Senator Abrams visits Futures

OCTOBER 2009 - At the invitation of Futures board member, Rep. Vince Wetta, Senator Steve Abrams visited Futures on October 22 to learn more about our supports and services.

“Since the Senator was elected last November, we hadn’t had the pleasure of introducing him to our agency, and the people we represent,” says Tom Kohmetscher, President/CEO of Futures. “So this was a great opportunity to show him all the great things we have going on out here, but also to stress the fact that community-based programs like ours must be adequately funded in order to meet the needs of the vulnerable people we support.”

During the tour Tom emphasized the cost effectiveness of providing community-based supports, as opposed to relying on institutional options which can cost up to three times more. They discussed the current economy and the cuts Futures has endured as a result of the state grappling to deal with massive deficits.

“I reminded him – and he agreed – that in a rough economy, the numbers of those who need our supports increase as families lose their income to layoffs and more become homeless, for example,” says Tom. “If the state makes cuts to our programs, especially at a time they are needed the most – families will go into crisis and need to access MUCH more expensive social services which will end up costing the state even more.

The Senator asked many questions and seemed genuinely interested in the work we do here. It was a pleasure having him as our guest and we look forward to a positive working relationship.

Pictured is production worker Ashley demonstrating a work project for Senator Abrams and Representative Wetta while day supports coordinator Cristy Newlin explains.

Quick list:

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• Reports
• Archive

• Articles

  • Make plans to support Futures’ breakfast fundraiser! - Enjoy a filling breakfast at Bake's BBQ on August 18 from 7-10 am to support Futures Unlimited! Or take it to go!
  • Workshop morphs into a Farkel Factory! - July 2010 - The Matthew Washington Center has transformed into a Farkel Factory! Production workers performed three assembly steps to assist the company Legendary Games based out of Wichita in building their Farkel games
  • Futures partners with Chamber to assemble 2,500 Wheat Festival buttons - June 2010 - Futures production workers took pride in their latest contract - assembling 2,500 Wheat Festival buttons!
  • Employee summer walking contest back for third year thanks to sponsors - June 2010 - The third annual employee stepping contest began in May and concludes in July. Last year employees walked over 20,000 miles over the summer and burned an estimated 2 milion calories in the process.
  • Futures teams up with ‘Concerts on the Course’ for Fundraiser -
  • Thanks for ‘Walking a Mile in My Shoes!’ - Over 200 walkers, runners and rollers came out to show their support for people with developmental disabilities.
  • Futures now on Facebook - March 2010 - With over 700 visits to our page within a two-week time span, the Futures Facebook page looks to be a good way to inform the public about what we do.
  • Futures mourns loss of little fighter - FEBRUARY 2010 - “Jordyn never wanted to be out of hearing or seeing distance of her big sisters and had to be in the middle of whatever they were doing."
  • Preschoolers thrilled to welcome new community volunteer - FEBRUARY 2010 - After spending 20 years helping others at Sumner Mental Health Shirley Davis is now giving her free time to Futures kiddos!
  • Program parents win state-wide awards - FEBRUARY 2010 - Two Futures parents receiving Family Supports were among those recently recognized by the Kansas Head Start Association (KHSA).
  • Founding Futures board member will be missed - FEBRUARY 2010 - Futures mourns the loss of founding board member.
  • Then & Now: Former Futures preschool student gives back - January 2010 - Kayla got her start at Futures at the age of 2. Now, 20 years after Kayla attended preschool here, she has gotten involved with Futures in a variety of ways.

• Reports

  • Birth-K Alliance Early Childhood Block Grant Report to the Community - Futures is a participating partner in the Birth-K Alliance for the Wichita MSA which includes Butler, Harvey, Sedgwick and Sumner Counties. You are invited to review the provided report which was released in December 2009.
  • 2008 Head Start Report to the Public - This report provides information on our Head Start program. It covers our monitoring review and financial audit, numbers of children and families served, parent involvement activities, percentage of children who received medical and dental exams, how we prepare preschoolers for the kindergarten transition and budget information.

All Archived Items:

Senator Abrams visits Futures - OCTOBER 2009 - Futures hosts Senator for tour of programs and services.

Futures wins community’s Chili Cook-off - OCTOBER 2009 - After winning Futures chili cook-off as a "prelim" to the community cook-off - Wellington Supported Living's Rockabilly Bean Blend brought home the award.

Woman wins state-wide award for workplace achievement - OCTOBER 2009 - Marie Isenberg recently won InterHab’s Achievement in the Workplace award for her success and dedication to her job at McDonald’s which she has held for 17 years. Marie beat out many deserving nominees from across the state of Kansas to win her award.

Art in the park - SEPTEMBER 2009 - Early Head Start families enjoyed a unique creative opportunity recently.

Introducing the WALT card - SEPTEMBER 2009 - Riders now have the option to purchase a WALT card and get FREE rides!

Day Services tries out their green thumb - SEPTEMBER 2009 - Production workers grow a garden.

Cardinal Country Preschool celebrates town’s birthday - SEPTEMBER 2009 - Preschoolers rode in style in the Conway Springs Fall Fest parade.

ANCOR honors the late Senator Edward Kennedy - SEPTEMBER 2009 - Kennedy is the first recipient of the ANCOR Congressional Lifetime Achievement Award.

Walkabout winners - AUGUST 2009 - Futures employees make impressive strides in annual stepping contest.

From the workshop: Two new projects for the MWC - SEPTEMBER 2009 - After an up and down summer - things are looking up for the workshop.

Visitors tour preschool - JULY 2009 - Futures plays host to group wanting to learn more about our program.

Individuals eager to work - JULY 2009 - Production workers want to keep busy.

Program families go to the zoo! - JUNE 2009 - Children's Services staff organize large-scale social/emotional event for families in services.

End-of-year preschool celebration - JUNE 2009 - Celebration brings families and their kiddos together.

Noodle what? - JUNE 2009 - The fourth annual Employee Appreciation BBQ in May provided a welcome break for staff to enjoy food and fellowship. Oh, and a rowdy game of noodle hockey.

Electrical panels create learning experience - JUNE 2009 - As we continue to gain new contracts to fill the void left by Firestart’rs, we have had a few opportunities to challenge our way of thinking and to stretch our abilities. One of those challenges has been the electrical panel that is now in full production.

Then & now: former Head Start student prepares for college - Futures is proud of a high school student who got his start in our Head Start program 15 years ago.

Life after FireStart’r sticks - April 2009 - March brought the end of the Firestart’rs for the people working in the Mathew Washington Center. So what is going on now?

We need your help! - Go to www.InvisibleKansans.com and show your support!

Matthew Washington Award - Mandy Thomson won this year's Matthew Washington Award.

The End of an Era - Futures sadly ends production of a long-time product.

Take it to Heart campaign announced - New health initiative urges employees to take their health seriously.