Sunday, October 5, 2008
Strengthening my resolve
Gratifying to know that the people who attended the Grandparents As Caregivers Forum on Saturday at the Northeast Senior Center received information that has the potential to change lives. For instance, one woman who has raised her teenage grandson since he was in 3rd grade with very little help now knows about the Kinship Navigator program, which can help her get the benefits and parenting guidance she needs. And it's free. (For more information, call 942-4261.)
The forum panel included myself, Secretary Don Jordan of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, attorney Kelly Hogan from Kansas Legal Services, B.J. Gore of the Kansas Children's Service League and others. We were there to answer questions about state-funded programs that help keep children safe and families together. We also heard personal stories that renewed my resolve to continue to speak out and act.
In Kansas, there are nearly 30,000 children living in households headed by their grandparents, an increase of about 40 percent since 1990. Too many of these families struggle to make ends meet. The majority of these caregivers get little assistance and can find it hard to access basic services for the children, such as health care.
This is an issue that deeply affects the 29th District. With your help, I'll return to the Statehouse and keep fighting for what's right.
I'd appreciate your vote Nov. 4.
The forum panel included myself, Secretary Don Jordan of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, attorney Kelly Hogan from Kansas Legal Services, B.J. Gore of the Kansas Children's Service League and others. We were there to answer questions about state-funded programs that help keep children safe and families together. We also heard personal stories that renewed my resolve to continue to speak out and act.
In Kansas, there are nearly 30,000 children living in households headed by their grandparents, an increase of about 40 percent since 1990. Too many of these families struggle to make ends meet. The majority of these caregivers get little assistance and can find it hard to access basic services for the children, such as health care.
This is an issue that deeply affects the 29th District. With your help, I'll return to the Statehouse and keep fighting for what's right.
I'd appreciate your vote Nov. 4.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Women voters
This afternoon, I'll be at a forum on women and voting at Interfaith Ministries hosted by Church Women United. Looking forward to it!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Staying connected: update
Here's a glimpse of The Timbers' Las Vegas Night (see previous post). There were just-for-fun poker games inside and great food and friends under a canopy outside.
Staying connected
For me, life on the campaign means keeping a cell phone in my hand all day long - to stay in touch with supporters, volunteers, the printer, reporters, voters, my kids. . . . I'd say it makes me wonder how campaigns were run without them, but no matter how much I rely on technology, it is just a tool to help me do what's really important: Connect.
All day, every day in the 29th District, I meet new people and stay in touch with old friends as I conduct business and attend events. As a lifelong resident of the 29th District, I know that the heart of our community is its people.
At one of the events on my schedule today, I'll be visiting with my friends from the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and The Timbers. This unique, independent living community for people with disabilities and the elderly, was developed by CPRF nearly 30 years ago and is a tremendous asset to Wichita and the region.
With your support and your vote, I'll continue working to ensure that all residents of the 29th District have a voice at the Statehouse.
All day, every day in the 29th District, I meet new people and stay in touch with old friends as I conduct business and attend events. As a lifelong resident of the 29th District, I know that the heart of our community is its people.
At one of the events on my schedule today, I'll be visiting with my friends from the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation and The Timbers. This unique, independent living community for people with disabilities and the elderly, was developed by CPRF nearly 30 years ago and is a tremendous asset to Wichita and the region.
With your support and your vote, I'll continue working to ensure that all residents of the 29th District have a voice at the Statehouse.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Join me on Saturday
I will be hosting a Grandparents As Caregivers Informational Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Northeast Senior Center, 2121 E. 21st St. in Wichita.
Grandparents As Caregivers helps older Kansans keep their families together. As a member of the Kansas House, I was able to build bipartisan support for my bill to expand this crucial program so more children could benefit.
Also scheduled to attend the forum are Don Jordan, Secretary of SRS; Annette Graham, Department on Aging; B.J. Gore of Kansas Children's Service League; and a representative of Kansas Legal Services. For more information, drop by on Saturday or contact Kansas Children's Service League at 942-4261.
Grandparents As Caregivers helps older Kansans keep their families together. As a member of the Kansas House, I was able to build bipartisan support for my bill to expand this crucial program so more children could benefit.
Also scheduled to attend the forum are Don Jordan, Secretary of SRS; Annette Graham, Department on Aging; B.J. Gore of Kansas Children's Service League; and a representative of Kansas Legal Services. For more information, drop by on Saturday or contact Kansas Children's Service League at 942-4261.
Riding the rails to work?
Tuesday morning, I attended a public hearing at Wichita State University on energy policy and transportation.
The Kansas Energy Council’s preliminary recommendations focus on research and development of advanced technologies for electric generation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Among the ideas that caught my attention: Establishing light rail service between Wichita and Newton to connect our community with the existing transcontinental passenger system - and to allow commuters to travel between their homes in Harvey County and their jobs in Sedgwick County without driving I-135. It's intriguing.
If you'd like to share your ideas with the KEC, its public comment period continues through October 10. Submit your thoughts by mail to the Kansas Energy Council, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS, 66604, or by e-mail to l.brosius@kcc.ks.gov.
The Kansas Energy Council’s preliminary recommendations focus on research and development of advanced technologies for electric generation and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Among the ideas that caught my attention: Establishing light rail service between Wichita and Newton to connect our community with the existing transcontinental passenger system - and to allow commuters to travel between their homes in Harvey County and their jobs in Sedgwick County without driving I-135. It's intriguing.
If you'd like to share your ideas with the KEC, its public comment period continues through October 10. Submit your thoughts by mail to the Kansas Energy Council, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS, 66604, or by e-mail to l.brosius@kcc.ks.gov.
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