Public Service Recognition Week spotlights efforts of county employees | |
|
This week is Public Service Recognition Week, a recognition of the public service provided by employees at the federal, state and local levels of government – including our county government.
Public Service Recognition Week began in 1985 and takes place annually during the first full week of May.
Overall, Public Service Recognition Week recognizes the more than 4,000 employees with Johnson County Government, who serve in 30 different departments, agencies and offices. Learn more about this recognition.
View a note from County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson, as well as a video message from Penny and Chair Mike Kelly, for Public Service Recognition Week below.
| |
A note from County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson:
I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a good Public Service Recognition Week! You may have seen that at the Board of County Commissioners meeting last week, some of our most recent Leadership in Action honorees accepted a proclamation for Public Service Recognition Week.
In addition to that, Chairman Kelly and I want to share our appreciation with this joint video message for all that you do for the county and the organization. Johnson County would not continuously earn such high marks in the annual community survey for the programs and services we provide without your hard work, dedication, talents and innovation.
Thank you for working in a public service position with Johnson County Government for the benefit of our community!
| | | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Explore news and resources | |
|
New mental health resource hub available on InsideJoCo
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance raising awareness, providing support and resources, and reducing the stigma around mental health.
With support from Johnson County Mental Health Center, a new mental health resource hub is now live on InsideJoCo. This page highlights mental health resources and tools for county employees, including:
- ComPsych resources for employee mental health needs
- Free mental health toolkit from Mental Health America
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline phone number
| |
|
“Look Around, Look Within” during Mental Health Awareness Month
This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Month is “Look Around, Look Within." Each week this month, Johnson County Mental Health Center will take a look around and within our environments and communities to promote mental wellness in Johnson County.
Healthy Home Environments can optimize our mental health, especially for those living with mental health conditions. Having a tidy space can feel like a never-ending chore, but the benefits of a clean space are profound. To save yourself from an all-encompassing cleaning session, try cleaning a high-traffic area of your home, like your kitchen or office, for 10 to 15 minutes every day. Having a clean space can help you feel in control and calm.
A healthy home environments is more than just a tidy home. It’s a space that can contribute to your mental health. This month, we encourage you to spend some time thinking about how your home environment makes you feel. Does it spark joy or contribute to confusion and stress? What can you do this month that betters your space and mental health? Learn more from Mental Health America.
| |
|
Teri Zenner Memorial Garden lit green for Mental Health Awareness Month
This year, Johnson County Mental Health Center has lit the Teri Zenner Memorial Garden at the Recovery Place green for Mental Health Awareness Month.
The garden was planted in honor of Teri Zenner, a staff member who was killed by a client during a home visit in 2004. Inspired by Teri’s passion for helping others, the garden was rededicated last May during Mental Health Awareness Month.
We encourage you to make a visit to the garden and view the green lights during the month of May.
| |
Feed the Need Event Day a success, more activities coming up | |
|
Thanks to all who made it to the Administration Building last Thursday for Feed the Need Event Day! Each dollar raised represents four pounds of food for those in need.
Several additional Feed the Need activities are coming up, including:
-
Silver Dollar City Raffle: Enter into a drawing to win tickets to Silver Dollar City. Submit your donation by cash or check at the Administration Building, Suite 2400 prior to the May 22 drawing.
-
Spring Into Summer Golf Tournament: Register for the Department of Corrections' Spring Into Summer Golf Tournament by May 19. The tournament, taking place June 2 at Heritage Park in Olathe, includes a Four Person Scramble.
-
Family and Friends Fun Night Out: Participate in a Family and Friends Fun Night Out, June 15 from 6-10 p.m. at SERV (91st and Metcalf in Overland Park). There will be unlimited pickleball, yard games and more, $10 per person before June 10 or $15 at the door.
Donations of canned and boxed food are also encouraged. Please coordinate donations with your department/division's Feed the Need representative. You can also donate by completing a payroll deduction authorization form.
The Feed the Need campaign runs through June and benefits seven local food pantries.
| |
|
|
Congrats to the 2023 Canstruction winner!
Johnson County Mental Health Center's Adolescent Center for Treatment received their trophy as the 2023 Canstruction winner. County staff donated more than 3,500 pounds of cans through the competition.
| | | |
VIBE: May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | |
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. During this month, we celebrate the unique cultures and contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians.
Natalie Cook, Disease Investigator with Health and Environment, examines the history of Asian Americans in the United States and her experiences as the child of a Korean immigrant. Check out the full story in this article.
This article is powered by VIBE.
| |
Share your feedback on IT service delivery with DTI and JIMS | |
DTI and JIMS are seeking your feedback! As the two departments continue their integration and review their IT systems, they encourage you to take their survey on IT service delivery and support.
Based on your interactions with DTI and JIMS, let them know what they're doing well and areas where there is room for improvement. In years past, this feedback has been invaluable, leading to business process improvements through technology.
The survey is anonymous, but there is an option to provide your name if you would like to be contacted following the survey. Please take a few moments to fill out the survey, which is open until Friday, May 12 at 8 p.m.
| |
May 31 deadline for 2022 Flexible Spending Account claims | |
The deadline is coming up this month to submit reimbursement claims for your 2022 Flexible Spending Account.
You have until May 31 to submit Medical Reimbursement claims from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022. May 31 is also the deadline to submit Dependent Care (daycare) claims from Jan. 1, 2022 to March 15, 2023. Learn more about the upcoming deadline.
Find more information regarding Flexible Spending Accounts, including how to set up your account and how to submit for reimbursement.
| |
Corporate Challenge Update: Team JoCo remains in ninth place | |
Team JoCo remains in ninth place in Division A as we hit the sixth week of Kansas City Corporate Challenge.
The team placed eighth in Golf (Aaron Witt, JCW and Chay Her, FAC) and also competed in Men's Tennis (Sean Pendley, PLN) and Soccer.
We still need Men's and Women's Swimmers for the June 20-22 meet. To sign up for the meet, you must have already signed the waiver and be on the competitor list. Please contact Tara Sanchez at tara.sanchez@jocogov.org to sign up.
| |
If you see someone wearing a red shirt at an event, they are a coordinator there to help you and capture you doing awesome stuff. Stop and say hello!
Team JoCo will be competing in the Half Marathon and Cornhole this weekend and next week. Good luck to all of our Corporate Challenge participants!
| |
Board of County Commissioners Meeting Recap: May 11, 2023 | |
|
Vivitrol purchased for Mental Health treatment
The Board of County Commissioners authorized an exception to competition with Besse Medical for the purchase of the prescription injectable medication Vivitrol at $1,150 per vial in an amount not to exceed $250,000 annually. Johnson County Mental Health Center administers Vivitrol injections to treat alcohol dependence and prevent opioid dependence relapse after detoxification.
Johnson County Juneteenth Celebration scheduled June 19
In her weekly memo, County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson announced Johnson County Government will hold its second annual Juneteenth celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 19, at the Lenexa Civic Campus Commons, 17101 W. 87th St.
Plans for the program include keynote speaker Jessica McCallop-McClellan, emcee Nathan Louis Jackson, live music from the Louis Neal Big Band, comments from Chairman Mike Kelly and more. At the event, the public can engage with staff representing various county programs and services, purchase food and beverages from the Lenexa Public Market and park for free.
More information about Juneteenth is available at jocogov.org/juneteenth.
Workshop set for May 16 on Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Update
The third public information workshop for the New Century AirCenter’s ongoing Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Update is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. May 16 at the Gardner Justice Center Community Room. View a copy of the flier.
| Proclamations for Mental Health Awareness Month and Child Care Provider Appreciation Day | |
|
Mental Health Awareness Month
The Board proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Johnson County.
The county calls upon all community members and organizations, government agencies, businesses, and schools to "look around" our community and "look within" ourselves to increase awareness and understanding of how our surroundings and environments impact mental health.
Tanner Fortney, Director of Operations for the Mental Health Center, and Kelly Jackson, Executive Director of the National Alliance of Mental Illness for Johnson County, accepted the proclamation.
| |
|
Child Care Provider Appreciation Day
The Board proclaimed May 12, 2023 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Johnson County.
The county commends and appreciates all child care providers who work tirelessly to assure the safety and wellbeing of children in our county. We also recognize that our future depends on the quality of the early childhood experiences provided to young children today.
Charlie Hunt, Director of Health and Environment, and Eldonna Chesnut, Child Care Licensing Division Director, accepted the proclamation.
| |
Listen to the latest JoCo on the Go podcast | |
|
JoCo on the Go is a podcast featuring everything Johnson County. Choose from more than 100 episodes about a wide range of topics featuring Johnson County Government subject matter experts. Also hear from community partners, volunteers and residents about how Johnson County programs and services impact them.
Episodes are about 20 minutes each and provide plenty of information about the topics that matter to you!
Here’s a look at our most recent episode:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Johnson County also sponsors another great podcast – Johnson County Library’s Jocolibrary Uncovered? Listen to them both at jocolibrary.org/uncovered.
| | | | |
