District 3 Newsletter

District 3

Newsletter

Council Member Mike Hoheisel

Check Out Linwood Recreation Center!

Sign up for Spring 2023 classes and activities at Linwood Recreation Center and other recreation, library, and cultural arts locations now! Find the newest Evolve edition here: http://www.wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Pages/ActivitiesGuide.aspx

Miracle League Registration Open

Miracle League of Wichita provides an opportunity for individuals, ages 5-21, with special needs to play kickball at Miracle League Field in Orchard Park. With a specially designed rubber surface field, the Miracle League makes dreams come true for individuals with disabilities. All registered players will receive a uniform, that includes a jersey, headband, and socks. Every athlete will be partnered with a Buddy to assist during the game. Registration ends April 2. For more details and to register visit Wichita.gov/MiracleLeague!

Can't Afford Internet? Apply for ACP!

Wichita Public Library is working to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. ACP helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more.

The ACP provides:

A discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households
A discount of up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands
One-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price

Wichita Public Library’s technology trainers will be available the following dates and locations to assist residents with enrollment:

Wednesday, March 8: noon-6 p.m., Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry St.
Wednesday, March 15: noon-6 p.m., Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry St.
Friday, March 17, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch, 2601 N. Arkansas
Wednesday, March 22: noon-6 p.m., Walters Branch, 4195 E. Harry St.
Friday, March 24, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch, 2601 N. Arkansas
Friday, March 31, 1:30-5:30 p.m., Evergreen Branch, 2601 N. Arkansas

A household is eligible for the ACP if the household income is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if a member of the household meets at least one of the following criteria:

Received a Pell Grant during the current award year;
Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program;
Participates in one of these assistance programs:
Free and reduced-price school lunch program or school breakfast program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools.
SNAP
Medicaid
Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (Section 8 Vouchers)
Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA)/202/811
Public Housing
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
WIC
Veterans Pension or Survivor Benefits
Or Lifeline;
Participates in one of these assistance programs and lives on Qualifying Tribal lands:
Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance
Tribal TANF
Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
Tribal Head Start (income based)
Affordable Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives or Native Hawaiians

Eligible households can enroll online at affordableconnectivity.gov to submit an online application or print a mail-in application, or by contacting their preferred broadband provider and selecting a plan.

Gary Janzen Named Director of PWU

After a national search, the City of Wichita today announced Gary Janzen, PE as its new Director of Public Works and Utilities (PWU). Janzen has more than 28 years of experience with the City, serving the last eleven years as the Assistant Director of Public Works & Utilities/City Engineering. He is a Kansas licensed professional engineer.

Janzen holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Kansas State University and serves as the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator for the City. Janzen also sits on the board of directors for the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers. He has four children and two grandchildren. Janzen takes over the position following the retirement of former Director of PWU Alan King on March 3, 2023.

Summer Work Opportunities for Youth

Wichita Public Library locations will provide specific tax forms February 1 through April 18.

The IRS indicated that they will provide the 1040 form, 1040-SR form, Schedules 1 through 3 and 1040 instructions. Residents needing additional federal or state forms can use a public computer at any Library location to print them. Prints are 10 cents per page.

Federal forms can be found here. Kansas forms can be found here.

Residents may call the United Way of the Plains at 211 to schedule an appointment for tax preparation assistance at the location closest to them. There are also tax preparation assistance sites in Wichita residents can call in advance to schedule appointments:

A New Way to Find Local Resources

Have you gotten on Forum yet? Forum is an online initiative of the City of Wichita intended to foster ongoing conversation about our community. Public participation on this platform includes sharing ideas, voting, discussion, surveys, polls, online mapping, scenario planning, support for advisory boards and committees, and many other forms of engagement. Feedback and collaboration with residents and partners will help us to enhance and improve Wichita now and in the future. Check out some of the projects currently active!

Check out the Kansas Education Enrichment Program

The Kansas Education Enrichment Program (KEEP) provides qualifying parents and guardians with a $1,000 award per eligible child to pay for a variety of educational goods and services that promote learning recovery and facilitate academic enrichment opportunities. For more information and to apply, visit the website http://www.keep.ks.gov/

Homeless Preference - Housing Vouchers Available

Homeless preference Housing Choice Vouchers are available now for persons experiencing homelessness. These vouchers require 1) the household to be on the Impact ICT By-Name List and 2) a year of case management for the household. You can download a referral packet here, the payment standards for 2023 here, and the utility payment standards here. The Housing Choice Voucher briefing, required of all new clients, can now be completed anytime online.

A full training video for how case managers can use HPPs will be released soon. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding using the BNL contact jreynolds@unitedwayplains.org; if you have questions about using HPPs, contact BNiblett@wichita.gov.