Mid-KS CAP provides lodging for homeless
Lynn Unruh, community services director of Marion and Chase counties Mid-Kansas Community Assistance Program, reported at the interagency meeting Friday in Marion, the agency provides funds for two nights of motel lodging for homeless people.
Unruh said the subject could be a transient person or even a family living out of their car who need a place to stay awhile and get cleaned up.
"It's not a permanent fix," she said. "It's just a temporary reprieve."
According to Sammie Simmons, customer service representative for the SRS, the agency is receiving numerous requests for help with emergency needs in large amounts, more than the SRS can handle. He said the agency is looking to other social service agencies to help meet the needs.
Simmons reportedly also has been busy helping people sign up for Medicare Part D.
Ken Grohusky, SRS field agent, said he recently gave a presentation to students at Marion about poverty and welfare, as a way to motivate them to stay in school. He is available to other schools or groups in the area.
Barbara Bunting of Northview Developmental Services, Newton, reported the agency has opened an office in Hillsboro. It is not staffed at all times, but Beth Plett is the contact person.
Cheri Ochs-Wheeler of Prairie View reported the agency is working more and more with younger children, some as young as two years old. She said there seems to be less stigma associated with working with young children.
Ochs-Wheeler said Prairie View again will be conducting a summer school. It will last for six weeks and will include children of pre-school age.
Sandy Berg of Prairie View reported the agency is involved in after-school programs in the five school districts in Marion County.
Training sessions are available through several agencies for those involved in social services of various kinds.
