Foundation Journal

Bridging the Digital Divide: Less Talk, More Action

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:29:00 +0000

You can make a difference in the lives of low-income residents in Northeast Kansas City Kansas by making a donation to a Connecting for Good fundraising campaign to build a free wireless network. Connecting for Good is building the high-speed Internet wireless network in the 390-unit Juniper Gardens housing complex, which serves mainly low-income residents, most of whom are single mothers and immigrant families living on $10,000 or less.

There are few organizations in KC that have made such a bold splash as Connecting for Good has in its short time as an area non-profit. This organization has taken a brash startup approach to addressing the "digital divide," a popular term to describe a lack of access or resources in one of three areas: high-speed Internet access, a computer, and computer training.

What they have accomplished in the last six months -- providing free wireless connections to all residents of KCK low-income housing complexes Rosedale Ridge and Juniper Gardens -- shows the depth of their efforts to empower area residents with free high-speed Internet access.

During two recent visits to Juniper Gardens I met Maria Kline, president of the housing complex, who expressed deep appreciation to Connecting for Good's efforts. She understands the importance of providing high-speed Internet access because, as she said, it "gives the opportunity what other children have that might not be in a low-income" category.

Give $25, $50 or $100 today to level the digital playing field for area neighbors. http://www.neighbor.ly/jgwifi

Homeless support representatives ponder "How do you save money?" in low-income Kansas health programs

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:48:00 +0000

I attended the regular meeting of the Kansas City-based Homelessness Task Force organization at the downtown public library in Kansas City, Missouri today. I arrived at the meeting a few minutes early and joined the 20 or so people waiting to enter the library when it opened at 9:00 am. Most people waiting -- older men and 20-somethings -- would fit a description of a homeless individual using the library to come in from the cold, damp morning. As I learned later none of these individuals attended the meeting of the organization responsible for overseeing solutions to their problem. In fact, a few task force representatives left the waiting crowd to enter the library through another entrance.

The crowd included weather-beaten men without teeth, a young man listening to music on his phone with a tooth brush hanging out of his pocket, two 30-something men conversing about backpacks and KC life -- "this was one of the baddest banks" in its time, announced one of them, referring to the function of the library before its conversion, two men having a lively conversation in Spanish, among others who moved swiftly into the library when it opened promptly on time.

The meeting attendees included a range of homelessness support organizations, local and state government officials, anti-poverty advocates, housing organizations, to name a few. Before the meeting I spoke with Carly from the HALO Learning Center, a group that partners with "homeless shelters and residential homes to provide art therapy" and Amy Thomas with the Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition, who mentioned that the organization has identified an increase in homelessness for kids aging out of foster care between the ages of 18 and 24.

The meeting started with an abbreviated presentation by Scott Brunner from the Kansas Health Institute on the topic of Medicaid expansion, which was timely and of utmost concern to people advocating for homeless individuals. The presentation only focused on "How do you save money?" through changes in Kansas Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) due to time limits, but was intended to describe the impact and costs to expanding Medicaid in Kansas as indicated on the slides distributed.

Other questions Mr. Brunner posed during his presentation included "Where do you get savings?" by implementing KanCare changes taking place in early 2013. The changes include moving all Medicaid-eligible people into KanCare, the privately managed care system in Kansas.

He stated his concern was "how do you go from 7.5% year-over-year cost increases to 4%?" with the KanCare changes. Several meeting participants peppered Mr. Brunner with clarifying questions about the cost savings with one man providing a personal story of elderly family care about expensive procedures and costs.

The discussion focused on costs, preventative medicine as a way to reduce costs, medical care cards and timeliness with payment to providers before the meeting moved to the next agenda item. I would have thought someone in the meeting would have asked questions about improving the quality of care, expanding coverage, and expanding Medicaid to low-income individuals and families in Kansas.

I am certain the meeting participants would strongly advocate for Medicaid expansion in both Kansas and Missouri as one of the best ways to improve the lives of homeless individuals in the area, as evidence by the conversations with Carly with HALO and Amy with Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition

Revolve KC Bike Shop: Advocate for Biking as Transportation

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 19:13:00 +0000

This video shows how an old bike I received from a neighbor was donated to Revolve KC Bike Shop at an April 13, 2013 bicycle recycle event in Kansas City. Elizabeth Bejan with Revolve describes how bikes are refurbished and in turn donated to individuals in the Kansas City area.

KCK Juniper Gardens Residents Benefit From Free Wifi Service

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:08:00 +0000

Linda Quinn, Northeast KCK Healthy Kids representative with Kansas State University Research and Extension, speaks about the problems of access to healthy and nutritious food in northeast Kansas City, Kansas. She spoke about how a free wireless service provided by non-profit Connecting for Good will help residents of Juniper Gardens order food through an online web application by a Hy-Vee grocery store.

Getting Community Media to Work: Should the Government Fund Public Media?

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:39:00 +0000

An article this week in the Kansas City Star reminded readers that government funding for public broadcasting outlets is not a sure thing. The loss of public funding can impact locally-produced shows and programming quality. For community radio stations like KKFI 90.1 FM in Kansas City that receive no government funding for their daily operating budget this is a small consolation. The good news is that KKFI is sustaining its 70 local programs through donations from listeners, but it's not easy.

Map of state funding cuts to public media (2008-2012). Source: On the
Chopping Block: State Budget Battles and the Future of Public Media,
freepress.net, November 2011

Most Kansas City area public and community media outlets like KKFI, KCUR-FM 89.3 and KCPT-TV get the overwhelming majority of the funding from non-government sources, but still "small government" advocates like Kansas Governor Sam Brownback argue for killing all government funding of public media. They point out that federal support for public media creates "state TV," which allow these media outlets to influence viewing audience with slanted (read: liberal) opinion.

In one of the most dramatic moves to shut down state funding for public media Governor Chris Christie compared "New Jersey’s network of public broadcasters, NJN, with 'state run-media of the Soviet Union,'" and then announced efforts to sell all of New Jersey’s public media outlets, as reported by Freepress.net's Josh Stearn and Mike Soha in "On the Chopping Block: State Budget Battles and the Future of Public Media." (PDF - full report)

How far are these state legislators willing to go to limit investigative reporting, civic dialog and educational programming? Are they willing to kill "state run-media" outlets like that of municipal government outlets KCCG-TV2 (Kansas City, Missouri) and LSTV (Lee's Summit, Missouri)? Not likely since they are city TV stations.

High Plains Public Radio listening

service area in western Kansas and

Oklahoma and Texas panhandles

Garden City, Kansas station KANZ 91.1 FM, one of 20 High Plains Public Radio (HPPR) stations, provides unique music -- "Western Swing and Other Things" -- and public affairs -- "Prairie Ramblings" -- focused on the culture of southwest Kansas. The station’s loss of government funding amounts to about 15% of its operating budget and jeopardizes that it’s ability to continue local programming.

"On the Chopping Block" reported what funding cuts mean for vital local programming in Pennsylvania at radio station WITF, which "produces SmartTalk, the state’s only current affairs program. Although still on the air, SmartTalk has reduced its locally produced episodes from 30 to less than a dozen, and cut longtime host Craig Cohen."

The Kansas City Star article points out that Kansas legislators are looking to cut vital funding for High Plains Public Radio. The article revealed that Kansas state funding comprises 11-16% of funding for the 20 HPPR stations. This small radio station network is located in a largely rural area in southwest Kansas with pockets of a young, majority low-income Latino population. The National Public Radio affiliate broadcasts many syndicated shows, but also produces vital local public affairs and music shows.

HPPR operates these FM stations with a listening range serving western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles. The KANZ program schedule lacks any Spanish-language or Latino programming, which might indicate they have decided to ignore the large Latino population. However, KZGC in Colby, Kansas, one of the other HPPR FM stations is listed as a Spanish-language format.

While KKFI devotes 10 hours per week to Spanish-language programming by and for the large KC Latino community, the station does not receive a significant amount of listener-supported donations or business underwriting from that community. Does that mean KKFI should elect not to devote programming to that audience? No, but it means that station could improve this connection by developing stronger partnerships with area Latino civic organizations and businesses, or seek grants from private foundations or public sources to continue this crucial local programming.

Some community and public media is so unique and vital to a local area or culture that it warrants consideration for government funding. Seeing these programs disappear from media outlets could mean these voices will not be heard.

Let's Keep Comcast Happy

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:18:00 +0000

Susan Crawford, author of Captive Audience, outlines a situation where large telecommunications companies have divided up the digital landscape, making it extremely expensive, especially for low-income families. She discusses the digital divide expanding because large rural areas are without Internet access and low-income families are unable to afford the access. She makes an argument for a public-private initiative with some regulation to develop high-speed, affordable Internet access similar to the rural electrification act during the Roosevelt administration of the 1930’s.

Instead of ensuring that everyone in America can compete in a global economy, instead of narrowing the divide between rich and poor, instead of supporting competitive free markets for American inventions that use information--instead, that is, of ensuring that America will lead the world in the information age--U.S. politicians have chosen to keep Comcast and its fellow giants happy.

She discussed the challenge to close the digital divide in her Captive Audience book recently on the Moyers and Company show on PBS.

She also cites an example of the power of the large telecommunications where Google Fiber in Kansas City has been prevented from distributing the major sports channels because of pressure by Time-Warner. The broadcast is new, but the reference to Google Fiber's inability to secure major channels and content is a bit dated.

Operation Breakthrough in KC: providing child-care for low-income families

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:58:00 +0000

During the weekend of national service on January 20, 2013 some family and friends joined together to volunteer for work at Operation Breakthrough in Kansas City. The facility provides subsidized child-care services for 500 children in KC, many near the facility at 31st and Troost Avenue. Here are a couple videos from the tour that concluded the volunteer work.

Map shows "Fresh Start" to addressing Food Deserts in St. Joe

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:42:00 +0000

The news about Fresh Start, a new non-profit grocery store in St. Joseph, bodes well for people without access to affordable and healthy food -- convenience stores don't count. This lack of close access to a food or grocery store in low-income areas is described as a "food desert." Fresh Start, bordering two US census tracts designated as food deserts, is not waiting for grocery store chains to address this problem.

View Grocery Stores near Fresh Start in St. Joseph Mo in a larger map

How is a food desert defined?

The US Department of Agriculture defines a food desert as

a low-income census tract where a substantial number or share of residents has low access to a supermarket or large grocery store.

To qualify as a "low-income community," a census tract must have either: 1) a poverty rate of 20 percent or higher, OR 2) a median family income at or below 80 percent of the area's median family income;

To qualify as a "low-access community," at least 500 people and/or at least 33 percent of the census tract's population must reside more than one mile from a supermarket or large grocery store (for rural census tracts, the distance is more than 10 miles).

This map shows two census tracts in St. Joseph, Missouri that have been designated as food deserts, one of which is comprised of 100% of the people with low access to a grocery store.

Digital Divide in Kansas City: "Nothing lifts people from poverty like education"

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:40:00 +0000

There are lots of models and examples of organizations addressing the digital divide, some of which seem to set a light commentary on social justice, then proceed headlong into bringing solutions to low-income residents and communities. Here's a UK group, a PBS story on the digital divide in rural areas and Connecting for Good's efforts in KCK.

See this report on CFG's work to build a free wifi network and provide computers and training, where Michael Liimatta with Connecting for Good mentions "nothing lifts people from poverty like education."

"I think a lot of times we have this idea that people that live in low income housing aren't motivated, that they're complacent and want to stay there,” Liimatta said, “but in my estimation, they have a lot of very resourceful people that want to better their lives. By providing free wif-fi, cheap computers and training, in a few years they won't be living in low income housing anymore. I'm convinced of that.”

Mobile market provides reduced cost produce in KC's urban core

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:14:00 +0000

Produce is available from a mobile market with affordable prices as shown in this news report from July 2012.

The route of the mobile market has expanded a bit since first starting up in July.

Tuesdays

The Jackson County Courthouse (415 East 12th Street, Kansas City, Mo) – 9 am – 12 pm
Lucile Bluford Public Library (3050 Prospect Ave, Kansas City, Mo) – 12:30 pm -1:30 pm
Tony Aguirre Community Center (2050 W. Pennway, Kansas City, Mo) – 2 pm – 3 pm
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Thornberry Unit (43rd and Cleveland, Kansas City, Mo) – 3:30 pm – 5 pm

Thursdays

The Jackson County Courthouse Annex (308 W. Kansas, Independence, Mo) –9 am – 10 am
Fairmount Community Center – NW CDC (217 Cedar, Independence, Mo) – 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Hillcrest Community Center (10401 Hillcrest Road)– 12 pm – 2 pm
Samuel U. Rodgers (825 Euclid, Kansas City, Mo) – 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Southeast Community Center (4201 E. 63rd St.) – 4 pm – 5 pm

*Times subject to change

Is your neighborhood in a "food desert?" The first non-profit grocery store in the U.S. opened this week...or did it?

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 21:42:00 +0000

The nation's first non-profit grocery store opened two days ago in St. Joseph, Missouri, narrowly beating Philabundance, the Philadelphia food bank, at selling food at discounted costs to low-income families. Actually, the claim of being the first non-grocery store could be debated, given the success of a mobile grocery store in Minnesota with 27 outlets that offers up to a 40% discount. Let's not quibble as Fresh Start, St. Joe's non-profit grocery store, starts this grand experiment because it's really about placing stores in or near "food deserts."

Putting aside food co-ops and similar ventures, it seems a bit of stretch to think that we had to wait until 2013 before someone came up with the notion of a non-profit grocery store. Shouldn't access to nutritious and affordable food be a basic right to everyone in one of the wealthiest nations of the world?

You can bet there's going to be strong opposition to these efforts, especially if they succeed. Despite the efforts at providing low-cost food to relieve hunger one Minnesota for-profit grocery store owner complained about the advantage of a tax-free nonprofit store. "It's just completely wrong," said Tony Oelmann, manager of Mike's Discount Foods. "How can they consider themselves a nonprofit if they do this bootlegging?" said Oelmann. "They are attempting to undercut a business."

And small business owners are right to complain -- they are at risk of losing business and in a worst case scenario seeing their store close. Chain stores can pull their grocery stores from unprofitable areas like what happened when Sunfresh pulled out of the Linwood Shopping Center in Kansas City years ago.

Strong support to address "food deserts"

US. Dept of Agriculture Economic Research Service map
shows FreshStart grocery store serving a "food desert"
in St. Joseph, Mo.

St. Joe's new low-cost grocery store is operated out of Second Harvest Community Food Bank, the food bank at 915 Douglas, which rests at the edge of one of the food deserts, identified by the USDA. “There are 52,000 individuals that need our support, currently we serve about 15,000 a week. So, there’s a huge gap from where we are today to where we are going and Fresh Start helps to expand that access,” said St. Joe food bank Chief Operating Officer Tamara Grubb during an interview with a Kansas City news outlet.

Philadelphia's efforts to place a non-profit grocery store in a food desert near low-income residents was made possible with a lot of financial support. "The Nonprofit Finance Fund, the Reinvestment Fund, and TD Bank, the organization will open Fare & Square, a 13,000-square-foot grocery store next spring on the west side of Chester, a city that has been without a grocery store for eleven years and one of thirty-five USDA-designated food deserts in the Delaware Valley."

The largest non-profit grocery store in the United States
After a bit of quick research I found that there's already a non-profit grocery store in the United States that provides deep discounts to low-income families all over the country. In fact, it's a store that places it in the top ten grocery store chains, plus it allows shoppers to use their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits.

The Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) military commissary system allows family members to "save over 30 percent of what they would spend at nearby civilian grocery stores." With over 14 million active, reserve, retired military members and their families the DeCA system is available to over 4% of the US population, "while improving customer savings and satisfaction ratings," according to a report (PDF) defending this non-profit grocery store model (PDF).

The DeCA commissary system, also known as a post exchange (PX), "supplied the soldier with quality food at below market prices."

According to the report, the "military resale system has traditionally been defended along compassionate and mission grounds. That is, these programs are essential to care for our military personnel and their families and represent a reciprocal commitment on the part of the American people to recognize the service of our men and women in uniform."

Better yet this significant discount has been available to military service personnel for nearly 200 years -- since 1825 -- and is provided as a worthy benefit to all military service members -- active duty, reserve, retired, etc.

In fact, shoppers visit stores as many as 96 million per year.

Given the success and benefit of this non-profit grocery store model, perhaps it warrants a second look for an extensive expansion to non-military members of the U.S.

Beating Google Fiber to the Punch: Public Utility Connects NKC School to Fiber Network

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:06:00 +0000

An ultra-high speed Internet service is available to the North Kansas City school district after LiNKCity, the city's public Internet service provider, connected the school up to the city's fiber network. LiNKCity and Datashack, a private hosting provider located in North Kansas City, worked together to connect the school district to the high-speed network for free. The LiNKCity fiber network represents a solid alternative to the emerging Google Fiber network, but has been developed as a public utility.

WIC Program Provides Online Nutrition Info for Low-Income Families

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:26:00 +0000

>A user-friendly website developed by Western Michigan University and the Federal government has surpassed 1 million users. The Food Research and Action Center reported that the "site helps low-income parents learn healthier child feeding behaviors, and has information available in English and Spanish. During the past year, more than 417,000 WIC clients used the site to access training videos, recipe lists, and lessons on topics like dealing with children who are picky eaters and how to improve meal nutrition."

The site hosts a wealth of information and a variety of online tools, such as a YouTube video channel geared to WIC participants as shown here.

Follow KC's Local Investment Commission's work to improve education and services for youth

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:28:00 +0000

Here's the Local Investment Commission's year-end summary through photos. LINC is one of Kansas City's largest sources of providing services for low-income families through public schools, including food assistance, health care and child care. Their innovative work provides a solid bridge for parent's direct involvement in their children's education.

LINC in Photos 2012 from LINC on Vimeo.

Breakfast in the Classroom: How to improve student performance in schools

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:21:00 +0000

Participation in the Breakfast in the Classroom, a U.S. Department of Agriculture program for students from low-income families, can reduce behavioral problems in the classroom as reported in a suburban St. Louis school district.

I know of a student who had behavioral problems every day in the classroom that have almost stopped since he started getting breakfast in the classroom. He could have just been hungry.

Clay Shirky on democratizing solutions to poverty

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:49:00 +0000

Clay Shirky, scholar on democratization effects of social media, shared his thoughts on a panel at a recent Social Good conference. The panel focused on the problems and solutions to poverty in developing nations.

KC Star's Mary Sanchez Gives Shout-Out to Digital Divide Success

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Thanks to the Kansas City Star's Mary Sanchez for her clear and persistent voice on reducing the digital divide in Kansas City. Her Sunday, December 16, 2012 column shared efforts to provide free Wi-Fi access, very low-cost computers ($50), and free digital literacy classes to Rosedale Ridge residents in Kansas City, Kansas.

When children leave school, district equipment becomes useless unless they can find a Wi-Fi hotspot. Now, that place is home.

The plan is to work with housing authorities and other Section 8 property owners to expand the project on both sides of the state line.

Rosedale Ridge Flyer on free Wi-Fi access
provided by Connecting for Good.

KC Star Column Misleads Readers on Government Programs

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:25:00 +0000

The author of a Kansas City Star opinion piece misleads readers to think the problem of U.S. poverty in low-income family households is caused by lack of a male breadwinner and cured by a couple getting married to improve their income level. The best part, author Joseph McLiney writes, is that the improvement happens with "no government handouts." He points out in his "Three rules for avoiding poverty" column how a Brookings Institute report underscores this connection, however, the column overlooks the fact that most U.S. students -- of all income levels -- attend public school, largely funded by state and local governments, as well as the Federal budget.

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/14/3966589/midwest-voices-three-rules-for.html#storylink=cpy

The Brookings Institute report "Combating Poverty: Understanding New Challenges for Families" says:

...only 34 percent of children whose parents were in the bottom income quintile enrolled in college and only 11 percent received a four-year degree. If education is one of the routes out of poverty, the American educational system seems to be perpetuating poverty and income distinctions as much as it facilitates movement up the income scale.

This indicates the need for a larger government investment in public education in order to make trade schools and college more affordable for low-income students and families.

US Census report on public school funding -
http://www2.census.gov/govs/school/10f33pub.pdf

"Big Beef" Article Highlights Food Safety, Misses Work Safety Question

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:03:00 +0000

A major investigative series on the largest beef producers appeared over three days this week in the Kansas City Star. Star reporters should be congratulated on the amazing, in-depth work to present reports that clearly were not welcomed by the beef producers and supporters. One co-worker who works on hunger relief said she had not seen the article yet because she does not subscribe to the paper. For anyone involved in the local farm/food movement, food safety, hunger relief, and nutrition, this article series is a MUST READ.

While the articles pulled no punches on a range of topics, including the impact of the health of consumers and the impact on the environment with the mountains of cattle waste at feedlots, the series only focused a cursory glance at worker safety.

The opening article in the series appearing in the Sunday, December 9, 2012 edition of the Star documented the large number of people getting sick from food. Specifically, the report mentions that "a recent lawsuit against National Steak and JBS noted that there are an estimated 73,480 illnesses linked to E. coli O157:H7 infections from all food sources each year in the United States, leading to 2,168 hospitalizations and 61 deaths."

The Star series shares how "Meat plant employees have died from falling into grinders and augers; asphyxiation; electrocution; and being kicked by semiconscious cows." However, the articles lack any detailed analysis or story-telling on worker injuries and safety.

Meatpacking work is the lowest paying job among the 20 most dangerous jobs in 2010 in the U.S. One 2008 study found 33% of workers -- 1655 workers -- at a single hog processing plant experienced traumatic injuries on the job during a three-year period. An MSNBC news report documented the the number of injuries each year: "Nationwide, about 47,500 workers in the animal slaughter and processing industry were hurt in 2005 while on the job, a rate of 9.1 injuries per 100 workers, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows. That same year, 13 workers were killed."

Public Computer Centers Provide Access in the Heart of KC's East Side

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:51:00 +0000

Pioneer Campus Public Computer Center located at 2700 E. 18 Street,

Kansas City, MO (photo credit: Metropolitan Community College)

I was curious to see what the facilities were like that housed the new Public Computer Center at the Pioneer Campus of the Metropolitan Community College on Kansas City's East Side. After all, the expansion of computer centers was publically-funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide computer access and training for anyone that wants to use the computers.

This means community college students or anyone can use the computers after registering online or at the site. The registration allows administrators to track compliance with computer-use policies, but I did not interpret this as a limitation on people using the computers.

Mario and Dale, lab technicians at the computer center, shared how the centers provide a full curriculum of free training classes from basic training to Microsoft Office to social media to iTunes and Google Docs, as well as instruction in career opportunities, resume-writing, interviewing, among others. The computer center at the Pioneer Campus had updated computers and monitors, along with updated audio-visual equipment for projecting class material on a screen.

The room, equipped with 20 computers, was quiet but busy with five students, but a few entering and leaving during the 15-minute visit to the center. There are six public computer centers located at Metropolitan Community Campuses in addition to a new center located in Kearney, Missouri that opened on November 12, 2012.

Financing Boosts Wind Energy in Kansas

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:13:00 +0000

Proposed and Existing Wind Projects in Kansas (link: PDF)

An announcement by financial groups highlights a large investment in Wind Capital Group's Post Rock Wind Project in Kansas that will boost wind energy in the state. The company receiving the financing, Wind Capital Group, is the same business that built the Lost Creek Wind Farm in DeKalb County, Missouri, near my wife's family 80-acre farm.

A search of news on the Post Rock project returned articles related to the financial aspects. A recent map shows a large number of large wind projects in Kansas that will not only generate safe, renewable energy, but also generate jobs.

Is Free Internet Access Too Radical? Extending Internet Access to Low-Income KC Families

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 00:36:00 +0000

About 100 people at the downtown Kansas City public library on Thursday, November 29 heard KCK mayor Joe Reardon and Kansas City Missouri mayor Sly James announce a new "Starter Internet" service offering by Time Warner. The low-cost service offering will provide families in nine school districts -- up to 85,000 students -- with a $10 per month 5 megabit per second Internet connection. James stated the "affordable option will allow them to compete in school" and that the joint effort could allow "every single student in this area to get a quality education." Extending Internet access to low-income families could "help bridge the digital divide," James added.

The offering allows customers who relocate in the city to retain their Internet offering. Time Warner also announced that 14 locations throughout the city such as the River Market will gain "free" wifi hotspots for Time Warner customers.

KCK high schools have provided each student with a laptop for the past 8 or 9 years, Reardon mentioned. He spoke about the urgency to keep students and their families involved with new technology to help them maintain an edge in studies and jobs.

While the students, parents and advocates support the low-cost Internet service, they also know where to find free Internet access. A Kansas City Missouri public library representative pointed out there are 700 public computers throughout the library system, and noted that people parked their cars outside using the free wifi service. She added the public library is focused on digital literacy.

If Kansas City wanted to differentiate itself from other cities, then it should consider developing plans for free, city-wide access, not limited to pockets of service around public schools, public libraries or dependent on a costly home Internet package. Small cities like Ponca City, Oklahoma (population 25,387) provide city-wide access and Lawrence Freenet provides free access to residents of publicly-subsidized housing. Hollywood, Florida (pop 125,000) has it, though, not without problems. There's a long list of cities that have provided free wifi to parts or all of their residents. And Chicago is considering a municipal wifi network.

A service offering of the type Chicago is considering could go a long way to helping that city's residents close the digital divide.

Online Holiday Shopping for KKFI 90.1 FM - Support KC Community Radio

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:47:00 +0000

KKFI's annual Holiday Online Auction started today, November 30. Bill Clause, the station's esteemed Special Events Coordinator, has been the busy elf gathering lots of goodies to offer to KKFI supporters. Some of the over 300 items available include "Auto maintenance; Jazz, Blues, Rock concert tickets; Theater tickets for Unicorn, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Coterie, and American Heartland Theatre; Gift Certificates to BBs Lawnside, Californos; RJ’s Bob-Be-Cue; Azteca Mexican Food; many more items."

KKFI 90.1 FM's Online Holiday Auction Site

This is one of the community radio station's most important fundraising activities of the year, so enjoy some online shopping and support KKFI. Bidding ends December 10, 2012.

Missouri Medicaid Expansion: Don't Count the Chickens Until They're Hatched

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 22:05:00 +0000

Missouri Dept of Social Services chart showing current
Medicaid (MO HealthNet) enrollment and expenses.
(click image for full size)

I attended a Local Investment Commission (LINC) meeting last week and listened to a detailed report on the Medicaid expansion options for Missouri under the Affordable Care Act. The expansion seems like a no-brainer option for Missouri with a significant increase in low-income people covered under health insurance. However, a Republican-controlled legislature in Missouri promises to make this a tough fight.

As many as 300,000 people, mostly low-income families, would gain access to health care at a minimal cost to the state during the first five years of the expansion. Forget the anti-tax, "small government" talk, extending Medicaid coverage means an improved quality of life for lower-income people -- the most crucial element of the extension.

Medicaid, as Brian Kinkade, interim director of the Missouri Department of Social Services, indicated provides a range of health services for uninsured children, elderly and disabled citizens. Aside from basic services, Medicaid also provides in-home services, nursing home care, both important services to provide quality health care to those least able to afford it. He also shared that 15% of Missourians are currently enrolled in Mo HealthNet, the name of the state Medicaid program. Remember, 22% of Missouri children live in households with incomes below the Federal poverty line, and over 1 in 6 women in Missouri live in poverty.

Kinkade's hour-long report to the LINC commissioners, LINC Caring Communities coordinators, and area residents was easily the most in-depth presentation on Medicaid that I have heard -- I was stunned by the possibility of so many Missourians gaining access to health care.

The report was completely focused on the existing Medicaid services and demographics, as well as a detailed explanation of the costs of the Medicaid expansion.

One question posed at the end of the presentation focused on the failure of the recent Missouri cigarette tax increase to pass a November 2012 citizen vote, as well as Missouri's failure to choose a state-built health care exchange. The discussed highlighted the lack of a widespread advocacy for the tax increase, despite its regressive burden on people less likely to afford the increased cost.

The proposed Medicaid expansion will drastically increase the number of Missouri residents that have access to a range of health care services. It's likely, given the recent experience with opposition in Missouri to health improvements via the Affordable Care Act, that the Medicaid expansion will fail. An important reminder that strong grassroots action in Missouri is needed to carry the Medicaid expansion forward.

Time Warner in Kansas City Set to Launch "Starter Internet" Option for Low-Income Families

noreply@blogger.com (Matt Quinn) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 22:17:00 +0000

There are strong advocates for low-income people writing for Kansas City major media outlets, such as Mary Sanchez for the Kansas City Star. Her writing on September 19, 2012 about the digital divide and the Google Fiber project is one example of this advocacy.

In re-reading this article by Sanchez I noticed she highlighted "a little-publicized program begun in 2011 by the Federal Communications Commission. Households that qualify by poverty guidelines for free and reduced-price lunch at public schools can order Internet service by established providers such as Time Warner for about $10 a month and also buy low-cost computers."

Then last week she wrote in depth about Time-Warner's "Starter Internet" service. Information about this program, available for low-income families with school-age children, will be shared in a "major announcement about a pilot project that will expand Internet accessibility..." The event will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Kansas City Public Library, Helzberg Auditorium,14 West 10th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.

This program may be a better option than Google Fiber for low-income families that move frequently within the Kansas City area because families won't need to re-apply. Information shared at a Local Investment Commission meeting on November 19 indicates this mobility problem, where "in some high schools 50% of students move once during the year," so changing Internet providers becomes more expensive during each move.