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The Jackson County Health Department has moved to a new location and will now be known as Jackson County Public Health (JCPH). After 89 years of service based in Independence, JCPH has relocated to Lee’s Summit. Located off I-470 and Woods Chapel Road, 3651 NE Ralph Powell Road, is now the new address for Jackson County Public Health. The new building also provides a new home for Jackson County’s Environmental Health department and WIC program, bringing all three county divisions under the same roof for the first time. The new location offers a number of improvements for clients:
“We’re excited about this move as it signifies our commitment to the residents of Jackson County,” Bridgette Shaffer, Health Director at JCPH said. “The new space will ensure residents experience modern and quality facilities that match the level of superior customer service we have provided for nearly 98 years.” Jackson County Public Health provides health services to over 379,000 residents in Eastern Jackson County, serving the parts of our county outside of Kansas City and Independence. The City of Independence re-established their own health department during the pandemic. JCPH says the move to Lee’s Summit allows the department to more effectively provide services to residents within their jurisdiction. “For far too long we have undervalued the significance of public health, but today, I take immense pride in declaring that this is no longer the reality,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “The County’s multi-million dollar investment ensures that everyone has equal access to the care they require in a setting that is convenient, supportive, and purposefully designed. In fostering a sense of unity and inclusivity, we hope to empower all residents to actively engage in their own health and contribute to the overall well-being of our community.” Services offered at the new location, include:
Learn more at www.jcph.org. Jackson County Public Health (JCPH), formerly Jackson County Health Department, has moved to Lee's Summit and unveiled a new logo. Photo credit: JCPH
Jackson County approved funding June 12th for the expansion of a county program aimed at advancing equity and access to preventative health care services. The $5 million investment will bolster the reach of the community-based initiative, originally known as "Our Healthy KC Eastside," and extend its impact to encompass all of Jackson County under the new name, "Our Healthy Jackson County.”
"By investing in the expansion of Our Healthy Jackson County, we are taking significant strides towards addressing the pressing health challenges our communities face," Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. "This funding allows us to continue our mission of supporting our most socially vulnerable neighborhoods, while also providing vital preventative health services. Together, we can make a significant impact on the health and well-being of Jackson County residents, working towards a healthier, more equitable future for all.” “We are grateful to have the support of our community as we fulfill our commitment to provide critical health services in some of the most socially vulnerable neighborhoods in our community," Jannette Berkley-Patton, Ph.D., director of the UMKC Health Equity Institute said. “Our neighbors in these areas have historically been disproportionately impacted by chronic health conditions. This funding will allow us to provide more people access to care that can greatly improve their health outcomes.” With the secured funding, program coordinators and community partners will be able to continue their critical work in reducing the burden of COVID-19 in these neighborhoods. Additionally, expanded programming will introduce new preventative health services that directly target key health concerns across the community. These services will include initiatives related to cancer screenings, diabetes and heart disease prevention, and infant mortality. Infant mortality is the death of a child up to one year of life. Research shows that some neighborhoods in Jackson County suffer infant mortality rates that are three times the national rate. “We are so thrilled to begin to change the rate of infant mortality in our county by instituting programs like this that will not only increase the chance that a baby makes it to their first birthday, but also will increase the chance that the mother caring for them will be healthy as well,” Traci Johnson, M.D., assistant professor at the UMKC School of Medicine and infant mortality disparities researcher said. The leading causes of death in the state of Missouri are heart disease, cancer and diabetes, and underserved populations are experiencing a greater burden of these health conditions. This is particularly the case among Jackson County residents who are African American, Latino or live in under-resourced areas. Fortunately, preventative measures have been proven to drastically reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall health. ”Through our earlier phase of this initiative, we learned that many people in Jackson County’s underserved areas have a greater proportion of people with diabetes than the national average,” Berkley-Patton said. “We also know that simple lifestyle changes can greatly reduce that number. This funding will allow us to provide diabetes prevention programs to people who may not otherwise have opportunities to participate in these health promotion programs.” The program began in 2021 during the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to address health inequities and access to vaccinations. With an initial investment of $5 million, the program administered nearly 13,000 COVID-19 vaccinations and provided more than 4,100 health services, including blood pressure checks, blood glucose screening, mental health screenings, dental assessments and STI testing in six months. Based on research gathered from 123 community clinic events and community forums, a comprehensive plan for expanded health services programming was developed. The "Our Healthy Jackson County" initiative, funded by Jackson County, is a collaborative effort led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City in partnership with University Health, Children's Mercy Kansas City, local businesses, neighborhood associations, and youth and faith organizations in Jackson County. For more detailed information about the program, please visit the official website at https://info.umkc.edu/healthy-jackson-county/. Jackson County Parks + Rec will host Fort Osage National Historic Landmark’s “Fun on the Bluff” event on Saturday, June 10. Families are invited to enjoy the great outdoors with activities such as hearth cooking, tomahawk throwing, blacksmithing, arts and crafts, archery, atlatl dart throwing, flintknapping, textile spinning, cannon firing and more. New family-friendly hands-on activities in the Education Center make this a great event to attend. Food and refreshments will be available on the grounds.
The event will be held Saturday, June 10th from 9:00am - 4:30pm at Fort Osage National Historic Landmark, 105 Osage Street, Sibley, MO 64088. The cost to attend is $15/car or $25/bus. About Fort Osage National Historic Landmark Built in 1808, under the initial direction of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Fort Osage served a dual role as both a military garrison and a trade center. Today, authentically attired historical interpreters take visitors on a journey through Fort Osage’s past. Guests will enjoy breathtaking views of the reconstructed historic site that overlooks the Missouri River as they learn about the daily life of military, civilian and Native American populations at Fort Osage. Also explore 4,000 square feet of museum exhibitions in the Fort Osage Education Center and a museum store with books, unique gifts and souvenirs. Fort Osage National Historic Landmark is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by Cole Arndorfer
On Monday, June 5, the Jackson County Legislature held its twenty-second regular meeting of the year. Overall, it was a fairly standard style meeting for the legislature which included the adoption of 13 resolutions and the introduction of three new ordinances which were assigned to committees. In resolutions, Manuel Abarca IV made a motion to adopt Resolution #21300, which recognizes June 2023 as Gun Violence Awareness Month. The motion was seconded by Jalen Anderson and adopted by unanimous vote. Manuel Abarca IV made another motion to adopt Resolution #21301, which also recognizes June 2023 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The motion was, again, seconded by Jalen Anderson and adopted by unanimous vote. A motion was made by Sean E. Smith to adopt Resolution #21266. This resolution authorizes the Prosecuting Attorney to approve an agreement with the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners for anti-drug and anti-crime programs. This resolution comes at a cost that will not exceed $3,342,311 for the county. Resolution #21266 was seconded by Venessa Huskey and it was adopted by a vote of six to three. A resolution was also brought up regarding the nomination of candidates to be appointed to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority. Those appointed would serve a term through July 15, 2028. Jackson County legislature Chairman DaRon McGee said that applications and resumes must be received by the County Clerk by the end of the day on June 8. As for ordinances, three new ordinances were introduced and assigned to committee by the legislature. Ordinance #5748 was introduced and would appropriate $32,454 from the undesignated balance of the Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund to accept grant funds and award a contract to Grayshift, LLC to provide the county with mobile forensics equipment and software. This ordinance was assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee. Ordinance #5749 was introduced and would appropriate $400,000 from the undesignated balance of the County Improvement Fund to provide additional project management services for the Workday implementation project. This ordinance was assigned to the Budget Committee. Ordinance #5750 was introduced and would repeal Schedule I to Chapter 2 of Jackson County Code. This would relate to County associates not within the Merit System, and create a new schedule. This ordinance was assigned to the Budget Committee. Jackson County Assessor announces property value information will be available online June 9th6/8/2023
The Jackson County, Missouri, Assessor’s Office announced today that property value assessments for both residential and commercial properties can now be accessed via a new parcel viewer function at https://jcgis.jacksongov.org/parcelviewer/, beginning on June 9th.
In addition, traditional Property Value Notices will still be mailed out and will be arriving in mailboxes by June 15th. The Assessor’s Office encourages both residential and commercial property owners to review their statements and/or online assessment information carefully and reach out to the Assessor’s Office if they feel their property has been incorrectly valued. On average, the Assessor’s Office has observed a 30% increase in real estate property values for single-family countywide, with some properties impacted more and some less. The office states there are two reasons behind the increase:
The Assessor’s Office has implemented several changes to make the assessment process they state as transparent and equitable as possible, including:
The Assessor's Office advises the parcel-by-parcel review is still ongoing. Any property owner who feels their property has not been valued properly is encouraged to contact the Assessor’s Office and file an appeal by July 10. Residents may dispose of unwanted items and household hazardous waste during the City Wide Clean Up event and Jackson County's Household Hazardous Waste mobile event, both scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd.
On Saturday, June 3rd, the City of Grain Valley will be hosting a City-Wide Clean Up Event from 8:00am - 2:00pm at the Public Works Facility on James Rollo Drive. Grain Valley residents may drop off: - Mattresses - Old/unwanted furniture - Metal - Lawn Mowers (all fluids must be drained) - Home decor - Mirrors - Scrap wood & similar items All loose items must be bagged up. Residents may also drop off household hazardous waste at a separate event hosted from 8:00am - Noon (or until trucks are full) on Saturday, June 3rd at Jackson County Public Works, 34900 E. Old Highway 40. For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste event and items accepted, visit Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection – Eastern Jackson County – RecycleSpot. Jackson County Parks + Rec’s Sand Cinema will present Minions: The Rise of Gru on the giant inflatable movie screen at Longview Lake Beach on Friday, June 9.
Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. with the movie scheduled to begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. or once it’s dark. Admission is $10 per car. Families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. No swimming or outside food, drink or pets are allowed. Concessions are available for visitors to enjoy. Minions: The Rise of Gru is the first of three beachfront family features this summer. The Sand Cinema schedule for summer 2023 at Longview Lake Beach is as follows, weather permitting:
“This Princess Life” will be on-site with complimentary character photos before each movie. It’s important to note that Longview Lake Beach will close at 6:00 p.m. on Sand Cinema movie nights to allow staff time to set up. Longview Lake Beach is located at 11101 Raytown Road, just two miles south of I-470. For more information and to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com/events. Enjoy a day filled with period music, dancing, food, crafts, games and more at the Missouri Town Spring Jamboree on Saturday, June 3 from 9:00am – 4:30pm at the Missouri Town Living History Museum, 8010 East Park Road, Lee’s Summit, MO.
Visitors of all ages will experience the work, play and daily life of Victorian children. Living history interpreters will guide activities to include lessons in the one-room schoolhouse, working the garden, competing in whistle and racing competitions, kitemaking, period children’s games, an 1850s photo booth, and caring for heritage-breed livestock. Admission is $8/adults, $4/children ages 5-13, $4/seniors 62+, and children under 4 are free. For more information, visit Missouri Town Living History Museum Jackson County MO Parks + Rec (makeyourdayhere.com). by Josh Merchant, The Kansas City Beacon After three months of maneuvering, three failed votes and four different versions of the same legislation, the Jackson County Legislature on Monday voted unanimously to become the first county government in Missouri to ban anti-LGBT conversion therapy.
The ordinance, effective immediately, prohibits any practice or treatment that seeks to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It specifically exempts “counseling that provides support and assistance to a person undergoing gender transition.” Although the final vote was unanimous, the conversion therapy ban has been a source of conflict among local government officials, including the legislators themselves, as well as Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. and Kansas City’s LGBTQ Commission. From failed amendments and surprise abstensions during votes to a heated county legislature meeting, the road to the new ban has been tumultuous. So why was it so difficult for the county legislature to pass the ban, and what were the roadblocks that stood in its way? Kansas City LGBTQ Commission has been calling for a ban for months Kansas City’s LGBTQ Commission first called on the Jackson County Legislature to ban conversion therapy nearly three months ago, on Jan. 9. An ordinance was introduced later that month by Jalen Anderson, Manny Abarca, Sean Smith and Jeanie Lauer. After not seeing any progress on the ordinance, the commission published another letter in February demanding action. The reason for the delay, Abarca said, was because legislators wanted to strengthen the enforcement mechanism in the ordinance. People convicted of violating the ordinance are now subject to a $500 fine and the county will not contract with any agency that employs someone who has been convicted of this crime. The ordinance’s sponsors met with the LGBTQ Commission, state legislators and county officials to figure out how best to ban conversion therapy with meaningful enforcement without sparking retaliation from the Missouri legislature. After a public hearing on March 16, Ordinance 5711 arrived on the floor of the county legislature on March 20. At the meeting, Anderson shared his own traumatic experience with conversion therapy as a child. But to the shock of community activists and the legislators themselves, the ordinance failed by one vote. “Disgraceful,” Anderson said at the meeting. “This entire body, disgraceful.” Smith, who had attempted to amend the ordinance three times, voted no. DaRon McGee, the legislature’s chairman, abstained, along with Venessa Huskey and Donna Peyton. “My reasoning was merely because I felt it was necessary to have some kind of notification attached to the ban,” Peyton said. McGee and Huskey have not shared the reasons for their abstention votes. Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission, said that some of the legislators who voted no or abstained voiced concerns about whether it could negatively affect their constituents. The legislators “called me and said, ‘I have people who are worried this is going to impact them,’” Horn said. “And I finally said, ‘If they think this is going to impact them, they need to look in the mirror. They’re not the victims. If they’re going to be put out, I don’t care.’” Two more ordinances, both doomed to fail After the legislature failed to pass the ban, County Executive White promised to light the county courthouse in rainbow colors until the legislature took action. “I am disappointed that the Jackson County Legislature failed to send a clear message today that LGBTQ+ youth should be valued, respected and treated with the same dignity that every human being deserves,” White wrote in a statement that evening. Abarca said the ordinance likely failed because there was not enough discussion among legislators to garner support before the March 20 meeting. “It was introduced very raw, without the discussions being done that needed to be had, and then passion filled in the void and egos got into the mix,” Abarca said. “The building got lit up by the county executive, who hadn’t played any real part in this throughout the entire process. So it became kind of contentious.” The following week, three new versions of the conversion therapy ban were introduced at the March 27 meeting, including a motion to reconsider the ordinance that had already been rejected. This included Ordinance 5726 and Ordinance 5728, sponsored by Abarca, which included a provision requiring the county to notify conversion therapy providers of the ban, as well as an effective date 90 days after the ordinance’s passage. Ordinance 5726 was sent to committee, while legislators debated whether the notification requirement in Ordinance 5728 would prevent the county from effectively enforcing the ban. Abarca said during the meeting that he was not responsible for adding the 90-day effective date and asked who added it to the legislation — but none of the other legislators took responsibility. The legislature “was trying to wash copies and strip out certain components, and it ended up being something that none of us liked,” Abarca said. Both ordinances were voted down. And despite unanimous support for banning conversion therapy, every legislator voted “no” or abstained on at least one version of the ordinance. At the following meeting on April 3, the legislature withdrew the compromise ordinances from the previous week and voted unanimously to pass the conversion therapy ban. The version that ultimately passed, Ordinance 5731, was nearly identical to the first version that had been introduced — and rejected — two weeks earlier. The legislature also passed a resolution to allocate $4,000 for the purpose of publishing a notice that the conversion therapy ban had been adopted. Next steps Abarca said the sponsors had to be very aware throughout the process of drafting the ordinance that the county’s priorities are dramatically different from measures under consideration in Jefferson City. Bills filed in the Missouri legislature would forcibly halt the transition of transgender youth or criminalize loosely defined “drag performances” outside of age-restricted venues. Other states have proposed removing trans children from affirming families. The Republican-dominated state legislature can use measures such as preemption laws to upend local laws and ordinances that its members don’t like. But Abarca said he and other county legislators don’t plan to back down when faced with state legislation targeting queer and trans people. “This isn’t the only issue we’re going to start picking fights on,” Abarca said. “There’s more to come, without a doubt.” Abarca said he and other progressive county legislators were looking forward to the adjournment of the Missouri legislative session in May. “May is really close. If we get through that, we can do a lot more here,” Abarca said. “And I think there are several of us, Mr. Anderson being one of them, who are pondering what more progressive things we can do now, and at least enact those laws for six months before the legislature starts again.” In its 46th year, Jacomo Summer Camp is inviting campers 6-11 to "take the plunge" and discover the fun of summer camp. The camp is located at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center, a 40-acre site nestled in the Fleming Park Nature Preserve on the east side of Lake Jacomo.
Campers ages 6-11 may attend one or all 10 one-week sessions of camp, offered June 5 through August 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended hours are also available. Weekly activities include swimming, kayaking, fishing, archery, hiking, nature study, arts and crafts, a visit to one of Jackson County’s beautiful beaches, and weekly themed field trips. The cost for regular hours is $185/week; extended hours are $220/week. Online registration begins at 12:00am on April 3rd. To register, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com/daycamp |
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