eNews 07/29/2021
Planning for Recovery:
Help Us Prioritize
With the American Recovery Act Plan (ARPA) funds from the federal government, the Unified Government is seeking your input on how to prioritize where to invest in our post-pandemic recovery. Help us understand your most immediate needs, what you think is the most important response to the pandemic, and what will have the greatest impact on your community. Join us this Thursday, July 29 at 7:00PM (following Planning & Zoning) for an important discussion.
Public Hearing: Community Development 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan
The public is invited and encouraged to participate in the upcoming public hearing on Thursday, July 29 at 7:00PM to provide comment on the proposed 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan. This will be part of the same hearing on the ARPA local recovery fund (see announcement above).

This plan includes the following grant applications: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership Grant, and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Programs. The Plan additionally proposes a reallocation of $470,000 in 2015 CDBG grant funds.

These grant funds can be used for variety of activities that serve low- to moderate-income KCK residents to preserve, rehabilitate or construct affordable housing, provide homeownership assistance, provide public services including homelessness assistance and housing stability, install or reconstruct public facilities and improvements such as parks, infrastructure, roads and sidewalks, and provide economic opportunity.
Special Session: COVID-19 Updates on July 29 at 6PM
Please join us on Thursday, July 29 at 6PM when the Public Health Department will be providing the Unified Government Board of Commissioners with an update on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic in Wyandotte County. There have been a ton of questions with the recent changes to the CDC guidelines around masks so this will be your chance to hear what the medical experts recommend. Link to our meeting is below.
Trash Pick-Up Missed? Call 311.
If your trash pickup was missed, leave the trash curbside and report the missed pickup via the myWyCo app or by calling 311. Waste Management often knows it missed your pickup and will sometimes circle back at another time.
Kansans Have Until August 15 to Sign Up at HealthCare.Gov and Can Save $103 per Month 
Due to the American Rescue Plan, millions of people now qualify for low-cost, quality plans. With financial help, 4 out of 5 customers can get a plan for under $10 a month. With the Marketplace Special Enrollment period soon ending, we are encouraging consumers to make a “Summer Sprint to Coverage” by visiting HealthCare.gov before August 15th to see if they quality for financial help and to sign up for coverage.
Save the Date: Back to School Fair on August 7 from 8AM-1PM
The 22nd annual Wyandotte County Back to School Fair will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2021 at the KCKPS Central Office, 2010 N. 59th St, Kansas City, KS, from 8AM to 1PM.

The Wyandotte County Back to School Fair is an annual event where Wyandotte County students receive school supplies, backpacks, immunizations, health screenings and other community resources at no cost.

Details About This Year’s Event
One of the key objectives of the Back to School Fair is to provide students with a variety of health-related screenings and services prior to going back to school.

At this year’s Back to School Fair, students can get the following medical services on a first come, first-served basis:

  • Sports physicals and school physicals, provided by the University of Kansas Medical Center Department of Family Medicine;
  • COVID-19 vaccinations for students 12 and over provided by the Unified Government Public Health Department;
  • School immunizations for students of all ages, also provided by the Unified Government Public Health Department;
  • Vision screenings provided by the Lion’s Club of Wyandotte County;
  • Dental and vision screenings provided by Adventure Dental.

Items are available for free while supplies last on Saturday, August 7 from 8AM until 1PM:

  • 2,400 backpacks filled with school supplies, courtesy of the Wyandotte County Back to School Fair Committee;
  • New books donated by the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library system;
  • Hygiene kits courtesy of the Kansas City, Kansas Community College;
  • Dental kits provided by Adventure Dental.

The Wyandotte County Back to School Fair Planning Committee is composed of volunteers from various nonprofit and for-profit entities that work together to fundraise and coordinate the activities of the fair. The Planning Committee would also like to thank the following additional sponsors for this year’s Back to School Fair: Unified Government – Hollywood Casino/Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Grant Fund; Kansas City Kansas School Foundation for Excellence; Kansas City Kansas Community College; Board of Public Utilities; and Kansas Gas

School and Sports Physicals Also Available from Vibrant Health
In addition to the school and sports physicals provided at the Back to School Fair, Vibrant Health will also offer both sports and school physicals by appointment only on Saturday, August 14. To schedule an appointment and/or get details, call (913) 342-2552. 
COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Updates and Vaccine Incentives
As the number of new COVID cases continues to surge in Wyandotte County, the Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) is getting creative in finding new ways to inspire residents to get their free COVID-19 vaccinations.

As of Monday, July 26, there are 107 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County found to have been caused by the fast-spreading Delta variant. In fact, 100 percent of the COVID cases that have been sequenced since July 1st have been found to be caused by the Delta variant. Keep in mind that only a small percentage of all of the COVID-19 cases in the county are put through the sequencing process. So that means that overall, the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases in Wyandotte County are almost certainly due to the Delta variant.

Additionally, statistics show that the vast majority of new COVID-19 cases in Wyandotte County are occurring in unvaccinated people. The majority of Wyandotte County residents still have not received a COVID-19 vaccine, and vaccination rates in the County continue to lag behind other counties in the region. According to state and local public health experts, communities with low vaccination rates are at especially high risk with the presence of the Delta variant, because of how easily it spreads.

The Latest Vaccine Incentives  

To encourage Wyandotte County residents to get their free COVID-19 vaccinations, the UGPHD is offering “Spin to Win” instant prizes at its vaccination facility at the former Kmart store at 7836 State Avenue.

Now people ages 12 and older who get vaccinated at the Kmart facility can “Spin to Win” one of a variety of instant prizes, or they can be entered into a raffle to win one of two, $500 VISA gift cards given away each day. The “Spin to Win” and raffle prizes are available for Wyandotte County residents only. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to participate.

Instant “Spin to Win” prizes include:
  • $50 VISA gift card  
  • $25 VISA gift card  
  • $15 gift card to a local restaurant 
  • Custom T-shirt  

Those who live in Wyandotte County who come into a UGPHD site for a COVID-19 test will receive a $25 VISA gift card (one gift per person, while supplies last. People coming in to get vaccinated can also be tested and receive the incentives available for both vaccinations and testing. The UGPHD offers saliva tests (these don’t require the nasal swab – it’s a “spit test”).
COVID-19 Guidance for the 2021-2022 School Year
The Unified Government Public Health Department has provided the following recommendations to our local school districts. Take a look and consider educating your students about these best practices:

  1. Universal and correct use of masks: UGPHD recommends that masks should be required in all classroom and non-classroom settings, including hallways, restrooms, gyms, buses and offices. This recommendation is not only supported by the CDC and the UGPHD, but also by the American Academy of Physicians. 
  2. Physical distancing: The UGPHD recommends that schools try to distance students at least 3 feet’ apart during normal classroom settings. During more “high-risk” activities such as singing, shouting, band or athletics, the UGPHD recommends at least 6 feet of distance be maintained. 
  3. Diagnostic and screening testing: The UGPHD recommends schools offer diagnostic testing for any students or staff exhibiting COVID symptoms, and it offers schools assistance with implementing testing if needed. 
  4. Vaccinations (as applicable): The UGPHD offered schools assistance with setting up mobile vaccination events if needed, for students and staff age 12 and older. 
  5. Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine: The UGPHD recommended that students and staff who test positive for COVID remain home for 10 days after their symptoms begin, or 10 days from their positive test, if no symptoms are present. Unvaccinated close contacts of a positive patient (within 6 feet for 10 minutes or longer) should quarantine at home for 14 days from their last date of exposure. 
  6. Handwashing and respiratory etiquette: The basic principles of proper handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes should be emphasized among students and staff. Provide adequate supplies such as soap, hand sanitizer, tissues, and trash cans in classrooms.
  7. Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities: Make changes to physical spaces to maintain a healthy environment and facilities, including improving ventilation. Routinely clean high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs and light switches.  
Community Updates
Join Our Team
Career Opportunities
The Unified Government is hiring! Check out the following positions (and many more) that are about to close on August 4, 2021 so apply today.


For more job opportunities, please explore our website.
Pick of the Litter: Timmy
Timmy is a 3 year old Lab mix that weighs 49lbs. Timmy is amazing on the leash and loves daily walks. He also loves to run, play, and swim. He would benefit from a backyard where he can get his zoomies out daily, and would be a great running partner. His personality really shines when he is around his doggy friends. We believe Timmy has had previous potty training and would adjust to living at home right away. He will give you kisses when you get home and rest his head on your chest while being petted. He is such a lover and overall a happy boy who enjoys everything and everyone. He is more than ready to go to a home so he can showcase just how beautiful he is on the inside as well. Meet Timmy this Sunday at our shelter (3301 Park Drive in Kansas City, KS) from Noon to 2pm.

Wyandotte County K-State Research and Extension 
Did you know the WyCo K-State Research and Extension Office provides free and low-cost research-based educational classes covering varying topics on nutrition, health, gardening, families and children, 4-H Youth Development and community development to community members?  
Upcoming Commission Meetings
Commission Meetings

Special Session with a Public Health Update on COVID-19: Thursday, July 29, 2021, 6PM Join

Planning & Zoning and Full Commission Meeting, Including Public Hearings on the Community Development Action Plan and American Recovery Act Plan (ARPA) Local Recovery Fund
Thursday, July 29, 2021, 7PM Join
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and consistent with County and State Orders limiting gatherings of individuals to 45 persons or less, the meetings of the Unified Government Board of Commission meetings will be conducted remotely using Zoom, an online meeting tool. The Mayor, Commission and Unified Government Staff will all participate in the meeting remotely. Members of the public may attend meetings virtually using the links (see right) and/or phone dial-in information. The information is also available on the agenda itself.
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