Monthly Report – May, 2000

Caring Communities of Kansas

 

Important Announcement

John Carney has decided to leave his position as president of Hospice Inc.  His active support and involvement with the LIFE Project will be greatly missed.  We wish him joy and success as he begins his new journey in July.  He will become the COO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization in the D.C. area.

 

News Updates

 

  Ombudsman Training

Thank you to all who have supported the volunteer ombudsman training and ensured its success.  End-of-life curriculum has now been incorporated in training sessions throughout the state.  A special thanks to Debbie Evangelidis from Hospice Services, Inc. in Phillipsburg for taking the lead in overseeing this activity.  Please contact her at 785-282-3506 for any additional information. 

 

  A Design for Change monograph

Monograph one of A Design for Change was printed and distributed to legislators, public leaders and key persons in late April.  The first publication is a basic primer on why the end-of-life issues need attention.  Monograph two will be a sharing of our three sets of principles – palliative care, pain management, and advance care planning (Summer/Fall, 2000).  Monograph three will identify next steps in public policy (Winter 2001).

 

Additional copies are available on request.  Approximately 900 copies have been distributed statewide.

 

  Moyers’ Leadership Video Conference, April 18^th

Thanks to Marilyn Wassinger with the Wichita-based Caring Community a copy of the Moyers’ Leadership video is available upon request.  Please contact AKH if you are interested in borrowing the video.

 

Copies of the Moyers on Dying Discussion Guide are available at no charge through thirteen WNET New York.  Contact Robert Miller, Director of Educational Publishing at (212) 560-6661 or Michael Weinraub at (212) 560-8126.  The discussion guide is an excellent resource!

Community Updates

 

  ALL

Caring Communities throughout the state have been very active.  In addition to providing the LIFE Project staff with updates on their councils, many communities are actively preparing for the Moyers’ Series, the Kansas State Fair, and conducting community assessments.

 

I have heard from many of the communities & appreciate your input!  Please be sure and email or fax any special news items that you would like for us to share with the rest of the communities across the state.  Thank you again for your dedication to improving end-of-life care for all Kansans.

 

One of the greatest challenges faced by seriously or terminally ill patients and their families is finding information on the services and care options available within their community.  Compiling information on end-of-life services available in your community is a natural follow-up to the work done to complete a community assessment.  Thank you for sending LIFE Project staff information that you want to have included on the Web for your community; all input is greatly appreciated!

 

Please identify a spokesperson for your Caring Community and let us know who that person is & how to contact them.  This person should be comfortable talking with the media about Caring Communities, the LIFE Project, and all end-of-life issues.

 

  Wichita

The Caring Community Council located in Wichita is working with the Wichita Library to offer special programming following the Moyers’ series.  The Wichita Library is one of 12 in the nation to receive a grant from the American Library Association to offer special programming following the Moyers’ series.  The group is working on four special events.

 

  Topeka

The Topeka Caring Community Council met on May 23^rd.  With over 20 participants, they established their council leadership, and set their agenda for their next meeting.  They also brainstormed a list of ideas on promoting the Moyers’ series.  We are excited about the enthusiasm of the group & wish them success in their endeavors.  We feel assured that they are going to do wonderful things in Topeka!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events & News

 

  Palliative Care Conference, World Health Organization

Details have been finalized for the October 1 – 7 Palliative Care Conference with Dr. Robert Twycross, World Health Organization.  Sign up now to attend the conference!  Physicians will attend from October 1 – 6.  Pharmacists and nurses will attend on October 7^th.  National advertisements will be released within the next two weeks.  Registrations are now being accepted:  to request a registration packet email LIFE Project staff at livewell@southwind.net or call (316) 263-6380.  Let us know if you need a packet for doctors, nurses, and/or pharmacists.

 

  Statewide Caring Community Council Meeting

Plan to attend the Statewide Caring Community Council meeting in Topeka on Wednesday, August 16^th.  The agenda is being finalized and will be sent out soon.  Updates on “Stories At Work” and Media Involvement are two areas that will be discussed. 

 

  DON’T forget to turn in timesheets for service in-kind with your monthly report.  You can use the calendars we provided or just email us the number of hours you spent on the project.  

 

  Call or fax any information you would like to share with others across the state.  This newsletter will be sent out the 3^rd week of each month.  Thank you to each person who contributed to this month’s issue!