A Note From the Administrator
It’s amazing how fast time is going and that next week will already mark mid- November! There are several notable comings and goings recently.
We are happy to welcome Mr. Gustavo Perez as our new Kent County Community Action Agency Director! We will be issuing a news release about this new hire in the next couple of weeks. Congratulations to Jonathan Seyferth who is leaving his role as Gaines Township Manager and heading back home to Muskegon to assume the position of City Manager. Also, congratulations to two of my “old”, or should I say long-term city manager friends, Grandville City Manager Ken Krombeen who is retiring in December and Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt who is retiring in February.
Shout out to the community for the strong showing of gratitude and support for our operations with the many visual display of lights for Operation Green Light. Our son, Peter, completed five-years in the Army and did two tours in Afghanistan as an Infantry Sergeant and we certainly understand the worry that families go through when their sons and daughters put themselves into harms way to protect our rights and freedoms. THANK YOU!!!
If you haven’t completed the broadband survey, please click here and take it today. Also, we would appreciate your help in encouraging your networks to take the survey.
I hope you find this Digest interesting and informative and we would love to have your submissions and suggestions for improvement.
- Al Vanderberg
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Kent County Activates Operation Green Light to Honor Veterans
(Martha Burkett, Veterans Services)
In honor of the Veteran’s Day Holiday, the exterior of the Kent County Veterans Services Building will be green from November 7 -13 as part of Operation Green Light. We are encouraging residents and businesses to join us in this effort by changing exterior lighting to green this week. Operation Green Light is a new national initiative of the National Association of Counties to support military veterans and to raise awareness about the resources available through the Kent County Veterans Services.
Please join Kent County in shining a green light of hope and support on our area veterans as we observe Veteran’s Day this year.
HUD Award to Address Youth Homelessness
(Jenny James, Deputy County Administrator)
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the Grand Rapids, Wyoming/Kent County Continuum of Care is one of 17 communities selected to participate in the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP). The Continuum of Care will receive $2.5 million and technical assistance to develop and implement a coordinated community approach to youth homelessness that matches the community’s needs, assets, constraints and preferences.
In total, the 17 communities were awarded $83.7 million to create an in-depth plan that analyzes the needs of youth at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in their community; identifies critical stakeholders; and determines specific action steps and interventions to substantially decrease and end youth homelessness in the community. To assist with this extensive planning process, HUD provides a wide array of technical assistance.
The program is an opportunity to try new approaches, models and methodologies that HUD will share with other communities across the country. Along with local partner and stakeholder collaboration, youth engagement and leadership is a critical component of the program’s planning and implementation work.
Restaurant Week
We are encouraging residents to support local restaurants during Restaurant Week and beyond. Whether it’s dining in, take-out, or purchasing gift cards, patronizing local restaurants helps keep these local and vital businesses thriving in our communities.
Kent County created an interactive map of restaurants in Kent County. The map allows you to search for restaurants within a specified distance of your location and provides details about the restaurant.
Opioid Surveillance
(Rachel Jantz, Health Department)
Around Halloween, you may have heard some of the misinformation about fentanyl being colored to resemble candy that would be appealing to children. While it is true that some fentanyl is dyed, this is not a new trend in the drug market and is often done intentionally to distinguish one product from another. Marketing to children is also not a good business strategy, as children usually do not have their own source of income and, being opioid-naïve, one dose would result in a fatality. However, the fervor around this story does give us an opportunity to address what is happening with fentanyl in our communities.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Some fentanyl analogues (similar chemical structure to fentanyl), such as Carfentanil, can be 10,000 times stronger. Fentanyl is used routinely in the clinical setting; however, most fentanyl overdoses are related to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This product is synthesized in clandestine labs, often in Mexico or China, and exported to the United States.
Is fentanyl in Kent County?
Fentanyl has become the number one cause of overdose fatality in Kent County, causing 75 of 110 overdose deaths in 2021. For reference, fentanyl caused less than 20% of overdose fatalities in 2015.
Why is fentanyl causing so many fatalities?
Fentanyl has contaminated the drug supply and is commonly found in other opioid products, such as heroin or counterfeit prescription opioid pills, but also in non-opioid drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. In Kent County, fentanyl has replaced heroin almost entirely, with 35 heroin-related overdose fatalities in 2019 and just 4 in 2021. When individuals are expecting to use a lesser potent opioid or even a non-opioid, but that product is contaminated with fentanyl, they may experience an overdose.
What is the Kent County Opioid Task Force (KCOTF) doing?
Putting the word out about fentanyl contamination and ways to keep yourself safe while using remains a priority of the KCOTF. The KCOTF is focused on increasing the distribution of naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, and decreasing stigma around carrying this medication. In fact, the Kent County Health Department will soon be distributing this life-saving measure. The KCOTF is also working to decrease barriers to accessing opioid use disorder treatment for those who are ready, increasing patient knowledge around safe opioid storage with local pharmacies, and will soon be speaking with students from public health, medicine, social work, law enforcement, and other programs to identify solutions to the opioid epidemic with the professionals of tomorrow.
What can I do?
Carry naloxone and recognize the symptoms of an overdose! The Grand Rapids Red Project has several videos on their website to educate the community about this very topic: https://redproject.org/learn/overdose-naloxone-resources/.
Do your best to speak empathetically about our community members. Stigma creates a barrier to individuals who may be struggling with opioid use disorder. The way we speak about addiction matters – recognizing that this is a treatable disease can help our friends, family members, and neighbors get the help they need.
Local Programs Awarded Another $7.8M in Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage
(Megan Streng, Ready by Five)
More families in Kent County are able to receive services that improve the health and school readiness of young children thanks to a new round of Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage funding that was recently approved by the Kent County Board of Commissioners.
Ready by Five now supports more than 40 programs aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of expectant parents and the development and early learning of children through age five across Kent County. New this year is training and education for the nearly 150 early childhood professionals whose positions are supported by Ready by Five funds. This will ensure the workforce stays up to date on early childhood best practices, trauma-informed approaches, and more. Also included this round are programs that benefit parents with specific needs in Kent County, including those in the foster care system and families new to the United States.
The Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage generates between $6 to $7 million each year of dedicated funding for community-based early childhood programs, ensuring children and their families have access to vital services. All millage dollars go through an independent audit and are annually reported to the Kent County Board of Commissioners to ensure taxpayer funds are spent wisely and transparently. First Steps Kent administers the Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage.
Remembering Deputy David Cook
(Katie Bosley, Sheriff's Office)
On November 1, 2022 at 5 p.m., family and colleagues gathered to remember Deputy David Cook during the presentation of his plaque on the Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) Wall of Honor. During the month of November, the KCSO cruisers will bear a sticker of remembrance for Deputy Cook. Our continued thoughts and prayers are with Deputy Cook's family, friends and colleagues.
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Kent County Animal Shelter Update
(Angela Hollinshead, Animal Shelter)
Intake numbers climbed at the animal shelter during October but adoptions slowed. At one point, we had nearly 120 animals in our care. To help us find homes for these pups, the Bissell Pet Foundation sponsored adoption fees for dogs and puppies from October 21 through October 31. As a result, dozens of animals found their forever homes. We are so happy to have such a great community partner. Check out some of the happy faces who got their fresh start!
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KCCA Food Distribution Events
Kent County Community Action is holding several food distribution events throughout November. Click here to view the event dates, locations and eligibility requirements.
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Impacting the Community Starts with You. Click here to see current career opportunities.
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