An article by Tawny Stottlemire about the impact of poverty on Kansas' youth was recently featured in the Fall Edition of KANSASChild. The publication by Child Care Aware of Kansas was a special collaboration with the Kansas Head Start Association specifically addressing poverty and poverty issues in Kansas. To learn more about Child Care Aware, visit www.ks.childcareaware.org. To read Tawny's article, click here.
The new Kansas Food Security task force is a 26-member group that includes Tawny Stottlemire of KACAP and will focus on “monitoring and reducing food insecurity and hunger throughout the state.” It will be charged with identifying ways to eliminate the root causes of hunger throughout the state. By reviewing the state’s nutrition programs, the task force will look for ways to improve participation among food-insecure families. The group will submit annual reports to the governor, reviewing its accomplishments and providing recommendations for additional changes.
Currently, the number of homes in Kansas receiving some type of food assistance is at a record high. During fiscal year 2010, the Kansas Food Assistance program served an average of 117,000 families each month while 47.5 percent of Kansas students participated in the free or reduced price school meal program.