RIGHT FAMILY, THE RIGHT WRIGHT FAMILY UNIT. AND THEN WE'LL ALSO FOCUS ON OUR EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM SO THAT IF AUNTIE IS THE ONE THAT'S PROVIDING FAMILY EARLY CARE, SHE'LL HAVE THE CHANCE TO COME TO THE PROGRAMS, LEARN THE PROGRAMS, AND THEN BE ABLE TO HELP THE CHILDREN.

SO THE GOAL THERE AND THE ENTIRE PACKAGE, WE PLAN TO SERVE UP TO 680 FAMILIES AND ABOUT 2700 INDIVIDUALS, DEPENDING UPON THE FAMILY UNIT. OF COURSE, WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THE VERY SUCCESSFUL WINTER AND SUMMER PROGRAMS AND THE SUMMER CAMP PROGRAMS THAT WE DO WITH LAKE LATONA AND THOSE PROGRAMS. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING NEW BECAUSE WE WANTED TO ADDRESS THE COUNTY'S KEY FOCUS ON THE PRIORITIES OF SAFETY FAMILY, FAMILY RESILIENCE, AND COMMUNITY LIVABILITY.

SO THAT'S OUR PLAN FOR THE SUMMER STARTING NEXT SUMMER, ALONG WITH THE REGULAR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS THAT YOU CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT WE YOU PROVIDE THE ABILITY FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO COME.

WE ALSO PROVIDE BUS MONEY, AND THEN WE ALSO PROVIDE THOSE INDIVIDUALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME SEE OUR INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.

SO THIS YEAR, IN THE FALL, WE'LL BE SENDING A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF JACKSON COUNTY UNDERSERVED STUDENTS TO EXPERIENCE THE HISTORY OF THE BERLIN WALL, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR WHEN WE'RE CELEBRATING THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA AND JACKSON COUNTIES 200TH ANNIVERSARY.

SO THAT'S IT. I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE.

LEGISLATORS. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? YES, LEGISLATOR ANDERSON.

HELLO, SIR. HOW ARE YOU, SIR? I'M DOING WELL.

HOW ABOUT YOURSELF? WELL I'M HERE. WELL, I, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND WHAT IS THE ASK THIS YEAR? THE ASK IS FOR 100,000 66,000 WOULD BE FOR A TRADITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING REQUEST,

[03:15:02]

AND SO WE ARE ALREADY TEST MODELING THIS SUMMER PROGRAM WITH THESE GROUPS.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO ALSO GOOD QUESTION, IS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GO TO THE GENERAL DONOR COMMUNITY TO HELP US WITH SCHOLARSHIP FOR OUR TOURING EXHIBITION. USUALLY WE DON'T SEE THAT IN SCIENCE CITY, BUT WE DO SEE THAT IN THE TOURING EXHIBITION.

SO THIS IS REALLY FOCUSED ON STEM EDUCATION. IT'S FANTASTIC.

I'M EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT IT EVEN AS WE GO ALONG.

SO IT'S BEEN A GOOD PROGRAM, SO I'M HAPPY THAT I'M ABLE TO AT LEAST SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR US, BUT ALSO FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THESE KIDS.

IT IS REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO FEEL PART OF A COMMUNITY.

AND WE HAVE THE DEMAND AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SERVE.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, AND THANK YOU THAT YOU ALWAYS KEEP US INFORMED AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON.

WE DO NOT TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, PARTNER, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT WE'LL LIGHT UP FOR YOUR 200TH ANNIVERSARY.

ABSOLUTELY. I GUESS I DON'T WHAT'S THE OFFICIAL COLOR OF JACKSON COUNTY? WE BETTER PUT IT ON THE BOOKS NOW. IT'S A BLUE.

I GUESS. THERE YOU GO. WHAT ANNUALLY SENDS US.

WE'LL WE'LL LIGHT IT UP. ABSOLUTELY. AND NONE OF YOU LOOK 200 YEARS OLD.

SO YOU'RE YOU'RE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD FOR FOR THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE'LL SEE YOU DOWN. COME ON DOWN AND JOIN ALL OF THE INDIVIDUALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY TOMORROW IN ORANGE.

SO WE'LL MARCH. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. UNITED INNER CITY SERVICES DBA.

EARLY START.

HELLO. HI. HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CASEY JONES.

I'M THE SERVING AS THE DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT FOR EARLY START.

AND THIS IS OUR CEO, JUNE MCDANIEL. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WHY INVESTING IN EARLY START IS AN INVESTMENT IN KANSAS CITY.

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, EARLY START HAS SERVED CHILDREN IN SOME OF KANSAS CITY'S MOST UNDER-RESOURCED NEIGHBORHOODS.

LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC SAINT MARK'S CENTER, WE PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FROM SIX WEEKS TO FIVE YEARS.

WE SERVE FAMILIES PRIMARILY EAST OF TROOST, WHERE MANY PARENTS FACE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS INCLUDING POVERTY, HOUSING INSTABILITY, TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES, AND LIMITED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE.

THE REALITY IS THAT WHEN FAMILIES CANNOT ACCESS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

PARENTS STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN EMPLOYMENT. CHILDREN BEGIN KINDERGARTEN ALREADY BEHIND.

COMMUNITIES FACE LONG TERM ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES.

EVERY DAY WE FOCUS ON CHANGING THAT TRAJECTORY.

I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT ONE OF OUR STUDENTS. HE'S A NON-VERBAL AUTISTIC CHILD THAT DIDN'T SPEAK ONE WORD ALL YEAR.

AND THE VERY LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, HE CAME UP TO HIS TEACHER AND SAID, THANK YOU, MISS SHIRLEY.

THAT IS THE IMPACT THAT WE'RE MAKING. OUR CLASSROOMS ARE MORE THAN CHILD CARE.

THEY ARE PLACES WHERE CHILDREN DEVELOP CRITICAL LANGUAGE LITERACY, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE SKILLS THAT PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE. THROUGH OUR ARTS INTEGRATED APPROACH, CHILDREN LEARN CREATIVITY, CONFIDENCE, COMMUNICATION, AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS THAT WILL SERVE THEM FOR YEARS TO COME.

LAST YEAR, ROUGHLY 14% OF OUR FAMILIES EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS.

HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSING INSTABILITY. MANY OF OUR FAMILIES ARE WORKING HARD TO BUILD BETTER FUTURES, BUT NEED SUPPORT AND OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. THE FUNDING WE ARE REQUESTING TODAY WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT HIGH QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING, FAMILY SERVICES AND RESOURCES THAT ENSURE OUR CHILDREN HAVE THE FOUNDATION THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

THANK YOU. I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT THIS YEAR, WE'RE VERY PROUD THAT WE HAD 50 GRADUATES.

AND WE HAD A BEAUTIFUL GRADUATION CEREMONY, BUT WE ALSO USE DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENTS TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN.

AND SO WE ENDED WITH A 97% KINDERGARTEN READINESS RATE, WHICH WAS VERY EXCITING AS WELL.

WE USE TOOLS, NOT ONLY ASSESSMENT TOOLS, BUT CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE TOOLS TO HELP OUR STUDENTS TO REGULATE THEMSELVES.

AND SO WHAT WE ARE ALSO NEEDING IS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR TEACHERS TO BE ABLE TO TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO USE THOSE TOOLS IN THE CLASSROOMS. AND IT ALSO HELPS THEM TO IDENTIFY WHEN A CHILD IS ON THE SPECTRUM OR WHEN A CHILD IS NEEDING TO BE ON AN INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

WE ARE RIGHT NOW PARTNERING WITH CORNERSTONES OF CARE TO COME IN AND TO PROVIDE SOME OF THAT BEHAVIORAL PIECE, THAT CLINICIAN PIECE TO, TO ALSO WORK WITH THOSE STUDENTS, THE PARENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

[03:20:01]

THEY ARE PRIMARILY HEAD START FAMILIES. AND SO THEY CAN'T ALWAYS LOOK FOR OTHER PLACES OR GO TO OTHER PLACES TO GET THAT HELP FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

SO THEY BRING THEM TO EARLY START. AND THEN WE PARTNER WITH OTHERS TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THEIR NEEDS AND TO HELP PROVIDE THOSE WRAPAROUND SERVICES.

THE TRAUMA INFORMED, INFORMED CARE IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE REALLY WANTING OUR TEACHERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE PARTNERS WITH CORNERSTONES OF CARE, YOU MAY HAVE 1 OR 2 CLINICIANS IN THERE TO 124 STUDENTS.

THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. SO OUR TEACHERS REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO IDENTIFY THESE, THESE, THIS TRAUMA AND HOW TO IDENTIFY THESE TRIGGERS IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO TO SUGGEST THE CARE AND NEED FOR, FOR, FOR OUR FAMILIES AND OUR STUDENTS. SO I THINK OUR ASK IS, IS REALLY AROUND.

IT'S NOT ONLY TO HELP WITH THIS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND THIS HIGH QUALITY CARE FOR OUR STUDENTS, BUT ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE GETTING THE HELP THAT THEY NEED WHEN IT COMES TO THE TRAUMA AND THE TRIGGERING AND THE EXPERIENCES THAT THEY GO THROUGH.

I OFTEN SAY THAT THESE BABIES ARE CARRYING THE BURDENS OF THEIR FAMILIES.

THEY ARE IN THESE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY'RE NOT ONLY THERE, THEY'RE HUNGRY.

THEY DON'T HAVE THEY'RE DEALING WITH TRANSPORTATION NEEDS. THEY'RE DEALING WITH HOUSING NEEDS. AND UNFORTUNATELY, OUR TEACHERS ALSO EXPERIENCE THOSE SAME NEEDS. THEY ARE THEY ARE MIRRORING OUR FAMILIES. BUT IF THE BABIES ARE COMING IN CARRYING THAT BURDEN, THE PARENTS ARE COMING IN CARRYING THAT BURDEN, THEN HOW DO THEY BEGIN TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND TO REALIZE THE NEED TO BE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR LIVES? SO AGAIN, OUR ASK IS REALLY TO JUST HELP US TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THIS CARE.

AS CASEY MENTIONED, IT'S BEEN OVER 50 YEARS AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THIS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES, LEGISLATOR ANDERSON.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AND WHAT IS YOUR REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY? THE NUMBER 75. 75,000. AND WHAT WILL THAT GO TOWARDS? THAT WILL GO TOWARDS HELPING US TO NOT ONLY HAVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR TEACHERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND HOW TO, TO USE THESE TOOLS AND LEVERAGE THOSE TOOLS, BUT TO ALSO THIS PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH CORNERSTONES OF CARE RIGHT NOW WILL ONLY LAST THROUGH THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR. SO WE NEED TO HIRE OUR OWN PERSON TO COME IN AND BE ABLE TO TO HELP WITH THOSE THINGS, TO BE THERE FULL TIME ON A FULL TIME BASIS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT ORGANIZATION IS UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY WAS SCHEDULED FOR TWO. SO WE'RE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

NICE TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS JESSICA BLUBAUGH.

THIS IS DAVID BELL. I AM OUR CHIEF PHILANTHROPY OFFICER HERE AT UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY.

TODAY WE ARE HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A REQUEST THAT WE ARE MAKING FOR IN SUPPORT OF OUR DEBIT CARD PROGRAM, OUR FLEXIBLE DEBIT CARD PROGRAM, TO SET THE CONTEXT.

THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WE'VE BEEN OPERATING SINCE 2023.

IT'S LARGELY BEEN SUPPORTED BY PRIVATE FOUNDATION DOLLARS AND WAS STOOD UP IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASED INFLATION BURDEN ON THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE'VE SINCE BEEN OPERATING IT IN TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS OR ITERATIONS OF SECOND ROUND AND THIRD ROUND FUNDING.

AND LARGELY IT'S SET UP TO BE AN INCREMENTAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND TO SUPPORT ONE TIME HARDSHIP FOR FOLKS WHO APPLY TO THE PROGRAM.

PRELIMINARY DATA SHOWS US THAT ABOUT 42% OF HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES ARE ONE UNEXPECTED $800 EXPENSE AWAY FROM BEING KNOCKED OFF OF THEIR TRAJECTORY AND THEIR LIFE PATH. THE COST OF EVERYTHING, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS ON THE RISE.

WHETHER IT'S FUEL, WHETHER IT'S FOOD, WHETHER IT'S UTILITY COSTS, HOUSING COSTS.

A PROGRAM LIKE THIS DEBIT CARD PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE CITIZENS OF JACKSON COUNTY THROUGH A FLEXIBLE APPLICATION PROCESS THAT HAS REDUCED BARRIERS OF ACCESS AND REDUCED IF YOU WILL, SORT OF HOOPS TO HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE DOLLARS AT UNITED WAY AS YOU ALL KNOW AND LIKELY KNOW, OUR JOB IS TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES AND PEOPLE TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEED IN REAL TIME.

AND THIS PROGRAM DOES THAT. THIS PROGRAM LEVERAGES OUR INTERNAL CAPACITY TO MANAGE RESOURCES AND MOBILIZE THEM QUICKLY, BOTH THROUGH OUR TWO, ONE, ONE CALL CENTER, AS WELL AS OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY AND WORKS TO MANAGE THOSE FUNDS, DEEPEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE NONPROFITS, AND TAKE SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LIFT OFF OF THEIR SHOULDERS.

BUT TO SUPPORT THE CLIENTS THEY'RE ALREADY SERVING, THIS IS BOTH SUPPORTING FOLKS WHO ARE QUALIFIED FOR OTHER FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUT ALSO A LARGE MAJORITY OF FOLKS WHO DON'T.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LARGE PORTION OF PEOPLE ACROSS OUR METRO AND IN JACKSON COUNTY SPECIFICALLY, WHO DON'T QUALIFY FOR A LOT OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUT ACTUALLY NEED AN IMMENSE AMOUNT OF EXTRA SUPPORT TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP THAT SUPPORT THAT THAT TYPE OF NEED.

THE BEAUTY OF THIS PROGRAM IS THAT IT IS FLEXIBLE.

[03:25:02]

THE, THE LARGEST LION'S SHARE IN THE LAST YEAR THAT WE ADMINISTERED THIS PROGRAM, WE SPENT A YEAR ADMINISTERING $800,000.

IT SUPPORTED 870 HOUSEHOLDS, WHICH WAS ROUGHLY 3018 PEOPLE 23% OF THAT.

THOSE FUNDS WENT TO HOUSING. 22% OF THOSE FUNDS WENT TO FOOD, AND 16% OF THOSE FUNDS WENT TO OTHER ITEMS LIKE HOME REPAIRS, CLOTHING, CAR REPAIRS. A QUICK STORY THAT I WOULD TELL YOU, I THINK THAT I THINK IS ONE OF THE MOST SALIENT EXAMPLES OF HOW THIS THIS TYPE OF FUND SUPPORTS PEOPLE. WE HAD A YOUNG WOMAN CALL US WHO WAS ON A LIFE PATH TO GO TO COLLEGE.

HER HER LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGED AND HER PARENTAL UNITS WERE NO LONGER IN THE PICTURE.

SO SHE BECAME THE THE GUARDIAN AND CUSTODIAN OF HER FOUR YOUNGER SIBLINGS, WHICH MEANT SHE HAD TO VACATE HER PATH TO GO TO COLLEGE, GET TWO JOBS, AND SUPPORT THE REST OF HER FAMILY.

SHE CALLED OUR TWO ONE. ONE LINE EXPRESSED THAT HER CAR HAD BROKEN DOWN.

SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR, AND SHE WAS USING ALL OF HER PAYCHECKS AT THE TWO JOBS ON UBERS AND LIFTS TO GET TO AND FROM HER HER JOBS.

SO THE CALL CENTER OPERATOR WHO RECEIVED THE CALL PUT HER THROUGH A SERIES OF QUESTIONS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT NEED AND WHAT WE RECEIVED AND UNDERSTOOD WAS SHE NEEDED $750 TO GET THE CAR FIXED. WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE HER WAS A $900 DEBIT CARD, AND SHE GOT THE CAR FIXED AND WAS ABLE TO FILL THE TANK WITH A FEW TANK TANKS OF GAS.

WHEN WE FOLLOWED BACK UP WITH HER AND ASKED HER IF SHE NEEDED ANY ADDITIONAL SUPPORT OR SERVICES, SHE SAID, NO, I'M GREAT. THE CAR'S FIXED. I CAN GET TO MY JOB.

I'M GOOD. THE POINT OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO BE INTERVENTION.

IT'S FOCUSED ON UPSTREAM AND KEEPING PEOPLE STABILIZED.

THE REQUEST FROM THE JACKSON COUNTY TODAY IS $100,000 TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? LET ME JUST SAY FANTASTIC JOB. THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. NEXT WE HAVE URBAN LEAGUE OF GREATER KANSAS CITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND BEFORE I START TALKING ABOUT THIS REQUEST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE PROVIDED WITH 2025, 2026 AND, AND THE ARPA FUNDS, AND TO LET YOU KNOW TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AN INVITATION FROM US TO ATTEND A KICKOFF OF THE URBAN OPERATION REBUILD MINOR HOME REPAIR PROJECT THAT YOU'RE FUNDING.

SO WE'VE DONE A LOT OF THE WORK IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR.

AND IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, EARLY JULY, WE'LL START WORKING ON HOUSES IN THE PROSPECT CORRIDOR.

AND SO WE'D LOVE FOR YOU GUYS TO SHOW UP FOR THAT, FOR THAT.

I WAS, I'M GOING TO MENTION THIS BECAUSE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, AND IT'S AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM. AND I WAS AT A SANTA FE HOMES ASSOCIATION MEETING, AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW THAT MONEY NOT ONLY IS HELPING WHAT YOU DO, BUT IT IS HELPING THAT ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING. YEAH, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

SO YES, THANK YOU. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THE SUPPORT.

SO I'M HERE TODAY. AS YOU ALL KNOW, CEO OF THE URBAN LEAGUE AND OUR REQUEST THIS YEAR WAS FOR TO CONTINUE THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING IN ALL OF THESE AREAS. AND OUR REQUEST IS FOR $185,000.

BUT IN OF THAT REQUEST, WE WILL BE INVESTING MORE THAN HALF OF THAT MONEY, NEARLY $100,000 OF THAT MONEY GOES DIRECTLY TO PARTICIPANTS IN OUR PROGRAM.

WE PROVIDE A PRE-APPRENTICESHIP CONSTRUCTION URBAN CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.

AND THAT COVERS THE COST OF STIPENDS, WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS, TOOLS, AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO GO TO WORK.

AND THIS IS ABOUT PREPARING THEM FOR CAREERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SKILLED TRADES.

ADDITIONALLY TOTALLY. IT WILL SUPPORT SERVING OVER 500 PEOPLE, 150 OF THEM WILL BE K-12 STUDENTS RECEIVING ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND TUTORING STUDENTS WHO ARE LAGGING PRIMARILY IN READING AND MATH.

AND WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED THE THE CAPABILITY OF MOVING THEM QUICKLY OVER THE COURSE OF A SCHOOL YEAR FROM ONE GRADE LEVEL TO THE NEXT, CLOSING THOSE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS. WE WILL. 50 OF THE PARTICIPANTS WILL BE IN THE URBAN CONSTRUCTION PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

250 PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE JOB READINESS SUPPORT FROM US.

WE HAVE A 70% PLACEMENT RATE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE SERVED, AND 50 AT LEAST 50 PEOPLE WILL PARTICIPATE IN OUR DIGITAL

[03:30:10]

AND WE TRAIN OLDER ADULTS WITH TECHNOLOGY TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE THEIR HEALTHCARE PORTALS AND TO ACCESS THE CARE PATIENT PORTALS AND DIGITAL, YOU KNOW, THE SERVICES WHEN YOU MEET WITH YOUR DOCTOR ONLINE, JUST HAVING A TELEHEALTH. YES. TELEHEALTH HAD A BRAIN FREEZE MOMENT THERE, BUT THOSE ARE SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE, THAT ARE INVOLVED AND THAT WE'RE PROVIDING FOR THIS PROGRAM.

AND OVER THE YEARS, JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT WE'VE HAD WITH THE FUNDS THAT YOU'VE INVESTED IN THE URBAN LEAGUE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS IN DIGITAL EDUCATION, OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, WE SERVED 342 PEOPLE.

WE PROVIDED 787 PEOPLE WITH CAREER READINESS AND JOB PLACEMENT SUPPORT.

WE HAD 84 PARTICIPANTS COMPLETE OUR URBAN CONSTRUCTION PRE-APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, AND WE HAVE A 70% PLACEMENT RATE.

AND THE AVERAGE WAGE AT PLACEMENT FOR THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE IS $19.71 PER HOUR, AND WE HAD MORE THAN 109 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE AND COMPLETE THE TUTORING THROUGH OUR OUR ACCELERATED LEARNING LAB.

SO I'D BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT DATA BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT JUST FEELS GOOD TO KNOW THAT WE WERE ABLE TO HELP AND BE A PART OF THAT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? JUST A THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT.

YES, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. I'M EXCITED TO SEE YOU.

YEAH. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, AND I HOPE YOU'LL COME TO THE, YOU KNOW, RIBBON. WELL, IT'S NOT A RIBBON CUTTING, BUT WE'RE GOING TO START THE FIRST YOU KNOW, URBAN REBUILD AND MINOR HOME REPAIR. AND I HOPE YOU'LL BE THERE FOR THAT.

SO I'LL GET THE NOTICES OUT TO YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

W.E.B. DU BOIS LEARNING CENTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS TAMARA CLARK SIKES, AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE W.E.B.

DU BOIS LEARNING CENTER. MICHAEL, A FOURTH GRADE STUDENT, CAME TO OUR CENTER STRUGGLING IN SCHOOL AND LOSING CONFIDENCE IN HIMSELF. HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO BROUGHT HIM TO OUR CENTER, WAS WORKING HARD TO SUPPORT HER FAMILY, BUT SHE COULDN'T ALWAYS PROVIDE THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT HE NEEDED.

HE OFTEN FELT FRUSTRATED, DISCOURAGED, AND DISCONNECTED FROM SCHOOL.

AT THE LEARNING CENTER, HE FOUND SOMETHING MORE THAN HOMEWORK HELP.

HE FOUND CARING ADULTS WHO ENCOURAGED HIM, LISTENED TO HIM, HELD HIM ACCOUNTABLE, AND HELPED HIM BELIEVE HE COULD SUCCEED. OVER TIME, HE BECAME MORE ENGAGED, MORE CONFIDENT, AND MORE WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES. WHILE EVERY STUDENT'S STORY IS DIFFERENT, THAT STORY REFLECTS WHAT WE SEE EVERY DAY. YOUNG PEOPLE OFTEN NEED MORE THAN ACADEMICS.

THEY NEED SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND A SAFE PLACE WHERE THEY KNOW SOMEONE CARES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.

FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, THE LEARNING CENTER HAS PROVIDED FREE ACADEMIC SUPPORT, MENTORSHIP, LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, AND ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN JACKSON COUNTY'S URBAN CORE.

TODAY, WE SERVE APPROXIMATELY 150 JACKSON COUNTY YOUTH ANNUALLY AND HUNDREDS MORE BENEFIT FROM OUR FACILITY. WE OPERATE YEAR ROUND AND PROVIDE SERVICES AT NO COST TO PARTICIPATING FAMILIES.

[03:35:01]

WE KNOW THAT EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS, POSITIVE ADULT RELATIONSHIPS, SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS ARE IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE LONG TERM HEALTH OUTCOMES.

THROUGH MENTORSHIP, STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES, AND SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS, WE HELP REDUCE STRESS, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND STRENGTHEN EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING FOR THE YOUTH WE SERVE.

THE $116,500 FUNDING WE ARE REQUESTING WILL SUPPORT OUR STAFF, INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONAL CAPACITY NECESSARY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING THESE SERVICES TO JACKSON COUNTY FAMILIES.

IT WILL HELP US ENSURE THAT STUDENTS CONTINUE TO HAVE ACADEMIC ACCESS AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT.

POSITIVE ROLE MODELS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL FUTURES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND YOUR CONSIDERATION.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES, SIR.

LEGISLATOR ANDERSON. THANK YOU. MA'AM. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

AND I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT WHAT IS THE ASK FROM THE COUNTY THIS YEAR? 116,500. IT'S BEEN A IT'S BEEN AM I HERE? WHERE AM I? WHO'S TALKING? AND IT'S THE END OF THE DAY. OH, LORD.

ANYWAY. I'M TRYING. YOUR EARS ARE DOING JUST FINE.

AND I, I WANTED TO MENTION BECAUSE SOME I TOOK CARE OF TWO OF MY NEPHEWS.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER THIS, BUT I. THEY CAME AND, AND IT GOT SO MUCH HELP FROM THE CENTER AND, AND HELPING THEM GET MORE CONFIDENT AS YOUNG MEN AND THINGS.

AND SO THAT WAS WHEN THEY WERE, GOSH, I THINK THEY WERE THAT WAS ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.

AND SO NOW THEY'RE BOTH 18 AND THEY'RE BOTH THRIVING AND DOING GREAT.

AND SO I JUST CANNOT SPEAK MORE HIGHLY OF THE PROGRAM IN AND OF ITSELF.

SO THANK YOU AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. ABSOLUTELY.

AND THANK YOU FOR BEGINNING WITH THE STORY ABOUT MICHAEL, BECAUSE CONFIDENCE.

AS WAS ILLUSTRATED WITH LEGISLATOR LEGISLATOR ANDERSON'S NEPHEWS, IS FOUNDATIONAL FOR SELF EFFICACY.

IT IS FOUNDATIONAL. SO I AM GLAD THAT YOUR PROGRAM IS WORKING TO BUILD THAT CONFIDENCE.

ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY. WE SURROUND THEM WITH CULTURALLY COMPETENT, CARING PROFESSIONALS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION.

YES, MA'AM. YES, MA'AM. MISS CLARK, IT APPEARS THAT.

IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU MEASURE GROWTH. IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU MEASURE GROWTH.

WE ARE SERVING PROBABLY ABOUT THE SAME KIND OF THE SAME NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

WE'RE SERVING THEM IN MUCH DIFFERENT CAPACITIES, HOWEVER.

WE PARTNER WITH A NUMBER OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, LIKE MINDED ORGANIZATIONS WHO OFFER SIMILAR OR COMPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS. AND SO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE PROGRAMMATICALLY IS ABOUT THE SAME.

BUT WE'RE JUST PARTNERING WITH MORE PEOPLE. OUR NUMBERS FOR OUR PARTICULAR PROGRAM ARE PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT LOWER THAN THEY WERE, SAY, TEN YEARS AGO. BUT WE'VE AUGMENTED THAT WITH THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE, AS WELL AS OPENING UP OUR FACILITY TO BE A REALLY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER. AND SO WE'RE PARTNERING WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE A PLACE TO PROVIDE THEIR SERVICES OR TO HAVE THEIR CHAPTER MEETINGS OR WHATEVER. SO THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.

YES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE WE CALLED.

HI. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, I APPRECIATE IT.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. HI. MY NAME IS TAMMY BUCKNER.

I'M THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF WE CODE KC. WE CODE KC STARTED BACK IN 2019.

I WAS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER, PROJECT MANAGER, BUSINESS ANALYST, AND I DID NOT SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOKED LIKE ME, MEANING I DID NOT SEE WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY. AND I CERTAINLY DIDN'T SEE WOMEN OF COLOR IN TECHNOLOGY.

I WANTED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY, HOW DO I CHANGE THAT? AND MY LEARNING IS TO, INSTEAD OF TALKING, DOING.

SO I STARTED THIS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SO THAT WE CAN GET STUDENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE URBAN CORE ACCLIMATED TO TECHNOLOGY WHERE THEY DID NOT SEE THEMSELVES

[03:40:08]

WE PROVIDED EXPOSURE TO TECHNOLOGY, CYBERSECURITY, AI, AND ROBOTICS.

RIGHT NOW, THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE SOLVING TODAY, KANSAS CITY SITS AT THE INTERSECTION OF ONE OF THE GREATEST ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IN A GENERATION THAT THAT ONE, EXCUSE ME, AND ONE OF THE DEEPEST EQUITY GAPS IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY IS TECHNOLOGY.

AND IF WE DON'T PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ALL OF US TO, TO CREATE TECHNOLOGY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOSE NOT ONLY OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, BUT ALSO IN ECONOMIC AND POVERTY, STATED GENERATION.

WE CODE CASEY PROVIDES. WE STARTED AS A COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION, AND WE HAVE TRANSITIONED RECENTLY INTO A SCHOOL, BASICALLY BEING AN ESSENTIAL PROGRAM WITHIN OUR KANSAS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT SO THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE GAIN THE SKILLS THAT THEY NEED TO GET PREPARED FOR WORKFORCE OR COLLEGE DIRECTLY. WE PROVIDE THEM SKILLS FROM DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS ALSO TO COMPUTER SCIENCE, AI, CYBERSECURITY, SO THAT THEY CAN BE WELL VERSED.

WE HAVE JUST MOVED INTO DE LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL, DE LA SALLE EDUCATION CENTER TO DELIVER IN SCHOOL PROGRAMING DURING THE ACADEMIC DAY, FIFTH, SIXTH AND SEVENTH HOUR FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS.

THEY HAVE NOW RECENTLY ACQUIRED A TOLBERT. THIS ALSO GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY NOW TO ALSO INTRODUCE OUR PROGRAMING TO K 12.

TODAY WE ARE ASKING YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR $49,500 TO ASSIST US WITH CONTINUING AND SCALING THIS PROGRAM.

WE'RE NOT ASKING YOU TO HELP US KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO HELP US SCALE THIS PROGRAM TO THE PACE THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS TO PREPARE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE DIGITAL SPACE. AI, WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS RUNNING RAMPANT.

EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. WE CREATE AI ETHICS WITHIN OUR PROGRAM, AS WELL AS SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND MENTAL WELLNESS, SO THAT OUR STUDENTS CAN CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEMSELVES.

WE ARE ERADICATING POVERTY SO THAT USING TECHNOLOGY, OUR STUDENTS ARE GAINING INCREASED TEST SCORES.

THEY'RE GAINING INCREASED CONFIDENCE, REDUCING, REDUCING CRIME, AS WELL AS INCREASED CONFIDENCE AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU. WELCOME, HOUSE.

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MIKE HANEY. I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE WICKHAM HOUSE. AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THE HOUSE HAS ON OUR COMMUNITY. FOR 55 YEARS, WICKHAM HOUSE HAS BEEN THE KANSAS CITY BASED NONPROFIT RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR MEN WHO ARE OVERCOMING OVERCOMING SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER.

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE MEN CAN REBUILD THEIR LIVES, RECONNECT WITH THEIR FAMILIES, AND RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY HEALTHY, SOBER, AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS. WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE IS OUR LOW BARRIER TO ENTRY.

A MAN CAN COME THROUGH OUR DOORS WITH NO JOB, NO MONEY, NO INSURANCE, NO REFERRAL, NO I.D.

AND WE WELCOME HIM IN. AS LONG AS HE SAYS I NEED HELP AND I HAVE I HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM.

WE ACT AS A COMMUNITY SAFETY NET. WE HELP MEN TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS OR INCARCERATION AND FROM ACTIVE ADDICTION INTO LONG TERM RECOVERY.

WHAT WE PROVIDE IS ACCESS. ACCESS TO SAFETY. SECURITY.

FOOD. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND JUST A COMMUNITY OF OTHER LIKE MINDED PEOPLE WHO ARE IN RECOVERY TO HELP THEM GUIDE THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS.

IN 2025, WE SERVED OVER 650 MEN. NEARLY 90% CAME TO US UNHOUSED.

75% CAME TO US UNEMPLOYED. WE WERE ALSO FACING FOOD INSECURITIES AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS.

AND THOSE THOSE NUMBERS REPRESENT MORE THAN JUST A STATISTIC.

EACH ONE IS A PERSON WHO'S REBUILDING THEIR LIFE.

EVERY PERSON IN RECOVERY IMPACTS FAR REACHES PAST THAT INDIVIDUAL.

YOU KNOW, FAMILIES REUNITE, CHILDREN GAIN, STABLE PARENTS, NEIGHBORHOODS BECOME STRONGER, AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BECOMES HEALTHIER. I CAN PERSONALLY SPEAK TO THIS IMPACT BECAUSE I MYSELF 11 YEARS AGO WAS A RESIDENT, AND I WALKED THROUGH THOSE DOORS SEEKING THE SAME HELP THAT THE GUYS THAT COME THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY. NOW THE PROGRAM I'M SHARING WITH YOU TODAY GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO REBUILD MY LIFE. AND NOW I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF HELPING OTHERS DO THE SAME.

SUPPORT FROM JACKSON COUNTY MAKES THESE PROGRAMS POSSIBLE, LIKE OUR FOOD SERVICE AND JOBS REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS.

[03:45:06]

IT'S NOT FOR OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF LIKE OUR COUNSELORS, IT'S FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACTUALLY LIVING THERE.

LAST YEAR ALONE, WE SERVED OVER 62,000 MEALS.

THAT'S BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND SNACKS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE ALSO OFFERED OVER 9500 PAID WORK HOURS TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN THAT PROGRAM.

WITH THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF YOU GUYS OF THE, OF JACKSON COUNTY WILL HELP US PROVIDE MORE MEALS, MORE RECOVERY PROGRAMING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND HELP OTHERS GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

THIS INVESTMENT HELPS RESTORE FAMILIES, REDUCE HOMELESSNESS, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDE A SECOND CHANCE TO MANY OF US WHO NEED.

AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? LEGISLATOR HUSKEY. OKAY.

YOU'RE ASKING 50, 30, 30,000. THAT'S ALL. AND YOU SERVE AS HOW MANY PEOPLE? 650 LAST YEAR. THANK YOU. WELL, WE WE GET A LOT FROM HARVESTERS.

SO WE WE ONLY WE ONLY WANT WHAT WE NEED. WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY MORE THAN THAT, YOU KNOW, AND I CAN ATTEST TO IT. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. YOU KNOW I GOT THAT QUESTION.

QUESTION. QUESTION. WHEN IT COMES TO AVAILABLE BEDS, I MEAN, IS THAT A PROBLEM? I MEAN, IT IS A PROBLEM.

WE JUST GOT INTO OUR NEW FACILITY IN IN 2023.

WE RAISED $15.6 $6 MILLION FOR TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY.

OUR OLD FACILITY WAS FALLING APART, SO WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.

SO THROUGH PRIVATE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FUNDING, WE RAISED ENOUGH MONEY TO BUILD A 100 BED FACILITY.

NOW, AT THE TIME, WE WE HAD 70 BEDS. WE ARE OFTEN ON A WAITING LIST, BUT WE KIND OF DO IT STRATEGICALLY WHERE WE KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM, WE STRUCTURED AROUND NINE MONTHS. WE KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE EXITING SO WE CAN GET PEOPLE THEIR APPLICATIONS IN LINE AND ALREADY RUNNING IN TO GO INTO OUR RESPITE PROGRAM, WHERE THEY CAN SIT FOR 30 DAYS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GET INTO THE PROGRAM.

SO, AND IF WE ARE FULL, WE HAVE SO MANY OTHER LIKE OXFORD HOUSES AND HEALING HOUSES AND OTHER RESOURCES THAT WE CAN SAY, HEY, WE'RE FULL, BUT TRY THIS PLACE AND WE CAN PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO THAT ORGANIZATION TO HELP THEM APPLY IF NEED BE.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF GUYS KIND OF TURN US DOWN.

THEY'RE LIKE, OH, I'LL FIND MY OWN WAY. BUT WE TRY NOT TO LET ANYBODY WALK OUT OF OUR DOORS WITHOUT AT LEAST GETTING A REFERRAL OR A REFERENCE TO ANOTHER ORGANIZATION THAT CAN HELP IF WE CAN, IF WE'RE FULL. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TWO BEDS.

THAT'S WONDERFUL. AND IT'S WONDERFUL THE IMPACT YOU'RE HAVING ON THESE INDIVIDUALS LIVES.

I HAVE BEEN TO A COUPLE OF WELL, RECONCILIATION SERVICES AND JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE AND EACH TIME, NOT EACH TIME WHEN I WAS THERE SOMEONE CAME IN MENTIONING WELCOME HOUSE AND RECONCILIATION SERVICES.

THEY CAME IN BECAUSE THEY NEEDED ID. YEAH. THAT'S ONE OF OUR REFERRAL PARTNERS.

YES. AND WHEN I WAS AT JOURNEY TO NEW LIFE, I DON'T REMEMBER, BUT I'M LIKE, WELL, WELL, I KNOW WELCOME HOUSE AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WELCOME HOUSE.

SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. AND, AND THAT SPEAKS TO THEIR COMMITMENT THAT THEY, YOU KNOW, THAT PERSON HAD TO GET TRANSPORTATION COME THERE TO DO THAT.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO. YEAH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. WEST. OH WE ARE A LITTLE BIT. WE CAN TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BREAK.

I DON'T MIND AT ALL. WE'RE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE, FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO RECESS THIS COMMITTEE FOR FIVE MINUTES.

WE'LL BE BACK AT 225. OKAY. IT IS 225. WE WILL RESUME OUR HEARINGS. AND WE WILL BEGIN WITH WESTPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WELL THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M GREG COOPER, THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE WESTPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS.

FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON OUR MISSION OF MAKING THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMING THROUGH OUR YEAR ROUND COMMUNITY ARTS SERIES, INCLUDING OUR TWO MONTHLY CONCERT SERIES, OUR TWICE A YEAR POETRY AND DANCE RECITALS AND OUR BIMONTHLY GALLERY EXHIBITS. WE SERVE A VERIFIED FOOTPRINT OF 925 PARTICIPANTS ANNUALLY,

[03:50:02]

SPECIFICALLY FOR FIXED INCOME SENIORS AND FAMILIES WHO OTHERWISE LACK AFFORDABLE CULTURAL ACCESS.

THIS INITIATIVE CONSOLIDATES OUR HISTORICAL, DISTINCT, MULTIDISCIPLINARY CREATIVE PROGRAMS INTO A SINGLE, HIGHLY EFFICIENT STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK. BY DOING SO, WCA MAXIMIZES OPERATIONAL CAPACITY AND DEEPENS SOCIAL IMPACT ACROSS UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS IN JACKSON COUNTY. THIS SERIES DIRECTLY TARGETS CHRONIC SENIOR ISOLATION, MENTAL FATIGUE, AND FRAGMENTED COMMUNITY COHESION BY PROVIDING CONSISTENT, HIGHLY ACCESSIBLE, NON-CLINICAL CREATIVE INTERVENTIONS.

RESEARCH AT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION HAS SHOWN THAT CONSISTENT IMMERSION IN CREATIVE ARTS BASED ACTIVITIES SIGNIFICANTLY LOWERS CORTISOL LEVELS, REDUCES ANXIETY AND BUILDS COGNITIVE RESERVE IN AGING POPULATIONS.

100% OF THE REQUESTED $10,000 IN COUNTY FUNDING WILL BE CHANNELED INTO FRONTLINE DELIVERY, SPECIFICALLY ARTIST COMPENSATION. PROGRAM COORDINATION.

NEIGHBORHOOD VENUE RENTALS AND TARGETED GRASSROOTS MARKETING, ENSURING MAXIMUM FISCAL EFFICIENCY AND DIRECT COMMUNITY BENEFIT WITH ZERO ALLOCATION TOWARDS ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD. SO WHY INVEST IN WCA? WE'RE A HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND DEEP ROOTED ORGANIZATION AT THE HEART OF WESTPORT WITH VERY LITTLE OVERHEAD COSTS.

OUR PROGRAM OPERATES AT INCREDIBLY LEAN IN COUNTY COSTS OF JUST $13.79 PER COUNTY PARTICIPANT.

WE ARE ALSO ENTERING INTO A NEW ERA OF FRESH LEADERSHIP AND REINVIGORATED VISION THAT WE'RE SEEING PULL IN NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT BETTER ALIGN WITH THE CONTEMPORARY NEEDS THAT BETTER REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE GREATER WESTPORT REGION.

WE ARE USING OUR 20 YEARS OF COMMUNITY TRUST TO DELIVER HIGH VOLUME, ACCESSIBLE CULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS AT A BARGAIN RATE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR INVITATION TO SPEAK TODAY, AND I'D LOVE TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU ALL MIGHT HAVE.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? LEGISLATOR. HUSKY.

OKAY, I APOLOGIZE. I DIDN'T HEAR THE BEGINNING.

HOW MUCH WAS YOUR $10,000? AND THIS IS FOR THE $10,000.

1000. OH, YEAH. TEN. YEAH. OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE EVENTS.

THAT THE WESTPORT CENTER FOR THE ARTS SPONSOR.

HOW ARE THOSE EVENTS MARKETED? WE DO A COMBINATION OF ONLINE MARKETING IN PERSON FLIER DISTRIBUTIONS, AS WELL AS WORKING THROUGH OUR NETWORK OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS.

ONE OF, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR SOON TO BECOME BIMONTHLY, TWICE A MONTH BROWN BAG CONCERT SERIES WE BRING CHAMBER MUSICIANS THROUGHOUT THE KC METRO AND BEYOND. FOR FREE PROGRAMING. WE WORK WITH ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY THAT BUSSES OVER ABOUT A FEW DOZEN SENIORS EVERY MONTH. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. WHAT'S I CAN.

GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN FROM THE WEST SIDE.

THE WEST SIDE. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY.

YEAH. YES WE DO. YES WE DO INDEED INDEED INDEED.

SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL TO COME TODAY AND SPEAK ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THAT THE WEST SIDE CAN CENTER IS IMPLEMENTING.

IT'S BEEN 32 YEARS THAT WE ARE DOING THIS COMMUNITY POLICING PROGRAM A MONTH AGO.

WE GIVE A WELL, A GREAT, GREAT. WELL THANK YOU.

APPRECIATION TO ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE SERVE THE WEST SIDE FOR 20 YEARS.

IN THOSE 20 YEARS, YOU OUTSIDE AGENCIES ARE BEING A TREMENDOUS SUPPORT FOR US TO HELP US WITH THOSE POLICE OFFICERS, TEAM UP AND PROVIDE A PREVENTION PROGRAM IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND JULY 24TH, YOU ARE INVITED TO COME TO THE WEST SIDE.

KENT BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT. IT'S GOING TO BE 25 YEARS, 25 YEARS PROVIDING BACKPACKS WITH 100% OF THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO MORE THAN 350 KIDS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE THAT. I'M VERY PROUD. I CAN TELL YOU ONE OF THE COUPLE OF THE KIDS THAT CAME WHEN I.

IT MEANS I'M OLD, BUT HE WAS A LITTLE GUY, A KINDERGARTEN KID.

COME WHEN I WAS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE KENT CENTER AND HE COME TO PICK IT UP HIS FIRST BACKPACK FOR IT.

HE IS TODAY AND WELL, SORRY, NEXT WEEK. HE'S BECOMING A SENIOR RECREATIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE TONY AGUIRRE COMMUNITY CENTER.

TELL YOU WHAT, THAT'S WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S WHAT IS REALLY THE WORK AND SUPPORT THAT YOU ARE LEADING IN THE COMMUNITY.

[03:55:02]

TODAY IS TODAY ENVIRONMENT. NO QUESTIONS. YOU ARE LEADING OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU ARE LEADING IN THE WEST SIDE, AND YOU ARE ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE WEST SIDE IS THE BEST SIDE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAVE WITH ME THE ONE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE PRESIDENT.

HE'S ALSO A BEEKEEPER. HE HELPED US TO MAINTAIN MORE THAN 50,000 BEES IN THE WEST SIDE, IN THE COMMUNITY ORCHARD THERE.

AND EVERY YEAR WE HAVE AT LEAST 625 VOLUNTEERS THAT HELP US TO DO THE WORK.

NOT USING THE ORCHARDS, BUT IN ALL OF THESE EVENTS.

BUT HE, AS A VOLUNTEER, AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE KING CENTER, IS BEING A WITNESS.

WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE IMPROVE THE LIFE OF PEOPLE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JACKSON COUNTY, WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, WITH PARKS AND REC AND MANY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING ON IT.

SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU TO THIS BOARD OF DIRECTOR THAT IS WITH ME TODAY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES.

DO YOU STILL HAVE THAT BOOSTER? YEAH. I DO. LOVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

THANKS A LOT, I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE IT. HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON. WHATSOEVER.

COMMUNITY CENTER. YES.

I'M LARRY CROWE. THANKS FOR HAVING US. FIRST OF ALL.

BUT MR. CROWE. YES, I AM GOING TO INTERRUPT YOU.

ALL RIGHT. BECAUSE WHATSOEVER COMMUNITY CENTER HAS BEEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JACKSON COUNTY FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, CLOSE TO 40 YEARS, I BELIEVE. YEAH.

AT LEAST. YES. AND I KNOW THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION SUFFERED AN INCREDIBLE LOSS.

YES. AND I WANT TO EXTEND CONDOLENCES ON BEHALF OF THE JACKSON COUNTY LEGISLATURE.

IF YOU CAN TELL EVERYONE, I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU IN AN AWKWARD POSITION, BUT GO AHEAD.

IF YOU WOULD TELL EVERYONE ABOUT YOUR LOSS, THE GENTLEMAN'S NAME AND.

OKAY. WELL, IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO.

CHARLIE WAS THERE FOR 31 YEARS. HE WAS THE HEART AND SOUL OF WHATSOEVER.

HE WAS ONE OF THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU SAY, YOU KNOW, CHARLIE, YOU SHOULDN'T BE THE ONE CUTTING THE GRASS.

WELL, IT DOESN'T TAKE ME ANY TIME, YOU KNOW. YOU YOU SHOULDN'T BE THE ONE DOING THE ACCOUNTING.

WELL, IT DOESN'T TAKE ME ANY TIME, LARRY. YOU KNOW, YOU YOU'RE MAKING THE LUNCHES FOR THE PRESCHOOL, CHARLIE. WELL, IT DOESN'T TAKE ME ANY TIME, LARRY. AND SO HE JUST DID EVERYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE, AND HE DREW PEOPLE TOGETHER. AND HE KEPT THE PLACE GOING AND IT ETC..

SO, YOU KNOW, WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED IS ON JUNE 8TH, I GOT A TELEPHONE CALL.

NOW LET ME GIVE A LITTLE MY BACKGROUND. I, I GOT INVITED BY A FRIEND TO COME DOWN AND BE ON THE BOARD.

WASN'T REAL HARD. SO I DID THAT. AND WE, YOU KNOW, WE RAISED SOME MONEY AROUND THE, THE AUCTION, ETC. BUT THEN I RETIRED A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND GOT MORE INVOLVED, KIND OF WANTED TO HELP CHARLIE OUT, ETC. AND THEN REALLY SAW HOW MUCH WORK HE DID AND, AND GOT TO MEET THE KIDS, THE PRESCHOOLERS, THE AFTER SCHOOL KIDS, ROBOTICS KIDS, THE STEM KIDS, THE BOXERS, ETC.

AND YOU KNOW, SO WE'VE, WE'VE GOTTEN SOME MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND AND SO NOW WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO HONOR CHARLIE BY GOING ON AND DOING A GREAT JOB FOR HIM.

ETC.. SO WONDERFUL. AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME INTERRUPT YOU.

NO, THANK YOU FOR, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M SURE I'M NOT GOING TO DO THIS AS WELL AS CHARLIE.

ALRIGHT, BUT I DO WANT TO JUST TELL YOU, WE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A PRESCHOOL WHICH WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT WE, WE CHARGE 375 A MONTH TRYING TO KEEP IT VERY LOW.

THEY'VE DONE IT FOR A VERY LONG TIME. THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA NEED.

BUT WE'RE GIVING A FREE A FULL PRESCHOOL. CECILIA SANTA CRUZ, SHE ABSOLUTELY IS GOING THROUGH ALL THE, THE THINGS, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU SHOULD DO. SHE GAVE ME THE A, B, C OF IT THE OTHER DAY, AND I CAN'T REPEAT ALL THOSE A, B, C'S, BUT THERE IS A D, R, P AND A ASSESSMENTS AND, YOU KNOW, MEETINGS WITH THE PARENTS, ETC. SO WE DO ALL OF THAT. WE'D LIKE TO EXPAND THAT.

AND WE WERE LICENSED BEFORE COVID AND TAKE SOME MONEY TO DO THAT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET BACK TO LICENSING AND EXPAND THAT PROGRAM FROM ABOUT FIVE KIDS TO HOPEFULLY, MAYBE 20. WE HAVE SPACE FOR 20. WE HAVE THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, WHICH WE HAVE SOME AMAZING

[04:00:04]

IT'S JUST AMAZING. SO WE, WE HAVE THOSE KIDS, WE HAVE WE HAVE THE SUMMER SCHOOL OR I'M SORRY, THE SUMMER CAMP THAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW. THEY HAVE 4 OR 5 NOT ROAD TRIPS.

THE ANYWAY, FIELD TRIPS. YES. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, THEY, AND THEY DO STEM EXPERIMENTS.

THEY'RE DOING AN ENTREPRENEURSHIP CLASS THEY'RE WORKING ON WE HAVE SOME PLANTING BEDS ACROSS THE STREET THAT THEY WORK ON, ETC. SO LOTS, LOTS GOING ON THERE. AND WE HAVE 45 KIDS SIGNED UP FOR THE SUMMER.

IT'S ALL TOTALLY FREE. WE AVERAGE ABOUT 20 OR SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THEY EITHER GO, THEIR MOMS TAKE THEM SWIMMING OR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

BUT THAT'S A VERY ACTIVE PROGRAM. SO C IS RUNNING THAT.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE BOXING PROGRAM, WHICH IS, HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

PROBABLY AVERAGE ABOUT 20 KIDS IN THERE A NIGHT.

AND THEY DO IT 52 WEEKS A YEAR. IT'S GENERATIONAL.

I MEAN, I'M JUST AMAZED AT THE THE PEOPLE THAT SPEND THEIR TIME.

YOU KNOW, I WAS TALKING TO JEFF RANDOLPH HE'S TWICE A WEEK, THREE HOURS A NIGHT, 50 WEEKS A YEAR, AND WHATEVER THEY NEED. YOU KNOW, HE PULLS THE MONEY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET TO TO HELP HIM.

SO I'VE MET SOME AMAZING VOLUNTEERS. WE SO WE HAVE FAIRLY LARGE BUILDING ABOUT 10,000FT² IN THE MAIN BUILDING.

WE HAVE THE GYMNASIUM, WE HAVE THE BASEMENT IN THE GYMNASIUM.

AND SO IT'S A GREAT RESOURCE. I, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SMALL, PROBABLY UNDERPAID STAFF, WHICH I'D LIKE TO HELP FIX SOME THE BUT THEY'RE TOTALLY DEDICATED. AND IN THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF SINCE CHARLIE PASSED AWAY IT'S BEEN AMAZING.

PEOPLE JUST CAME OUT OF THE WOODWORK TO COME TALK TO ME ABOUT, FIRST OF ALL, HOW MUCH THEY LIKED CHARLIE.

AND THEN YOU KNOW, HOW THEY CAN HELP, ETC. SO WE'RE, WE'RE EXCITED AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP GOING.

AND WE WOULD, YOU KNOW, WE LOVE THE SUPPORT. JACKSON COUNTY HAS GIVEN US. WE'RE, WE HAVE THE GRANT FOR SOME OF THE REPAIRS WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

AND WE'D LOVE TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE INVITING.

CHANGE SOME OF THE SIGNAGE MAKE THE GYM A LITTLE COOLER.

GET WE'RE TRYING TO GET SOME FANS. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE A MAN THAT'S BEEN IN THAT GYM.

THE. THE TIME YOU COULD GET REAL HOT. AND THERE'S A LIST OF THINGS THAT I WON'T TAKE YOU THROUGH, BUT WE'RE, WE'RE WORKING ON ALL THAT.

WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE FACILITY AND ALLOW. WE, WE'D LIKE TO WIDEN THE STAFF.

I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE PRESCHOOL BE 20 KIDS, AND THEN WE NEED A BIGGER STAFF FOR THAT. AND WE'D LIKE TO CONTINUE TO ADD TO THE STEM AND ROBOTICS THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING IN THE AFTER SCHOOL. WE HAVE, WE DO HAVE THE COMPUTER LAB AND WE'RE GOING TO ADD TUTORING, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE NIGHTS A WEEK ETC..

SO I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO SAY THAN THAT, THAT WE'RE WE'RE EXCITED.

AND I THINK WE PROVIDE A. WE PROVIDE SOMETHING TO THAT COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? $70,000.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT WHATSOEVER COMMUNITY CENTER DOES.

AND IT WOULD SEEM THAT NOT ONLY IS IT ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THE WORK HAS DONE SOMETHING TO YOU AS WELL.

FROM WHAT YOU'VE, YOU'VE BEEN TELLING GO INTO THE PRESCHOOL AND THOSE LITTLE KIDS LOOK UP AT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE GRANDKIDS AND I, I PLAYED FOR THEIR PRESCHOOL.

I'M A TERRIBLE GUITAR PLAYER. THERE'S ONLY THREE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT WANT TO LISTEN TO ME PLAY THE GUITAR.

AND THEY ARE LITTLE KIDS. THEY'RE ALL TURNS OUT THAT'S MY DEMOGRAPHIC.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT WE HAVE THE WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS CITY.

DBA ARMOR OAKS SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY. MADAM CHAIR YES? JUST TO ASK IS THE WEST SIDE HOUSING NOT HERE? OH, WE SKIPPED OVER. I AM SO SORRY. WEST SIDE HOUSING.

AND I KNOW WEST SIDE HOUSING. I'M SO SORRY. I SAW YOU, AND THEN I CHECKED OFF THAT YOU WERE HERE.

I'M SO SORRY. PLEASE COME UP WEST SIDE HOUSING.

I'M LIKE, THEY'RE HERE. CHECK. THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK AGAIN. THIS WITH YOU ALL.

[04:05:03]

FOR MORE THAN 53 YEARS, WESTSIDE HOUSING HAS WORKED TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY HOMES AND BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE JACKSON COUNTY.

OUR WORK INCLUDES MINOR HOME REPAIR, HOME REHABILITATION, NEIGHBOR WORK, REHABILITATION, REVITALIZATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES THAT HELP RESIDENTS REMAIN SAFELY HOUSED.

$140,000 ASK THAT WE ARE REQUESTING WILL SUPPORT MINOR HOME REPAIR HOUSING MAINTENANCES MAINTENANCE, REHABILITATION SECURITY SERVICES THAT WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND SAFETY FOR JACKSON COUNTY.

THE INVESTMENT MAY SEEM SMALL, BUT THEY HAVE LASTING IMPACTS.

THEY HELP SENIORS AGE SAFELY IN PLACE, HELP FAMILIES ADDRESS CRITICAL REPAIR NEEDS BEFORE THEY BECOME MAJOR PROBLEMS, AND CONTINUE AND CONTRIBUTE TO SAFER, MORE STABLE NEIGHBORHOODS.

JACKSON COUNTY HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART PARTNER IN THIS WORK.

TOGETHER WE WE HAVE EXCUSE ME. TOGETHER, WE ARE PRESERVING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADDRESSING HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS AND ADDRESSING COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN ON LACK, HISTORICALLY LACK RESOURCES.

WHEN A RESIDENT CAN REMAIN SAFELY IN THEIR HOME, WHEN A FAMILY NO LONGER WORRIES ABOUT UNSAFE LIVING CONDITIONS, OR WHEN A NEIGHBORHOOD BECOMES STRONGER AND MORE CONNECTED, THESE OUTCOMES ARE THE RESULT OF PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THE ONES WE HAVE WITH JACKSON COUNTY.

WE ARE GRATEFUL OF YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CONSIDERATION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE DOING THIS GREAT WORK TOGETHER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES, LEGISLATOR, IF YOU COULD REMIND ME, WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER AGAIN? 140,140. YES, SIR. OKAY. AND WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN? YOU KNOW, I THINK THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE OR MAYBE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF CONVERSATION WAS WITH I CAN'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS ON LEGISLATOR PAYTON'S COMMITTEE OR WITH HOUSING RESOURCES COMMISSION. WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN, REALLY WITH HOUSING IN THE LAST WELL, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

YEAH. WHAT HAVE YOU ALL WITNESSED? YEAH. CLEARLY, THE AFFORDABILITY IS IS STEEP WITH THE COST OF EVERYTHING GOING UP.

YEAH. THE IMPACT THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUT ONTO THESE HOMES THE DOLLAR IS NOT STRETCHING AS MUCH AS IT USED TO.

AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS TO CONTINUE TO LAYER DIFFERENT PROGRAMS TO BRING MORE RESOURCES TO THESE THESE HOMES.

YOU KNOW, THE BONES ARE GOOD, YOU KNOW, BUT SOMETIMES ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN, AS THE, AS OUR CLIENTS AGE OR ABILITIES BECOME LIMITED, ALL OF A SUDDEN STEPPING INTO THAT BATHTUB IS NO LONGER AN EASY FEAT.

OR WALKING UP STAIRS TO GET INTO THE FROM THE DRIVEWAY IS, IS NO LONGER EASY.

SO FOR US TO BE ABLE TO COME IN THERE AND REALLY SUPPORT THOSE INDIVIDUALS, BEING ABLE TO STAY IN THAT HOME IS REALLY REWARDING.

AND I WANTED TO ALSO ADD THAT BECAUSE OF THE LEGISLATION LEGISLATOR PEYTON AND I SPONSORED WITH SENIOR SERVICES, I HOPE YOU'LL REACH OUT TO THAT FUND ONCE IT'S UP AND RUNNING.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT WAS MADE FOR. IT WAS MADE FOR US TO TAKE CARE OF FOLKS THAT NOT ONLY THEY COULD AGE WITH DIGNITY, BUT STAY IN THEIR HOME IF THEY WOULD LIKE. SO.

ABSOLUTELY. WELL, YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

AND IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU GUYS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR FORGIVING ME. WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS CITY, DBA ARMOR OAKS SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY.

HELLO, EVERYONE. HELLO HELLO. THANK YOU. HEY.

MY WIFE BOUGHT IT FOR ME. SHE ACTUALLY DOES. AND I DON'T KNOW, SOME OF YOU MAY KNOW MY WIFE IS TERRI BARMORE IS MY, MY, MY SPOUSE AND SHE DOES SOME GREAT THINGS, INCLUDING BUYING ME NICE SHIRTS.

CHARLES MOORE, THE CEO OF ARMOR OR WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION DOING BUSINESS AS ARMOR OAKS.

I'VE BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION NOW FOR OVER TEN YEARS.

I STARTED AS THE CFO BACK IN 2015 AND MOVED TO THE CEO POSITION JANUARY OF 2023.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTNERSHIP AND WHERE IT'S GOING.

TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WCA. IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 156 YEARS.

KANSAS CITY WAS 20 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS ORGANIZATION WAS STARTED BY A GROUP OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN WHO WANTED TO COME TOGETHER AND SATISFIED THE WHAT THEY WERE

[04:10:01]

AND SO THIS ORGANIZATION FORMED TO TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDY AND THE DISTRESSED, AND WE HAVE MAINTAINED THAT MISSION FOR 156 YEARS.

THIS NOW WE ARE FOCUSED ON SENIORS, THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED, AND THOSE THAT ARE, ARE DISTRESSED.

WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY A FEW SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES THAT ACCEPT MEDICAID CASH GRANT FOR ASSISTED LIVING.

SO TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION. WE ARE A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR SENIORS, AND WE PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THOSE SENIORS.

THE CONTINUUM STARTS WITH OUR INDEPENDENT LIVING.

SO THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE IN APARTMENTS OR ARE IN HOUSES.

I WAS AS I WAS LISTENING TO THE GENTLEMAN, I WAS THINKING THEY END UP MOVING TO US ONCE THEY ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO STAY AT HOME ALONE AND NEED ASSISTANCE.

SO WE HAVE INDEPENDENT LIVING HOUSES. WE ALSO HAVE APARTMENTS.

THEN WE MOVE INTO OUR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY, AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A CARE CENTER FOR SKILLED NURSING.

OUR MISSION IS AROUND THOSE WHO ARE ON MEDICAID.

WHETHER YOU ARE NEEDING SKILLED SERVICES OR YOU'RE NEEDING ASSISTED LIVING.

IN THE CASE OF ASSISTED LIVING. WE ACCEPT WHAT'S CALLED MEDICAID CASH GRANT, AND IT'S A MAXIMUM OF $292 PER MONTH PER RESIDENT. THAT'S ON MEDICAID AND IT'S INTENT TO COVER SERVICES.

BUT THE REALITY IS THAT THE COST OF SERVICE IS CLOSER TO $3,000 A MONTH.

AND SO WE END UP HAVING TO SUBSIDIZE THAT, THAT THAT LIVING AND WE WORK THROUGH THAT USING OUR INDEPENDENT LIVING, OUR PRIVATE PAY TO COVER, TRY TO COVER AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THE COST.

BUT AS YOU'VE HEARD EARLIER, COST OF INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY.

AND WHETHER IT'S OUR FOOD COSTS, WHICH HAS GONE THROUGH THE ROOF.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN RELATIVELY WELL ON LABOR AND IN OTHER AREAS, BUT OUR FOOD COSTS HAVE REALLY SKYROCKETED AND STRUGGLING TO TO ENSURE THAT OUR SENIORS CONTINUE, CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

LET'S SEE. WELL, AT THIS POINT, I THINK I'M A I'M A PAUSE AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE, LEGISLATOR ANDERSON.

THANK YOU MA'AM. AND WHAT'S THE REQUEST? THE REQUEST IS $100,000.

$100,000. AND WHAT WILL THAT GO TOWARDS THAT WILL GO TOWARDS NURSING COSTS, DIETARY STAFFING COST AND FOOD COST. AND I BELIEVE THE REQUEST IS SPLIT 25,000 TO FOR BOTH OF THE STAFF RELATED THINGS AND $50,000 TOWARDS FOOD COST.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? MR. MOORE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR COMING IN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND EXCITED TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU. IS WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT NETWORK HERE? WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ALONG AS LONG AS OUR LEGISLATORS ARE OKAY WITH THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. PLEASE COME UP. GLAD YOU'RE HERE EARLY.

YEAH. YEAH. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON, AARON COLE. I'M THE CEO OF WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT NETWORK.

I'VE BEEN IN THAT ROLE SINCE APRIL. I'VE BEEN AT WINJE FOR 16 YEARS THOUGH.

SO I STARTED OUT AS A CASE MANAGER AND HAD SOME OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE SOME PROMOTIONS ALONG THE WAY.

MOST RECENTLY I WAS CEO. SO THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME COMING BEFORE YOU ALL FOR THIS PARTICULAR FUNDING.

SO THE WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT NETWORK IS CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF SERVICE IN KANSAS CITY.

LAST YEAR WE SERVED MORE THAN 1400 WOMEN ABOUT HALF OF THOSE IN JACKSON COUNTY.

WE DO THAT THROUGH A VARIETY OF WAYS. WE HAVE A THREE WEEK IN-PERSON PROGRAM WHERE WOMEN CAN COME GET RESUME REVIEW, MOCK INTERVIEW AND GET THE SUPPORT OF THOSE VOLUNTEERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE SKILL SETS IN THOSE AREAS.

AND THAT ONE ON ONE ATTENTION IS REALLY WHAT WE FOCUS ON.

SO REALLY MEETING THAT WOMAN WHEREVER SHE'S AT.

SO SOME OF OUR PROGRAMING IS ONLINE TO ALLOW WOMEN WHO MAYBE ARE UNDEREMPLOYED TO ACCESS OUR PROGRAMING.

AND REALLY JUST TO MEET OUR CLIENTS WHERE THEY'RE AT. AND IN PART WITH THAT, ONE OF THE EXCITING THINGS THAT WE'RE WANTING TO DO ONE OF THE THINGS I'M

[04:15:10]

SO THIS YEAR WE'LL BE KICKING OFF A PARTNERSHIP WITH AMETHYST PLACE, WHERE WE'RE GOING ON SITE TO THEIR OFFICES AND THEIR LOCATION.

AND YOU MIGHT KNOW, THEY JUST DID A BEAUTIFUL EXPANSION.

SO THEY REACHED OUT AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL PARTNERSHIP.

AND WHAT'S ALSO AMAZING IS THEY SAID THAT IF WE HAVE ANY WOMEN FROM THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE INTERESTED IN COMING THROUGH THE PROGRAM, THEY COULD COME OVER TO AMETHYST PLACE. SO THAT ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE WITH THE SMALL TEAM THAT WE HAVE, RIGHT? BECAUSE FIGURING OUT HOW TO MEET THAT CAPACITY.

AND I'M HOPING TO DO MORE OF THAT. THE OTHER THING THAT WE'VE BEEN PREPARING OUR CLIENTS FOR THAT'S NEW AS OF RECENTLY IS AI YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF TREPIDATION AROUND IT, WHICH I THINK IS REASONABLE, BUT WE'VE HAD EMPLOYERS COME TO US AND SAY THEY WANT OUR.

THEY WANT PEOPLE THAT THEY'RE HIRING TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT AI. SO WE DEVELOPED AN AI LITERACY PROGRAM AND IT'S ONLINE.

SO ANYONE CAN GO ON AND GET A CERTIFICATE THAT SAYS THAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH SOME BASIC AI AWARENESS TRAINING.

AND THEN THE FINAL NOTE I WANT TO SHARE ABOUT AI AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR CLIENTS.

AND ONE OF THE NEEDS THAT WE'RE MEETING QUICKLY IS WE'RE FINDING THAT SOME OF THE LARGE EMPLOYERS ARE USING WHAT ARE CALLED APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEMS, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY AN AI SCREEN ON TOP OF THEIR HR PORTALS.

AND OUR TEAM RECOGNIZED THAT WE HAVE CLIENTS WHOSE RESUMES ARE NOT GETTING SEEN BY A HUMAN EYE.

SO I HAVE AN EXPERT ON MY TEAM WHO CREATED HER OWN SHE DID LIKE A 30 DAY FREE TRIAL AND CREATED HER OWN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM, CREATED 30 RESUMES, SAME BACKGROUND, FORMATTED DIFFERENTLY TO SEE HOW MANY SHE COULD GET THROUGH THE AI SCREENING.

ONLY FOUR OF THEM GOT THROUGH. SO SHE THEN CREATED A WORKSHOP THAT WE'RE DOING ON SITE WHERE IT CONNECTS HOW TO FORMAT YOUR RESUME WITH LINKEDIN BECAUSE IT'S ALL CONNECTED TO REALLY OPTIMIZE BECAUSE OUR CLIENTS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO GET LEFT BEHIND WITH THAT.

HAVING A LINKEDIN IS, CAN BE SUCH A HIGH BARRIER FOR SOME OF OUR CLIENTS.

AND SO IT'S A HANDS ON WORKSHOP. IT'S ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MANY THINGS WE'RE DOING RIGHT NOW.

SO I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES. LEGISLATOR ANDERSON AND WHAT IS THE ASK 100,000.

$100,000. AND WHAT WILL THAT MONEY GO TOWARD? IT IS A PORTION OF THREE SALARY POSITIONS. OKAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YEAH. LEGISLATOR. HUSKY.

I'M GOOD. OKAY. THANK YOU. OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. HAVE A GREAT DAY. WORKING FAMILIES.

FRIEND. WELCOME. HELLO, HELLO, HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. I'M NIKKI MONTGOMERY, PRESIDENT OF WORKING FAMILIES FRIEND, AND I'M HERE WITH CHRIS JENKINS, OUR VICE PRESIDENT.

THANKS AGAIN AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR RELATIONSHIP THAT WE'VE HAD WITH YOU ALL.

WE'VE BEEN HERE IN JACKSON COUNTY SINCE 2003 AND SERVING WORKING PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A CRISIS OF SOME KIND AND DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE THROUGH TRADITIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS BECAUSE OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND THEIR INCOME.

SO THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. THERE'S NO OTHER AGENCY REALLY SET IN PLACE FOR HELP TO GET FOR THEM.

SO THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE FOCUS ON AND THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

I BELIEVE THIS YEAR WE'VE REQUESTED $90,000 FOR OUR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

EVERY DOLLAR OF THAT GOES TO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO, AGAIN, SOMEBODY WHO WITHOUT US WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANY HELP AT ALL.

OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO KEEP THEM FROM SLIPPING INTO POVERTY TO PREVENT, YOU KNOW, WITH RENT ASSISTANCE UTILITY SHUT OFF NOTICES.

SO TO KEEP THEM KEEP THEM ON THE PATH THAT THEY WERE ON SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILY, AND THEIR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY 23 YEARS. 23 YEARS.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I JUST ALWAYS FANTASTIC TO SEE AND WHAT FANTASTIC WORK.

[04:20:05]

THANK YOU. I KNOW, I KNOW, AND I IT'S A FULL TIME GIG KEEPING HIM IN LINE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK. YOUTH AMBASSADORS. I'M TRYING TO THINK OF YOUR NAME EARLIER WHEN I WAS TALKING ABOUT 31ST AND TROOST, SO I'M GLAD YOU CAME IN.

YEAH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WELL. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS DEANNA SNYDER. I'M THE DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROGRAMS HERE AT YOUTH AMBASSADORS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

YOUTH AMBASSADORS IS A YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS SERVING YOUNG PEOPLE AGES 14 THROUGH 18 THROUGHOUT JACKSON COUNTY.

OUR GOAL IS TO HELP YOUTH BUILD SKILLS, CONFIDENCE AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, WORK AND LIFE. THROUGHOUT YOUTH AMBASSADORS, YOUTH CAN EARN A STIPEND WHILE ENGAGING IN CAREER INTEREST, LIFE AND JOB SKILLS TRAINING. SO WE'RE DEVELOPING RESUMES WHAT CAREER THEY WANT TO GO INTO.

WE DO FINANCIAL LITERACY AND TEACH THEM NOT TO SPEND ALL THEIR MONEY AT DOORDASH.

SOMETIMES I NEED HELP WITH THAT. AND THEN THEY HAVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, NOT JUST WITH THE PERSON YOU'RE DATING, BUT YOUR BEST FRIEND AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS. WE DO TALK ABOUT DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AND VAPING.

WE HAVE A PUSH THIS SUMMER TO TALK ABOUT CAFFEINE.

THESE ENERGY DRINKS WITH THESE YOUNG FOLKS ARE GETTING KIND OF OUT OF, OUT OF CONTROL. AND THEN THEY ALSO HAVE CREATIVE EXPRESSION WHERE WE'RE PROVIDING CREATIVE WRITING AND ART TOGETHER. SO SOMETIMES WE'RE DOING SPOKEN WORD, SOMETIMES WE'RE MAKING FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS AND DOING CANVA PAINTING.

THEY'RE ALSO LEARNING LEADERSHIP SKILLS, DOING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS.

SO THEY'RE GAINING THOSE WORKPLACE SKILLS WHILE BUILDING CONFIDENCE AND CONNECTIONS AND A VISION FOR THEIR FUTURE.

AT THE, THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MOST RECENT PROGRAM 98% OF THE YOUTH FELT BETTER PREPARED FOR FUTURE CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

SO WE SEE YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVE OUR PROGRAMS WITH STRONGER LEADERSHIP SKILLS.

AND THAT THEY HAVE A CLEAR PATHWAY THROUGH COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL.

100% OF OUR TEENS THIS PAST SCHOOL YEAR GRADUATED WITH POST COLLEGE PLANS.

SO WE WERE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT. SO ALL OF THEM ARE EITHER GOING TO A TWO YEAR OR FOUR YEAR SCHOOL.

THE DEMAND FOR OUR SERVICE CONTINUES TO GROW.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO LAUNCH OUR SUMMER 26 PROGRAM IN JULY.

WE HAD 370 APPLICATIONS, AND I ONLY HAVE ENOUGH SPOTS FOR 136 YOUTH.

SO IT'S REALLY HARD TO HAVE A WAIT LIST AND TELLING KIDS THEY CAN'T COME TO THE PROGRAM.

BUT DUE TO FUNDING, WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH SPOTS.

BUT WE'RE LOOKING TO BE ABLE TO SERVE MORE IN THE FUTURE.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? YES. LEGISLATOR. AND YOUR ASK FOR THE 200,000 200,000.

AND WHAT WILL THAT GO TOWARDS? CORE PROGRAMING.

OUR GROUP CHAT THERAPY SERVICE AND OUR SAVE PROGRAM, WHICH IS OUR SUICIDE AND ANTI-VIOLENCE PROGRAM.

COULD YOU SAY THAT ONE MORE TIME? SO YOU HAVE YOUR SAVE PROGRAM. A GROUP CHAT AND THEN OUR CORE PROGRAM AND WHAT IS GROUP CHAT? GROUP CHAT IS WHERE WE HAVE A LICENSED THERAPIST THAT MEETS WITH THE YOUTH FOR AN HOUR AFTER PROGRAMING.

AND SO THEY'RE TEACHING THEM ABOUT DEPRESSION, ANXIETY AND JUST OVERALL MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE WE KNOW SERVICES OUTSIDE OF THE PROGRAM IS HARD TO GET INTO A THERAPIST. AND THEN WE ALSO PAY FOR SIX INDIVIDUAL THERAPY SERVICES IF THE KIDS ASK FOR IT.

OH, WOW. COULD YOU SEND MORE INFORMATION TO THE CHAIR OR TO THE OFFICE AND THAT THEY COULD GET IT TO US? YEAH, I THINK THAT'S VERY I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT GROUP CHAT ASPECT OF IT.

SO. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU GUYS. HAVE A GOOD DAY. YOU TOO.

YOUTH GUIDANCE, KANSAS CITY. GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR BEING EARLY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. APPRECIATE IT. IT'S A TIGHT SCHEDULE.

SO APPRECIATE JUST ALL THE LISTENING THAT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DOING TODAY.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THIS THE GO BUTTON? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL, MY NAME IS GARRETT WEBSTER.

I SERVE AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR YOUTH GUIDANCE, KANSAS CITY PROUD GRADUATE OF LINCOLN COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMY.

I REMEMBER WHILE GOING TO LINCOLN, THERE WERE SOME THINGS THAT THAT I EXPERIENCED IN SCHOOL THAT WERE CHALLENGING.

BETWEEN THE, THE SEVENTH AND THE FIFTH IN THE 12TH GRADE, I THINK WE MOVED ABOUT 4 TO 5 DIFFERENT TIMES.

[04:25:02]

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER ALL THAT. RIGHT.

YOU REMEMBER. AND SO NOT ALL OF US. AND I WILL SAY I DIDN'T NECESSARILY HAVE SOMEONE REALLY TO WORK THROUGH SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES WITH.

AND SO WHAT WE DO AT YOUTH GUIDANCE IS WE PROVIDE TWO EVIDENCE BASED SCHOOL BASED COUNSELING PROGRAMS TO ACTUALLY PUT COUNSELORS FULL TIME IN SCHOOL. AND WE DO THAT THROUGH TWO OF OUR PROGRAMS. ONE IS CALLED BECOMING A MAN. THE OTHER ONE IS CALLED WORKING ON WOMANHOOD, AND WE CALL THEM BAM AND WOW.

AND SO WHAT OUR COUNSELORS DO IS THEY PROVIDE SOMEWHERE IN UP TO UPWARDS OF 15,000 HOURS OF FREE COUNSELING AND MENTORING SERVICES, AND WE PUT FULL TIME CLINICIANS AND COUNSELORS IN SCHOOLS DOING THAT.

AND THEY'RE IN THERE. WHEN I SAY FULL TIME, THEY'RE IN THERE FROM BELL TO BELL.

SO WHEN THE KIDS GET OFF THE BUS, THEY'RE THERE.

WHEN THEY GET ON THE BUS, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE THERE.

AND SO THE CORE VALUES THAT WE WORK ON WITH OUR YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN ARE ACCOUNTABILITY, INTEGRITY RESPECT FOR WOMANHOOD WITH SOME, WITH OUR YOUNG WOMEN POSITIVE ANGER, EXPRESSION HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, SELF-AWARENESS AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN, WITH OUR, WITH OUR WOW PROGRAM IS WE'VE SEEN, NUMBER ONE, WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF YOUNG LADIES. AND WHEN I SAY A NUMBER, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT UPWARDS OF 30% OF OUR YOUNG LADIES EXPERIENCED SUICIDE IDEATION WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THEIR ASSESSMENT. AND WE ALSO SEE THAT ANY AREA OF ABOUT 65% OF OUR YOUNG LADIES EXPERIENCE DEPRESSION, CLINICAL DEPRESSION, CLINICAL ANXIETY.

AND SO WHAT WE'VE ALSO SEEN AFTER OUR PROGRAM IS THAT WE'VE SEEN 64% OF OF THOSE STUDENTS COME OUT OF THE CLINICAL RANGE OF DEPRESSION, ANXIETY. AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN WITH OUR YOUNG MEN IS WE'VE SEEN GAINS OF ABOUT 80% OF OUR YOUNG MEN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED, WHO'VE GONE FROM WHAT WE CALL TIER TWO AND TIER THREE WHERE THEY'VE SEEN GROWTH AND GROWTH REALLY MEANS THAT THEY HAVE MORE MORE STRENGTHS THAN CHALLENGES. WE ARE ASKING FOR $480,000 TO SUPPORT OVER 300 STUDENTS IN JACKSON COUNTY WITH FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

UNFORTUNATELY, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES STILL IS A STIGMA IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THESE FREE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WITHIN THEIR SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY, WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTIONS, AND WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS HAVING TO TAKE THEM, YOU KNOW, INTO A SEPARATE FACILITY.

WHAT I WILL SAY, BECAUSE THE QUESTION NORMALLY COMES UP AND THAT IS, ARE THESE PROGRAMS FOR ALL STUDENTS? AND HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THAT THESE PROGRAMS ARE WELCOMING? WE'RE NOT TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO BE A MAN, AND WE'RE NOT TEACHING YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO BE A WOMAN, BUT WHAT WE ARE SHOWING THEM AND WHAT WE ARE INTRODUCING THEM TO IS THE, THE, THE FUNDAMENTALS AND THE MORAL ASPECTS OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PERSON AND REALLY HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHO IS IT THAT YOU ARE AND WHO IS IT THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO BE? AND REALLY HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY THINK, FEEL, AND BEHAVE.

AND ALL OF THAT IS ROOTED IN COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY.

AND SO OUR PROGRAMS ARE THERAPEUTIC, ROOTED IN, IN THOSE PRINCIPLES.

I WILL SAY WE HAVE ONE STUDENT AND WE'LL HAVE SOME STUDENTS THAT, YOU KNOW, WILL IDENTIFY IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND WE WELCOME THEM AND WE'LL SHOW THEM BOTH PROGRAMS AND FIGURE OUT WHICH PROGRAM DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH THAT YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF? WE HAVE ONE STUDENT THAT LITERALLY THEIR COUNSELOR EVERY DAY WOULD ASK THEM, HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY TODAY? AND THEY GAVE THEM A WRISTBAND. AND THAT'S HOW PEOPLE KNEW WHEN THEY CAME TO THEIR GROUP, HOW THEY WANTED TO IDENTIFY FOR THAT DAY.

AND THAT CHANGED ALMOST DAILY. AND THAT WAS OKAY.

AND IN THAT GROUP SETTING THEY WERE ABLE TO BE WELCOMED, TO BE ACCEPTED AND TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE SUPPORT AND TO SEE, RECEIVE HELP. AND SO WE DO THAT THROUGH IT'S GROUP THERAPY.

WE DON'T TELL THE KIDS THAT, SO PLEASE DON'T GIVE IT AWAY.

BUT ONCE A WEEK, THEY'LL HAVE A GROUP SESSION THAT'LL BE FACILITATED BY THEIR CLINICIAN OR THEIR COUNSELOR.

AND THEY'LL WORK THROUGH THIS EVIDENCE BASED CURRICULUM. AND THEN IN BETWEEN THAT TIME THAT THEY'RE IN GROUP, THEIR COUNSELOR IS HAVING ONE ON ONE CHECK INS WITH THEM, ONE ON ONE COUNSELING AND JUST KIND OF CHECKING IN ON THEM IN THEIR CLASSROOM, IN THEIR HALLWAY, SITTING, SITTING IN THEIR CLASSROOM, JUST TO SEE, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY'RE DOING.

100% OF OUR STUDENTS HAVE GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ALSO IS THAT 19% OF STUDENTS IN OUR PROGRAMS ARE, ARE LIKELY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL ON TIME.

[04:30:06]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? I DIDN'T HEAR THE NUMBER AGAIN.

COULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN? THE ASK NUMBER? YEAH.

480 480. YES, SIR. THANK. YOU. KNOW, APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN OPERATING? WE'VE BEEN IN KANSAS CITY NOW FOR FIVE YEARS.

AND YOU MENTIONED THE WOW AND THE BAM BAM PROGRAM.

YES. THOSE ARE PROGRAMS THAT YOU USE OR DID YOU DESIGN THOSE PROGRAMS? YEAH. SO YOUTH GUIDANCE DESIGN THE PROGRAMS AND YOUTH GUIDANCE OWNS THOSE PROGRAMS. SO IF YOU'RE ASKING IF LIKE ME, GARRETT WEBSTER DESIGNED THEM.

NO. OKAY. I MEAN, I WAS NO, I WAS REALLY ASKING BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED AT HICKMAN MILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT AND I REMEMBER I DON'T KNOW IF. YES. YOU CAME. YES, MA'AM. AND THAT WAS ME WHEN YOU SAID BAM.

AND I THINK THAT'S HIM. YES. WE SERVED IN HICKMAN MILLS FOR, FOR FIVE YEARS.

YES, MA'AM. WE SERVED A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE. I REMEMBER ONE OF THE STUDENTS MOMS CALLED TO THE SCHOOL ONE DAY.

SHE WAS A BIT NERVOUS, OF COURSE, BUT SHE CALLED THE BAM COUNSELOR.

SHE DIDN'T CALL THE PRINCIPAL. SHE DIDN'T CALL SECURITY, BUT SHE CALLED THE BAM COUNSELOR AND SAID, I THINK MY STUDENT HAS A GUN. AND THEY WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE STUDENT WITHOUT INCIDENT, REMOVE THE WEAPON WITHOUT ANYONE EVER KNOWING. THE FIRST TIME ANYONE KNEW ABOUT IT WAS WHEN THE LETTER WENT HOME TO THE PARENTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL.

AND SO WE HAVE SOME REALLY GREAT STRONG CONNECTIONS WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

AND SO ULTIMATELY AS I SAID AT THE OFFSET, WE SAVE LIVES WITH BAM AND WOW, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YOU'RE WITH ZOI. BE ART. JOY. JOE. JOE. JOE. BROTHERS.

JOE. JOBY, ART CENTER. JOBY ART CENTER. I'M GLAD, I'M GLAD TO KNOW HOW TO PRONOUNCE THAT NAME.

YEAH. AND YOU'RE ON 19TH STREET. 18TH AND WOODLAND.

18TH AND WOODLAND, 1801, EAST 18TH. OKAY. AND IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ALRIGHT. I'M NOT SURE THE DECORUM I.

IF I'M SUPPOSED TO WAVE OR SAY HELLO OR HOW AM I DOING THIS? BUT YOU CAN INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM.

OKAY, WELL THANK YOU. WELL, I'LL START WITH WHAT I PREPARED.

AND I WANT TO SAY GOOD AFTERNOON, FIRST OF ALL, AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

IT'S ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE IN THIS AUGUST BODY AND, AND BEG FOR MONEY TODAY, BUT, BUT I'M ALAN GRAY AND I'M PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE JOE BROTHERS FOUNDATION OF KANSAS CITY. AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO SHARE WITH YOU OUR APPLICATION AND TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

THE JOE BROTHERS ARE TWO CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS WITH OVER 50 YEARS OF ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE AND OPERATE ART CENTERS IN CHICAGO AND NOW IN KANSAS CITY.

THE MISSION OF THE JOE BROTHERS FOUNDATION IS TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE ARTS EDUCATION CURATED EXHIBITION EXHIBITIONS OF QUALITY ART WORKSHOPS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. THESE PROGRAMS SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES, AND MENTAL WELLNESS. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS THROUGH DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION, EXPRESSIONS, AND PUBLIC ART EXPERIENCES IN JACKSON COUNTY AT 18TH AND VINE IN THE JAZZ DISTRICT.

ACTIVE AND PASSIVE PARTICIPATION AND EXPOSURE TO THE ARTS IS WIDELY DEMONSTRATED TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH, REDUCE STRESS, STRENGTHEN SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS, AND SUPPORT OVERALL EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

THE FOUNDATION. THE FOUNDATION'S PROGRAMS CREATE SAFE, WELCOMING SPACES THAT ENCOURAGE SELF-EXPRESSION, REDUCE ISOLATION, AND PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PROGRAMS. EXPAND ACCESS TO TO ART EDUCATION. BROAD BASED, CULTURALLY INCLUSIVE ACTIVITIES FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS IN THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES OF JACKSON COUNTY. WE DO THIS THROUGH YOUTH ENGAGEMENT NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, EXTENSIVE ART EXPOSURE, AND INVOLVEMENT ALONG A FULL SPECTRUM OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE PROVIDE WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS, A PLACE FOR YOUTH TO DEVELOP THEIR CONNECTION TO ART AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT PROVIDE THE BASIC PLATFORM FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE AT THE ART CENTER.

THE REPURPOSING OF THE 7500 ZERO SQUARE FOOT CRISPUS ATTUCKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAS NOT ONLY PROVIDED AN ECONOMIC BOOST TO DEVELOPMENT IN AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO PROVIDED MUCH NEEDED SPACE FOR 45 ARTISTS TO LEARN AND THRIVE.

[04:35:02]

WE BELIEVE THE POWER OF THE ARTS AND MY OVERALL AND.

AND IN ADDITION TO MY OVERALL 40 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ARTS, SAYS THAT THE ARTS MATTER IN OUR LIVES AND COULD BE USEFUL, CAN BE EFFECTIVE AND ENGAGING TOOL FOR IMPROVING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEFLY SHARE WHAT WE DO.

THANK YOU FOR COMING IN. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE LEGISLATURE? OKAY.

YOU STATED THAT YOU HAVE 45 PARTNERS, AND I'VE SEEN THAT YOU ARE.

AND THANK YOU. HOW MANY OF YOU ARE PART OF THIS? WELL, WE HAVE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS LIKE WORKSHOPS.

WE ALSO HAVE ONE SITE, A MUSIC PROGRAM THE BASIC ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

AND IT'S AN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WHERE STUDENTS COME FROM THREE UNTIL SEVEN, SEVEN, OR 8:00 IN THE EVENING AND LEARN A VARIETY OF INSTRUMENTAL INSTRUMENTS. IT'S A, IT'S AN EXCITING PROGRAM.

THE BAND PROGRAM HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE AWARDS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THEIR WORK.

AND WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT. AND WE'RE LOOKING TO EXPAND THAT, THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE'VE BEEN IN THE BUILDING NOW FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS.

AND YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU, WHEN YOU MOVE INTO A HOME AND YOU TRY TO SEE HOW THE, HOW IT WORKS.

WELL, WE INTENTIONALLY I HAVE DONE THAT WITH THE ART CENTER.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE BRINGING THE FOUNDATION ONLINE TO TO TAKE OVER MORE OR LESS THE ARTS EDUCATION AND TO, AND TO BUILD OUT PROGRAMS SUCH AS, SUCH AS WE'RE PROPOSING AND TO LOOK AT ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR ANDERSON. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.

AND WHAT IS THE ASK FROM THE COUNTY? I BELIEVE WE'RE ASKING.

I SEE IT'S A TOTAL OF 175, I BELIEVE. OKAY. AND WHAT WILL THOSE MONIES GO TOWARDS THAT WILL GO TOWARD WORKSHOPS? WE'LL HAVE A TOTAL OF SIX EXHIBITIONS. WE'RE CURRENTLY, WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE, KANSAS CITY ART INSTITUTE ON A SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL EXPAND OUR ABILITY TO HANDLE ADDITIONAL ARTISTS.

SO IN ADDITION TO THE 45, THERE'LL BE ANOTHER 50 ARTISTS THAT WILL BE WORKING WITH.

FANTASTIC. THANK YOU. AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU. YOU TOO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HAVE A GREAT AFTERNOON. ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE WE ARE ENDING OUR 2027 OUTSIDE AGENCY HEARINGS AT 314.

AND WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE TWO, TWO, 314, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A 36 MONTH AND

[RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE]

[22314 A RESOLUTION authorizing a thirty-six-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of Workday timeclock hardware, software, and support services for use by the 16th Circuit Court and various Jackson County departments to Accu-Time Systems of Windsor, CT, as a sole source purchase.]

[22315 A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with one (1) twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of Workday professional services for use by the Information Technology Department to Remy Corporation of Denver, CO, under the terms and conditions of State of Oklahoma contract No. SW1025, as an acquisition from another governmental entity.]

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR USE BY THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT TO REMY CORPORATION OF DENVER, COLORADO. UNDER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

CONTRACT NUMBER SW1025. AS AN ACQUISITION FROM ANOTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY, THE CHAIR RECOMMENDS THAT WE HOLD 22315. WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE WILL HOLD.

IT IS NOW 315 AND WE WILL ADJOURN. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK. MADAM CHAIR.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE IN YOUR HARD WORK. APPRECIATE IT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.