Latest news with #RebeccaPhillips
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Far from cutting affordable housing in Kansas, we could use more resources for those in need
Government housing assistance provides a vital lifeline for Kansans, writes columnist Rebecca Phillips. (Getty Images) I have a dear friend who I have helped with different issues over the years. She is a disabled senior with limited eyesight, and she also has no car. I met her about 11 years ago, and while I am much younger we care about each other. About four years ago, I recommended that she sign up for a program I had heard about — Section 8. That's a housing assistance program funded by the federal government in which individuals in need — those who qualify — can apply and receive help in paying for a house or an apartment whose landlord takes the Section 8 voucher. I told my friend: 'You should sign up for this. It may take a while to hear from them but I think it's a good program.' I picked her up and drove her to the Topeka Housing Authority office, where she picked up an application. It took a couple of years for her name to come up on the list, but she was approved. It was just in time because her rent at her apartment was about to go sky high, and she couldn't afford to pay. Without the Section 8 voucher, who knows what she would have done. That is why when I read about proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $32.9 billion, along with the idea of creating a grant program to send rental assistance funds to the states, my heart grieved over the precious lives this would affect. The people who work at the Topeka Housing Authority are very special people, including the vice president of rental assistance programs, Annette Brown. They work hard to make sure those with limited incomes, the disabled and seniors find safe, affordable housing. We are in a time when homelessness is at an all-time high. If anything, we need more funding for housing programs, including those beyond Section 8. I attended a meeting for the public in which the former executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission discussed homelessness and how so many individuals who grew up traumatized or experienced trauma as adults often end up homeless. Barry Feaker has a true heart for the homeless and has dedicated his life to the issue. People such as Theresa Douthart and Sehera Hays at the Topeka nonprofit organization Breakthrough House give of themselves to help assist clients to find housing. Robert Sanders, chair of the board of directors for Breakthrough House, works at the Topeka Rescue Mission and he helps the individuals there find employment and work on job skills. His work is vital and much needed. When I think of the Section 8 program, I think of my good friend who might have had nowhere to go if she had not received her voucher. These people are good folks who need shelter. It's time to make sure they get to stay in their dwellings and to continue to provide the funding they need to live a productive life. The time is now to help those in need of a place to live. I worked as a volunteer writer at the international headquarters of Habitat for Humanity in 1997 for a brief time, and I saw people from all over come together to help those who I believe are God's children. Let's be the light of Heaven to folks who would otherwise be homeless. Let's offer hope. It's needed more now than ever before. Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Far from cutting affordable housing in Kansas, we could use more resources for those in need
Government housing assistance provides a vital lifeline for Kansans, writes columnist Rebecca Phillips. (Getty Images) I have a dear friend who I have helped with different issues over the years. She is a disabled senior with limited eyesight, and she also has no car. I met her about 11 years ago, and while I am much younger we care about each other. About four years ago, I recommended that she sign up for a program I had heard about — Section 8. That's a housing assistance program funded by the federal government in which individuals in need — those who qualify — can apply and receive help in paying for a house or an apartment whose landlord takes the Section 8 voucher. I told my friend: 'You should sign up for this. It may take a while to hear from them but I think it's a good program.' I picked her up and drove her to the Topeka Housing Authority office, where she picked up an application. It took a couple of years for her name to come up on the list, but she was approved. It was just in time because her rent at her apartment was about to go sky high, and she couldn't afford to pay. Without the Section 8 voucher, who knows what she would have done. That is why when I read about proposed budget cuts to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development totaling $32.9 billion, along with the idea of creating a grant program to send rental assistance funds to the states, my heart grieved over the precious lives this would affect. The people who work at the Topeka Housing Authority are very special people, including the vice president of rental assistance programs, Annette Brown. They work hard to make sure those with limited incomes, the disabled and seniors find safe, affordable housing. We are in a time when homelessness is at an all-time high. If anything, we need more funding for housing programs, including those beyond Section 8. I attended a meeting for the public in which the former executive director of the Topeka Rescue Mission discussed homelessness and how so many individuals who grew up traumatized or experienced trauma as adults often end up homeless. Barry Feaker has a true heart for the homeless and has dedicated his life to the issue. People such as Theresa Douthart and Sehera Hays at the Topeka nonprofit organization Breakthrough House give of themselves to help assist clients to find housing. Robert Sanders, chair of the board of directors for Breakthrough House, works at the Topeka Rescue Mission and he helps the individuals there find employment and work on job skills. His work is vital and much needed. When I think of the Section 8 program, I think of my good friend who might have had nowhere to go if she had not received her voucher. These people are good folks who need shelter. It's time to make sure they get to stay in their dwellings and to continue to provide the funding they need to live a productive life. The time is now to help those in need of a place to live. I worked as a volunteer writer at the international headquarters of Habitat for Humanity in 1997 for a brief time, and I saw people from all over come together to help those who I believe are God's children. Let's be the light of Heaven to folks who would otherwise be homeless. Let's offer hope. It's needed more now than ever before. Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Patients, providers and hospitals in Kansas all depend on Medicaid for vital care
The Medicaid health insurance program provides essential support for Kansans, writes Rebecca Phillips. (Getty Images) Millions of individuals in this country rely on Medicaid. Poor Medicaid: To me Medicaid is like a person who gets beat up on all the time. No one quite understands what to do with Medicaid, or what rules or laws to implement with it. Hospitals rely heavily on Medicaid payments, and so do nursing homes. Doctors' offices and mental health clinics such as Valeo rely on Medicaid as well. When Medicaid was privatized in Kansas and became known as KanCare, put into three for-profit companies, problems abounded. It became especially problematic for those with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Now, in the U.S. Congress, there is debate about changes and cuts to Medicaid. It's all very confusing, but the bottom line is all of it would harm the Medicaid program. The people who rely on Medicaid are not criminals. They are not entitled and trying to get something for nothing. These are people who truly can't work and who may need Medicaid for the remainder of their lives. With Medicaid, people can thrive in their communities and receive lifesaving care and support. Do we care about these folks? Do we care about preserving our hospitals like K.U. Medical Center and the nursing homes where our loved ones reside? Whenever I think of asking tough questions, I always go back to my own faith and ask the question: 'What Would Jesus Do?' Indeed, now is the time for Congress to ask this question and to search deep within their hearts for the answers to all of these pressing issues. Valeo Behavioral Health Care has faced budget cuts due to changes and cuts in Medicaid funding. They work with the three managed care companies administering KanCare, and it has been and continues to be a tremendous challenge. Families know what is best for their children. It's easy to say, 'Let's have cuts and harmful cuts to Medicaid,' when one doesn't have a disabled family member or friend or anyone they know who relies on Medicaid. Disabilities are not the enemy. Poverty shouldn't be the enemy. I think a lot of people are afraid of the needs of others. They feel overwhelmed and burdened by what they don't understand. Let's imagine if Jesus walked into the U.S. Congress and sat down with all the lawmakers. What would He say to them? Who would He advocate for? Families are crying out for help and greater funding of Medicaid and not greater burdens. Let's listen to their cries and not turn away. Let's not create burdens for people who are already about to give up. When I see people in need, I often feel overwhelmed, but I don't ignore that person. Instead, I ask my deep faith what to do. My grandpa, who was a minister for 60 years, used to always end his phone calls with me by saying kindly: 'Rebecca, stay on the road.' With all the drama and trauma going on these days, I would implore Congressional leaders to not ignore these families with loved ones who need Medicaid. I would encourage them to imagine stepping into my grandpa's summer kitchen — in the back of his old, huge, historic home in Americus, Georgia — and listen to him encourage them to stay on the road, to stick to their values no matter what. Let's not give up on the right thing to do. Let's reach out during this time and dare to care. It's the only thing to do. Rebecca Lyn Phillips is a published author, speaker and mental health advocate. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Phillips named new regional planning executive director
Feb. 24—LIMA — The work of the Lima/Allen County Regional Planning Commission can often go unnoticed by the public, but for Rebecca Phillips, the commission's new executive director, the work is well worth the effort. After 17 months as the commission's finance director, Phillips was voted into her new role Thursday by the RPC executive committee. Phillips, an Allen County native currently living in the Allen East area, is succeeding former executive director Tara Reynolds-Bales, who resigned in September. Prior to her employment at the RPC, Phillips worked as the fiscal officer for Bath Township as well as in financial aid roles for Rhodes State College and the University of Northwestern Ohio. "I'm excited," she said. "I was the finance director, so I think that gives me a good foundation to move up into this role. I've done a little bit as far as some of the strategic planning for our agency and our work plan, which is what we plan to do for the upcoming year. I've been involved a lot in that, but this will really expand on that." Phillips wants to build on the work of her predecessors in building positive relationships with area civic officials, both in townships and in villages and cities. These connections are important, she said, since the RPC is a valuable resource for creating solutions for officials on improving a wide variety of civic planning issues, from improving roadways and traffic flow to addressing zoning and property issues to locating funding sources for potential improvement and safety projects. "There is a wide range of needs out there that we have from our members," she said. "It's about getting to know them and getting to know what those needs are and how we can best serve them in their needs with planning and transportation dollars." The RPC is also the administrator for the West Central Ohio Rural Planning Organization, which is addressing transportation issues in rural areas over a seven-county area surrounding Allen County. Phillips also hopes to get the public more engaged in the planning process for the various projects and studies the RPC oversees, encouraging public comment during a project's formation. "We have open houses, and all of our meetings are public, and we publish them on our website," she said. "My hope is in strengthening those relationships, attending those council meetings, being involved with the (Lima/Allen County) Chamber and networking with some of those people there, putting ourselves out there and letting people know what we do." An open house event on the commission's 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Plan will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 1 at the Allen County RTA, 200 E. High St., Lima. For more information on the Lima/Allen County Regional Planning Commission, visit Featured Local Savings
