The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2025 #39 7-23-25
VOLUME 2025 JULY 16 NUMBER 38
First Vice President Kelly Karl welcomed the membership and guests. Bill Wisdom presented the reflection and the flag salute followed.
Craig Cox introduced Megan Lewis, Director, Riley County Community Corrections, who spoke on “Riley County Community Corrections.” Megan grew up in Creek, Nebraska, attended KSU and never left. She also worked for 16 years as an officer in Clay County and Riley County.
They are at the front end of the Juvenile Intake and Assessment program. This is for children who have been abused or neglected, or a parent who has been arrested and charged with a crime and the child needs care. The program staff is available 365 days per year, 24 hours a day to place children quickly in a safe place. The call is made from the law enforcement center of the jurisdiction and they respond within ten minutes and are physically there in Clay County within 45 minutes and in Riley County within 30 minutes. Then a determination is made on the placement of the child depending on the circumstances. The foster care system provides some placements. In Riley County the Protective Home Service program has been created to provide a safe place for temporary placement on a short notice.
Megan also encouraged community members to participate in becoming a “Protective Home.” Protective homes, on very short notice, take in and care for a child who has been placed in police protective custody. The placement usually lasts 72 hours. Police Protective Custody occurs when law enforcement encounters a child who has been the victim of abuse and/or neglect and places them in protective custody. Temporary placement in a protective home allows the Department of Children and Families, the police, and other agencies to assess each situation to determine what is in the best interest of the child(ren). These homes provide a place to sleep, meals, and most importantly, safety and security to a child in need. Certification requires eight hours of training, background checks, and home inspections. https://www.rileycountyks.gov/1772/Protective-Home-Program
The 21st Judicial District Youth Court Immediate Intervention Program offers an alternative to prosecution in the juvenile justice system. The purpose of YCIIP is to direct juvenile offenders away from the formal court system while still holding them accountable for their actions. YCIIP is a voluntary program where offenders can take responsibility for their actions while avoiding a criminal record. Typical referrals are first-time misdemeanor offenses. Crimes can include misdemeanor law violations such as theft, simple assault, property damage, possession of alcohol, and possession of marijuana. Other crimes include status offenses such as runaway or curfew violations. Youth Court is held the fourth Tuesday of every month either at the Riley County Courthouse or via zoom. Youth volunteers and returning defendants serve in the roles of the clerk and jury members. An adult judge is present to keep the proceedings on track. The defendant is allowed to give his/her version of the events with the clerk reading a summary of the police report. The jury members and judge follow with questions for the defendant. After, the jury deliberates and returns with sanctions the defendant must complete within a six month time frame.
The Juvenile Intensive Supervision program is a longer process which provides close supervision to those clients assigned by the Court. Supervision Officers utilize numerous resources to aid in the supervision of their clients. Upon assignment all clients participate in a risk/need instrument (YLS-CMI) which assists the Supervision Officer to identify what resources the client can benefit from the most. The Supervision Officer then works with the client and their family to determine what areas should be focused on first along with assisting the client to meet their obligations ordered by the Court, this is done by setting goals with the client. Supervision Officers work with various community agencies as well as in-house programs to assist the client with reaching those goals.
The 21st Judaical District Recovery Court is a team approach designed to address substance use disorders among individuals in the Justice System, offering an alternative to incarceration. The goal is to help participants become productive members of society through community based treatment, court-monitored accountability, and structured recovery support, while promoting public safety. Adult recovery courts are the most carefully studied and well-proven intervention in our nation's history for leading people with substance use disorders out of the justice system and into lives of health and recovery. Since launched in March of 2022, the program has served 59 individuals with non-violent drug convictions and high risk for future crime and substance use. The program has been very successful with participants recovery and is less expensive than incarceration in the county jail. Benefits of the program include public safety, employment, collaborative services, and family reunification, thus reducing costs and demand on foster care and social services.
https://www.rileycountyks.gov/17/Community-Corrections
GUESTS: Our speaker, Megan Lewis, Director, Riley County Community Corrections. Mike Fincham introduced Judy Nickelson, originally from Beatyville, Kansas, who graduated from Marysville High School, and is currently the housemother at Phi Kappa Phi. Brad Horchem introduced Joel Backhan, who is from Wichita and is new to Manhattan and has been here about three months. Bob Seymour introduced his grandson, Andrew Wasinger, from Wylie, Texas.
Roger Brannon thanked the Optimists for their contribution to the USD 383 Brannon scholarship fund in honor of his late wife. Roger really appreciated that. Last May he was able to give four Brannon Scholarships to Manhattan High School Seniors. These scholarships allow Roger to still have a connection the the MHS Debate and Forensics program that he coached for generations.
Melvin Hunt also thanked the Optimist for their contribution to his wife's memorial to support the Good Shepard Hospice House.
Jerry also reminded the group of the fall social on September 21st at Optimist Park.
Volunteers are needed for Just Try It, a running group for girls who will have a race on August 9th. Volunteers are needed to set up food, tables, banners etc. and then keep is it stocked for the runners when they finish. Shifts are 7:00-9:00 and 9:00-11:00. Heather Peterson is coordinating the Optimist's participation.
Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.
SAVE THE DATE: Just Try It August 9th.
JULY 30 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Jacob Galyon, Will Habiger, Sherie Taylor, Riley Co. Geographic System: Topic: “What’s Happening with the GIS”
AUGUST 6 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Dick Carter Jr., Lobbyist/Liason, The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce; Topic: “My Role as a Lobbyist for MCC”
AUGUST 13 – NOON MEETING: Program: Jayme Minton, Manhattan City Commissioner: Topic: “Classroom to Careers Program”
AUGUST 20 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Stephanie Johnson, Physical Therapist, Maximum Performance: Topic: “Cancer Rehabilitation”
AUGUST 27 – NOON MEETING: Program: Bronwyn Fees, Assoc. Dean, Academic Affairs, School of Family Studies: Topic: “Child Care Needs”
Optimist Social Pictures
KSU Olympic Training Center
Rockin K's
