Mid-Continent Public Library's Square One Small Business Services has your entrepreneurial interests covered with a variety of February programs. 

Business Model Canvas Workshop
Tuesday, February 7th
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Blue Springs South Branch Community Room
     Is your business model working? Join Kimberly Beer to learn how to stop the chaos and create meaningful direction in your business while ensuring your business idea is solid. Ideal for new entrepreneurs looking to define their concept and seasoned business owners who want to prevent the dreaded three- and five-year business slumps.
Participant Takeaways:
• Leave with a business skill that you can apply to current and future growth projects
• Gain a better understanding of your customer's pains and gains to use in marketing
• Identify insights on how to improve and expand your current and future business ideas
Registration is required to receive the packet with supplies for this activity-based class.


Productivity tools for your business
Wednesday, February 8th
Noon - 1:00pm
Blue Ridge Branch Community Room
We live in a world of distractions that can halt our productivity in its tracks. But there are some really amazing tools available to you that can keep you focused and efficient as a business owner. Join the Square One Small Business Specialist as they walk you through a variety of tools that can help you make the most of your limited time.
Participant takeaways:
Identify areas of time waste in daily schedule
Discover tools to assist with business efficiency
Assess which tools to apply in daily operations


Creating your brand
Wednesday, February 22nd
5:30pm - 7:00pm
South Independence Branch Community Room
Do you know your brand’s story? Let Cynthia Fails lead you through this 90-minute exploration of your brand by helping you understand the relationship between businesses and customers, your business story, and how to effectively communicate that story to your customers. 
Participant Take-aways:
• Refine your brand values
• Identify the personality of your brand
• Narrow down the story about who your brand is, what you do, and why you do it

To register, visit www.mymcpl.org/events.
These programs are funded by a grant from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

     Missouri non-farm payroll employment decreased by 5,000 jobs from November 2022 to December 2022, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point. Private industry employment decreased by 5,300 jobs and government employment increased by 300 jobs.
     The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in December 2022, an increase of one-tenth of a percentage point from 2.7 percent in November 2022. Over the year, there was an increase of 47,600 jobs from December 2021 to December 2022, and the unemployment rate decreased by 1.1 percentage points, from 3.9 percent in December 2021 to 2.8 percent in December 2022.

UNEMPLOYMENT       
     Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in December 2022, rising to 2.8 percent from the revised November 2022 rate of 2.7 percent. The December 2022 rate was 1.1 percentage point lower than the December 2021 rate of 3.9 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 84,553 in December 2022, up by 1,528 from November's 83,025.  
     The national unemployment rate decreased from 3.6 in November 2022 to 3.5 in December 2022. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.    
     The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased in December 2022, declining by one-tenth of a percentage point to 2.3 percent from the November 2022 not-seasonally-adjusted rate of 2.4 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 3.4 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for December 2022 was 3.3 percent.
     Missouri's labor force participation rate was 62.6 percent in December 2022, three-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.3 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.9 percent in December 2022, eight-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 60.1 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate was 2.8 percent in December 2022, seven-tenths of a point lower than the national rate of 3.5 percent.

EMPLOYMENT         
     Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,933,300 in December 2022, down by 5,000 from the revised November 2022 figure. The November 2022 total was revised downward from the preliminary estimate by 2,000 jobs.   
     Goods-producing industries decreased by 4,300 jobs over the month, with manufacturing gaining 200 jobs and mining, logging, & construction declining by 4,500 jobs. Private service-providing industries decreased by 1,000 jobs between November 2022 and December 2022. Employment in private service-providing industries decreased in leisure & hospitality (-3,600 jobs); professional & business services (-1,200 jobs); and information (-400 jobs).  Employment increased in educational & health services (1,700 jobs); other services (1,100 jobs); financial activities (800 jobs); and trade, transportation, & utilities (600 jobs).  Government employment increased by 300 jobs over the month with all gains occurring in local government.    
     Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 47,600 jobs from December 2021 to December 2022. The major private-sector industry groups that increased were professional & business services (14,500 jobs); educational & health services (11,000 jobs); manufacturing (6,900 jobs); financial activities (5,900 jobs); leisure & hospitality (4,900 jobs); other services (4,300 jobs); and mining, logging, & construction (3,300 jobs). Employment decreased in trade, transportation, & utilities (-2,700 jobs) and information (-1,300 jobs).  Government employment increased over the year, with a gain of 800 jobs. Government employment increased in local government (2,300 jobs) and state government (900 jobs). Employment decreased over the year in federal government (-2,400 jobs). ​

     Being a caregiver to someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s is often a full-time job and finding ways to connect can be challenging. Two Midwest entrepreneurs recently launched Connectivities, an innovative memory care toolbox geared at helping caregivers form more meaningful, mindful connections with their loved ones.
     Each Connectivities box includes eight activities guiding participants through simple tasks using crafts, puzzles, and games. The activities are designed by a group of educators, a registered nurse, occupational and music therapists to incorporate therapeutic goals, build neuroplasticity, and boost the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and make new connections. 
      “The activities can help start a conversation and meet loved ones where they are today,”  Mandy Shoemaker, co-founder of Connectivities explained. “Every box is really an invitation for fun, for laughter, and an authentic connection. They create a safe, supportive space that your loved one might need to get up from the TV and try something new.”
     Connectivities was founded by Mandy Shoemaker and Michala Gibson, who have successfully owned and operated Prairie Elder Care in Overland Park.
     “Like many elder care facilities during the pandemic, we were faced with staffing shortages and began searching for ways to keep residents happy and engaged,” shared Gibson. “We started creating activity kits and both our staff and residents really took to them. We found it’s simply about being able to connect. Someone living with dementia might not remember the activity, but they will remember the feeling they got while doing it.”
    For more information on Connectivities, visit Connectivities.us and on Instagram @connectivitiesbox.

     HCA Midwest Health announced that four of its hospitals, including Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, have been named among the prestigious “America’s 250 Best Hospitals for 2023”, according to new research released by Healthgrades, the leading marketplace connecting doctors and patients.
​     This achievement places Research Medical Center, Overland Park Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, and Menorah Medical Center in the top 5% of all hospitals nationwide for overall excellence in clinical performance across the most common healthcare conditions and procedures.
     This is the third consecutive year Centerpoint Medical Center is a recipient of Healthgrades® 'America's 250 Best Hospitals' Award™ (2021-2023).
     “The prestigious achievement these four hospitals have made is a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment that leadership, physicians, nursing teams and support staff have to high-quality specialty care and improvement of human life,” HCA Midwest Health President Keith Zimmerman said.
     “HCA Midwest Health continuously invests in our facilities and workforce to expand the lifesaving capabilities and technologies we offer patients. We also continue to increase our access points – whether that’s through additional physician practices, new facilities or outreach partnerships – so residents throughout the region can receive the high-quality, compassionate care they need close to home.”
     Healthgrades evaluated patient mortality and complication rates for 31 of the most common conditions and procedures at nearly 4,500 hospitals across the country to identify the top-performing hospitals. This year’s analysis revealed significant variation between America’s Best 250 Hospitals and hospitals that did not receive the distinction. In fact, if all hospitals performed similarly to America’s 250 Best, over 160,000 lives could have been saved. Patients treated at one of the 2023 America’s 250 Best Hospitals have, on average, a 28.7% lower risk of dying than if they were treated at a hospital that did not receive the America’s 250 Best Hospitals award*.
 

      "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."   - Margaret Mead
     In 1982, ten people came together to create something unique in Eastern Jackson County. They wanted to establish an organization that would focus on improving the lives of people living, working, and serving communities throughout the region. Forty years later, Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) is a vital partner in local philanthropy for more than 800 fundholders. We've come a long way from our humble beginnings and have no intention of slowing down any time soon.
     Our fundholders have made enormous contributions to their communities over the years, from supporting education and wildlife conservation to historic preservation and human services. Ten years ago, in 2012, THCF fundholders distributed just over $180,000 to 47 nonprofits through the competitive grant process. During the process, local nonprofits compete for this pool of funds, writing proposals in support of their mission-driven projects.   
     This year, nearly $500,000 was made available through the Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education Grant Awards and the Community Grant Awards programs, an increase of 173 percent over ten years ago.
     The people who choose to give through their Community Foundation give to causes for which they care deeply. Some invest in traditional and non-traditional education, helping hundreds of students each year get the education they need to follow their career dreams. Ten years ago, 70 funds provided $172,000 in scholarships to 157 students. In 2022, THCF received a record 1,396 scholarship applications and provided more than $740,000 in scholarships to 300 students.
     For the last 24 years, THCF has engaged area student leaders in local philanthropy through our Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Whether reviewing youth-focused grant applications, raising funds for their endowment, or volunteering in the community, YAC students experience the positive power of philanthropy firsthand. The 2020 pandemic seriously dampened recruitment efforts since most schools needed to utilize remote learning with little or no opportunity for peer-to-peer interactions. Although the group went from 120 student members in 2019 to around 70, they raised $7,000 for their endowment, providing grants to support the mission of Angel Flight Central, Giving the Basics, Marion Hope, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
     Our fundholders engage directly with Foundation initiatives, such as YAC. Ten years ago, in addition to youth philanthropy, our focus was on the Community for All Ages initiative. THCF worked with local seniors to help them find volunteer opportunities and ensure needed services were available and accessible. Today, the focus is on assisting hard-working adults to get industry-recognized certifications that lead to good-paying jobs and in-demand careers.
      Job Skills for New Careers is a collaborative initiative that brings together educational institutions, such as the Metropolitan Community Colleges and the University of Central Missouri, funding partners, like Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and KC Scholars, and Mid-Continent Public Library and Community Services League to provide wrap-around services. It is the social service aspect that is leveraged to improve successful completion rates. With Foundation fundholder support providing more than $200,000 in flexible funding for wrap-around services (such as rental and utility assistance, gas cards, groceries, etc.), people are empowered to build a successful work-life and navigate barriers that prevent them from reaching their long-term goals. In four years, Job Skills for New Careers has helped 345 local adults get the training needed to create financial stability for themselves and their families.  
     As with every business, there have been ups and downs over the years. Even though 2012 was a banner year for grants and scholarships, with $4.3 million passing through the Foundation, fundholders gave $6.3 million, a 46 percent increase. Truman Heartland Community Foundation continues to be a trusted partner in local philanthropy through the support of generous donors, steadfast leadership from our volunteer Board of Directors and local Advisory Boards, and a robust nonprofit community. 
     As I look beyond the New Year, I really am excited about the future. THCF has the privilege of helping people give back to their communities in so many meaningful ways. Fundholders choose to direct their giving to organizations and causes that mean the most to them, and the Foundation works to make it all happen through a simple and seamless process. As we welcome new fundholders into the Foundation family in the coming years, I am excited to see the positive impact their thoughtful gifts will have on individuals, children, and families throughout the region. 

     Missouri non-farm payroll employment increased by 8,200 jobs from October 2022 to November 2022, and the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point. Private industry employment increased by 7,600 jobs and government employment increased by 600 jobs. The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 2.7 percent in November 2022, up from 2.6 percent in October 2022. Over the year, there was an increase of 72,800 jobs from November 2021 to November 2022, and the unemployment rate decreased by 1.2 percentage points, from 3.9 percent in November 2021 to 2.7 percent in November 2022.

UNEMPLOYMENT       
     Missouri's smoothed seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by one-tenth of a percentage point in November 2022, rising to 2.7 percent from the revised October 2022 rate of 2.6 percent. The November 2022 rate was 1.2 percentage points lower than the November 2021 rate. A year ago, the state's seasonally adjusted rate was 3.9 percent. The estimated number of unemployed Missourians was 83,000 in November 2022, up by 4,132 from October's 78,868.     
     The national unemployment rate remained unchanged over the month. Missouri's unemployment rate has been at or below the national rate for the last five years.        
The state's not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged in November 2022, holding at October’s 2022 rate of 2.4 percent. A year ago, the not-seasonally-adjusted rate was 3.2 percent. The corresponding not-seasonally-adjusted national rate for November 2022 was 3.4 percent.        
     Missouri's labor force participation rate was 62.5 percent in November 2022, four-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 62.1 percent. Missouri's employment-population ratio was 60.8 percent in November 2022, nine-tenths of a percentage point higher than the national rate of 59.9 percent. Missouri's unemployment rate of 2.7 percent in November 2022 was one point lower than the national rate of 3.7 percent.    
   
EMPLOYMENT         
     Missouri's non-farm payroll employment was 2,940,300 in November 2022, up by 8,200 from the revised October 2022 figure. The October 2022 total was revised downward from the preliminary estimate with a decrease of 400 jobs.        
     Goods-producing industries increased by 4,200 jobs over the month, with mining, logging, & construction gaining 2,700 jobs and manufacturing gaining 1,500 jobs. Private service-providing industries increased by 3,400 jobs between October 2022 and November 2022. Employment in private service-providing industries increased in leisure & hospitality (2,600 jobs); financial activities (1,700 jobs); professional & business services (900 jobs); and educational & health services (100 jobs).  Employment decreased in trade, transportation, & utilities (-1,300 jobs); information (-400 jobs); and other services (-200 jobs).  Government employment increased by 600 jobs over the month an increase in local government (900 jobs) and a decrease in federal government (-300 jobs).       
     Over the year, total payroll employment increased by 72,800 jobs from November 2021 to November 2022. Most major private-sector industry groups that shared in the increase, with the largest gain in professional & business services (24,600 jobs); followed by leisure & hospitality (12,900 jobs); mining, logging, & construction (11,900 jobs); educational & health services (9,900 jobs); manufacturing (6,200 jobs); financial activities (5,000 jobs); and other services (3,000 jobs). Employment decreased in trade, transportation, & utilities (-1,400 jobs) and information (-300 jobs).  Government employment increased over the year, with a gain of 1,000 jobs. Government employment increased in local government (2,000 jobs) and state government (1,600 jobs). Employment decreased over the year in federal government (-2,600 jobs). 

     As we enter the holiday season, it’s easy to get swept away in the events and festivities of this time of year. I think it’s a great time to stop, slow down, and reflect on the positive things happening in our community. Truman Heartland Community Foundation donors have made a substantial impact in the past year, making our Eastern Jackson Counties communities better places to live, work, and serve. And for this, we are so thankful.  
     We are thankful for our hundreds of donors committed to impacting our community through their charitable giving. On November 10, we held our 27th Annual Grants Luncheon with more than 200 attendees at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs. At the celebration, we distributed more than $491,937 in grants to local nonprofits provided by 34 charitable funds at the Foundation. We are thankful for the generosity of our luncheon sponsor, Insperity, who helped us celebrate this important community achievement. We also appreciate the work of all the local nonprofits who received Truman Heartland grants and who serve our communities every day.
     Another moving aspect of our grants program is our “Fill the Gap” campaign. Each year we reach out to our donor advised fund holders and charitable partners with the opportunity to “Fill the Gap” and supplement the grant dollars available through endowed funds at the Foundation. We are so thankful to our donors and local partners, including the Junior Services League of Independence and our own Youth Advisory Council, who offered additional funding to several proposals. This year, our donor advised fundholders and charitable partners generously provided an additional $55,932 in grant funding. What an amazing testament to our community’s determination to create positive change.
     End-of-the-year giving is critical to many nonprofits. And although campaigns like Giving Tuesday have bolstered online donations for many nonprofits, it is just the beginning. Giving in the last week of the year brings in more than twelve times the revenue as Giving Tuesday. It is estimated that around 30 percent of annual giving occurs in December, and a whopping ten percent occurs in the last three days of the year.
     If you act quickly, your year-end charitable giving could save you thousands in taxes this year. In my last column, I encouraged everyone to think about their year-end tax planning and, for those who are charitably minded, plans for year-end contributions to favorite charities. Utilizing your donor advised fund to bunch your charitable contributions can be a great tax-wise way to give back and still continue to itemize charitable deductions. However,  time is running out to take advantage of this charitable giving tool for this tax season!
     Making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA is another valuable tax-wise way to help your community. Remember, if you are 72 ½ or older and have required minimum distributions (RMD) from your IRA, you can make a QCD directly to your favorite charities. This will fulfill your RMD, and you will not have to report the distribution on your income taxes.
     We are thankful to live in a community where people care about one another and freely lend their time and talents to their community. In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s essential to pause, give thanks, and reflect on what is really important.
     I am thankful for everyone who participates in the Truman Heartland mission each year. Your passion for giving allows us to do what we do—help everyday people positively impact their local communities. I hope your holiday season is filled with enough joy and laughter to take you into the New Year with a smile. 

     St. Mary’s Medical Center, a member of Prime Healthcare received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from the Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates St. Mary’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.
     “I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group said. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”
     The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.
     Kelly Pearce, Chief Executive Officer, shares “I’m excited that the work of our dedicated staff and providers at St. Mary’s Medical Center is reflected in the “A” rating from Leapfrog. Quality and Safety are our top priority”.
    To see St. Mary’s Medical Center’s full grade details and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter. 

     St. Mary’s Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2022. St. Mary’s Medical Center is one of only 240 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.
     The award recognizes St. Mary’s Medical Center’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that St. Mary’s Medical Center has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.
     To receive the Chest Pain ̶ MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award, St. Mary’s Medical Center has demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain ̶   MI Registry for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021) and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recommendations and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.
    “It is an honor to award St. Mary’s Medical Center with the Platinum Performance Award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” Michael C. Kontos, MD, FACC, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee, and cardiologist at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center said. “The receipt of this award indicates that St. Mary’s Medical Center remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”
     The Centers for Disease Control estimates that over 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.
     Chest Pain  ̶  MI Registry empowers health care provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.