Month: August 2014

United Way of Wyandotte County supports 45 community programs

The United Way of Wyandotte County recently completed its allocation process which distributes funding, raised by their annual campaigns, to programs provided by nonprofits across the county.

Wyandotte County nonprofits applied for funding that will support their programs for the next three-year allocation cycle which starts this summer and runs through 2017.

Programs chosen for funding must focus on at least one issue area of the United Way Community Impact Plan, which highlights meeting basic needs, improving health and quality of life, and nurturing children and families. The outcomes and indicators for these three issue areas were created during two half-day meetings with local nonprofits and were identified as the most important areas that needed to be addressed in Wyandotte County.

“The allocation process is very community oriented. Wyandotte County community members and nonprofit representatives came together to set the outcomes and indicators,” said Cassidy Miller, community impact manager. “Interested agencies then applied for program funding under those outcomes and indicators. In the final stage, we turn to the community again to help make decisions on which programs were funded.”

Community members, which volunteered to help with the allocations process, reviewed funding applications, completed site visits, and then submitted recommendations to the UWWC board of directors on which programs should receive funding. The UWWC board then voted to approve the allocation volunteer’s recommendations.

This list details the 45 programs provided 29 local agencies that will receive funding for 2014-2017:
American Red Cross, Eastern Kansas Chapter Disaster Services (MBN)
Associated Youth Services ADAPT Drug & Alcohol Program (HQL)
Bethel Neighborhood Center Eat Right and Exercise for Life (HQL) Support, Educate, and Equip (MBN) Youth Enrichment Program (NCF)
Boy Scouts of America – Heart of America Council Scouting (NCF)
Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City Youth Development Program- Wyandotte County (NCF)
Camp Fire, Inc. Campfire Heartland (NCF)
Cancer Action, Inc. Patient Services Program (HQL)
CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties WYCO Children in Need of Care (MBN)
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Inc.
Healthcare Coordination (HQL) Shalom House Shelter for Homeless Men (MBN) Emergency Assistance and Supportive Housing (MBN) Utility Assistance (MBN)
Cultivate Kansas City
Farmer Business Development Program (HQL)
Duchesne Clinic
Primary Medical Care (HQL) Diabetes Education and Disease Management (HQL)
El Centro, Inc. Health without Barriers (HQL) Financial Literacy for the Future (MBN) Academy for Children (NCF)
The Family Conservancy Healthy Living (HQL) Family Asset Building (MBN) Positively Impacting Young Children through Quality Early Education (NCF)
Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri FUNDED PROGRAM(S): Girl Scouts (NCF)
Kansas City Community Gardens Self-Help Gardening for Low-Income Families (HQL)
Kansas Legal Services Domestic Violence Program (MBN)
KCK Huggers/Special Olympics Sports (HQL)
KVC Behavioral HealthCare, Inc. KVC Academy (MBN)
Mattie Rhodes Center Latino Mental Health/Kansas Access (HQL) EXPLORE (NCF)
Mental Health America of the Heartland Advocacy and Recovery Services (HQL) Child and Youth Mental Health Initiative (HQL) Mental Health Promotion (HQL)
Metro Lutheran Ministry Community Care Services (MBN)
Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) Wyandotte County Sexual Violence Prevention Education (MBN) Sexual Violence Intervention Services in Wyandotte County (NCF)
Mount Carmel Redevelopment Corporation Case Management (MBN)
Ozanam Pathways Transitional Living Program (MBN)
Riverview Health Services, Inc. Medical Assistance Program (HQL) Diabetes Education and Disease Management (HQL)
Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., Shepherd’s Center Home Services: Friends for Seniors and Minor Home Repair (MBN)
Sunflower House Child Assessment Program (HQL) Wyandotte County Abuse Prevention Education Program (NCF)
Turner House Children’s Clinic Health Care for Children (HQL) Weight Management (HQL)
YMCA of Greater Kansas City Youth Volunteer Corps Kansas City (NCF)

In addition to distributing funds raised by the annual UWWC campaign, UWWC also administers over $165,000 supplied by the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities and EFSP (Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program) for emergency food, shelter, and utilities. The following agencies only receive Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) or Utility Assistance funding:
Central Avenue Center of Hope
Cross-Lines Community Outreach, Inc.
Economic Opportunity Foundation
Friends of Yates Love Outreach
The Salvation Army
Vaughn Trent Community Services

Get insurance needs in place for college-bound students

College students across Kansas are packing furniture, electronics and all the other necessities of college life. They will soon head to their schools for the 2014-2015 term. Will they forget something? Probably. But Sandy Praeger, Kansas commissioner of insurance, hopes it isn’t their insurance coverage needs.

“As college students head to their schools around the state, I urge them (and their parents) to check over their property and medical coverages, so they don’t have surprises down the road,’ Commissioner Praeger said.

The commissioner, the Kansas Insurance Department and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have put together the following insurance tips for Kansas college students and parents.

Health insurance
Nearly all young adults up to age 26 can now stay on their parents’ health insurance plans because of federal legislation. That provision is not affected by marital status, financial dependency, enrollment in school, or location.

At school, students should have copies of their insurance cards and know how to seek medical treatment, the Commissioner advises. For first-time college students, knowing where the student health center is located should be on their checklist.

“If the student is insured through a network of medical providers, check to see if he/she will be in or out of the provider network service area while attending school,” Commissioner Praeger said. “That will make a difference in how much you or your student will have to pay for out-of-pocket charges.”
Another coverage option is a student health insurance plan purchased through the college; However, not all schools offer these limited plans, and some have limited benefits.

Renters insurance
Parents should check with their insurance agents to determine whether their family homeowners policies extend to children away at school. If not, they could consider a renters policy for their students.

“The one factor to remember is a landlord’s policy doesn’t cover a renter’s personal belongings,” Commissioner Praeger said.

Taking photos or video of the possessions and keeping an inventory list in a secure location are two good ideas for recording personal belongings.

To print an easy-to-use home inventory checklist from KID and get more tips about disaster preparedness, visit www.ksinsurance.org and click on “Publications” under the Quick Links button at the top right of the home page.” Smart phone users can do an electronic inventory by using the myHOMEScr.APP.book application from the NAIC.

Even coverage for contents in the student’s car or rental vehicle before he/she gets to campus is something you should check about with your family’s insurance agent

Auto insurance
If a student is taking a car to school, check with your local agent about the current vehicle insurance policy. Ask about the rates for the college’s city and state before deciding whether to keep the student’s car on the family’s auto policy.

Identity theft
Identity theft insurance is limited. It can’t protect parents or students from becoming victims of identity theft, and it doesn’t cover direct financial losses.

“It does give coverage for the cost of reclaiming you or your student’s financial identity — such as the costs of making phone calls, making copies, mailing documents, taking time off from work without pay (lost wages) and hiring an attorney,” Commissioner Praeger said.

Parents should check first to see if their homeowners policies include identity theft insurance while students are away from home. If a student is renting an apartment, ask if his/her renters insurance covers identity theft, or if that could be added to the policy.

“Making the college experience a positive one requires some preparation,” Commissioner Praeger said. “That is certainly true of making sure your students’ insurance needs are covered.”

Canseco at the T-Bones



Former Oakland A’s slugger Jose Canseco warmed up for a home run contest following the T-Bones’ 5-3 win over the St. Paul Saints Sunday by blasting several softballs over two fences and into a parking lot, then joined former major league stars, from left, first baseman David Segui, a product of Bishop Ward and Kansas City Kansas Community College; Canseco; Baltimore and Royals pitcher Mike Boddicker; and Royals Hall of Fame second baseman Frank White, currently a coach with the T-Bones. Segui and Boddicker also managed teams in a Celebrity Softball Game which ended in an 8-8 deadlock and featured home runs by each. (Photos by Alan Hoskins)