The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City announced this week an additional $320,000 grant to support development and opening of a new health care clinic at 8821 Troost Ave. in south Kansas City, Mo.

Swope Health Services will be the medical provider for the clinic, which should open by year's end.

The new health care foundation grant is the second in support of the project. All told, the health care foundation has contributed $640,000 for the new health clinic. Additional support has been provided by the City of Kansas City, Mo., State of Missouri, and other sources.

LINC is taking a leadership role in development of the clinic, which will serve children and families of south Kansas City.

The location was identified after a detailed study of community need and health care resources.

The study identified a need for two health clinics in south and southeast Kansas City.

AHEC recruiting high school students to learn about health careers

West Central Missouri Area Health Education Center (AHEC) will offer a Jump Start Workshop starting in January for Kansas and Missouri high school students who are interested in exploring health careers.

Jump Start will introduce students to the AHEC Career Enhancement Scholars (ACES) program, which provides opportunities for hands-on enrichment activities, online learning aligned with the National Health Care Skills Standards, service-learning projects, job shadowing/volunteering and a comprehensive individual career plan.

Students interested in ACES are required to attend the Jump Start workshop, which will provide students with information on:

• conducting basic patient assessments,
• avoiding the spread of infection,
• protecting patient information, and
• benefits and expectations of joining the ACES program.

The $60 participation fee includes six hours of workshops, access to the online healthcare module, lunch and materials. The fee may be adjusted for families on limited incomes. Students interested in ACES must complete the workshop prior to being selected for the program and may apply the $60 toward cost of the ACES yearly fee.

The workshop will be held 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the UMKC School of Nursing Health Sciences Building, 4th Floor, 2464 Charlotte St, Kansas City, MO 64110.

For complete details and registration information, visit www.wcmoahec.org, call (816) 410-8380, or email staylor@kclinc.org.

Since 1999, LINC has been the host agency for AHEC, providing the program access to the community.

LINC presents on foster care at Kansas City area conference

LINC Youth Advocate Devon Robinson presented a workshop titled "Transitioning Out of Foster Care" at the Fostering Strategies for Change conference held this week in Kansas City, Mo.

The LINC Independent Living Initiative offers resources and training to young adults who are transitioning into independent adulthood from the Missouri foster care system in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties.

Currently 260 youth participate in the LINC initiative.

Robinson addressed foster and adoptive families, explaining the Independent Living Initiative and answering questions about how youth qualify to participate in the program.

She emphasized the program's role in helping young people set goals, develop life skills, and access resources on the way to becoming self-sufficient adults.

The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 was passed by Congress to help young people transitioning from foster care.

LINC will promote new Troost MAX route starting in January

LINC plans to help promote community awareness and knowledge about the new KCATA Troost MAX bus rapid transit line running from downtown to southeast Kansas City beginning Jan. 1, 2011.

There are six LINC Caring Communities sites located with six blocks of the new transit line.

The LINC Caring Communities elementary school sites are (from north to south): Phillips, Longfellow, Tolbert, Troost, Hartman and Center.

LINC will provide families with information on the new MAX line providing faster, more efficient service, improved bus shelters and additional park-and-ride locations.

The MAX route will involve schedule and route changes on the #25-Troost local route and connecting buses #108-Indiana and #123-23rd Street.

More information is available at (816) 346-0348 and www.kcata.org 

The new route was featured on the KCPT show Imagine Kansas City highlighting regional efforts to promote vibrant, connected and green communities.

The first episode aired Nov. 18. More information about the 12-part series is available at www.imaginekc.org

Homebuyer education classes organized in Independence

A new set of community  partners is organizing ongoing homebuyer education classes in Independence.

Previously classes were provided by housing counselors from Kansas City.

Partners include NorthWest Communities Development Corporation, Community Services League and 12 Blocks West -- a neighborhood and housing initiative organized by the Independence School District.

Those enrolling are expected to attend two Saturday classes and will also receive individual consultation.

The cost is $40. For information call (816) 352-4489.

LINC produced posters, flyers and a video to support the effort.

LINC prepares information on fun, free holiday activities for families

LINC has compiled a list of fun and free educational activities for families over the winter holiday break.

The list helps families have fun during the winter school break without spending money.

Activity suggestions also encourage families to celebrate the joy of learning and to stimulate family conversations.

Included on the fun and free list are:

• Holidazzle at the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center featuring arts and craft, a storyteller, refreshments, and much more
• Historic Kansas City photos at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
• Kansas City, Mo. Parks and Recreation Santa's Wonderland
• Jackson County, Mo. Christmas in the Park

While not meant to be an exhaustive list, the booklet provides ideas on how families can spend time together and not spend a lot of money.

The list is available on the LINC website.