Mid-Missouri

JEFFERSON CITY — The Jefferson City Council unanimously approved a right-of-way licensing agreement at its meeting Tuesday for Google Fiber (GFiber) to begin construction on a fiber optic network. 

Construction is projected to start later this year. GFiber hopes to connect its first customers to fast, reliable internet by 2025. 

According to Rachel Merlo, Google Fiber’s central region head of government and community affairs, GFiber is an internet-service only provider. 

GFiber has been serving Missouri since 2012 in the Kansas City metro area.

Erin Wiseman is the Third Ward city council member for Jefferson City. She says it’s a really exciting time for Jefferson City.

“The fact that Google fiber looks at our town as an opportunity to expand really means that we are a town that needs that sort of service,” Wiseman said.

Wiseman believes Jefferson City needs more competition in the Third Ward and throughout the city.

“We have some internet deserts, where people either just don’t have service or they don’t have anything except for one option.”

Jefferson City has three options for internet services right now, which are Bright Speed, Mediacom, and Socket.

Over the years, Wiseman has received several complaints about varies internet providers.

“It could be because of a storm, or it could be because of a regular day,” Wiseman said. “I have also received complaints because of the lack of providers.”

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Wiseman is glad that Google Fiber chose to expand their services in Jefferson City, due to it being a real problem in the city and rural Missouri.

“I hope it makes cost of internet more competitive, I hope it makes it more competitive for each of the homeowners or businesses so that way they have more choices and I also hope it allows better speeds within our communities,” Wiseman said.  

Another council member says his family in Kansas City really loves Google Fiber. Jeff Ahlers is the First Ward city council member for Jefferson City. 

Ahlers likes Google Fiber expanding in Jefferson City because it brings more competition. He also said, “Google Fiber is supposed to be a lot better.” 

Ahlers hopes that by Google Fiber being added to Jefferson City internet service providers that it should make other providers like Mediacom or Socket “step up their game.”

“Everybody nowadays wants everything fast. You know at the top like you should be able to click it and get it, so I envision Google Fiber to bring a little bit of speed,” Ahlers said.

The price is $70 dollars/month for one Gigabyte. Google also offers 2GB, 5GB and 8GB plans to continue to innovate as internet demands grow. 

The agreement also includes a 1% compensation component toward the city for use of the rights of way. 

The buildout is estimated to take two to three years to get through Jefferson City. The duration will depend on factors like the weather, how quickly permits can be issued, city affairs, etc.

According to Merlo, GFiber will here “be here for years to come,” adapting with Jefferson City as it expands. 

Originally Appeared Here

Siemens Healthineers interns Kelsee Mortimer, Hayden Camp and Erica Goodin worked to improve health care solutions for Missourians during their summer internships.

Feb. 21, 2024
Contact: Courtney Perrett, 573-882-6217, cperrett@missouri.edu
Photos by Deidra Ashley

More than 40 million magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are performed in the United States each year. The noninvasive imaging technology helps clinicians detect and diagnose disease and monitor treatment. But nuanced maintenance requirements mean that the scanners’ electromagnets are only powered down once every 10 years or so — a rare event that few get to witness.

Thanks to the University of Missouri’s Value Partnership with Siemens Healthineers, MU student Erica Goodin got the opportunity to observe the process of powering down an MRI machine at a local hospital. During her internship, Goodin also worked with electrical components and circuit diagrams to solve issues with the 7-Tesla MRI scanner that belongs to NextGen Precision Health. These were special experiences for the biomedical engineering major who plans to work with similar machines in her future career.

Goodin is one of four University of Missouri students who interned with Siemens Healthineers last year. Through the partnership, students were tasked with finding solutions to current health care challenges, working side by side with Siemens Healthineers mentors.

“Interns worked with industry professionals to plan and coordinate governance meetings and learn business tactics and practical skills, such as the process of manufacturing medical equipment and servicing equipment installed in hospitals,” said Whitney Stuckenschneider, director of operations for Siemens Healthineers. “This Value Partnership with MU and MU Heath Care expands the medical care available to all Missourians while giving students the vital training they’ll need in their future careers.”

A star alliance

As the University of Missouri focuses on improving quality of life for all Missourians, its alliance with Siemens Healthineers — a global leader in medical technology that supplies most of the radiology equipment at MU Health Care and in the university’s Roy Blunt NextGen Precision Health building — will revolutionize health care in mid-Missouri and beyond.

In addition to providing much of the leading technology that propels the NextGen building, Siemens Healthineers has also embedded radiology experts on campus who focus on research and mentoring students interested in careers in health care and research.

For MU students and faculty, the partnership represents opportunities to work with the latest technology while expanding access to advanced health care services for underserved patients and those from rural areas.

Paving the way for success

Providing a breadth of varied experience, Siemens Healthineers internships help prepare students with the skills and knowledge they’ll need to stand out in the job market.

This past summer, Kelsee Mortimer, a senior majoring in health sciences, interned on the Siemens Healthineers Enterprise Services team. During her internship, she helped facilitate a new health alliance with Boston Scientific, gaining valuable experience from her Siemens mentor along the way. 

Mortimer said the internship taught her the importance of collaboration when trying to achieve the best clinical outcomes and patient experiences.

“I’m looking to pursue a career in medical sales or enterprise services, so it was helpful to get the opportunity and work on projects alongside my Siemens Healthineers mentor,” Mortimer said. “This opportunity taught me to be more confident in my work, communicate efficiently, collaborate with teammates and be open to feedback.”

Learn more about internships with Siemens Healthineers here.

The Alliance for Precision Health

The Alliance for Precision Health, which represents a partnership between Siemens Healthineers, the University of Missouri System and MU Health Care, will elevate health-care solutions in mid-Missouri. Through leading-edge technology, education and workforce development, research and innovation, this partnership is poised to lay the infrastructure that will improve health outcomes for Missourians.

 

Originally Appeared Here

Enjoy an evening of musical fantasy as University of Central Missouri (UCM) Theatre and Dance and UCM Music presents Douglas Carter Beane’s “Xanadu” at the James L. Highlander Theatre.

Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22-24 and matinees are planned for 2 p.m. Feb. 24-25.

“Xanadu” is a mystical mixture of Greek mythology and pop culture in a joyous celebration of love and inspiration set to the tunes of the Electric Light Orchestra. This musical comedy – based on the 1980s movie of the same name starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly – follows a Greek muse named Clio, who descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach in the 1980s.

Disguised as an Australian roller skater named Kira, Clio helps struggling artist, Sonny, fulfill his dreams of creating a roller disco.

When asked about the production, Director Jenise Cook stated, “It is a musical full of 80s nostalgia. You won’t be able to stop yourself from laughing, singing, and dancing along to the tunes of ELO! This show has always been one of my favorites because of how timeless it feels. It really is a good time.”

UCM Theatre and Dance is excited to welcome special guest actor and former UCM Theatre and Dance faculty member and chair, Dr. Richard “Buzz” Herman, in the role of Danny Maguire / Zeus.

“It is such an honor to be asked to return to the Highlander Stage and collaborate with these wonderfully gifted students and faculty members,” Herman said.” What better time can one have than acting, singing and dancing?”

Prior to the performance at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, UCM Theatre and Dance will honor Todd Proffitt as the recipient of the 2024 Dr. Ed See Outstanding Theatre Alumnus Award. See, on his retirement from the University of Central Missouri, established this award through the University Alumni Foundation.

The purpose of the endowment is to honor UCM Theatre alumni who have in some way distinguished themselves in theatre education, community theatre, or in some area of professional theatre and have demonstrated commitment and love for theatre arts. The award recognizes those alumni who have honored their alma mater through their dedication and various theatrical achievements.

Proffitt is a freelance lighting designer, also serving as Senior Assistant Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at SUNY-Fredonia and Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance where he teaches Lighting Design, Sound Design and Computer Technologies.

He has served in a variety of technical and design positions in companies such as Theatre of Youth in Buffalo, The Chautauqua Theatre Company, Cortland Rep, The Paul Robeson Theatre, Buffalo State College, The Producers Circle, Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, Angelfire Mountain Theatre Group, Central Missouri Repertory and others. Proffitt has been active in the United States Institute for Theatre Technology for over 15 years. He has worked in the Lighting Commission as the Student Volunteer Coordinator in the Light Lab, Light Lab Chair and Vice Commissioner for Programing 2011 and 2014. He served as the Lighting Commissioner for four years, and currently chairs the Awards Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Faculty Student Association at Fredonia and the Theater of Youth Company in Buffalo.

In May 1999, Proffitt received his Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Design at Texas Tech University, and in 1994, he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from what was then Central Missouri State University. He was the recipient of The United States Institute for Theatre Technology’s Barbizon Award for Lighting Design in 1999.

For three years he wrote a blog on using computer technologies at Digital Tools for the Performing Arts and spent three years writing a column in “Stage Directions” magazine called “TD Talk.” Proffitt’s portfolio and website can be found at http://toddproffitt.com
On Sunday, Feb. 25 for the matinee, UCM Theatre and Dance will present its Pay-What-You-Can performance. Audiences may choose to pay any amount, $1 or above, for a ticket.

Additionally, for the Friday evening performance, ASL interpreters will be provided. New this year, all tickets for UCM Theatre and Dance productions are free for UCM students upon showing their UCM student ID. Tickets are also free for active military, veterans, and military families upon purchasing at the Theatre and Dance Box Office with a military ID.

The cast includes: Miranda Muenz as Kira, Chris Schilligo as Sonny, UCM Theatre and Dance Professor Emeritus Richard Herman as Danny, Claire Groos as Melpomene, Reagan Medlock as Calliope, Nicholas Dmitry Crawford as Thalia, Trae Selemaea as Terpsicore, Alannah Trigg as Euterpe and
McKenna Sanford as Erato.

The pit orchestra includes Jake Mager, guitar; James Florkowski, keyboard; and Brad Farrow, drums. The production team includes Director and Choreographer, Jenise Cook; Musical Director, Iona DeWalt; Stage Manager, Xander Corkins; Assistant Stage Manager, Sam Fischer; Sound and Lighting Designer, Aleksandra Combs; Scenic Designer, Dalima Kapten; Technical Director, Spencer Musser; Costume, Hair and Makeup Designer, Cassie Kay Hoppas; Properties Designer, Wesley Freeman; Assistant Choreographers, Miranda Muenz and Nicholas Dmitry Crawford; Dance Captains, Claire Groos and Miranda Muenz; Roller Skating Consultant, Danny Gage; Assistant Lighting Design and Light Board Operator, Arianna Kendrick; Sound Board Operator, Stephanie Heathcock; Publicity/Marketing Director, Dr. Aaron Scully; Social Media Marketing Specialist, Shanna Sinow; Graduate Shop Assistant, Dalima Kapten; Costume Crew, TiJhana Hines; Assistant Costume Design and Costume Crew, Lucy Nutt; Scene and Lighting Shop Hires, Gracie Heath, Grace Clark, Sam Fischer, Wesley Freeman, Braeden Sholes and Rosalyn Schuster; Costume Shop Hires, Paige Hull, Sage Miller, Lucy Nutt, Alannah Trigg, and Raegan Weber; Box Office Manager, Lars Jepsen; Assistant Box Office Managers, Grace Clark and Shanna Sinow; House Manager, Raegan Weber; Office Professional, Lars Jepsen; Office Student Assistants, Shanna Sinow and Grace Clark.

Free parking is available in the parking lot directly south of the Highlander Theatre. Anyone who has questions about the production should please contact Dr. Aaron Scully at ascully@ucmo.edu  or call the Theatre and Dance main office at 660-543-4020.

Tickets are available at the UCM Theatre and Dance Office in Martin 113, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, by calling 660-543-8811 or online at https://ucmboxoffice.universitytickets.com.

Individuals who have questions about tickets should call 660-543-8811 or email boxoffice@ucmo.edu.

“Xanadu” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI (www.mtishows.com).

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia filed a response to a lawsuit over its indefinite suspension of curbside recycling pickup. 

Christine Gardener, a Columbia resident, filed a lawsuit seeking class-action status against the city in December, claiming Columbia breached a contract with residents by suspending curbside pickup, but still charging residents for the service. 

The city suspended the program in May 2023, citing “ongoing staff shortages.” Initially, the city said the program would return by June 20. Four days before that deadline, Columbia announced that curbside pickup for recycling is indefinitely suspended. 

Gardener’s suit alleges the city breached contract by continuing to charge a $17.37 monthly pickup fee, despite not picking up recycling. The suit also accuses the city of unjust enrichment, said Anthony Meyer, the lawyer representing Gardener.

The suit demands that the city refund that fee to customers since the service was suspended May 17. 

“It is fundamental that one cannot charge money, and obligate another to pay, for services one does not provide,” the suit states.

The suit also asks a judge for a permanent injunction to order the city to resume recycling pickup.

The city denies it broke a contract with residents. In its response, Columbia argues that trash collection is not a service offered to residents.

Instead, residents are “required to receive refuse service.”

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The city also claims recycling pickup is not “enforceable” because there is no written agreement between the city and residents for such a service. Columbia argues Gardener “failed to exhaust administrative remedies” because she did not follow the customer complaint process. 

KOMU 8 reached out to the City of Columbia for comment, but a spokesperson said the city does not comment on pending litigation.

Columbia offers recycling drop-off centers in the absence of home pickup. Columbia residents at the South Providence drop-off center Sunday had mixed opinions on the recycling program. 

“Well, I understand the problem,” said Roger Caffrey, who’s lived in the city since 1981. “I mean, I preferred to have it picked up, you know, curbside, but in these times in trying to get people hired and everything else, I understand the problem.”

Columbia City Council members and Solid Waste Utility representatives talked about the future of recycling collection during a January council meeting, according to previous reporting from the Columbia Missourian.

Director of Utilities Dave Sorrell recommended maintaining a consistent rate and leaving the program voluntary. Fourth Ward Councilperson Nick Knoth and City Manager De’Carlon Seewood agreed, saying that curbside pickup should begin as a biweekly service and change on demand. 

The city would need about $2 million to purchase 36,000 recycling carts, as well as between $560,000 to $800,000 per year to lease 10 or 12 trucks in order to provide this service, Sorrell said.

As for voluntary recycling, cart costs would drop to around $700,000 and yearly truck leasing to around $450,000, Sorrell said.

The lawsuit is now in the discovery phase, Meyer said. That means he will be asking the city for documents related to the recycling program and likely conduct depositions.

It’s possible the case could go to trial, Meyer said, but pointed out that most class-action cases are resolved beforehand.

Caffrey said he wants the curbside collection fee reduced until the city can pick up recycling again.

“People don’t like to pay for what they’re not getting,” Caffrey said. 

A list of recycling drop-off centers can be found below: 

• Columbia College (Dulany Hall) – near Eighth Street and Hickman Avenue
• Columbia College – near Seventh Street and Hickman Avenue
• Downtown (The Armory) – along Park Avenue, between Seventh and Eighth Street
• Downtown (10th and Cherry) – south side of Tenth and Cherry Parking Garage
• South Providence – 3601 S. Providence Road, on the outer road
• State Farm Parkway – near the Grindstone north of East Nifong Boulevard
• Parks Management Center – at Cosmo Park (east side), 1403 Business Loop 70 W
• University of Missouri (East Campus Plant Growth Facility) – near East Campus Road and Ashland Road 

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA — Icy conditions left some drivers stranded for hours in their cars along parts of Interstate 70 Friday night.

Semitrucks spun out and became stuck, backing up traffic for hours in Warren and Montgomery counties, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol Cpl. Dallas Thompson. The Highway Patrol worked with the Missouri Department of Transportation and private tow truck companies to clear the road, Thompson said.

This left drivers like Penny Parisoff sitting in their cars for hours. Parisoff and her family were headed east on I-70 when they got stuck in traffic outside Warrenton. She planned to drop off her son at his girlfriend’s house before going to St. Louis. 

“We would re-route on icy roads,” Parisoff said. “The Waze app would take us on these farm country roads that I thought I was going to slide off.”

Close

Traffic was at a standstill on Interstate 70 Friday, Feb. 16, outside Warrenton, Mo.

Traffic stood still on Interstate 70 Friday. Feb. 16, due to icy conditions. Laurie Henry said in a Facebook comment that the drive from Columbia, Mo., to Taylorville, Il., took two hours longer than normal.

Andrew Dohnut wrote in a Facebook comment that he made it through St. Louis safely after icy conditions on Interstate 70 halted traffic on Friday, Feb. 16.

Traffic was at a standstill on Interstate 70 Friday, Feb. 16, outside Warrenton, Mo.

Traffic stood still on Interstate 70 Friday. Feb. 16, due to icy conditions. Laurie Henry said in a Facebook comment that the drive from Columbia, Mo., to Taylorville, Il., took two hours longer than normal.

Andrew Dohnut wrote in a Facebook comment that he made it through St. Louis safely after icy conditions on Interstate 70 halted traffic on Friday, Feb. 16.

Terri Noblin was headed east on I-70 when her navigation system also told her to get off the interstate. She was about 20 miles outside Warrenton when traffic came to a stop at 3 p.m. Noblin said she was stuck in traffic for more than 12 hours.

“We kept looking at the phone trying to find out what was going on,” Noblin said.

Noblin lost cell service, so she tried talking to other drivers. No one knew what happened. Noblin eventually got her reception back and called MoDOT. A MoDOT employee told Noblin the interstate was shut down because of ice and would re-open once it was clear.

“When they finally let us go, it was still completely ice-covered,” Noblin said. “So I don’t know what they removed.”

Parisoff got stuck on a service road outside Warrenton with other drivers trying to avoid the traffic. She said she drove just a 10th of a mile in two hours. Eventually, she made it to a gas station with a Denny’s. 

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“If anything, I’ll just sit at this place all night if I have to until the roads clear,” Parisoff said. “At least we have food and bathrooms and stuff.”

Traffic was so bad that Parisoff couldn’t leave the parking lot for hours. Other drivers prepared to stay the night and bought pillows.

Parisoff said she tried to sleep in her car, but it was too cold. Noblin said drivers turned their cars on and off to keep warm. 

Parisoff’s husband eventually made it to Warrenton in his car by taking a back road through Hermann and Washington, where he dropped off Parisoff’s son with his girlfriend’s family.

Parisoff eventually turned around on the service road and made it back to I-70. As she drove past the service road on the interstate, she saw it had been shut down. Eventually, Parisoff said she made it to her St. Louis-area hotel at 5 a.m. 

“The roads there were wet, and icy — I mean, it was treacherous on I-70,” Parisoff said. “When we finally got to I-70, we were driving, and semis were driving 10 miles an hour,” Parisoff said.

Noblin and Parisoff said they would have liked more information from law enforcement and MoDOT. KOMU 8 News has reached out to MoDOT for comment.

“I’m glad I turned around, but lesson learned is, gosh, you’ve got to get out there and communicate on social media,” Parisoff said.

Originally Appeared Here

MEXICO, Mo. — For the second year in a row, the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) has been awarded a federal grant through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to help bolster employment across the state’s seven veterans homes.

According to the commission, the grant allows for a one-time differential of $780 to be paid to full-time registered nurses (RN), senior licensed practical nurses (senior LPN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), senior support care assistants and support care assistants currently employed at Missouri veterans homes. 

The grant also allows the $780 differential to be paid to candidates hired into those classifications between Dec. 16, 2023, and July 1.

The grant will benefit more employees this year. Last year, the grant was limited to senior support care assistants and support care assistants.

During fiscal year 2022, the Missouri Veterans Commission had a 55.2% vacancy rate for support care assistants and a 32% vacancy rate for senior support care assistants. In this same period, the commission saw a 104.8% turnover in support care assistants and 49.8% in senior support care assistants statewide.

During FY23, the vacancy rate improved but remained relatively high. There was a 53% vacancy rate for support care assistants, 18% for senior support care assistants, 13% for LPNs, and 24% for RNs.

Aimee Packard, the MVC director of public relations, said she thinks the combination of pay increases last year for all state team members and the differential for bedside care nursing team members did improve both retention and recruitment.

“We can also report our vacancies are lower than what they have been since 2021 across all seven veterans homes,” Packard said.

Mexico veterans home workers report improvements 

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Tasine Hall, a CNA at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico, said she thinks the increased pay, paired with the differential has helped draw additional staff and boost retention.

“We’ve got a good team now,” Hall said. “I’m getting more of my team leader work done.”

There are 28 veterans who are on the waitlist for the Mexico facility. According to Packard, veterans are on the waitlist due to combination of staffing and space issues.

Like last year, Hall told KOMU 8 News that the extra income would go toward bills and her kids.

“It went to my bills, and then the rest of the [money was] spent on my grandkid and my daughter,” Hall said.

Nurse Robyn Hunsley joined the Mexico veterans home team in October. She said she’s had a fabulous experience so far.

“The teamwork here is unmatched,” Hunsley said. “The support that we get from leadership, they work right with us. If we need something they do their darndest to get it for us make it happen. It’s a wonderful, wonderful facility.”

She said the differential makes a difference.

“It does make a difference,” Hunsley said. “It just shows their appreciation, the Governor has been so wonderful to this facility. It’s a wonderful act of kindness that most facilities don’t get, most facilities do not get that kind of support.”

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Children who arrive at Rainbow House are almost always facing personal battles.

Some have signs of depression and some are diagnosed with it. Some have been diagnosed with PTSD, says Angelayah Carter, the Rainbow House shelter program director.

“We kind of have to learn them to find coping strategies,” Carter says on a recent day at Rainbow House.

The not-for-profit organization is just one of many in Mid-Missouri trying to help the hundreds of children who are trying to learn while having less than stable situations at home.

Rainbow House is a children’s emergency shelter and regional child advocacy center based in Columbia. Melissa Faurot has been involved with the organization for the last 16 years and has served as Rainbow House’s executive director for the last two.

She says she’s seen an increase in homeless families contacting Rainbow House for help.

Rainbow House has 18 beds for children but is in the middle of construction and is upgrading to 32 beds.

As a child advocacy center, the organization serves 11 counties in Mid-Missouri. But as a shelter, Rainbow House serves any county in Missouri.

“In the shelter, we kind of function as a home,” Carter said. “We try to be as close to a normal home-like schedule as possible, just because sometimes it can be a little sad to be in a place that’s not your home.”

Carter says children typically start their day with breakfast and hygiene. If they attend classes, staff will take them to their school.

Getting an education

During the 2021-2022 school year, public schools identified more than 1.2 million homeless students, according to the National Center for Homeless Education. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state had 32,969 students who were considered homeless that year.

“Post-COVID, I think we’ve really seen a huge increase in our students who are in housing transition and we’ve seen rents go up,” Columbia Public Schools Chief Equity Officer Carla London said. “Sometimes our families are being notified that within 30 days the rent’s going to increase by $500 and families just aren’t prepared for that.”

London said CPS has 439 students who are considered homeless and don’t have a permanent place to sleep. Even though she says the number has “pretty much doubled in the last few years,” she says that number is still likely an undercount.

“Unfortunately there is still a stigma around that,” London said. “We do have resources that we can provide families, but it’s difficult to come forward.”

Those resources include clothing, buddy packs for food on the weekends and transportation to school.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was passed into law in 1987 and establishes the definition of a homeless child in schools who qualifies for additional services from a school district.

The law defines a homeless child as one who does not have a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This includes children who are sharing housing with other family members due to financial hardships or youth who are living in shelters, cars or hotels.

Adolescence and young adulthood can also create special challenges for homeless youth.

“These are really critical years to development,” said Beatrice Stewart, executive director of Flourish. “Your brain isn’t fully developed until you’re 25.”

Flourish is a non-profit created by Veteran’s United which serves youth 16 to 24 years old.

A 19-year-old living at Flourish in Columbia praised the organization in an interview with ABC 17 News. Flourish leaders agreed to the interview if ABC 17 News did not identify the teen out of privacy concerns.

“Ever since I was here my first day, they came in with smiles. they’re respectful, they’re accountable, and they’re very sweet people that you don’t always meet on the streets,” the teen said.

Watch “Homeless in the Classroom” at 10 p.m. on on ABC 17 News.

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Each night in the United States hundreds of thousands of students are without a regular place to sleep.

During the 2021-2022 school year, public schools identified more than 1.2 million homeless students according to the National Center for Homeless Education. According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state had 32,969 students who were considered homeless that year.

“Post-COVID, I think we’ve really seen a huge increase in our students who are in housing transition and we’ve seen rents go up,” CPS Chief Equity Officer Carla London said. “Sometimes our families are being notified that within 30 days the rent’s going to increase by $500 and families just aren’t prepared for that.”

Columbia Public Schools and the Jefferson City School District have seen a rise in homeless students since 2021, while the Sedalia School District saw a drop in 2021 before going up again last school year.

The cost of student homelessness is hard to quantify. But a decent amount of the over 4,000 Jefferson City students getting free or reduced-price lunches are homeless, giving just a snapshot of how the costs of caring for those kids are passed on to society.

London said CPS has 439 students who are considered homeless and don’t have a permanent place to sleep. Even though she says the number has “pretty much doubled in the last few years,” she says that number is still likely an undercount.

“Unfortunately there is still a stigma around that,” London said. “We do have resources that we can provide families, but it’s difficult to come forward.”

Those resources include clothing, buddy packs for food on the weekends and transportation to school.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was passed into law in 1987 and establishes the definition of a homeless child in schools who qualifies for additional services from the district. The law defines a homeless child as one who does not have a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This includes children who are sharing housing with other family members due to financial hardships or youth who are living in shelters, cars or hotels.

According to the National Center for Homeless Education, approximately 84% of Missouri students during the school year 2021-2022 were “doubled up” and living with other family or friends.

The assistance from the McKinney-Vento Act for students experiencing homelessness includes transportation to school. It also allows children to go to the school they originally attended, even if their current housing is outside of school boundary lines. Per the McKinney-Vento Act, school districts must have a homeless coordinator to keep track of the number of students experiencing homelessness.

In almost the last two decades, student homelessness has increased by 79% according to the National Center for Homeless Education.

“Probably the biggest surprise is that every day, you’re passing somebody who needs those additional resources and they may not look like what you would traditionally think as someone who is homeless but we have families and young people who are struggling,” London said.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness during a 2023 count, 34,703 unaccompanied youth were found to be homeless. The organization found 90.6% of the youth were between the ages of 18-24.

Flourish is a shelter for homeless youth based in the Columbia area. The non-profit organization was started by Veterans United and has a partnership with Columbia Public Schools.

The diagram shows the different steps/programs available at the youth shelter, Flourish in Columbia, Mo.

Flourish provides different programs for youth at different ages. According to the organization’s website, it has the $aves Program which is available to fifth through twelfth grade students. It is focused on earning and saving money.

“We encourage the youth to open a bank account and save and [we] try and help them toward their saving goals,” executive director Beatrice Stewart said.

The organization also has an internship program to help youth prepare for life on their own.

“We have a summer internship program where [youth] can do an internship and earn money for [the $aves Program]”, Stewart said. “They get paid and while they’re learning professional and personal development skills, they have a mentor and then we have emergency basic needs services for youth in the community as well.”

Watch “Homeless in the Classroom” at 10 p.m. on Feb. 15 on ABC 17 News.

Originally Appeared Here

COLUMBIA — A nonprofit donated 400 pairs of free shoes to Columbia students in need Tuesday. 

Columbia Public Schools, in collaboration with the nonprofit Shoes from the Heart, began delivering boxes of socks and tennis shoes to schools Tuesday.

The donation, sponsored by a grant from the Allen P. and Josephine B. Green Foundation, reached eight schools across Columbia Tuesday: West Middle School, Oakland Middle School, Parkade Elementary, Alpha Heart Lewis Elementary, Elliot Battle Elementary, West Boulevard Elementary, Rock Bridge Elementary and Hickman High School.

“We’re a small nonprofit, but we want to do big things,” Meg Bonuchi, office manager for Shoes from the Heart, said.

Program organizers said the boxes aim to make new shoes accessible to students in need, hoping to lessen the stigma around damaged shoes. To do this, Bonuchi said the organization makes sure no two pairs of shoes are the same.

“There’s nothing more fun than seeing those kids’ faces light up,” Bonuchi said. “If a certain color is going to make that much difference, that’s what we want.”

The district also established a shoe closet for students in those eight schools. CPS’ home-school communicators will facilitate the distribution and day-today management of the closets. 

Bonuchi said though not immediately noticeable, there is a shoe problem in Columbia. It’s a problem the nonprofit is hoping to fix. 

“We don’t want them singled out because of their shoes,” Bonuchi said. “If they need something different, if they are ready for the next shipment, by all means, we are going to provide those shoes.”

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Superintendent Brian Yearwood said Tuesday is a day to celebrate. 

“This is an important part of getting our scholars to not have to worry about how they look and be more focused on academics,” Yearwood said. “This donation, 400 shoes, will go a very long way.”

Yearwood said he’s excited to see the rollout of the shoe packages.

“I know for me I would want one of every color,” Yearwood said.

Yearwood said he wished the program existed back when he was in school. He said he hopes the donation will bring some comfort to Columbia’s students in need. 

“There were times when I would have to go to school in shoes with holes in them. I was teased, made fun of, and so on. It was not a very comfortable feeling,” Yearwood said. “I don’t want that for any scholar. We want for when a scholar is seen, they need to be seen for who they are on the inside not what they have on the outside.”

Both Yearwood and Bonuchi said they wish to continue to provide shoes for children in need in years to come.

“The strength of the school district lies in the support of the community,” Yearwood said. “This makes us stronger and better as a school district, a school system- Columbia Public Schools.”

To sponsor a closet or to donate, visit the nonprofit’s website.

Originally Appeared Here

BOONE COUNTY — Voting for the upcoming Missouri Republican caucus will look a little different than a traditional voting process. Jim Meyer, the Republican committeeman for Missouri’s 19th Senate District, says the Republican Committee has been working for months to update rules for the caucus based on other states’ caucuses. 

“Each county central committee is charged with organizing the one or more caucuses in their county,” Meyer said.

Each county will have one location for voters to participate in the caucus, with the exception of a few larger counties, which will have two caucus locations, like St. Louis County. The full list of voting locations in each county is on the Missouri GOP website. Some counties have not yet chosen a caucus location, but each county has to choose by Feb. 16.

Because there is generally only one caucus location in each county, Meyer said choosing the location has proven difficult. Boone County’s caucus will be held at the Family Worship Center of Columbia.

“Some people live in Centralia [and] would like to see the caucus there,” Meyer said. “You kind of have to look at the available potential sites, the cost involved, and then find something that’s centrally located or reasonably so.”

The single location means voters who live farther from the caucus location will have to travel farther to participate. Meyer said he expects between 100 to 300 people to participate in Boone County’s caucus.

“If we’re gonna look at a few hundred people, it doesn’t make sense to have multiple sites all over the county,” Meyer said. 

Meyer said one of the biggest challenges is navigating the unfamiliar territory, with Missouri’s last caucus taking place over a decade ago.

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“It is an unfamiliar process for most people,” Meyer said. “I was a voter during 2012 and I didn’t even know or attend that round of caucuses.”

Jacob Authement, a political science graduate instructor at the University of Missouri, said the caucus will be a much longer and more involved process than usual voting processes. He said the extra time commitment will make it harder for voters to get motivated to participate in the caucuses.

“Getting people to the caucus is gonna be a problem of getting them excited enough to vote and informed enough to show up to the caucus,” Authement said. 

Authement said Donald Trump commanding most state primaries may also reduce motivation to participate. 

Meyer said for the caucus in Boone County, doors at Family Worship Center of Columbia will open at 9 a.m. Everybody voting will have to be signed in by 10 a.m.

Meyer said voters could make the registration process much faster by registering in advance on the GOP website here.

The Missouri Republican caucus will take place on Saturday, March 2.

The Missouri Democratic Party will offer a hybrid voting option, with in-person voting sites available from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 23. For more information on Missouri’s Democratic presidential election process, click here.

Originally Appeared Here