Author: Melody Craig

Today, Governor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed Senate Bill 19, bipartisan legislation that launches 9-8-8 as the official 24/7 three-digit dialing code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Beginning Saturday, July 16, Kansans and all Americans can call 9-8-8 during mental health and substance abuse emergencies. Governor Kelly joined Sedgwick County Commissioners, legislators, and local advocates for the celebration at the Sedgwick County Courthouse.

“With 9-8-8, we are on the path to reversing our country’s mental health crisis and getting Kansans the help they need,” Governor Kelly said. “Just as every American knows to call 9-1-1 in times of emergency, every American – and every Kansan – will soon know to call 9-8-8 when they or a loved one is facing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.”

Governor Kelly announced in January of this year that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) received the Lifeline’s 9-8-8 State Planning Grant through the nonprofit Vibrant Emotional Health to develop plans to build the infrastructure for and grow access to the Lifeline’s new three-digit 9-8-8 number. Governor Kelly signed SB 19 in June so that going forward, each July 1 $10 million in state general funds will be appropriated to fund 9-8-8 with no access fee for Kansans.

The new “9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline” will connect callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and offer a broader range of services for people experiencing a mental health crisis or substance use crisis. Callers will be connected to resources in their local community and to in-person crisis services where available. Kansans who dial 9-8-8 will be routed to a local crisis specialist trained to address unique concerns and needs, which may include assessment, stabilization, referral, and follow-up.

“Kansas is the 14th state to fund 9-8-8 through legislation and we are excited for the national launch of 9-8-8,” KDADS Behavioral Health Services Commissioner Andrew Brown said. “KDADS has been working throughout the Kelly Administration to increase the infrastructure in Kansas for suicide prevention and crisis intervention in preparation for 9-8-8. This will be the first of several milestones that will help Kansans experiencing a crisis get improved access to the help they need during a crisis.”

KDADS partnered with the Kansas Suicide Prevention HQ, Johnson County Mental Health, COMCARE of Sedgwick County, HealthSource Information Solutions, and TBD Solutions LLC, to develop clear roadmaps to address coordination, capacity, funding, and communications surrounding the launch of 9-8-8 and collaborated with state leadership, suicide prevention experts, people with lived experience, and others to create a 9-8-8 implementation plan and support the Lifeline’s operational, clinical, and performance standards that allow access to care.

Individuals will still be able to access the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) after the July 16 implementation of 9-8-8. The current Lifeline and 9-8-8 will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via call, text, or chat. All phone service providers are required to connect callers who dial 9-8-8 to the Lifeline.

Thank you, @subaru_usa, for the continued generosity and support of the homebound seniors that we serve. #MealsOnWheels programs across the country thank you!

Share the Love this holiday season and donate supplies to the Brown County Humane Society. Event will be held Friday, December 10, 2021, from          2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1803 Oregon St., Hiawatha, Kansas.

Donations Needed:

• Pet Food – Dry or Canned
• Dog & Cat Treats
• Puppy and/or Kitten Formula Milk Replacer
• Greenies Pill Pockets
• Puppy Training or Dog Pads
• Poop Bags
• Cat Litter
• Dog or Cat Toys
• Dog or Cat Shampoo                          
• Dog Collars (any size
• Bleach
• Any Type of Laundry Detergent
• Fabuloso All Purpose Cleaner
• Dishwashing Liquid Soap
• Disinfectant Wipes
• Paper Towels
• Disposable Gloves
• Trash Bags
• High Pressure Adjustable Hose Nozzle
• Post-it Sticky Note Pads

2021 Subaru Share the Love Event – Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Local Meals on Wheels programs provide daily nutritious meals, nourishing companionship and critical safety checks to America’s homebound seniors. Each donation helps these programs enable seniors to age with independence and dignity in their own homes, where they want to be. Since its inception thirteen years ago, the Subaru Share the Love Event has helped deliver more than 2.5 million meals to America’s seniors!

Be sure to save the date for the first annual Give Back to Move Forward Hiawatha Match Day! From May 29th through 30th, all qualifying donations made through the foundation to participating organizations will receive a 50% match, up to a maximum of $1,500, that will be added to their HCF fund. In-person donations can be made at the Fisher Community Center on May 29th from 9 am to 5 pm and again at the Hiawatha Country Club on May 30th from 12 pm to 6 pm. Online donations will also be accepted from May 29th at 12 am to May 30th at 11:59 pm. Check out the participating organizations and learn more about how you can participate in the first annual Give Back to Move Forward Match Day at www.giveback moveforward.com. Please click here to donate.

Exciting news! Meals on Wheels network is participating in the 2020 Subaru Share the Love Event. Over the past twelve years, Subaru and its retailers have helped Meals on Wheels to deliver more than 2.3 million meals nationwide to seniors in need. This November 19, 2020, through January 4, 2021, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.

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