Note from Chairman Dennis |
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February starts our budgeting process for 2023. We will complete the process in mid to late August. Our staff is already preparing background information that the Commissioners will need for the many decisions that will be made prior to August. Critical among those decisions are funding for COMCARE Crisis Center location and what to do about the Administration Building. Keep an eye on both the Board meetings as well as the staff meetings for information about these as well as numerous other issues.
The Kansas Legislature is now in session. We receive updates daily on both Kansas and the decisions being made in Washington D.C. that impact Sedgwick County. Our lobbyists in both locations do a great job of keeping all the Commissioners informed on the issues and in working the legislative agenda the Commission passed recently.
Last week, three City Council members joined us to discuss the task force that we created to review and recommend system improvements to insure the tragic events leading to Cedric Lofton’s death never happen again. Thank you to each of the community members who volunteered to serve on the task force.
So far, two citizens have completed an application to serve on the District 3 Citizen’s Advisory Board. I appreciate their volunteering. All positions are now full; however, I keep a file of volunteers so I can quickly fill any future vacancies.
It is an honor to serve District 3. Stay healthy.
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Bridge replacement on 63rd South between 375th and 359th Streets West.
- Closed to traffic during construction
- Work to begin in early February
- Expected to re-open to traffic in in March.
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Community Taskforce to Review Youth Corrections System Standards |
The Community Taskforce was established to review and recommend preferred system improvements after the incident and death of Cedric Lofton. The goal of this taskforce is to develop recommendations for improvements and changes to the existing system standards and performance of Department of Children and Families (DCF), law enforcement and youth corrections programs.
The work of the taskforce will include:
- review the circumstances and details of the Cedric Lofton case, relative to existing system standards and performance
- review law enforcement and foster care policies. Review mental and behavioral health training and resources
- review Juvenile Intake and Assessment System (JIAS/State) and Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC/County) standards and use of force.
The Taskforce will have a third-party external moderator/facilitator assisting in the dialogue and efforts of these meetings. Potential timeline of completion is three months, but will be determined and driven by the work and outcomes of this Taskforce.
A final report of recommendations will be presented to the governing bodies of Sedgwick County, City of Wichita and the State of Kansas as an outcome from this Taskforce.
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At the Jan. 12, 2022 meeting, Commissioner Pete Meitzner presented the 2021 Chairman’s Award to Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems and Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech). This was one of his last official duties as Chairman of the Board.
The Chairman’s award – which has been awarded since 1988 - recognizes a person or group who is civic-minded. The recipients have made a notable contribution to the success and sustainability of our community. In addition, they have set an example for others in our community by modeling behavior that encourages, motivates and inspires.
Those accepting the awards were Doug Scott on behalf of Ron Draper (President and CEO of Textron Aviation), Tom Gentile (President and CEO of Spirit AeroSystems) and Dr. Sheree Utash (President of WSU Tech).
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4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Heroes and Sheroes Scholarship Awards Breakfast |
African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble (ARISE) hosted their annual scholarship awards breakfast, celebrated MLK Heroes and Sheroes, as well as honored Wichita's community leaders on Monday, Jan. 17. |
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COVID-19 Report for Jan. 31, 2022 |
Showing case information from Jan. 12-26, 2022 with 14-day change:
- The USA case count increased from 62,656,634 to 72,358,770 (+15.48%)
- The Kansas case count increased from 601,859 to 709,838 (+17.94%)
- The Sedgwick County case count increased from 90,497 to 104,609 (+15.59%)
The Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD) operates a no-cost testing site located at 4115 E. Harry St. Testing is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 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.
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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:
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Community Vaccine Clinic at the former Wichita Public Library | 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202 (NEW HOURS: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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Mobile Clinics are offered by SCHD staff (hours vary)
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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.
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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
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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. |
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The Kansas Department of Transportation is seeking feedback to learn what Kansans think about how highways and bridges are funded. Your response will help KDOT better understand statewide priorities and explore potential ways to pay for the state’s roads and bridges in the future. Click here to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MidwestRUC
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American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funding Opportunities |
As recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues in Sedgwick County, we are continuing to communicate opportunities from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that may be of help to you. ARPA became law on March 11, 2021 to provide $1.9 trillion in economic stimulus with the intent to speed up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below are ARPA Funding Opportunities that have recently been made available:
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County |
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