Heart to Heart responds to child abuse, putting kids first

Heart to Heart was established in 2000 through the efforts of Detective Lieutenant T. Walton of the Newton Police Department and Lori Hardin of the Newton Social Rehabilitation Service Department. Lt. Walton and Lori Hardin had done many interviews with children who had been victims of abuse. They realized these types of interviews were extremely difficult for children and the environment where the interviews were done needed to be improved. Prior to Heart to Heart interviews were conducted at police stations, schools, police cars, in homes where sometimes the perpetrator was living or in small interview rooms. Often times the child had to be interviewed numerous times by various agencies involved in the investigation of the abuse.

By creating Heart to Heart, children who had been abused could come to a center that was built child friendly and with resources available for the child and the child's family. Heart to Heart relies on a multidisciplinary response to child abuse. Instead of numerous interviews by various agencies, those agencies joined in a team effort so the child would be interviewed by only one person. It is the goal of Heart to Heart to provide the necessary services, resources and compassion for children and the families who come to the center reporting abuse.

Since opening the doors at Heart to Heart in August 2001, over 400 children have come to the Center making reports of abuse. Many of those cases have resulted in arrests, warrants and convictions. To learn more about the great work Heart to Heart is doing, visit www.hearttoheart.com.
 

5-year grant helps launch CIS Drug-Free Youth Coalition!

Exciting news has come to Harvey County! The Communities In Schools of Harvey County has received a five-year grant to support our Drug-Free Youth Coalition. The grant is from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration under the US Department of Health and Human Services.   

With the assistance of Mirror, Inc./South Central Regional Prevention Center, the Communities That Care (CTC) model will be implemented in the county.  CTC is a nationally proven and tested-effective method to reduce the risk of drug use by our youth. We have taken the first steps of the process by naming a Champion, Sheriff Byron Motter, and training Key Leaders.   

Next we began building the countywide Community Board. With 24 dedicated individuals our Community Board is now established.   

Work Groups for assessing our Risk and Protective Factors and Resources for youth and families are now being formed. These groups will present their findings to the Community Board. The board will then design the Community Action Plan for Harvey County. This plan will determine the strategies best fit for Harvey County communities to take action to reduce the drug use of youth. 

We are dedicated to helping our families face the reality of drug use by our children and make changes to better our communities here in Harvey County. By being thoughtful, precise and purposeful in our approach to prevent drug use by our youth, we will see a decrease in the age of first drug use and a notable increase in youth’s perception of parents’ disapproval of these drugs.   

If you wish to be involved in this process or want more information, please contact Lynnette Redington, Drug-Free Youth Coalition Coordinator, at LRedington@cisharveyco.org or 316-284-6520.
 

CIS Family Connection helps families address children's issues

If you are a Harvey County family with children, two years old through Kindergarten age, who exhibit behaviors such as biting, hitting, tantrums, or social struggles, you are entitled to CIS Family Connection services at no cost.

Who qualifies for CIS Family Connection services? Children and families who do not qualify for special education or receive mental health services however need additional attention in the area of positive social-emotional supports. As well as parents who want to learn new parenting strategies. The services are free of charge and are not gender, race, religious, or economically based.

What is provided? CIS Family Connection provides support to families and their children to address issues related to:

• defiance • anger management • socialization • self-control

• aggression • attachment • initiative • Positive Parental Support

How CIS Family Connection helps:

• Parents and staff work together to address specific needs. • Children learn self-control in a comfortable environment at their own pace. • Families learn positive communication to improve attachment. • Children become more socially and emotionally prepared for kindergarten. • CIS Family Connection Interventionists help identify strengths and teach   participants how to focus on the positive.

Parenting Workshops: CIS Family Connection presents fun, interactive workshops for parents, caregivers and teachers of children of all ages. The workshops are based on the teachings of Conscious Discipline® by Dr. Becky Bailey, an award winning author, renowned teacher, and nationally recognized expert in Early Childhood Education and Development. Dr. Bailey has shared her expertise with thousands of teachers, parents, administrators, and students around the globe. Teachers and childcare professionals rave about the practicality and the success of Conscious Discipline®, that was developed more than 30 years ago. The academic community states, “Becky Bailey has made a profound contribution to the field of human behavior.” Her teachings are dedicated to creating positive environments for children, families, schools and businesses.

Workshops are open to the public. Please call 316-284-6230 ext. 108 for more training information. New sessions forming monthly.

“10 Steps to Positive Discipline” is a five-session class approved and supported by SRS and the 9th Judicial District. Families will learn to:

• Recognize the difference between disrespectful and typical childhood behavior. • Communicate with children so they will listen and respond. • Teach conflict resolution skills. • Create homes where children choose to be helpful. • Reduce power struggles. • Understand and respond to a child’s true needs.        • 10 Hours of Continuing Education Units        • Free/Reduced fees        • Childcare available        • Snacks and materials provided

What are parents are saying about “10 Steps to Positive Discipline”?

• "This class offers real-life help.” • “I now have a clearer perspective, more confidence and a sense of support. I’m glad I took the class.” • “I now have more understanding of my children’s feelings.” • “It really helped us reduced the stress in our family.” • “After taking the class I have more patience and am more positive with my kids.” • “I walked away with a great parenting tool and ideas to become a more productive mom, wife, daughter and friend.” • “Class sessions were fun and enjoyable with materials that were helpful at home.” • “Loved the ‘real-life’ examples.” • “Having childcare available made the experience stress-free.” • “I loved this class! Not only has it helped me with my son, it helped me with all of my relationships.” • “Thank you for the book. It will help me when I am too stressed to know what to do.”

― Shana Schmidt, Communities In Schools of Harvey County
     shana@cisharveyco.org
 

HCHS provides shelter and support to homeless families in Newton

The Harvey County Homeless Shelter (HCHS) is located at 209 E. Broadway, Newton, in the basement of the old Axtel Hospital. Opened in March of 2005, the shelter averages 20 men, women or children per night. The mission of the HCHS is to show the love of Jesus to those in need of secure shelter through physical, emotional, and spiritual support. 

The HCHS is run completely by volunteers and donations from the community. Currently, there is a church/group sponsor one week every 13 weeks. During that week the church provides two volunteers each night to stay in the shelter from 5 p.m. to 8 the next morning. The sponsoring group also provides the evening meal for the residents. When the week is complete, another church takes over. Volunteering overnight may sound a bit challenging, but the impact one volunteer can make on the lives of the residents makes it all worthwhile. 

How can you be involved? The HCHS is currently in need of volunteers, donations, and prayer partners. If you are interested in knowing more about the HCHS, or if you would like us to come speak at your business/church, feel free to call us anytime at (316) 283-7711. You are also welcome to just stop by. We look forward to hearing from you. ― Cindy Johnson, New Jerusalem Missions/HCHS staff
 

HomeworkKansas connects kids to free online tutoring

If you have a library card, your child or teen can find free online homework help through the Newton Public Library and a new service called "HomeworkKansas."

HomeworkKansas, an online tutoring service that uses expert tutors from across the country, offers help for students grades 4-12 and also features college introductory courses. Students connect to tutors for one-to-one homework help sessions in an online classroom. The service is free for all Kansas students.

Students can access the service from home with a Kansas Library Card at www.newtonplks.org. The service is also available from computers at the Newton Public Library, 720 N. Oak. Students will also be able to access HomeworkKansas via the Empowered Desktop, if that service is provided by their school. Students can connect to online tutors for free seven days a week, from 4 to 11 p.m. The service is available in Spanish, Sunday through Thursday, from 4 to 9 p.m.
 

Many organizations offer free, reduced-cost food

When Harvey County families need help putting food on the table, many local organizations are willing to help. Families will find support through a variety of free or reduced-cost services in Newton, Hesston, Halstead, Burrton, and Sedgwick.

The Harvey County Asset Builders Coalition has prepared a list of available food banks, commodities, and food services for special populations, such as the homeless, elderly, and homebound. To view the list, please click here. (You will need Adobe Reader®, a free download, to read this file.)