A five-year grant totaling $1,065,000 has been awarded to help families in Geary County with young children. The grant from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, is being facilitated through the University of Kansas Department of Public Research Center.

Stephanie Bogenhagen, Early Childhood Program Principal for Geary USD 475, said the purpose of the grant is to bring together collaborative local agencies that could benefit families with small children. She explained a web of agencies will be developed. “For example we have Pawnee Mental Health Services, Konza Prairie Health and Dental, Parents as Teachers, Infant Toddler Services, the Early Childhood Program. ”

If you have a child ages infant to three, anything you may need from dental to health services and development checks would be included in the web of agencies providing the assistance.

Bogenhagen noted the state will provide a facilitator to oversee the collaboration between the agencies. “Our little collaborative will come up with some problem solving strategies to help families know who to contact and who to go to if they need some extra assistance in some various areas.”

The grant application was submitted in March, and Geary County was one of two counties in Kansas named to receive the grant. The funds will be provided in five-year increments beginning in 2017. Local focus areas in Geary County will be on development of children birth to three, and on family well-being.

Collaborative partners in this grant program will include the Geary USD 475 Parents as Teachers, Junction City Commissioners, Konza Prairie Community Health and Dental Center, Pawnee Mental Health Center, Geary County USD 475 Early Child Program and Infant Toddler Service, and Delivering Change – Geary County Perinatal Coalition.