KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would like to alert consumers that a recall has been issued by Pinnacle Foods Inc. for Aunt Jemima frozen breakfast foods including pancakes, waffles and French toast slices because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall was initiated after Listeria monocytogenes was found in the production environment. All affected distributors and retail and food service customers are being notified.

To date, no illnesses have been linked with this recall. Please visit https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm557098.htm for up to date information on this recall. All “best by” dates for these products have been recalled. These products were distributed to grocery stores, hospitals, schools and other institutions in Kansas.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. Symptoms begin from three to 70 days after consuming the bacteria. Listeria cannot be spread from person to person. Anyone who believes they may have become ill with listeriosis should contact their health care provider.

For questions related to the recalled products, consumers can contact Pinnacle Foods Consumer Care at 888-299-7646. For questions about listeriosis, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/listeria or call the KDHE epidemiology hotline at 877-427-7317.

KCC

TOPEKA – The Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), the agency that regulates motor carriers in the state, has launched a web based system designed to help motor carriers meet regulatory requirements and successfully manage their businesses.

KTRAN, which stands for the Kansas Trucking Regulatory Assistance Network, is a one-stop shop where users can apply and pay for authorities, waivers, renewals and Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fees as well as receive important alerts and messages from the KCC.

This week letters are being sent to all Kansas motor carriers with a USDOT number instructing them to register with KTRAN using their USDOT number and newly assigned KCC personal identification number (PIN). Step-by-step instructions are provided in the mailing. Users must register online in order to receive messages, alerts, and both intrastate renewal and UCR renewal notices.

KTRAN can be accessed from the KCC website at http://kcc.ks.gov/ktran.

KTRAN features include:
· An online database providing greater ease and efficiency in motor carrier operations and regulation.
· Web-based tools to determine requirements for motor carriers who plan to operate point-to-point in Kansas. This includes:

1.  Application
2.  Payment and delivery
3.  An interactive site to communicate updates and receive compliance information

· Kansas based interstate carriers can now pay their Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) through KTRAN.

The KTRAN network is funded by a grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies and member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee – sponsored legislation led by U.S. Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) to combat veteran suicide.

The Veterans Overmedication Prevention Act (S. 992) would direct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct an independent study on the deaths of all veterans being treated at the VA who died by suicide, from an accidental drug overdose and other means related to their passing in the last five years.

“The number of veterans who take their own lives each year remains alarmingly high despite the efforts of many at the VA, community providers and nonprofit groups working to care for those who have served our nation,” Sen. Moran said. “We must do everything we can to put a stop to this disturbing trend – this legislation is one step among many we should take as we work to provide veterans with the care they need to end veteran suicide.”

A 2016 report by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that an average of 20 veterans a day die from suicide, accounting for nearly a quarter of all deaths from suicide among U.S. adults; however, more substantive research is critical to properly address this epidemic among veterans. Since 2001, the rate of veteran suicide has increased by 32 percent. After controlling for age and gender, this makes the risk of suicide 21 percent higher for veterans than the average U.S. adult.

A primary reason for the review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is to determine the relationship between veteran suicides and prescription medication. Additionally, this legislation would direct the VA to perform a more comprehensive review of its behavioral health workforce with a focus on mental health counselors in an effort to address workforce shortages.

The legislation is also supported by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, AMVETS and the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Click here to view the legislation.

KDWPT

TOPEKA – May 7-13 marks National Travel and Tourism Week across the U.S, and there’s no better time to make plans to join the more than 35 million people who enjoy traveling and visiting in Kansas each year.

“Studies indicate that a vacation helps reduce stress and bolsters the immune system,” said Linda Craghead, Assistant Secretary for Parks and Tourism with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. “Kansas offers so many unique experiences for visitors and residents alike. Not only does a vacation feel wonderful, time away also benefits creativity, cultural awareness, education, happiness, productivity and relationships. We encourage all Kansans to get away from the rat race and explore their beautiful state.”

A great way to start planning a trip is to download the new TravelKS app available free from the Apple iTunes Store and Google Play Store. Search the store for “Kansas Tourism” or download the app from TravelKS.com. You can create and save your own unique itinerary, and thanks to a geotracking feature, you can easily find things to see and do near you.

There’s no place like Kansas, so don’t forget to snap pictures of your experiences and enter your best shots in the #NoPlaceLikeKS Photo Contest. All you have to do is show your favorite thing to do in Kansas, then share the image on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #NoPlaceLikeKS. You could have your masterpiece published in a national ad. Visit TravelKS.com for more information.

As if feeling great isn’t enough, traveling in Kansas is a $10.4 billion industry that helps boost the state’s economy. Travel in Kansas sustained 94,126 jobs in 2015 with an income of $2.9 billion, and traveler-supported employment represents 4.9 percent of all employment in the state. Travelers’ spending directly generated $1 billion in total tourism-supported tax revenues for Kansas and $588 million in state and local government revenues in our state.

Learn more about Kansas tourism at www.travelks.com, download the TravelKS app or call (785) 296-2009. Find Kansas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TravelKS and on Twitter at @TravelKS.

OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs and Related Agencies – convened a hearing May 4 to receive testimony from federal government and non-government witnesses regarding telemedicine and ways to increase access to healthcare, improve health outcomes, and lower costs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through telemedicine programs.

“Telehealth creates a bridge between our rural and urban centers – providers at an urban site can now diagnose and provide a care plan for veterans hundreds of miles away,” Sen. Moran said. “Telehealth can offer a veteran the means and flexibility to access care through the VA, especially when they struggle to physically visit a VA hospital. I look forward to seeing how VA telehealth improves the lives of veterans.”

At the hearing, Sen. Moran discussed access to TeleBenefits in Parsons, Kan. The Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Parsons is the first site to offer TeleBenefits in Kansas where a veteran can connect virtually with a claim analyst and even submit supporting documents to their benefits claim.

As VA Outreach Coordinator Tara Cisneros told the Parsons Sun, “Anything we can do to reach our rural veterans, that’s what I’m aiming for. I just want them to know this service is here.”

Click here to watch the hearing.

KDCF

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) is excited to announce a new foster care campaign, designed to recruit potential foster families, provide support to current foster families and increase the public’s awareness about the need for temporary, stable homes for children coming into care in Kansas.

The campaign was announced may 3, at a news conference and informational fair at the Kansas State Capitol, Topeka. Governor Sam Brownback, DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore, foster parents and a young adult formerly in foster care addressed attendees. Governor Brownback also signed a proclamation designating May as Foster Care Month.

“We need more foster parents,” Governor Brownback said. “We’ve got great foster parents, but we need more of them. We have a lot of foster children—children who need homes. We need your home to open up and receive them. We need that, and they need that.”

The campaign will launch in three phases this year. The first phase, which will fully launch May 15, includes a website designed to centralize the foster care process, and make it easier for families to being their foster care journey.

The website, www.fosterkskids.org, will feature a live-chat function, where individuals can get their questions answered by a foster care professional, in real time. The next phase of the website, scheduled to launch between June and August, will host a foster parent blog, where current foster families can share their experience with fostering, and connect with interested audiences.

“Every year, we observe national Foster Care Month in May, to call attention to the need for foster families,” Secretary Gilmore said. “There is always a need to become an important person in the life of a child.”

The foster care campaign will also feature a new commercial, set to begin airing in mid-May.

Currently, there are nearly 7,000 children in foster care in Kansas. Jennifer Johnson and her husband, Alan, have fostered Kansas children for six years. They understand the growing need to provide children coming into care a stable, temporary environment. Johnson shared her experience fostering children, and offered what she’s learned along with way.

“I think that’s the most important part when people asked me, “Why are you a foster parent?” Well, because of the kids, of course, and the lessons I’ve learned, fostering on and being successful even in the middle of a disruption. So, while Alan and I became foster parents to change the lives of kids, you know what, those kids changed our lives,” Johnson said.

To learn more about how you can become a foster parent, visit www.fosterkskids.org.

KDA

MANHATTAN — The Kansas Department of Agriculture is seeking individuals to participate in Petfood Forum China in Shanghai, China, from August 21-27, 2017. This conference will allow the representatives to explore export opportunities, conduct market research, and begin to establish a network of contacts to help Kansas small businesses in the pet food and pet care market.

The pet food sector contributes approximately $2.53 billion annually to the Kansas economy, and supports more than 1,900 jobs in Kansas. “The pet food industry is a growing sector in the Kansas agriculture industry,” said Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey. “There is great potential for small businesses in Kansas to achieve growth through strategic efforts to explore the pet food export market.”

Petfood Forum China is a one-day premier networking and educational conference for global pet food manufacturing industry professionals held in conjunction with Pet Fair Asia, one of the largest pet product trade shows in the world. Participants will meet with the industry’s leading suppliers of pet products. KDA plans to take a group of five representatives of Kansas companies within the pet food industry.

Attendance at Petfood Forum China is supported by a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which helps Kansas non-exporters get started and existing exporters to export more. Since the grant’s inception in 2012, more than 30 Kansas small businesses have participated and achieved $9.2 million in actual export sales.

Companies in the pet food industry which meet the Small Business Administration’s definition of a small or medium-sized business are invited to apply to participate. Interested individuals should complete the application forms available on the KDA website at agriculture.ks.gov/International. Applications are due by June 2, 2017. For more information, contact KDA agribusiness development director Lynne Hinrichsen at [email protected] or (785) 564-6757.

KS LIBERTARIAN PARTY

Mission – The Libertarian Party of Kansas’ Executive Committee embodies the political middle ground the party has claimed for years, following last weekend’s State Convention in Mission, Kansas, according to a news release from the LPKS.

Party leadership is predominantly female for the first time since inception with the election of the first ever female LPKS State Chair, Kris Logan (Lansing), Victoria French (Wichita) as 4th District Coordinator, and Heather Toot (Leavenworth) as 2nd District Coordinator.

Perhaps even more surprising, all three new members of the party’s leadership found the Libertarian Party as disenfranchised Democrats or Republicans.

LPKS State Chair, Kris Logan, said, “People shouldn’t be surprised our leadership is made up of both former Democrats and Republicans. As Libertarians, we know we don’t have to agree on all issues, we simply have to agree that we will not use force to make others live as we personally believe is best. That is what makes us Libertarian.”

As hyper-partisanship continues to escalate, could the Libertarian Party be the common-sense middle ground voters are looking for?

Logan thinks so, and she invites every Kansan disappointed with the establishment parties to learn more about the party of minimum government, maximum freedom. “The Libertarian Party has been the fastest growing political party in Kansas for over a decade,” said Logan, “and I think that trend is only going to accelerate as both middle-ground Republicans and Democrats join us… not to mention all the Kansas Independents who simply don’t yet know that they are really Libertarians. Kansans are live-and-let-live people, and that is a core value of the Libertarian Party.”

In addition to the above listed new officers, Ric Koehn (Cimarron) was re-elected to the position of State Treasurer.

The 2018 LPKS State Convention is slated to be held in the spring in Wichita, Kansas. The party expects to continue the momentum with ever larger and impactful events.

For more information contact:
Kris Logan– LPKS State Chair – [email protected] – (913) 240-9008
Heather Toot – LPKS 2nd District Coordinator – [email protected] – (913) 240-4286
Victoria French – LPKS 4th District Coordinator – [email protected] (316) 807-4685

KDWPT

PRATT ­– They’re creepy-crawly, blood-sucking arachnids; nobody likes ticks. Unfortunately, they are a fact of outdoor life in Kansas. But you don’t have to stay indoors to protect yourself. There are some precautions you can take to ensure ticks dislike you as much as you dislike them.

Tick numbers usually peak in early June, but depending on spring temperatures, they can be common from April through July. And protecting yourself is serious business because they can spread dangerous blood-borne diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease.

To make yourself as tick proof as possible, start by wearing light-colored clothing with long sleeves and pants. Keep pantlegs tucked into your socks. Do periodic checks and be sure to examine yourself and your clothing after an outing.

Use a repellent. Most people who spend time outdoors are familiar with the ingredient DEET, contained in many commercial insect repellents. It can be sprayed directly on your skin, and repellents that contain 20 percent to 30 percent DEET will repel ticks for several hours. Permethrin is another option. Unlike DEET, which repels ticks, permethrin causes muscle spasms, paralysis, and death for ticks if they touch it or consume it. Because of its potency, permethrin can only be applied to clothing. Permethrin-based products currently on the market can also last up to six washes, making a bottle go a long way.

Permethrin-based sprays can be purchased at most major retailers and are roughly the same price as popular repellents containing DEET. Look for a spray that contains at least 0.5 percent of permethrin. Clothing pre-treated with permethrin is also available.

When treating clothing with permethrin, be sure to read the instructions carefully. Apply the spray in a well-ventilated area, or outside. Then, let clothes air-dry by hanging them on a line or by leaving them out on a porch or outdoor table. Once dry, the treated clothing can be worn immediately.

Self-checks are important. It can take up to 36 hours for a tick to infect you if it attaches, so prompt removal is critical. If you find one attached, the best way to remove it is to grasp it gently close to the skin with tweezers and pull steadily straight up. Other methods may cause the tick to expel saliva and increase the chance of infection. Watch the bite site for signs of redness or a “bullseye” rash, which can be a symptom of Lyme disease. If you experience aches and pains or other flu-like symptoms after a tick bite, see your doctor as soon as possible. Early treatment is important.

Don’t let an insect just larger than the head of a pin keep you inside this spring. Follow basic precautions and enjoy the best time to be outdoors in Kansas.

KDOR

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Revenue has launched its redesigned site www.ksrevenue.org.

The new site has been consolidated and reorganized for easier navigation to help customers find what they need quickly. If people have bookmarked specific pages, they might need to update their links.

Customers will still be able register for and login to the Kansas Department of Revenue Customer Service Center from anywhere on the site through the login link in the upper right hand corner of the website. From the customer service center, people can pay their taxes online, register for taxes and access features like the drivers education portal.

The redesigned site also includes a new feature that customers can use to search for the closest driver licensing office by ZIP code or city. The feature can also be used to look up hours, services offered and contact information.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans’ Affairs and Related Agencies – convened the subcommittee’s second hearing of the 115th Congress last week to address how Congress, the Department of Veterans Affairs and community partners can work together to meet the needs of veterans in crisis.

“We must make certain no veteran feels abandoned by the country they served when they make the brave decision to seek mental healthcare services,” Chairman Moran said. “Congress must better understand how to support the Department, the Department should seek assistance from community partners and embrace the helpful findings of outside experts, and veterans’ support groups must be vocal about the needs of in-crisis veterans and their families. I hope this hearing helps bring us together to end veteran suicide – even one suicide is too many.

“I am thankful to have had two Kansans on our panel of experts today – Dr. Stephanie Davis from the VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System, and Melissa Jarboe, CEO and founder of the Military Veteran Project based in Topeka. “Melissa is a Gold Star Wife whose husband Jamie would have been 33 today, and her work with the MVP is done to fulfill her promise to him to support soldiers and veterans.

“If you or a veteran you know is struggling or if need of help, the VA’s confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat and text services are available around the clock. Veterans and their loved ones can call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 for confidential support. These services also can provide support for deaf or hard of hearing individuals.”

Witnesses included:

· Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D.
Veterans Health Administration Deputy Undersecretary for Health for Organizational Excellence
· Dr. Harold S. Kudler, M.D.
Veterans Health Administration Chief Consultant for Mental Health Services
· Stephanie A. Davis, Ph.D.
Veterans Health Administration VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, Topeka and Leavenworth
Suicide Prevention Coordinator and Staff Psychologist
· Melissa D. Jarboe, Topeka
Military Veteran Project Chief Executive Officer
· The Honorable Michael L. Missal
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Inspector General
· Rajeev Ramchand, Ph.D.
Rand Corporation Senior Behavioral Scientist

Click here to view the hearing.

KDADS

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is seeking proposals for offering mental health education and training in Medicaid and/or Medicare-certified Nursing Facilities for Mental Health (NFMH) in Kansas.

NFMH provide residential care for persons experiencing severe symptoms of mental illness. They provide round-the-clock supervision and care for persons with mental illness needing this level of service. There are currently 9 NFMH in Kansas.

The funding for this training is being provided from civil money penalties collected by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) from Kansas nursing facilities participating in Medicaid and/or Medicare.

KDADS is seeking proposals that will provide training and education for staff that care for these individuals.

“Enhanced training will prepare NFMH staff to better recognize and identify the underlying causes of difficult behavior, how to best care for individuals with mental illness and how to manage their own feelings about problem behaviors they may encounter,” said Codi Thurness, KDADS Commissioner for Survey, Certification and Credentialing.

The program proposals are required to include:

· Program objectives and deliverables
· Program outline with timeframe for each deliverable
· Strategies for accomplishing objectives
· Qualification for individual who will be conducting the program
· Methods for evaluating effectiveness of the program
· Copies of any materials used in the program
· Number of participants for each program (to include attendants and NFMH facilities)
· Itemized budget for anticipated costs of the programs.

Grant applicants must submit an original application and three copies. The application is available online at: https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/scc/nursingfacilitymentalhealtheducationgrant.gov

Grant proposals must be submitted to KDADS by close of business June 9, 2017. The grant period shall be between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018, but may be extended or shortened based on specific program objectives.

Grant proposals should be submitted to the attention of:

Tina Lewis
KDADS
612 S. Kansas Avenue
Topeka, KS 66603

Questions? Please call (785) 296-1260 or email [email protected].

KIDS AND CARS

OLATHE–In announcing the first National Child Vehicular Heatstroke Awareness and Prevention Day for 2017, on Wednesday, April 26th, KidsAndCars.org points out that heatstroke deaths are not rare, isolated tragedies.

On average, once every nine days an innocent child dies of heatstroke in a vehicle. It is of paramount importance that we work together to continue to raise awareness and prevent these deaths.

Already this year five children have died from heatstroke inside vehicles, and summer is still two months away:
A boy, 1, died Feb. 6 in Pinecrest, Florida
A boy, 2, died Feb. 28 in Brandon, Florida
A girl, 3, died March 28 in Ville Platte, Louisiana
A boy, 1, died April 4 in Vestavia, Alabama
A boy, 23 months, died April 14 in Burleson, Texas

Since 1990, almost 800 children have died in these preventable tragedies. An average of 37 children die needlessly every year from vehicular heatstroke. In 2016 a total of 39 children died. One of the biggest challenges; nobody thinks this could ever happen to them.

“If you’re a parent or caregiver, ask yourself, ‘What steps can I take to make sure our child is never left behind,'” says Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org. Based in Olathe, it is the leading national nonprofit child safety organization working solely to prevent injuries and deaths of children in and around motor vehicles.

Safety steps include:

• Put something in the back seat so you have to open the back door when leaving the vehicle – cellphone, employee badge, handbag, left shoe, etc.
• Every time you park your vehicle open the back door to make sure no one has been left behind. “Look Before You Lock.”
• Ask your childcare provider or babysitter to call you within 10 minutes if your child hasn’t arrived on time.
• Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat and move it to the front seat to remind you when your baby is in the back seat.
• Focus on driving and avoid cellphone calls and any other distractions while driving.

The public can also help. KidsAndCars.org encourages individuals to take immediate action if they see a child alone in a vehicle. “Call 911, and try to find the driver. But if the child is in imminent danger, it may be necessary to break the window furthest away from the child to rescue them,” stressed Fennell. The organization offers a small tool called resqme™, an all-in-one window breaker and seatbelt cutter that fits on a keychain. To break the glass, simply tap the spring-loaded device on the corner of a car window. (http://www.kidsandcars.org/resqme-tool/)

“We believe education along with technology solutions, such as systems to warn when a child is left behind, are the most effective way to prevent these tragedies,” Fennell added. To educate new parents, the organization has distributed more than 750,000 safety information cards to birthing hospitals nationwide through its “Look Before You Lock” educational campaign, the first program of its kind.

For additional information, statistics and charts on child vehicular heat stroke visit:
http://www.kidsandcars.org/heatstroke-day.html.

About KidsAndCars.org: Founded in 1996, KidsAndCars.org, Olathe, is the only national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated solely to preventing injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. KidAndCars.org promotes awareness among parents, caregivers and the general public about the dangers to children, including backover and frontover incidents, and heat stroke from being unknowingly left in a vehicle. The organization works to prevent tragedies through data collection, education and public awareness, policy change and survivor advocacy.