Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS–Fishing’s Future, a national organization aimed at getting more families outdoors, is proud to announce the national launch of the 2015 Catch-Photo-Release contest for youth anglers.

Contest requirements are simple. All a young angler has to do is catch a fish, photograph it, release it, and write an essay, in 200 words or less, about their angling experience. The photo and mini-essay must be submitted to the Fishing’s Future Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/fishingsfuture) before August 31, 2015 to be eligible to win great prizes. The contest is not species-specific and all youth 16 and younger may participate. Winners will be notified via e-mail and announced on Facebook.

The grand prize winner will receive a week-long vacation for a family of four at Schlitterbahn Waterpark and Resort on South Padre Island, Texas, including a Black Dragon Pirate Ship cruise, guided shark fishing excursion, and more. Airfare, hotel and activity expenses will be covered, not including food and drink.

The second place winner will receive a 2015 Tracker Topper 1436 Jon boat and trailer courtesy of the Tracker Marine Group.

The third place winner will receive a Humminbird Helix SI GPS and Old Town Vapor 12 kayak with paddle and personal flotation device.

And each week four random winners will be drawn to receive rod/reel and tackle prize packages.

For more information visit fishingsfuture.org.

Kansas State Fire Marshal

Summertime means spending more time outdoors for many Kansas families. Summer is also when there is an increase in visits to the emergency room due to fire and burn injury. Barbecue grills, campfires and fireworks can cause serious injuries to children.

Safe Kids Kansas, the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) remind everyone to practice fire safety to ensure your family has a fun, safe summer.

Statistics show that as summer approaches, we see an increase in the number of fire/burn emergency department (ER) visits in Kansas. Kansas Hospital Association data from 2007 to 2010 show fire/burn ER visits peaked in the month of July. This is likely due to the increase in use of fireworks.

It is no surprise that many families enjoy the sparkles and booms of fireworks. But it is important to recognize that fireworks are explosive and can be dangerous. It is especially important to supervise children around fireworks, keeping them at a safe distance and ensuring any firework they may be handling is appropriate for their age and used correctly according to the manufacturer. In 2014, 158 fireworks injuries were reported in Kansas. Of those, 46 percent were injuries to children ages 16 and younger, according to OSFM. In addition, we know that many minor injuries go unreported.

“Even when handled correctly, fireworks can sometimes be defective or simply unpredictable,” said Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas. “Even sparklers, which are typically viewed by parents as relatively harmless fireworks for children, cause serious burn injuries, accounting for one-third of the injuries to children under five in the U.S.”

“While shooting your own fireworks can be a thrill, they can also cause serious injuries and fires if not handled properly,” says Doug Jorgensen, Fire Marshal for the State of Kansas. “The safest approach to enjoying fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays conducted by trained professionals who know how to properly handle fireworks. We want all our Kansas kids to enjoy this summer’s fun and festivities as safely as possible.”

Follow these fireworks safety tips:

• Closely supervise children around fireworks at all times.
• Transport fireworks in the trunk of your vehicle. If your vehicle does not have a trunk, ensure fireworks are kept out of direct sunlight.
• Read and follow the directions on the packaging.
• Never modify fireworks or use homemade or illegal fireworks.
• Little arms are too short to hold sparklers, which can heat up to 1,200 degrees. Let young children use glow sticks instead. They can be just as fun but they don’t burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass.
• If a child is injured by fireworks, call 9-1-1 immediately.
• The best protection is to attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to professionals.

Many families enjoy camping during the summer months and making s‘mores around the campfire is often part of that tradition. Be fire smart when you head for the great outdoors, and be prepared to take extra precautions when you may be far from a water source.

Follow these campfire safety tips:

• Supervise children and keep them away from the fire.
• Teach kids how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire.
• Keep plenty of water nearby and have a shovel for throwing sand or dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
• Never leave a campfire unattended.

When extinguishing the fire, drown it with water. If you do not have water, use dirt. Continue adding and stirring until all material is cooled. However, do not bury coals, as they can smolder and start to burn again.

Grilling food outdoors is a national summer pastime. But before lighting up the grill, know the facts and keep safety in mind. Gas grills were involved in an average of 7,100 home fires every year from 2006 to 2010 in the U.S., while charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in an annual average of 1,200 home fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA). Grill fires at home are estimated to cause an average of 10 deaths, 100 injuries, and $37 million in property loss each year in the U.S.

Follow these grilling safety tips:

• Gas and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill to prevent flare ups.
• Never leave your grill unattended.

Safe Kids Kansas, OSFM, KDHE and KHP urge parents to practice these safety tips to reduce the risk of a fire or a trip to the emergency room and ensure this summer is a safe one.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–The Fourth of July Holiday is popular with Kansas state park patrons. It’s hot, and being outdoors close to the water draws thousands. Most parks have designated swimming beaches, buoyed for safety, but there are no lifeguards. Swimmers must obey safety rules and use common sense to prevent tragedy from marring what should be a fun, relaxing holiday at the park.

One important rule for parents is to never let young children out of sight. It’s also a good idea to strap young ones into well-fitted life jackets. It can only take a moment on a crowded beach to lose track of an active toddler.

Swimmers should pay attention to weather conditions. A typical summer thunderstorm can pop up quickly, bringing high wind, lightning, and heavy rain. Watch the weather forecasts and the skies. Even on a sunny day, the weather can be an issue. Recently, swimmers floating on air mattresses had to be rescued at El Dorado Lake when high winds and rough water pushed them away from the beach. The high waves prevented them from swimming back to shore.

For holiday boaters, similar precautions must be followed; stay informed of weather forecasts, be aware of wave and wind velocities, and operate at safe and practical speeds for conditions. Boating laws require children 12 and younger to wear properly-fitting life jackets while on board. There must be a life jacket readily accessible for everyone on board, and it’s a good idea for everyone to wear one.

For many boaters, drinking alcohol and boating go together, but alcohol is a factor in a majority of serious boating accidents. Boaters should also know that operating a boat with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater is illegal and boating officers enforce boating under the influence (BUI) laws just as state troopers enforce DUI laws on highways. Sun, wave action and heat serve only to exacerbate the effects of alcohol on the body. Always have a designated boat operator who refrains from drinking alcohol.

Swimming and boating on Kansas reservoirs are very safe activities when you consider the number of accidents and fatalities compared to the millions of water recreation days recorded each year. However, by following a few easy, common sense rules and regulations, water recreation can be safer. Make your Fourth of July Holiday safe and fun this year.

Kansas Department for Children and Families

TOPEKA–In a recent report released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kansas ranks fifth in the nation for ensuring that children who come into foster care are placed with a family instead of in a group home setting.

“While there are certainly times when it is appropriate for a child to be placed in a group home, in most situations, a family setting is the least restrictive and less traumatic environment for a child following removal,” Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said. “It is always our priority to keep children in their own homes when it’s a safe option.”

In the past two decades, Kansas has reduced group home placements from 30 percent to 5 percent. In Kansas, of the 6,492 children in foster care (May 2015), 338 are in a group home setting.

Kansas foster care services are provided by two contractors, KVC Kansas in DCF’s East and KC regions and St. Francis Community Services in DCF’s West and Wichita regions.

Research cited by the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows that there are developmental benefits to children living in a family setting as opposed to a group home. Children placed in family settings tend to have more positive outcomes. The family setting is also the less expensive option. Group home placements are seven to 10 times more costly for states.

DCF is actively working to recruit more foster families in the state. The agency has partnered with many faith-based and community groups to raise awareness of this need.

The “Every Kid Needs a Family” policy report published by Anne E. Casey Foundation can be viewed at http://www.aecf.org/m/resourcedoc/aecf-EveryKidNeedsAFamily-2015.pdf. The report reflects 2013 data.

Office of the Governor

TOPEKA–Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed the following bill into law on June 30, 2015.

House Bill 2142 – clarifies the effective date of the recently passed legislation related to requirements for a vote for any property tax increase above the rate of inflation.

During the 2015 legislative session, the Governor signed 104 bills into law this session, vetoed one and line-item vetoed one item in House Substitute for Senate Bill 112, the budget bill. By law, the Kansas governor has 10 calendar days to sign the bill into law, veto the bill or allow the bill to become law without his or her signature.

Kansas Department for Children and Families

TOPEKA–Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Phyllis Gilmore is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded the State of Kansas $621,501 in bonus funds for substantially improving its payment error rate in the food assistance program known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“When this Administration started, the State of Kansas was in danger of being penalized for its poor performance,” Secretary Gilmore said. “We are now leading the nation after implementing a new business process that makes client service a high priority. We once averaged 30 days to provide someone an eligibility determination. A client now knows if he/she is approved for food assistance within eight to 10 days.”

The payment error rate consists of the sum of two components—the overpayment rate and the underpayment rate. Overpayments reflect benefits issued over the amount that a household is entitled to receive, while underpayments reflect benefits that a household is entitled to but did not receive. Kansas’ overpayment rate is .60 percent, while the underpayment rate is .14 percent.

The USDA notified Kansas of the news on Friday, June 26. The letter to Governor Sam Brownback advised that Kansas’ error rate was .75 percent in FY 2014. The national average is 3.66 percent.

According to the USDA, Section 16(d)(2)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, authorizes the USDA to award $48 million in bonuses to state agencies that demonstrate high or improved performance in administering SNAP. The $621,501 SNAP High Performance Bonus issued to Kansas will be placed in a special fee fund for SNAP-related activities.

“I wish to commend Kansas for being one of the states with the most improved payment error rate during FY 2014,” USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) Under Secretary Kevin Concannon said. “Kansas’ payment error rate improved from 3.99 percent in FY 2013 to .75 percent in FY 2014, a 3.24 percentage point decrease.”

The USDA has also shared with Secretary Gilmore that Kansas is ranked eighth in the country for another performance award category—best and most improved case and procedural error rate (CAPER), at 11.27 percent, compared to the national average of 26.3 percent. The top four states will receive bonus funds.

“We are delighted to see that all of our hard work is paying off. We are doing more to protect the integrity of this program so that only those who are truly eligible for assistance receive it,” Secretary Gilmore said.

DCF currently serves 278,263 food assistance clients. The average benefit per person is $113.26 per month.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican Gov. Sam Brownback and GOP legislative leaders are condemning a court ruling that declares key parts of the state’s new school funding law unconstitutional.

Brownback said Friday that the state would appeal the decision from a three-judge panel in Shawnee County District Court. He said the panel overstepped its authority.

The law took effect in April and scrapped a per-student formula for distributing aid to the state’s 286 school districts. Top Republicans said the judicial panel is ordering the state to restore parts of the old formula and immediately provide millions of extra dollars.

Senate Majority Leader and Nickerson Republican Terry Bruce called the ruling “utter nonsense.” House Speaker and Stilwell Republican Ray Merrick said it is “87 pages of judicial activism.”

But Democratic legislative leaders praised the decision.

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Office of the Governor

TOPEKA–Governor Sam Brownback today issued a statement following a decision issued by the three-judge panel of the Shawnee County District Court.

“The three-judge panel has once again violated its Constitutional authority with this ruling. It has now taken upon itself the powers specifically and clearly assigned to the legislative and executive branches of government. In doing so, it has replaced the judgment of Kansas voters with the judgment of unelected activist judges.

“For the first time ever, the state will invest more than $4 billion in K-12 education in Kansas in Fiscal Year 2016.”

Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will be participating in the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators “Operation Dry Water” (ODW) event, June 26-28. ODW is a nationally-coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to boating under the influence (BUI). During this three-day period, KDWPT officers will be conducting increased patrols, breathalyzer tests, and checkpoints, as well as providing boater education and outreach.

“Studies have found that people become impaired faster when boating as opposed to driving due to additional factors such as heat, dehydration, wind and wave action,” said KDWPT assistant director of law enforcement, Major Dan Hesket. “Our goal is to promote awareness of the hazards relating to boat operations while intoxicated and to prevent any accidents, injuries, or deaths due to operating while impaired.”

Hesket encourages anyone who suspects a boater to be intoxicated to dial 911 and provide the operator with the location, the suspect boat’s registration numbers, and a complete description of the operator and passengers.

Boaters whose blood alcohol content (BAC) level exceeds the state limit of .08 percent can expect to be arrested for BUI and face other serious penalties including fines, jail time and loss of boating or even driving privileges.

According to Hesket, the KDWPT Law Enforcement Division averages approximately 11 special enforcement efforts over the ODW weekend, resulting in four to eight BUI arrests each year.

For more information, visit operationdrywater.org.

Kansas Department for Children and Families

TOPEKA–This week, Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) clients will begin receiving notice of upcoming changes to their benefits. These notices are being sent to advise clients of changes that will take effect on July 1, as part of the Kansas Hope, Opportunity and Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) Act that was
signed into law on April 16.

The Kansas HOPE Act is the most comprehensive welfare reform in the nation, designed to promote self-sufficiency and employment opportunities for low-income Kansans.

Most of the reforms in the Act codify existing DCF policy changes that were already implemented in recent years to encourage employment. Other measures were newly-introduced through the legislative process.

One of those measures that passed both chambers was to reduce the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) lifetime limit from 48 months to 36 months (with a 12-month hardship allowed for certain circumstances). In an effort to help individuals transition to this change, DCF will implement the policy in phases:

• Pre-implementation: Beginning today, June 22, DCF will notify clients by mail of the policy changes. Those who are approaching their lifetime limit will be invited to come in and speak with a case manager about their situation to determine if a hardship extension is warranted (up to 12 months).
• Phase 1: July 1, the 36-month lifetime limit is implemented. New applications for households that have already reached/surpassed 36 months of TANF will be denied. Those who are currently approved before July 1 (who will hit the 36-month time limit between July 1 and Jan. 1, 2016) will receive a six-month grace period (unless they hit 48 months in that time).
• Phase 2: On Jan. 31, 2016, those who reach 36 months will lose TANF eligibility, unless a hardship extension has been granted. Hardship extensions could provide an additional 12 months of eligibility, depending on circumstances.

“We hope this transition period will be used to actively work with our case managers and employment services to obtain employment or training,” DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said. “We know that the average client on TANF uses 18 months of eligibility, so we are confident that through our services, we can help individuals obtain self-sufficiency before they ever come close to the limit.”

Another change that was passed into law is a $25 daily ATM withdrawal limit.

Recently, the Governor signed into law a modification to the original legislation that provides authority to the Secretary to change this limit upon guidance from our federal partners. This language allows the Secretary to “raise or rescind” the ATM limit to ensure “continued appropriation of the TANF block grant through compliance with the provisions of the middle class tax relief and job creation act of 2012 which govern adequate access to cash assistance.”

“We have been in discussions with our federal partners about this provision of the law, but we have not received specific guidance about the daily ATM withdrawal limit at this time,” Secretary Gilmore said.

“Our Kansas Benefits Card contractor, FIS, is actively working to implement this law, but the technical adjustments cannot be implemented immediately. Therefore, the $25 ATM withdrawal limit, the restrictions on TANF being used at points of sale outside of the state, and the one ATM transaction per day limit will not be enforced until ATMs and point of sale machines are capable of denying these requests. These changes are
estimated to take at least six to 12 months to implement. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available,” Gilmore explained.

Another new measure that DCF is actively working to implement is the optional photo ID on Kansas Benefits Cards. The agency anticipates this measure will take up to 12 months to begin.

“We fully intend to keep clients and the public aware of these changes before they happen,” Gilmore said.

“We are pleased to see that many of our clients are seeing the benefits of our employment programs and transitioning away from dependence. It is our goal that every client realizes his/her full potential through employment, so the cycle of poverty is broken.”

For more information about the Kansas HOPE Act, including a list of frequently asked questions, visit hope.dcf.ks.gov.

TOPEKA–The Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner (KSC) joined with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) this week to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).

First launched in 2006, WEAAD is the product of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization. The goal of WEAAD is to provide people around the world with the knowledge and awareness necessary to prevent elder abuse in their communities.

“Although elder abuse comes in many forms – physical, financial, emotional, neglect or abandonment – often several types of abuse will be inflicted at the same time,” said Securities Commissioner Josh Ney in a news release. Financial abuse is considered to be the most common form of abuse to elders, costing its victims an estimated $2.9 billion a year.

Investment fraud is an area of particular concern, as victims can see their life savings depleted with little opportunity to recover financial stability. Investment fraud can come in many forms. The investment might be deceptive outright, or it could be a legitimate product that is unsuitable for the investor’s circumstances. Other investment problems include unregistered products, theft of funds or products sold by an unlicensed adviser or broker. Investors and caregivers are urged to “investigate before investing” by calling the KSC at (785) 296-3307 to verify if the product and person selling it are registered/licensed and if there have been any complaints.

“Elder financial abuse is becoming the crime of the 21st century as the growing senior population is increasingly targeted,” said Ney. “Studies show that family members and caregivers are the culprits in more than half of these cases. Anyone can – and should – report abuse of an elderly person in any of its forms, whether it is physical, emotional or financial.”

In response to WEAAD, the KSC has developed presentations titled Outsmarting Investment Fraud to provide across the state to older Kansans. Seniors attending the presentations will leave equipped with the skills to recognize the persuasion tactics of scam artists and the red flags of fraud, as well as the knowledge of what to do to prevent scams. If you are interested in the KSC presenting to your community, contact Shannon Stone, Director of Investor Education at the KSC, at (913) 652-9164.

Other Kansas state agencies are also joining the fight against elder abuse. One of KDADS main goals is to work to keep older Kansans safe. “The elderly are vulnerable in many ways, but financial fraud is one of the most pernicious. Isolation, loneliness and ill health can put elders at higher risk for being taken advantage of, and it is the responsibility of all of us to stay in close contact with our older friends and loved ones, to be on the alert for signs that they are being victimized, and to report it,” said KDADS Secretary Kari Bruffett.

DCF has greatly increased its focus on fiduciary abuse in recent years. The agency has on its staff an auditor dedicated to pursuing financial exploitation of vulnerable Kansans in partnership with law enforcement agencies. “It is the responsibility of every Kansan to report suspected abuse,” DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore said. “We strive to work closely with law enforcement and other agencies to protect vulnerable adults.”

KS Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–June 20, 2015, has been proclaimed “American Eagle Day” as a way to celebrate America’s living symbol of freedom, the bald eagle, and to bring attention to this magnificent species’ dramatic recovery.

For over 230 years, the bald eagle has served as the living symbol of all that America stands for: freedom, courage, strength, spirit, independence, and excellence. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism encourages outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts to take some time June 20 to celebrate this holiday by sharing these bald eagle facts with others:

-In the early 1960’s, the bald eagle population dropped to less than 500 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states.

-Thanks to the conservation efforts nationwide, there are an estimated 14-15,000 bald eagle pairs in the contiguous United States today.

-The Bald Eagle was removed from Endangered Species Act protection in 2007.

-Bald eagles typically build nests in large trees 50 or more feet above ground.

-A female bald eagle can lay anywhere from one to three eggs, all of which will be pure white.

-Immature bald eagles can often be mistaken for immature golden eagles.

-A bald eagle’s diet mainly consists of dead or injured waterfowl, dead or dying fish, and carrion.

-The best time to view bald eagles in Kansas is during the month of January; however, sightings can occur anytime between mid-October and mid-March.

For information on annual eagle-viewing events, and to view photos of bald eagles, visit ksoutdoors.com.

TOPEKA–The annual U.S. Attorney’s Statewide Civil Rights Symposium is moving to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said in a news release.

The symposium is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14, in the auditorium of the Brown site at 1515 SE Monroe in Topeka. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required.

“The Brown historic site is a landmark on this nation’s road to justice,” Grissom said. “What better setting is there for a frank and open conversation about civil rights than the Kansas school building where one of the most important Supreme Court cases in our history originated?”

Grissom urged anyone who wants to attend to register early because space is limited to 100 participants. The symposium annually attracts law enforcement officers and civil rights leaders from across Kansas. This year’s topics will include fighting human trafficking and building trust between police and the communities they serve.

To register, download the registration form at:
http://trncal.kletc.net/RegForms/RegForm2008.pdf  and email the completed form to [email protected].

For more information, contact Heather Buller at (620) 694-1537 or Jim Cross at (316) 269-6552.

KS Department of Agriculture

Manhattan–As agriculture in Kansas flourishes this summer, pull out a camera, capture the moment, and submit your photos to 2015 Kansas Department of Agriculture’s photo contest, beginning June 15, 2015.

Nearly every aspect of daily life can be tied to agriculture. Be creative with entries; agriculture can be more than the typical pasture, tractor and wheat field. Agriculture is the look in a farmer’s eye after a successful harvest, the lines of an irrigation system silhouetted by a sunset, shoots of soybeans breaking through the soil, the fullness of creeks and ponds after a much needed rain or the smile of young 4-H members as they care for a livestock project.

Photos showcasing Kansas agriculture, taken any time of the year, are eligible for entry.

KDA serves to advocate for and promote the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry. Photos capturing the beauty of Kansas agriculture can be used to advocate for the state’s largest economic driver.

Contest guidelines can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/photocontest.

After submission, the Kansas Department of Agriculture is granted permission to use any photograph for publications, social media, websites, displays, etc. without payment or other consideration from the photographer.

Follow KDA on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more details on contest, including deadlines, divisions and prizes.