Photo Courtesy of Clay Counts Coalition
Topics discussed during the Clay Counts Coalition’s monthly meeting on June 18th included: the Kansas Communities that Care Survey, YLink State Convention, DCCCA Program, and more.
Jeremy Johnson of Greenbush spoke to Clay Counts members via Zoom on the Clay Center Communities that Care Survey. Johnson said this type of survey has been administered to students for the past 30 years. 82% of Clay County students participated in this year’s survey. The survey showed results of students’ thoughts and actions on substance use, bullying, depression, suicide, and many other factors. Data from the survey will help steer programming decisions, funding, and other education initiatives.
Matt Weller has started writing a monthly article that is placed in the Clay Center Dispatch and Clay County Regional paper. Monthly topics will speak on data attributed to mental health, substance use, and other important factors.
YLink members attended the State Convention recently. Taylor Johnson was the speaker at the convention. YLink would like to have him speak at the high school and middle school, possibly adding him to a Courageous Conversation for the community. A motion was made to have him speak in Clay Center on September 2nd, passing unanimously.
The “Hot Dog It’s Summer” pool party has been moved to August 7th.
Arielle Kelly of DCCCA spoke of their Leave Behind Program. This program is designed to help reduce overdose deaths, ensuring Naloxone kits are available where needed most. The life-saving kits are provided to first responders at no cost, putting the kits in the hands of those who work directly with overdoses.
Allie Martin and Sophia Gallup reported that they are looking to start a Clay Center organization called “Girls on the Run.” From Sept. 15th to Nov. 10th, women are encouraged to run twice a week for 90 minutes during this time. They are working on getting volunteers and funding for this.
The next Clay Counts Coalition meeting will be on Wednesday, August 13th, at noon in the Stuart Administrative Center.
