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Cottonwood Extension District outlines community health worker hire and disaster network role for Ellis County
Summary
District director Jay Harris told commissioners the Cottonwood Extension District is planning to add a community health worker focused on Medicare/Medicaid counseling and other outreach, and seeks a county delegate for a statewide Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN). He also updated staffing levels and program activity.
Jay Harris, director of the Cottonwood Extension District that serves Ellis and Barton counties, updated the Ellis County Commission on Feb. 11 about staffing, outreach and disaster-preparedness plans.
Harris said the district is looking to add a community health worker position to be based primarily in Ellis County; the district is not asking the county for funds at this time but may seek assistance later if internal and grant funding sources fall short. "We're kind of in the midst right now figuring out where how we're going to fund this. I'm not coming today to ask for funding," Harris said, describing the position’s potential scope — assistance with mental-health outreach, aging services and “SHIC counseling,” the Medicare/Medicaid sign-up help the district provides.
Harris noted one Barton County agent who currently provides SHIC counseling is resigning because of a move; that worker helped Barton County residents secure more than $120,000 in benefits last year, Harris said. He said the district hopes the new position could begin in June if funding is secured.
Harris also described outreach the district is pursuing: a summer intern who will assist with a gardening camp and work with Harvest Tays (the high-tunnel greenhouses installed by The Arc of the Central Plains), and a district newsletter that highlights upcoming programs and agent articles.
On disaster preparedness, Harris described EDEN, the Extension Disaster Education Network, and asked that the commission consider naming a district delegate to join the statewide network and assist with county disaster planning. "It’s a way that we could really assist, I think, if needed," he said, adding that extension currently does not appear on Ellis County’s disaster plan and participation could expand coordination in emergencies.
Harris clarified district staffing: seven extension agents in the district (agriculture, family and community wellness, and 4-H agents for each county plus the district director), two full-time office professionals (one per county) and one program assistant; six staff are in the Hays office. He said the district is "full" for the first time in a long time and appreciates county-provided office space.
Commissioners thanked Harris; no county funding decision was made at the meeting.
Key details: Harris said the prospective community health worker would help older residents with Medicare/Medicaid signups and other community health work; the district will continue pursuing grants and K-State funding and will discuss the position budget with the district board at its next meeting.
No formal vote or appropriation was requested or approved at the Feb. 11 meeting.
