Lawrence Journal-World 04-14-12

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Agencies Project honors kids in need facing dramatic funding changes UNITED WAY

By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com

A new philosophy by the United Way of Douglas County has caused 2012 funding amounts for several local social service agencies to swing wildly, with some agencies seeing funding changes of about $100,000. Officials with the United Way recently announced their 2012 funding allocations, and now several agencies are making midyear budget adjustments to reflect new funding realities. “It is a big change for several organizations,” said Erika Dvorske, executive director of the local United Way. “We’ve asked our volunteers to really Dvorske look through a whole new lens when it comes to allocating funding.” Dvorske said the United Way board was asked to not consider past amounts an organization received in funding, but rather to make all allocation decisions based on how an organization’s programs fit into one of three community goals: improving education, self-sufficiency and health. The new process produced some dramatic changes for organizations. The Ballard Center saw the largest decline in funding, losing about $102,000 in United Way funding compared with 2011. Dianne Ensminger, president and CEO of Ballard, said the loss of funding most greatly will affect the agency’s emergency utility and rent assistance program. “We know the United Way is working to do what is most appropriate with its new funding model, but it is still disappointing to experience a significant decrease in funding,” Ensminger said. She said the United Way funding accounted for about half of the emergency rent Please see UNITED, page 2A

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Extreme storms expected ——

Center issues historic warning, urges preparation Staff and wire reports

Nick Krug/Journal-World Photos

ABOVE: Lawrence resident Marty Smith plants a blue pinwheel Friday on the walkway between the old Courthouse and the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center. Each of the 89 pinwheels planted represents one abused and neglected child served by Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates in 2011. Another 18 pinwheels on the west side of the Old Courthouse each represent more than 100 reports of child abuse in Douglas County in 2011. RIGHT: Karlie Aldrich, 6, and Indy Byers, 17 months, play among the pinwheels.

An outbreak of fierce storms, some of which could spawn large and violent tornadoes, are expected to develop across the nation’s midsection today in a band running from Texas north to Minnesota. Lawrence could be in the storms’ path. The worst weather is expected to develop in the late afternoon between Oklahoma City and Salina, but other areas also could see severe storms with baseball-sized hail and winds of up to 70 mph, forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., said Friday. The outYou need to go to break could be a “high-end, the lowest level (and) life threaten- have the most walls as ing event,” according to you can between you a report from and the outside, with the center, no windows. People which is part need to make sure to of the National Weather Ser- know where to take shelter, no matter vice. It is only the where they’re at. It’s second time in U.S. history important that people that the cen- have a plan, have a kit ter has issued and stay informed.” a high-risk warning more — Teri Smith, director of Douglas than 24 hours in advance, County Emergency Management said Russ Schneider, director of the center, which is part of the National Weather Service. The first such warning was issued in April 2006 before nearly 100 tornadoes tore across a large swathe of the southeastern United States. In the Lawrence area, there is a chance of severe thunderstorms tonight and early Sunday morning. “Right now we’re looking at (possibly) a tornadic outbreak, and large hail. As time goes on it will morph into a line of thunderstorms. There will be heavy rain and wind,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Shawn Byrne. In the event of a tornado, residents should

Please see STORMS, page 2A

Parents urged to discuss alcohol dangers with teens early, often By George Diepenbrock gdiepenbrock@ljworld.com

Speakers Friday at a forum aimed at curbing underage drinking urged parents to initiate talks with teenagers early about the dangers of alcohol abuse and revisit them often. “It’s important for parents to know that study after student has consistently shown that kids who are permitted to

drink in their (parents’) homes drink more often and drink more outside the home when their parents are not around,” said Jen Jordan, a member of the Draw the Line Lawrence coalition and prevention coordinator at DCCCA. About 75 people attended the event at The Granada, 1020 Mass., and Jordan said national statistics show college students are less likely to drink

INSIDE

Strong storm Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 79

Low: 61

Today’s forecast, page 10A

and binge drink if their parents follow guidelines from Mothers Against Drunk Driving and have consistent and positive communication with them before they reached college. Here are other tips participants in a panel discussion gave to parents:

Have the talk, ideally when your child is in junior high school. “Don’t ever assume that

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they don’t need that talk or that they don’t need to hear what you think and how you believe,” said Dustin Chase, a Lawrence police neighborhood resource officer. “Let them know that even if they do mess up, you’re going to be there for them.” “Have this discussion with other parents of your kids’ peer group, like how they monitor what happens at their house,”

said Nancy Renfro, a Lawrence parent.

Know where your kids are going and who they are with, especially on weekends. “Communication is paramount. Stay involved in their lives and know what they’re doing on a weekend,” said Jim Spence, an Kansas Alcoholic Beverage Control agent. Please see ALCOHOL, page 2A

COMING SUNDAY

5C 1B-8B A unique spring 4A, 2B, 5C ritual has people heading out to the Konza Prairie to see greater prairie Join us at Facebook.com/LJWorld and Twitter.com/LJWorld chickens.

Vol.154/No.105 24 pages

Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org


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