Summer hasn’t even arrived and already this year two children have died from heatstroke in vehicles.

KidsAndCars.org, American Gaming Association, Congressional Fire Services Institute and other national safety groups are joining forces on Friday, May 22, for a 24-hour social media campaign aimed at raising awareness to prevent child heatstroke deaths in vehicles.

“The worst thing any parent or caregiver can do is think that they could never unknowingly leave a child behind in a vehicle,” says Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, the only national nonprofit child safety organization working solely to prevent injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. “This can and does happen to the most loving, responsible and attentive parents,” she added.

Since KidsAndCars.org began tracking data, at least 748 children have died from heatstroke inside vehicles. An average of 37 children die every year from vehicular heatstroke (one every 10 days).

KidsAndCars.org is calling on the public to be prepared to take action to save a life. If you see a child alone in a car; get involved. Protecting children is everyone’s business.

Remember the following “Look Before You Lock” safety tips from KidsAndCars.org:

• Make it a routine to open the back door of your car every time you park to check that no one has been left behind.
• Put something in the back seat to remind you to open the back door every time you park – cell phone, employee badge, handbag, etc.
• Keep a stuffed animal in baby’s car seat. Place it on the front seat as a reminder when baby is in the back seat.
• Arrange for your babysitter or child care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
• Make sure children cannot get into a parked car:
• Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway.
• Keys and remote openers should never be left within reach of children.
• If a child is missing, immediately check the inside and trunk of all vehicles in the area very carefully.

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

Office of the Kansas Governor

TOPEKA– Kansas Governor Sam Brownback today signed the following eight bills into law.

· HB 2155 – establishes the Kansas charitable gaming act; creates definitions and restrictions on fantasy sports leagues; and addresses specific aspects of the Kansas Lottery.

· Senate Substitute for HB 2149 – addresses the Kansas program of medical assistance relating to donor human breast milk. Authorizes the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to determine the eligibility of new drugs to receive financial assistance.

· SB 14 – increases the percentage of district court fines, penalties and forfeitures that is credited to the Criminal Justice Information System to fund a hotline for victims of crime.

· SB 52 – adds specific items to the actions the Chief Engineer is required to take if a determination of an unlawful diversion of water is made.

· SB 105 – clarifies remedies provided by the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) in aid in ensuring compliance with orders for child and family support; designates Kansas courts as the tribunals of the state; and designates the Department for Children and Families as the support enforcement agency for the state.

· SB 189 – requires any person practicing veterinary medicine on client-owned animals as part of that person’s employment at a Kansas school of veterinary medicine to be a licensed veterinarian or possess an institutional license. The bill also establishes procedures and requirements for obtaining a newly established institutional license to practice veterinary medicine.

· SB 276 – modifies statutes related to business filings with the Kansas Secretary of State.

· SB 290 – revises the statute governing non-judicial punishment under the Kansas Code of Military Justice.

The Governor has now signed 65 bills into law this session and vetoed one. 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 of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

TOPEKA– Spring and summer are hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking seasons. It is also the time of year when ticks are out. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) remind those spending time outdoors to take precautions to avoid tick bites.

In 2014, 212 cases of tick-borne diseases including ehrlichiosis; anaplasmosis; spotted fever rickettsiosis, also known as Rocky Mountain spotted fever; tularemia; and Lyme disease were reported in Kansas, and 75 of those patients required hospitalization. Kansans are encouraged to follow these steps to prevent tick bites: Dress, DEET, Avoid and Check.

DRESS: Wear protective clothing when practical (long sleeves and pants). Clothing should be light-colored to make ticks more visible. When hiking, wear a long-sleeved shirt tucked into pants, long pants tucked into high socks and over-the-ankle shoes to keep ticks out. Products containing permethrin, which kills ticks rather than merely repelling them, can be applied to clothing and equipment but not directly to skin. Garments must be allowed to dry thoroughly before wearing. Clothing and tents pre-treated with permethrin are available, and the protection can remain active through several washings. Be sure to follow label directions.

DEET: Insect repellents also reduce the risk of being bitten. When outdoors, use insect repellant containing 20 percent to 30 percent DEET on exposed skin and clothing for protection that lasts up to several hours. Follow the directions on the label. Other repellents registered by the Environmental Protection Agency can be found at http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/insect/.

AVOID: Ticks are usually found on vegetation close to the ground. In addition to regular mowing, avoid wooded or bushy areas with tall grass and leaf litter and walk in the center of trails.

CHECK: Check yourself at least every two hours for ticks when outside for extended periods of time. Pay special attention to areas in and around your hair, ears, armpits, groin, navel and backs of the knees. Promptly remove a tick if one is found. The sooner a tick is removed, the less chance it will transmit a disease to its host. If you find a tick, grasp the tick with tweezers as close to the skin as possible and slowly pull it straight out. Do not crush or puncture the tick and try to avoid touching the tick with your bare hands. Thoroughly disinfect the bite area and wash your hands immediately after removal. Be sure to also examine pets and gear, as ticks can ride into the home on animals, coats, backpacks and blankets, etc.

Symptoms of tickborne disease can include any unusual rash and unexplained flu-like symptoms, including fever, severe headaches, body aches and dizziness. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent serious illness or even death. See your doctor immediately if you have been bitten by a tick and experience any of these symptoms.

For more information about tick-borne diseases, visit cdc.gov/ticks/resources/Hunterfactsheet.pdf and cdc.gov/ticks/diseases/.

Kansas Department of Agriculture

MANHATTAN–The Kansas Department of Agriculture recently provided comments on the Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (Report) to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Human and Health Services Secretary Burwell.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey recognized the Report’s proper role of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and dairy in a healthy American diet.

However, she specifically addressed the misrepresentation of the nutritional and health benefits of lean, red meat as well as inappropriate treatment of the topic of sustainability.

“We appreciate that the report acknowledges the role of dairy foods as a source of calcium, potassium and Vitamin D,” said McClaskey. “But, the contradictory and confusing dietary information surrounding lean, red meat as well as vilifying modern agricultural practices causes confusion for Americans and can actually do more harm to public health than good. It is our duty to educate our leaders that providing a safe, wholesome food supply while conserving the land and its resources is a priority of all segments of American agriculture.”

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is committed to serving Kansas farmers, ranchers and agribusiness, as well as the consumers they serve, while always keeping a top priority on ensuring a safe food supply and promoting public health.

To read McClaskey’s full letter, click here.

KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

TOPEKA–The Kansas Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors was selected today as one of seven regional partners to participate in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Talent Pipeline Management initiative to close the skills gap in America. Launched in November 2014, the initiative seeks to transform the relationship between America’s businesses, educators and workforce providers by pilot-testing strategies and practices that have been successful in improving products and services to address challenges in the talent pipeline related to recruiting, hiring and retaining employees.

“This initiative is focused on new approaches to ensuring employers have the skilled workforce they need to compete in the 21st century and employees have the education and credentials required to do the work,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation vice president, Cheryl Oldham. “With 5 million vacant jobs in the United States, the frustration level has understandably reached a new high among businesses desperate for skilled workers and with students who want to know that their education and skills training will lead to a good job and future success.”

The Talent Pipeline Management learning network will operate as a new product test team, experimenting with different strategies and innovative practices to confirm what works and what does not. Each partner within the learning network will pilot one or more of the following talent pipeline practices: organizing new “collaboratives” that manage employer engagement; identifying the type and amount of talent needed; determining the competency and credentialing requirements for those positions; identifying where businesses get their best talent today; designating preferred providers and measuring their performance; and incentivizing continuous improvement.

In the coming months, the work of the Governor’s Council, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents, along with their peer organizations in the learning network, will build on the knowledge base outlined in a recently released white paper by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, “Managing the Talent Pipeline: A New Approach to Closing the Skills Gap.” Providing support to employers in playing the role of an “end-customer” in a talent supply chain will impart critical insight into what works and what is potentially scalable.

“The Council clearly demonstrates a commitment to better aligning the workforce with the demands of the marketplace,” said USA Funds President and CEO William “Bill” Hansen. “This second phase of work is where we can really make an impact closing the skills gap not only across the state of Kansas, but across America.”

“Being a part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s ‘learning network’ supports Kansas’ continued, structured and system wide approach to solving the talent shortage and skills gaps across the state,” said Stan Ahlerich, executive director for the Kansas Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors. “By implementing education and training solutions that meet talent needs and provide a more skilled, credentialed workforce, we will support economic and workforce development to keep our Kansas businesses competitive.”

The U.S. Chamber Foundation will invest funding through grants and manpower through planning and implementation, technical and expert assistance, and opportunities to participate in workshops and online webinars.

The research and input collected from the learning network will help complete the development of a talent pipeline management toolkit that will be released nationwide in the fall and available to employers to adopt. To learn more, visit www.thetalentsupplychain.org.

“This will be a great opportunity for Kansas to continue to engage our business partners across the state, through organizations such as the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, our educational institutions and our workforce and economic development partners, to more fully develop the talent pipeline and provide the best available opportunities for businesses and employees,” Ahlerich said.

About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

About USA Funds
USA Funds is a nonprofit corporation that supports Completion With a Purpose, building a more purposeful path for America’s students to and through college and on to rewarding careers and successful lives. USA Funds pursues its nonprofit mission through philanthropic activities and partnerships, policy research, and programs and services that enhance preparation for, access to and success in higher education. Learn more at www.usafunds.org.

About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

About the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors
The Kansas Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors serves the citizens of Kansas by providing economic insights and development strategies directly to the Governor. The Council consists of 19 members who assess business conditions and trends, evaluate the significance of those conditions for Kansas, and research related topics of importance.

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

TOPEKA–Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Secretary Kari Bruffett announced this week the launch of the agency’s Behavioral Health Recovery Resources Loan Program (BHRRLP) to provide additional community resources for those with behavioral health challenges.

“We all know how important it is to have a home –somewhere to feel safe and secure,” Secretary Bruffett said. “This program is being launched to help Kansas communities build up the infrastructure to support adults with behavioral health needs and create more alternatives to institutionalization. The right support is critical to being able to maintain people in their communities in the least restrictive setting possible.”

The BHRRLP will provide no-interest loans for the purchase of property, the remodeling of existing property and the purchase of equipment and vehicles. Assets purchased with BHRRLP funds are to be used to enhance resources available in local communities and to provide additional service options for adults with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) and/or co-occurring disorders. Loan proceeds may not be used for service delivery or administrative purposes.

The purpose of the program is to establish and support alternative community programing, decreasing reliance on State Mental Health Hospitals (SMHHs).

The program is intended to increase 24-hour community diversion options for individuals with co-occurring mental health and/or a substance use disorder; and increase 24-hour community options for individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, have self-care failure issues, are at risk of being reported to adult protective services, or at risk of incarceration.

Eligible applicants include:

Community Mental Health Centers(CMHCs)
Community-based organizations
Private mental health providers
Substance Use Disorder Providers
Housing agencies
Consumer Run Organizations (CROs)
Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDOs)
Community hospitals
Faith-based organizations
Regional Recovery Centers
Nursing Facilities for Mental Health (NFMH)

KDADS is funding this program with proceeds from the 2014 sale of the Rainbow Mental Health Facility building, supplemented by funding included in the Governor’s 2016 budget, the latter of which is subject to appropriations. The agency is making up to $2.5 million available for these loans. The minimum individual loan amount is $30,000. Loan repayment funds will be considered for reinvestment in future loan programs in support of this or similar programs.

KDADS will post loan program details and application requirements on April 27, 2015, on its website at http://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/csp/behavioral-health/providers/bhs-funding-opportunities.

The deadline for submitting applications will be Friday, May 29, 2015. The agency expects to disburse the proceeds of approved loans on July 1, 2015.

TOPEKA-In accordance with Executive Order 10-12, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sun-up to sun-down on Friday, May 8 in honor of the Kansas Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Day.

The 33rd Annual Kansas Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at noon Friday in the second floor rotunda of the Statehouse.

“The memorial is a constant reminder that Kansas officers often place themselves in danger to protect the rest of us,” said Governor Brownback. “Friday’s ceremony is an opportunity for us to come together and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them and paying tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price serving the people of Kansas.”

The name of Topeka Police Corporal Jason Harwood will be added to the memorial and honored this year. Corporal Harwood was shot and killed on Sept. 7, 2014. While conducting a car stop on the city’s east side, one of the vehicle’s occupants drew a weapon and fired several times at Corporal Harwood, fatally wounding him.

With the addition of Corporal Harwood the names of 272 law enforcement officers are on the Kansas Law Enforcement Officers Memorial located on the northeast corner of the capitol grounds.

TOPEKA–Governor Sam Brownback today announced that Jim Clark will step down as Secretary of Administration effective the end of June 2015.

“I am grateful for the strong leadership Jim has provided since becoming part of this team,” said Governor Brownback. “He brought about many improvements that have allowed us to operate in a more efficient and businesslike manner.”

Clark is a former Vice President of Kansas Gas Service, now a division of Oneok, Inc. Prior to that he was Vice President at Westar, Inc. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Regis University in Denver and is a Certified Public Accountant.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve Governor Brownback and the people of the Great State of Kansas,” Clark said. “When I agreed to serve as secretary of Administration for Governor Brownback for two years I had specific tasks that he asked me to initiate. While most plans have been amended several times, the projects are complete or well on their way to implementation. Now is the appropriate time for me to transition back to retirement and bring new leadership to the agency over the coming weeks.”

The mission of the Kansas Department of Administration is to serve the taxpayers of Kansas and state employees with excellent customer service.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–If someone wishes you a “crappie day” this time of year and you’re an angler, you accept that wish with a smile.

It’s a good thing.

Crappie anglers wait all year for late April and early May when water temperatures in Kansas lakes warm to the high 50s and low 60s. That brings one of our most popular sport fish to shallow water to spawn, making them available to anglers of all ages and skill levels. And crappie are popular because they may be the tastiest fish in our waters.

Spring is the only time of year when anglers fishing from shore or wading might have an advantage over boat anglers. When the spawn gets going, crappie can be caught in water as shallow as 2 feet, depending on the clarity. And since the fish will be concentrated in shallow areas with specific habitat, anglers often catch good numbers of fish on a single outing.

What’s good crappie habitat? Crappie like cover such as brush, cattails, flooded weeds or rocky areas. Rip-rap dams and jetties are perfect places to start fishing.

Crappie anglers prefer light tackle – spinning or spincast outfits rigged with 6- or 8-pound test line. A long, light-action rod is perfect for detecting soft strikes and working hooked crappie out of cover. Often called “paper mouths,” crappie have thin skin along their top jaw and can’t be “horsed” out of the cover without the hook pulling out.

Small white or chartreuse jigs or minnows are effective baits. The trick is getting your lure or bait in or close to the cover without spooking the fish or snagging up. One tried and true method is referred to as “doodlesocking,” which is simply dipping your bait vertically into the cover. The jig or minnow is worked slowly or held suspended 6 inches or a foot off the bottom before it is lifted straight up and repositioned. An 8-foot fly rod rigged with a spinning reel allows added reach and can be perfect for doodlesocking. Strikes are usually a “tap,” felt as the jig is held suspended. The angler must set the hook quickly and lift the fish straight up out of the cover.

Another popular method is to rig a small float 2 feet above the jig or minnow. The float can be cast along the brush or rocks and allowed to bob and drift with the breeze. Strikes can be subtle, often just moving the float or pulling it just below the surface.

The crappie spawn usually starts in the upper ends of reservoirs, with fish congregating in small coves and inlet creeks. The spawn will continue down the lake as water warms in the lower reaches. This can extend the spawn through the end of May.

According to the 2015 Fishing Forecast, the top three reservoirs for crappie fishing this spring are John Redmond, Perry and Hillsdale. But don’t avoid your favorite fishing spot if it’s not high on the forecast’s list. Remember that the spawn season concentrates crappie in specific areas, so good fishing can still be found in lakes with only fair crappie populations.

You’ll find great fishing information on the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s (KDWPT) website, www.ksoutdoors.com, including a full-length how-to video “Kansas Crappie Bonanza.” You can also keep track of lake temperatures and conditions, as well as angler success through the Weekly Fishing Reports.

The statewide creel limit for crappie is 50 fish per day. However, local creel and length regulations may vary, so be sure to consult of the 2015 Kansas Fishing Regulations Summary where you’ll find a complete listing of Kansas lakes with special regulations. The regulation pamphlet is available at all KDWPT offices, license vendors and online.

TOPEKA–State Treasurer Ron Estes thanked Governor Sam Brownback Thursday for signing HB 2216 for the Kansas Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program.

The program, introduced by Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes and Representative Erin Davis (R-Olathe) in January, is an initiative that will provide individuals living with disabilities a new way to save for their future.

“I’d like to thank Governor Brownback, Representative Davis, Senators Baumgardner and Smith; Jawanda Mast, and the many disabled advocacy groups for their support of this initiative,” said Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes in a news release. “The signing of this bill marks yet another milestone for the Kansas ABLE Savings Program as it marks one step closer to our end-goal of helping Kansans living with disabilities take charge of their future.”

The Kansas ABLE Savings Program will be administered by the State Treasurer’s Office and will allow disabled individuals and their families to save for their child’s future education, health and wellness costs, housing, transportation and related expenses in a tax-deferred savings account comparable to a Roth IRA.

“Under current law individuals with disabilities face significant challenges when it comes to maintaining employment and living an independent life since access to certain Federal support programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income can be lost if they exceed an asset ceiling limit of $2,000 in savings,” explained Estes. “This restriction is particularly concerning as it makes any degree of long-term financial planning extremely difficult and creates a disincentive to work.”

Assets in ABLE accounts will be sheltered from asset tests for Medicaid and Social Security Disability benefits within limits established by federal legislation.

Children and adults whose disability occurred before age 26 and who meet Social Security disability standards or have a disability certification will be eligible to have an ABLE account. Friends and relatives will be able to contribute up to $14,000 per beneficiary each year.

“Now that we’ve worked our way through the legislative process, we plan to immediately shift efforts to the nuts and bolts of building this program and will continue to see this initiative through to the finish line,” said Estes.

SALINA – The Kansas Highway Patrol is asking to public for help identifying individuals who may have tampered with patrol vehicles.

The KHP reported in a media release that over the weekend, troopers discovered missing or loose lug nuts on several vehicles.

On two particular vehicles, all lug nuts were loose or missing on all four of the tires.

On one specific vehicle, one tire had two lug nuts totally removed, three were within two turns of coming off, and the other was within a few turns of coming off.

The loosening of the lug nuts occurred while they were parked at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy on Iron Avenue in Salina, sometime between Monday, April 20 and Friday, April 24.

The investigation into these incidents is underway by the Salina Police Department.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is seeking any information about these incidents, and would encourage the public to contact us at 785-296-6800, with any information you might have. Any information could be helpful.

The Patrol also encourages our partners—other law enforcement agencies across the state—to be mindful of inspecting their vehicles daily as you work in support of your communities.

Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland

Thanks to Kansans and their generosity, 610 Girl Scouts of Girl Scouts Kansas Heartland sold more than 500 packages of cookies each.

The top cookie seller of 2015 was Abby Uncapher, a Brownie Girl Scout from Independence who sold 1,800 packages of Girl Scout Cookies.

Girl Scouts across 80 Kansas counties sold 1,462,645 packages of cookies between Jan. 31 and March 8.

Statewide, more than 16,100 packages of cookies were purchased through the council’s Cookie Share Program, which benefits military members and local charities. Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland has distributed more than 94,500 packages of cookies through this program since its inception in 2010, with more than half going to military members and their families.

Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program, Girl Scouts learn five essential skills – goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics – that last a lifetime. They’re also working to help people in need and taking steps to care for our planet, as many Girl Scouts invest their own cookie proceeds right back into communities across our great state.

All of the cookie sale proceeds stay in Kansas to support Girl Scouting and help girls reach their goals, whether it’s attending Girl Scout camp, completing a service project in their community, or even traveling the world.

Learn more about Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland at kansasgirlscouts.org.

Kansas Health Institute

A new video and issue brief feature two Kansas policymakers, Janet Miller, Wichita City Council member, and Rep. John Wilson, Lawrence, who share their perspectives on health impact assessment (HIA) to demonstrate the value of the tool for other policymakers and to inform HIA practitioners about how to identify and support emerging HIA champions.

Health impact assessment (HIA) is a practical tool intended to inform policymakers—during the decision-making process—of potential positive and negative health effects of proposed laws, programs, policies or regulations.

Within the United States, the number of HIAs has increased over the last seven years—from 27 in 2007 to 319 in 2014—according to the Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Most of these studies have been conducted at the local level by government agencies. However, educational and nonprofit institutions have also conducted HIAs to inform decisions at varying levels (local,county, regional, state and federal).

To date, the Kansas Health Institute has conducted five HIAs—four at the state level and one at the local level.