Kansas Communities Discussion(1) by Jenny Smith

2025-08-21 18:22:57 UTC

Olga-has been with PAT less that 8 months and found out about it at the library.

2025-08-21 18:24:23 UTC

Lea-her community has a big early childhood intervention community. Programs are delegated to make sure needs are met

2025-08-21 18:26:55 UTC

Julie-The community Julie is in is a small town. Still working on helping clarify exactly what PAT is in our community and making sure it's known that it's free for all. We have a large range of needs within the partipants. Some have low if any 'needs' and some of many needs.

2025-08-21 18:27:57 UTC

group 2: SE Kansas: rural community close to OK, so receiving specialized medical care when you need to stay in state boundaries to use benefits like medicaid can mean they have to travel long distances

Wichita: having a larger community it is hard to serve as many families as there are that are in the age range.

Derby: suburb, PAT located in neighborhood that doesn't participate at the same rate as central Derby. Community needs: there may be a fear of immigration status and language barrier impacting who signs up for visits. We also have a portion of our community who don't have major concerns for bassic essentials and resources: they just want development info

2025-08-21 18:30:07 UTC

Lea-can't add to padlet but shared yes they have working relationships within the community with other programs Early Ed, referral program.

2025-08-21 18:32:55 UTC

Group 2:

Derby: We see more income diversity than is traditionally associated with Derby

Wichita: Refuge families and their struggles are unique. We have some resources in Wichita, but not enough to reach everyone and with only 6 parent educators we struggle to meet those needs

SE Kansas: They may not value some of the programs and resources available in our community. There is a lack of awareness of programs in general, and even of PAT

2025-08-21 18:33:08 UTC

Janet and Lora from Stafford shared We are through the School District as well. Same as the last response.
We work with Early Childhood/ Community Partners, Part C, and our ICC groups to help promote our program.

Group 3: Jill D, Kelly C, Mary B

2025-08-21 18:33:27 UTC

All three of our group members work within a school district. Two of us are in smaller communities. Some of the needs are quality childcare and affordable housing options. In the larger community there is a need for interpreters and meeting basic needs.

2025-08-21 18:35:57 UTC

Our friends from Stafford shared Ours community feels they need to be invited, or it is to assist those with disabilities.

2025-08-21 18:37:59 UTC

Olga shared they have a pretty big waitlist so they don't have a big concern with that but have a hard time serving all the needs. Plenty of voice not enough manpower

2025-08-21 18:42:39 UTC

We have found as more people participate they help us share and break that barriers of people thinking they need to qualify for PAT

Group 3: Jill, Kelly, Mary

2025-08-21 18:43:53 UTC

Most people in the community really don't know about PAT. We focus more on the needs of children and that parents are a child's first teacher. The community doesn't necessarily focus on the needs of the children, more of the needs of the community.

It would be nice to have more awareness of our programs. (In a positive way)

2025-08-21 18:43:55 UTC

Derby: "Project Kids" "Child Find" screenings in our building and a close relationship where we could refer individual children or families with a personal touch from OUR experiences.

Wichita: Pre-k/ early childhood: Pre/k includes PAT in trainings/ speakers, they come in and volunteer, they get screenings (like hearing and vision) shared.

Early Interventions Services: PAT volunteers there and they help with screening. Resources from Advisory Council

Coffeyville: moved into early learning center so now housed with preschool, so likely a good partnership. Pregnancy center: support flowing both ways. Community Health clinic: the only pediatrician (who is also a PAT family) has led group connections and has made many referrals

Group 3: Jill, Kelly, Mary

2025-08-21 18:45:25 UTC

Partnerships with nursing facilities, chamber of commerce, Rec Centers, libraries, schools, churches

2025-08-21 18:45:52 UTC

Olga from Wichita shared that they have partnered with derby pat to join an event as well as wichita public library. Hutch pat has partnered with schools for open house and stafford shared a partnership and my window closed and I coudlnt share it

Cheri Knighton-Gardner PAT

2025-08-26 14:27:48 UTC

Our community was once a small farming community, but has grown to a population of almost 29,000. It is one of the last suburbs south of the Kansas City area. While the community tends to lean more conservative, we are part of Johnson County, which provides a greater variety of perspectives and political ideas than other areas in Kansas. Gardner is family focused; the majority of families living with both parents (about 12% live in a single parent home). The majority of people who live in Gardner are middle class and white. 7% are Black, 8% are Hispanic, 1% are Asian, and 11% are another race or two or more races. Most adults received a high school diploma or equivalent and 33% earned a Bachelor's degree or higher. Gardner has a strong sense of community, rallying together to support groups, schools, and people in need. The community is currently supporting families who were displaced after a large apartment complex was condemned. Other community needs include housing and food support, a greater sense of inclusion, and greater access to mental health services.

Cheri Knighton

2025-08-26 14:29:48 UTC

Overall I view Gardner as a welcoming, inclusive community, but I have spoken to individuals who do not see our community the same. Some feel marginalized. The community has a Facebook group where people ask questions and share information. Sometimes people are supported and other times they are attacked. Some families are very happy with the education system and early child services available, while others are not.

Cheri Knighton

2025-08-26 14:32:01 UTC

We have some great partnerships in our community including: Hope Market, Joy Closet, local pediatricians, USD 231 Early Childhood, Johnson County Mental Health Services, Infant Toddler Services, and Safe Home. We meet quarterly as an advisory board to maintain clear communication and work with each other as needs arise.