February 2022
Note from Commissioner Cruse
Last week I learned my friend died alone in the cold. Rodney, truly a gentle soul, had been sleeping behind my house on the sidewalk of an abandoned business for the better part of a couple months. 

Rodney suffered from some pretty intense paranoia that he medicated with Bud Ice Tall Boys.

We had multiple conversations about connections. Talks about getting a driver’s license, a warm place to sleep, recovery, and finding work. He was a quiet man who drove a forklift many years ago in Oklahoma before dying alone in the Kansas cold. 

When I ran for office I never imagined serving the public would be this difficult. Never in my life. I mean, knowing people are literally dying all around me in the cold blocks from where I’m sleeping is a shocking reality. Rodney was not the only human who died in the cold this season. According to this article by KMUW, “cold snaps have killed at least 5 people.” 


When a community rich with resources still find human beings dead on the street, it makes me pause. It’s the only way to collect the breath to find strength to continue. 

I continue because solutions for change are within our grasp. Local and industry experts have spent years formulating a blueprint for this community to follow. 

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coalition presented a detailed 55-page plan, that when followed, has the potential to turn the tide of drug abuse, crimes relating to drug abuse, domestic violence, and homelessness just to name a few. And will greatly increase access to behavioral health services enhancing the overall health and wellness of our community. The plan is set to be approved at a future meeting. 

(Watch full 2/24 meeting here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEmBHTjPK94)

Let’s face it, even if all positions were filled and all resources in the world were given to Rodney to get help, he may still have succumbed to the same fate. But I can’t help but hope things will get better and will keep pushing so no more people die on street corners in our community frozen and alone. Not when a plan is written for us to follow. 

People are complex. Both helping people and healing is a long journey and traveling is expensive when people are far from well. 

Let’s redesign our system and implement what has been proven to work. In action is no longer an option. 



Thanks for reading. Let me know if you have questions about the plan. 

Lacey
Excellence in Public Service Award - NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS
Residents, co-workers, directors, and supervisors are encouraged to nominate public service employees for the annual Excellence in Public Service Award. Now in its 34th year, the award recognizes employees from City of Wichita, Sedgwick County and Wichita Public Schools who exhibit the highest standard of service.

Nominations will be accepted between Feb. 15 - March 4, 2022.
Nomination forms can be printed and turned in at the City Manager’s Office – City Hall 13th Floor, 455 N. Main. Nominations will also be accepted online at New Submission (wichita.gov).

The Excellence in Public Service Award honors public employees who go beyond the call of duty and demonstrate the following:
  • Exemplary performance that has contributed to the public interest;
  • Innovative problem-solving skills that have improved service delivery;
  • Adherence to high ethical standards in carrying out job responsibilities;
  • A record of community involvement through participation in civic organizations; and
  • Significant contribution toward COVID-19 response in the workplace or community.
Recovery Connect: Connect with Resources Today
Recovery Connect is a Sedgwick County economic recovery program that connects individuals, businesses, and nonprofits with resources to help them recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery Connect is for every citizen in Sedgwick County; the COVID pandemic has certainly changed everyone’s life. Unfortunately, it’s proven the impact is worse for some. This program connects with all areas of the community, with special efforts marketing to certain populations, to provide equitable access for all. Recovery Connect uses a hub-and-spoke model (with the Public Policy & Management Center at Wichita State University serving as the hub) designed to address disparities through an additional focus on underrepresented populations to meet the needs resulting from the impacts of the pandemic. 

Program features include:
  • Monthly Reports to Sedgwick County
  • Phone, In-Person and Virtual Support
  • Radio & Mail Advertising
  • Social Media Marketing
  • Resource Audit & Needs Survey
  • Constant Feedback & Agile Approach
  • Grant Workshops
  • Job Training & Application Assistance
  • Connection to Community-Based Resources
  • Comprehensive Final Report

Find COVID-19 Resources below for:
Out & About with Commissioners
Commissioner Lopez serves on the new National Association of Counties Committee (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) (NACo DEI) Committee. She is an alumnus of the NACo High-Performance Leadership Academy and led the Pledge of Allegiance at the NACo Board of Directors meeting in Washington, D.C.
Chairman Dennis and Commissioner Meitzner had the opportunity to visit with Rep. Dan Hawkins, House Majority Caucus Chair, at County Day at the Capitol. This inaugural event focused on raising awareness of the importance of local County Government.
Tag Renewals & New Plates
For more information about tag renewals visit: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/tag-office/tag-renewals-and-replacements/.
COVID-19 Report for Feb. 2022
Showing case information from Feb. 4-18, 2022 with 14-day change:
 
  • The USA case count increased from 76,108,474 to 78,309,441 (+2.89%)
  • The Kansas case count increased from 744,493 to 762,081 (+2.36%)
  • The Sedgwick County case count increased from 108,719 to 110,518 (+1.65%)
 
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) operates a no-cost testing site located at 4115 E. Harry St. Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. SCHD conducts PCR testing using nasal, oral or saliva samples at the Harry St. location.

Text "SC COVID TEST" to 316-215-8313 to get in line for a COVID-19 test through SCHD. For additional no-cost testing sites in Wichita, go here. 

SCHD also has a drive-thru testing site at 777 Waterman St. The site hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Fri. from 2:30 to 7 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No appointments are necessary. The Waterman St. location is open now through Feb. 9. The drive-thru site offers PCR self-collected saliva sampling only.

Test results from both locations are generally available by the next weekday afternoon.

KDHE operates a mass testing site located at 1847 N. Chautauqua St. The site is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
SCHD provides no-cost Pfizer vaccine for people 5 and older and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine for people 18 and older. No appointments are necessary to get vaccinated at any SCHD vaccine clinic.
 
  • The primary vaccination series consists of:
  • One dose of J&J vaccine
  • Two doses of Pfizer vaccine
  • An additional Pfizer dose is authorized for people who are immunocompromised or have other qualifying conditions
  • For people over 18, a booster dose is encouraged at 5 months after the second Pfizer or Moderna dose or at 2 months after a J&J dose. People ages 12-17 who received Pfizer for their primary vaccination series are eligible for a Pfizer booster at 5 months.
  • The CDC has stated a preference for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and boosters over J&J.

SCHD operates the following no-cost vaccine clinic options:
 
  • Community Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202 (Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
  • Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff (hours vary)
  • Partner Clinics are offered by community partners and assisted by SCHD staff. Appointments preferred but walk-ins are welcome (hours vary)
 
Proof of prior vaccination(s) expedites registration.
 
For a full list of mobile and partner clinics and other information regarding COVID-19 vaccinations in Sedgwick County, please visit www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine. To inquire about hosting a Mobile Clinic, please contact SCHD by email at SCHDCovidVaccine@sedgwick.gov. 
Prevent Seasonal Flu
The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated every year. To learn more about and find resources to help answer your questions about the flu, visit https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/index.html
Stop Suicide
Educating yourself and others on the warning signs can play a crucial role in saving someone else's life. You are not alone. Please call the Community Crisis Center (CCC) today at (316) 660-7500.
Contact Commissioner Lacey Cruse
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203