Unified School District 383 reports growing substance abuse challenges, shifting enrollment

Manhattan Emergency Shelter sees alarming rise in young adult homelessness

Sunflower Children's Collective closes visitation program amid funding struggles

Local agencies announce plans for women's sober living homes

Wonder Workshop utilizes funding to address severe behavioral issues

Thrive! Flint Hills combats poverty trend through youth programming

Riley County schools focus on student connection to prevent vaping

Unified School District 383 reports growing substance abuse challenges, shifting enrollment

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Unified School District 383 Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coordinator Kari Quiton Humes told the Community Support Funds Advisory Board that the normalization and legalization of marijuana in other states has altered students' perception of harm, leading to an increase in use within the district. On a positive note, the coordinator highlighted that the Kansas State Department of Education now mandates fentanyl education, which the district is integrating into its health curriculum. While the district's enrollment has grown alongside a nearly 8,000-person population increase in the city since 2020 — driven heavily by Kansas State University and Fort Riley — administrators are currently seeing smaller incoming kindergarten classes, indicating a potential overall enrollment drop in the coming years.

Manhattan Emergency Shelter sees alarming rise in young adult homelessness

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Manhattan Emergency Shelter is experiencing an increased need for drug and alcohol interventions, with 56.6 percent of current clients requiring these services, up from 51 percent last year. Executive Director Emily Wagner highlighted a concerning demographic trend: 66 percent of the shelter's clients are now under the age of 25. To address this, the shelter is collaborating with local agencies to develop targeted transitional housing programs. Wagner also noted the shelter successfully maintained operations without interruption despite ongoing delays in federal funding reimbursements, relying temporarily on community foundation funds to float expenses.

Sunflower Children's Collective closes visitation program amid funding struggles

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Sunflower Children's Collective made the difficult decision to close its supervised exchange and visitation program on June 30 due to inadequate funding and staffing challenges. Executive Director Carson Kober explained that the program was draining unrestricted resources needed for the organization's core missions: Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center. The closure allows the collective to refocus on children affected by parental substance abuse and domestic violence. Kober noted a sharp increase in demand for these core services, reporting that the advocacy center conducted eight forensic interviews in the first week of August alone.

Local agencies announce plans for women's sober living homes

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Addressing a significant gap in local addiction recovery services, both Be Able and Pawnee Mental Health Services announced plans to launch sober living homes for women. Representatives from both organizations reported immense success with their respective men's housing programs. Be Able's newly accredited 24-bed facility currently houses 23 men, utilizing a multi-pronged approach of peer mentors and case managers. Pawnee reported a high success rate for men completing their housing program. Pawnee is currently awaiting a grant from the Kansas Fights Addiction Fund to officially open its women's facility.

Wonder Workshop utilizes funding to address severe behavioral issues

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Wonder Workshop Children's Museum Executive Director Katie Seel reported an increase in severe behavioral issues among children in kindergarten through fifth grade, including instances of physical aggression toward staff. Utilizing special alcohol funds granted last year, the museum implemented an evidence-based social-emotional learning program to help children manage large emotions. Seel emphasized that teaching emotional regulation and problem-solving skills outside of a traditional classroom setting serves as a vital protective factor, reducing the likelihood that children will turn to substance abuse as a coping mechanism later in life.

Thrive! Flint Hills combats poverty trend through youth programming

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Thrive! Flint Hills is utilizing special alcohol funds to combat the toxic stress associated with financial poverty, a condition that has historically persisted in Riley County. While the county's overall poverty rates are heavily inflated by the Kansas State University student population, Thrive! focuses its efforts on youth and families facing generational and non-student poverty. Executive Director Jayme Morris-Hardeman explained that children living in poverty often carry significant stress regarding basic needs, increasing their risk of turning to substance abuse. To counter this, the nonprofit has expanded its youth and teen programs, teaching practical life skills such as meal preparation and budgeting. The agency is requesting funds from the Community Support Funds Advisory Board to maintain these programs amid a growing number of participants seeking poverty reduction services.

Riley County schools focus on student connection to prevent vaping

RILEY COUNTY, Kan. - Unified School District 378 Riley County is prioritizing student connections to combat a rise in vaping and substance abuse. Superintendent Dr. Erin Flair explained that the district, which spans 224 square miles and includes 160 students who reside within Manhattan city limits, focuses heavily on integrating incoming military and international students. A dedicated school social worker delivers a 16-week, research-based life skills course to all seventh, eighth and ninth graders. Flair reported that the initiative has successfully reduced office referrals for vaping and drug violations during the school day.

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