2016 ANNUAL. Mid-America Regional Council REVIEW

Transcription

1 2016 ANNUAL Mid-America Regional Council REVIEW

2 A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR CAROL SUTER Council member, Gladstone, Missouri Chair, MARC Board of Directors As chair of the Mid-America Regional Council s Board of Directors, I m honored to share with you these highlights of the work that our organization, board and communities accomplished in In Greater Kansas City, our local governments have a long history of regional cooperation. East and west of the state line and north and south of the Missouri River, we transcend our jurisdictional boundaries as we work together to create a better home for our residents and a welcoming destination for our visitors. The programs and initiatives described in this report represent the dedication and collaboration of hundreds of people who serve on dozens of committees that guide our work across a broad range of issues important to the region. Together, we re strengthening our regional economy, bringing business and educational leaders together to develop an educated workforce with the skills employers need in key industries. We re promoting more and better choices in transportation and preparing for emerging technologies that may change the way we travel. We re helping our communities make informed decisions to help keep our air and water clean and use energy more efficiently. We re helping our most vulnerable residents by encouraging affordable housing options and greater access to healthy food, high-quality early education programs and services for older adults. And we re helping to create safer communities by maintaining a state-of-the-art 911 system and coordinating efforts to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. On behalf of the board, I invite you to learn more about our regional efforts and accomplishments in the following pages, and thank you for your contributions to this important work. MARC Board of Directors OFFICERS MEMBERS As of May 2017 THE MARC REGION CHAIR Carol Suter, Council Member, Gladstone, Missouri 1ST VICE CHAIR Rob Roberts, Commissioner, Miami County, Kansas 2ND VICE CHAIR Jimmy Odom, Commissioner, Cass County, Missouri TREASURER Harold Johnson Jr., Commissioner, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/ Kansas City, Kansas SECRETARY Randy Rhoads, Mayor, Lee s Summit, Missouri CASS COUNTY Jimmy Odom, Associate Commissioner Holly Stark, Mayor, Peculiar CLAY COUNTY Jerry Nolte, Presiding Commissioner Luann Ridgeway, Commissioner Carol Suter, Council Member, Gladstone JACKSON COUNTY Frank White Jr., County Executive Scott Burnett, County Legislator Carson Ross, Mayor, Blue Springs JOHNSON COUNTY Ed Eilert, Commission Chairman Ron Shaffer, Commissioner John Ye, Mayor, Westwood Rick Boeshaar, Mayor, Mission Hills LEAVENWORTH COUNTY Bob Holland, Commissioner Doug Smith, Commission Chairman MIAMI COUNTY Rob Roberts, Commissioner PLATTE COUNTY Ron Schieber, Presiding Commissioner Dagmar Wood, Commissioner RAY COUNTY Gary Wilhite, Presiding Commissioner UNIFIED GOVERNMENT OF WYANDOTTE COUNTY/ KANSAS CITY, KANSAS Mark Holland, Mayor/CEO Mayor s alternate: Brian McKiernan, Commissioner* Angela Markley, Commissioner Jim Walters, Commissioner Harold Johnson, Jr., Commissioner John Tiny McTaggart, Mayor, Edwardsville INDEPENDENCE Eileen Weir, Mayor Chris Whiting, Mayor Pro Tem KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI Sly James, Mayor Mayor s representative: Scott Wagner, Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Reed, Council Member* Heather Hall, Council Member Lee Barnes Jr., Council Member LEE S SUMMIT, MISSOURI Randy Rhoads, Mayor OLATHE, KANSAS Michael Copeland, Mayor Mayor s representative: Marge Vogt, Council Member OVERLAND PARK, KANSAS Carl Gerlach, Mayor Mayor s representative: Fred Spears, Council Member Curt Skoog, Council Member PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION (Non-voting advisory members) Robbie Makinen, President/CEO, KCATA Michael Moriarty, Chief of Transportation Planning, KDOT Brian Kidwell, Assistant District Engineer, MoDOT *Voting Public Transportation Representatives 2 states 9 counties 119 cities 4,423 square miles 2 million people

3 KC RISING 2016 marked the second full year of KC Rising, a business-led effort to strengthen the regional economy by focusing on key drivers: globally traded sectors, innovation and entrepreneurship, and human capital. The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas City Area Development Corporation and MARC partnered to create KC Rising in MARC supports the human capital workgroup, which launched several workforce and education initiatives in MARC also worked with KC Rising partners to establish a set of metrics to measure regional progress. KC Rising is a powerful platform for strategies and initiatives that improve the systems that drive regional prosperity trade, ideas and people. DATA, ANALYSIS & FORECASTS In October, MARC presented its annual economic forecast, created on behalf of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. The forecast calls for steady economic growth in the region, closely reflecting the national economy. The region s economic output is expected to grow by about 2 percent in the coming year, which is enough growth to keep unemployment down and wages up. The metro added about 25,000 jobs in 2016; that pace is expected to slow in 2017, with 19,300 new jobs. The full forecast is available online at economicforecast. In addition to the annual forecast, MARC analyzes population, economic and employment data throughout the year on its KCEconomy blog, online at com. Top posts in 2016 focused on the region s fastest growing cities, a sharp rise in median household income and employment growth by county. MARC convenes a Technical Forecast Committee with representatives from cities and counties in the region to make projections for population and employment growth and analyze land-use data, providing an important foundation for long-range transportation planning. In 2016, the group took a new approach to its forecasts, considering a variety of scenarios and driving forces that may impact population and employment trends, such as demographic changes, climate change and rapidly emerging technologies. Economy & Workforce Development $60,502 annual median household income $112,926 annual gross domestic product, in millions 532,547 quality jobs KCRisingMetrics.org MARC helps lead regional partnerships to enhance the performance of the Greater Kansas City economy and expand inclusive economic opportunity, focusing on workforce development systems, postsecondary educational attainment, and research and analysis. Photo courtesy Metropolitan Community College Mid-America Regional Council

4 KC Degrees celebrated its first two graduates Karen Rawlins and Shelby Kistner who both earned bachelor s degrees from Park University. The program helps adult students with some college credit return and finish. 82% of good jobs require a postsecondary degree or certificate. 44% of adults in the region have an associate degree or higher. 90% of high school seniors who complete the FAFSA go to college. Only 55% of students who don t complete the FAFSA go to college. KC DEGREES In September, MARC launched KC Degrees an initiative focused on helping adults who have some college but no degree. There are more than 300,000 adults in the Kansas City region who started college but never finished. KC Degrees places trained College Success Navigators at libraries, workforce centers and other locations across the community to work with returning students to help them navigate the process of going back to school finding the right program, applying for college, securing financial aid and enrolling in classes. Navigators continue to provide support and encouragement to students through graduation. The program has strong partnerships with 17 public and nonprofit colleges and universities that are committed to helping adult students succeed. KC Degrees is an affiliate of the national Graduate! Network founded in Philadelphia. It is closely aligned with KC Scholars, a scholarship initiative funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation that provides financial support to adult students. KCDegrees.org KC FAFSA CHALLENGE The Kansas City region is one of 22 nationwide to receive a FAFSA Challenge Grant from the National College Access Network. MARC received the grant to help increase the number of high school seniors who complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Student Aid), often seen as the first step toward college enrollment. The KC FAFSA Challenge encouraged all students to fill out the FAFSA and shared information about recent changes to the application process. While the grant focuses on the Kansas City Public School District with a specific goal to increase FAFSA completion among district students by 10 percent in 2017 and 20 percent by 2020 the FAFSA Challenge outreach and marketing efforts benefit students across the region. FAFSAChallengeKC.org GATEWAYS KC Attracting and retaining students and skilled workers from other countries is an important strategy for growing the region s human capital. With technical support and modest funding from New American Economy and Welcoming America, MARC joined 20 Gateways for Growth communities across the nation, launching Gateways KC in September. This initiative focuses on creating a broad, shared understanding of the economic value of immigrants to the region. MARC convened a steering committee to discuss strategies to ensure that businesses and organizations are culturally competent in welcoming immigrants and are able to serve their needs, along with strategies that support local organizations and programs that help immigrants become engaged in the civic life of the community. GRADFORCE KC In 2016, MARC completed a three-year initiative funded by Lumina Foundation. The grant led to the formation of GradForce KC to guide postsecondary attainment initiatives in the region. During the grant period, postsecondary attainment increased by 2.7 percent, to 43.5 percent, ranking the Kansas City region 10th among 30 peer metros. STEM credentials also increased by 1 percent. Lumina Foundation has invited MARC to apply for the next phase of work with its Community Partnership for Attainment. With guidance from the GradForce KC steering committee, MARC updated the region s educational asset inventory, which lists degree programs available in key industry sectors at area colleges and universities, and defined a set of core competencies common to all sectors from basic, entry-level skills to advanced leadership abilities. Both reports are online at kcworkforce.org/reports.htm LOOKING AHEAD TALENT-TO-INDUSTRY EXCHANGES The region s first Talent-to-Industry Exchange (TIE) focused on life sciences 23 industries that have a combined employment of 38,463 and $9.2 billion annual economic impact. The life sciences economic sector includes companies engaged in research and development, manufacturing and bioinformatics. The Life Sciences economic and labor analysis, online at was completed in 2016 and published in early In 2017, MARC will complete two more TIEs. The first, begun in 2016 under the KCGlobalDesign brand, will focus on the architecture and engineering industry. The second will examine the building trades. Each industry-specific TIE includes a detailed economic and labor analysis; an educational asset inventory; business engagement through surveys and facilitated discussions; and an action plan and timeline for implementation. 6 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

5 AREA AGENCY ON AGING Serving as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte and Ray counties, MARC contracts for direct services to older adults on the Missouri side of the region. In 2016, the AAA fielded 19,455 information and referral calls, arranged 71,405 one-way trips for seniors and people with disabilities and 4,724 hours of legal services to older adults. Working in cooperation with partner agencies, it also provided 154,519 congregate meals and 328,622 home-delivered meals. In October, MARC started a pilot program with GA Foods to make weekly deliveries of frozen meals to clients who qualify for Medicaid. The program delivers five frozen meals each week to 338 Medicaid clients in the AAA s five-county area, expanding the home-delivered meal service and reaching people who live outside the service area for hot meal deliveries. KC COMMUNITIES FOR ALL AGES In 2016, KC Communities for All Ages (KCC) provided workshops, networking and resources to help cities in the Greater Kansas City area become more age friendly. Five more cities were named Communities for All Ages through KCC s recognition program in 2016, including Blue Springs, Liberty and Raymore reaching the bronze level, Mission at the silver level, and Gladstone at the gold level. Students from Belton High School serve meals at the Belton Senior Center. The KCC Professional Network presented three workshops for city officials and staff to provide information on how to attract and retain aging residents, and the economic advantages of doing so. An interactive workshop, Communities Looking Forward: A Bright Future for All Ages, was offered to staff from four area cities Gladstone, Mission, Raytown and Roeland Park to work intensively Healthy Communities 283 hours of grandparents-as-parents service 11,444 hours of homemaker and personal care services 1,224 hours of medication management services MARC strengthens support systems for the region s most vulnerable residents, including older adults and disadvantaged populations, and promotes public health and healthy, active lifestyles for all residents. Mid-America Regional Council

6 to align policies with the changing demographics of their residents. In May, the Age Positive conference offered innovative ideas for professionals and volunteers in venues that offer programming to older adults. KCC partnered with area organizations and agencies, including MARC s Aging and Adult Services department, to produce the one-day event. HOUSING MARC helped the cities of Kansas City, Independence and Blue Springs, Missouri, and Kansas City and Leavenworth, Kansas, prepare a five-year Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Plan, hosting more than 20 public meetings and providing detailed data and analysis. The plan is required for all communities that receive federal housing dollars. MARC continued to support the Homelessness Task Force of Greater Kansas City in 2016 and was designated by the area s Continuum of Care organizations to serve as the region s Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) Lead Agency. In 2016, MARC worked with the HMIS Governing Board and the continuum of care organizations to release a request for proposals and selected a new HMIS system for the community. The system will be implemented in COVER KC More than 99,000 people in the Kansas City region selected health insurance plans through the federal marketplace during the enrollment period, up from 89,000 the year before. Local certified Local certified application counselors and navigators from the Cover KC Coalition helped thousands of consumers review health care coverage options, select plans, enroll and get coverage through the health care marketplace. application counselors and navigators participating in the CoverKC Coalition helped consumers review coverage options, select plans and submit marketplace applications. MARC supported the coalition by coordinating a public outreach campaign on the availability of free, local enrollment assistance and convening biweekly meetings with assisters to share best practices and strengthen partnerships with government agencies, insurance companies and area nonprofit agencies. For the fourth year, United Way served as the region s central referral hub for consumers seeking enrollment help. Calltakers at United Way talked with more than 13,000 consumers about health insurance coverage. CoverKC.org COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS Since 2015, the KC Regional Community Health Worker Collaborative has worked to encourage the integration of Community Health Workers (CHWs) into health and human services agencies and organizations across the region. CHWs improve health outcomes by serving as a link between individuals in their communities and service providers. In 2016, with support from MARC, the collaborative increased the visibility of CHWs through community presentations and offered a one-day conference to introduce health care providers and payers to the benefits of working with CHWs. In addition, the collaborative researched and developed recommendations for core competencies for training curricula and a CHW certification pathway, which were presented to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in October. A CHW Forum convened those employed in the field to share best practices and discuss effective strategies to serve their patients LOOKING AHEAD DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded $2.9 million to a coalition of partners in Greater Kansas City to expand Double Up Food Bucks, a healthy food incentive program that helps low-income families eat more healthy food and supports local farmers. The grant has been matched by $2.9 million from private foundations and local governments, for a total of $5.8 million. The program, which provides a dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP customers who purchase locally grown produce at participating farmers markets or grocery stores, was piloted in five Price Chopper Stores in 2015 and expanded to 16 stores and 23 farmers markets in In 2017, the program will expand to include all 52 Price Chopper stores and one Whole Foods Market store in the Kansas City metro, 57 Schnucks stores in the St. Louis area, and two rural grocery stores in eastern Kansas. The farmers market programs will grow to 68 markets across Missouri and Kansas. DoubleUpHeartland.org 10 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

7 MARC helps lead the implementation of a comprehensive, high-quality early learning system that prepares children for success in school. MARC supports efforts to improve program quality and develop innovative models for fiscal sustainability. Early Learning Funding for 2, 401 Head Start slots, meeting only 12% of the need MID-AMERICA HEAD START 412 children with disabilities enrolled in Head Start 339 homeless children enrolled in Head Start Studying the Delivery Service Model In preparation for its application for the next five-year grant cycle for Head Start, MARC conducted a formal review of its delivery structure in The review examined how well Mid-America Head Start (MAHS) is meeting the needs of the community and its compliance with new performance standards established by the Office of Head Start. Recommendations from the study will be considered by the MARC Board in Supporting Community Leadership MAHS supports professionals and parents to ensure comprehensive, high-quality, birth-through-five early education services that facilitate healthy development, including physical and social/emotional development, and prepare children for school success. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services affirmed this quality during a federal review of the MAHS leadership, governance and monitoring systems last summer. The review found all federal standards are being met effectively. Increased Enrollment of Homeless Populations MAHS staff and partner agencies strive to serve the region s most vulnerable children and families. After recognizing that the Head Start programs served few homeless children, MAHS introduced collaborative and strategic efforts to reach out to homeless children and families. The number of homeless children enrolled in MAHS programs has steadily increased for Clay, Jackson and Platte counties, with 339 enrolled in Mid-America Regional Council

8 2017 LOOKING AHEAD COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT In early 2017, MAHS published an assessment that will help guide upcoming discussions about outreach, enrollment, selection and delivery of Head Start services. The community assessment will help the Head Start Policy Council and Head Start Advisory Committee decide how to best use its resources to equitably serve families in the region for the next five years. For example, the report showed a modest increase in enrollment of children in foster care in Jackson and Clay counties. MAHS will continue to work on refining processes and improving systems of placement for this important group of children. marc.org/headstart Meeting Families Needs In 2016, MAHS worked with Kansas City, Missouri, Public School district (KCPS) to transition the majority of Head Start classrooms from part-day to full-day classrooms. For Head Start parents who work a full day, placing children in part-day settings is a challenge, unless other family members are available to help. As a result, KCPS found it difficult to maintain 100 percent enrollment in part-day programs. However, switching to full-day programs meant fewer children and families could be served with the same amount of Head Start funds. With supplemental funding from United Way, local funders, the Missouri Preschool Project and Title 1 funding, KCPS was able to restore most of the Head Start slots lost in the transition. Sharing Regional Experiences In December, six Head Start parents and five MAHS staff members attended the National Head Start Association Parent, Staff and Leadership Training Conference. The conference focused on how communities, parents, families and Head Start programs can collaborate to promote family engagement and children s learning and development. Four local parents made presentations at the conference about their experience with parent engagement initiatives, including parent cafés, the 50 Faces of Head Start photo gallery and Strong Fathers/Strong Families events. Two parents attended as policy committee representatives. METROPOLITAN COUNCIL ON EARLY LEARNING MARC s Metropolitan Council on Early Learning (MCEL) works with community partners to develop strategic plans that improve early learning in the nine-county region. MCEL s focus on program quality and professional development helps young children prepare for success in kindergarten and beyond. Developing Professional Pathways MCEL s Workforce Development Technical Workgroup hosted a bistate Early Learning Workforce Summit to gather input from stakeholders about qualifications and viable professional development pathways for early learning professionals. More than 90 individuals participated in the event, including professional development specialists, early education faculty from higher education institutions, state agency representatives, funders and early education administrators. The summit is part of an ongoing conversation to develop an action plan for both states. Implementing Quality Measures In partnership with The Family Conservancy and the Francis Institute, MCEL implemented the second year of its Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Institute. In 2016, more than 150 teachers and administrators participated in the CLASS institute trainings, learning three professional development models to help improve the quality of their interactions with children. MCEL s Quality Enhancement Technical Workgroup drafted a set of indicators to measure program quality and guide program improvement in school districts, and other private and public agencies. The workgroup reviewed standards developed in other states and standards outlined by the Missouri Preschool Program, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and Missouri Accreditation. Assessing School Readiness In 2016, MCEL trained more than 80 teachers and administrators on the Desired Results Development Profile (DRDP), an assessment tool recognized by the state of Missouri to track preschool children s progress toward kindergarten and school readiness. MCEL trained 950 people to use the DRDP in 2014 and Its goal is to have 1,100 trained teachers and administrators by the end of With input from kindergarten teachers and 10 area school districts and charter schools, MCEL developed and piloted the Kindergarten Entry Skills Screener (KESS) and the Kindergarten Entry Family Survey (KEFS). Teachers use the KESS to gather information on children s cognitive, physical, social and emotional, and language and literacy abilities. Teachers use the KEFS to capture self-help and social and emotional skills, and early educational experiences. MCEL collaborated with 15 teachers to pilot screenings of 275 children. Calculating the Cost of Early Education In 2016, MCEL launched a study of the full cost of publicly funded pre-kindergarten delivered in community-based centers and public schools across the Greater Kansas City region. The work began with an analysis of existing local data sets, including landscape study data, salary data, census data for the region, and child care licensing data. Local early learning centers provided additional expense and revenue data. The study, set to be completed in July 2017, will inform discussions focused on the financial support needed to enhance and sustain high-quality early learning programs. 14 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

9 MARC develops policies, processes and projects that help keep the region s air and water clean, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, protect and conserve green infrastructure, and promote climate resilience. Healthy Environment AIR QUALITY 201,105 visits to RecycleSpot.org and 800+ calls to RecycleSpot information line Ozone Pollution Each year, from April to October, MARC issues daily SkyCast forecasts to alert area residents to potentially high levels of ozone pollution. In 2016, MARC issued 68 yellow or moderate SkyCasts and three orange Ozone Alerts for the Greater Kansas City region. A temperate spring and rainy summer helped keep ozone levels low. All three Ozone Alerts were in June, when the region experienced some of the warmest days on record for that month. Since 2014, the region has remained in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency s ozone standard, which was lowered from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb in Outreach Efforts The Air Quality Forum and the Air Quality Public Education committee work with area 68 yellow or moderate SkyCasts and 3 Ozone Alerts issued in 2016 Emissions clinics and gas cap tests help drivers improve fuel economy, which helps air quality. 59% of residents help protect water quality by picking up trash in their community businesses and local governments to reduce ozone pollution through a regional Workplace Partnership. Participating agencies receive information about air quality and environmental tips to share with employees. The air quality program also collaborates with Kansas City Corporate Challenge to encourage carpooling, which reduces harmful emissions. Participating corporate teams log how many miles they carpooled, and winning teams are recognized at the corporate challenge awards banquet. The air quality program works with local governments to provide free emissions clinics and gas-cap testing across the region. During the Mid-America Regional Council

10 2016 ozone season, 11 emissions clinics were held. These tests help reduce pollution by identifying vehicles that may be in need of simple maintenance to improve gas mileage. Outreach and Education The Air Quality Public Education committee uses advertising, social media and a website to inform area residents of the health risks associated with ozone pollution. In February 2016, MARC s air quality program launched a new version of AirQKC.org, a site that shares information about ozone pollution and simple solutions available to individuals and businesses. The site also features eight animated videos that highlight simple ways people can reduce ozone pollution while saving money. The videos were featured on social media throughout the 2016 ozone season. AirQKC.org WATER QUALITY MARC s Water Quality Program supported and engaged municipal staff, conservation groups and community initiatives in a variety of ways to promote a watershed-based approach to improving water quality. Highlights of the year include collaborative watershed and green infrastructure planning, developing tools for efficient use of natural resources and providing financial support for local projects. Education and Outreach Each year, the Water Quality Public Education Committee (WQEC), a consortium of 23 local governments, provides small grants to local nonprofit and educational organizations to support efforts to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality in area waterways. Proposals undergo a competitive selection process administered by a grant selection subcommittee. In 2016, grants totaling $28,160 were awarded to seven organizations to support efforts to reduce stormwater runoff and educate community members on ways to improve water quality. In 2016, outreach campaigns continued to use the Blue Thumb Planting for Clean Water brand, with messaging to encourage planting native plants for leisurely landscaping, and promoted Volunteers cleaned up trash and removed invasive honeysuckle in Blue Valley Park as part of the annual Project Blue River Rescue. native trees and shrubs in the fall months. MARC represents the WQEC and the region on the national Blue Thumb Steering committee. Blue Thumb partners encourage homeowners to choose native plants for gardens and landscaping to reduce stormwater runoff and improve water quality. MARC helped create the Kansas City Native Plants Initiative (KCPNI) a consortium of more than 60 organizations dedicated to advancing a shared vision of a future of beautiful, native landscapes connecting heartland communities where nature and people thrive together. The WQEC co-sponsored a one-day prairie restoration workshop presented by KCPNI at Shawnee Mission Park in October. Transforming Vacant Lots As a co-leader of an action group formed as part of the Urban Neighborhood Initiative s (UNI) V2V effort Vacant to Vibrant: The Vacant Properties Collective Impact Initiative MARC helped to empower residents to transform and maintain vacant lots in their neighborhoods. The Integrating Green Spaces and Urban Farms Action Group is developing a field guide that helps residents overcome barriers and revitalize their neighborhoods by purchasing and transforming vacant lots in the urban core. Watershed Planning Our Missouri Waters As part of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Our Missouri Waters Initiative, MARC partnered with the Green Hills and Pioneer Trails regional planning commissions to lead a Lower Missouri-Crooked River Watershed project. The Our Missouri Waters initiative was created by MDNR to improve and maintain healthy waterways across the state, and to provide resources in a more strategic and efficient manner. The Lower Missouri-Crooked River project brought local stakeholders from urban and rural communities together to discuss watershed issues and gain a deeper understanding of a diverse range of perspectives, leading to shared priorities and mutual solutions. Participants found common ground in language and vision for the watershed, as well as ideas and resources to conserve and restore riparian corridors. Improving land management practices, in both rural and urban areas, is critical to improving watershed health. SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS STORIES MARC recognized eight local projects as Sustainable Success Stories in These annual awards highlight a cross-section of sustainability efforts in the region. This year, the competition emphasized exemplary projects and initiatives that align with green and complete street policies in both urban and suburban contexts, especially those where complete street improvements have had a positive impact on development. HONOREES FOR 2016 Kansas City, Missouri 20th Street Streetscape KC Road Diet Initiative Troost Avenue Streetscape Ivanhoe Gateway Project KC Streetcar The Johnson Drive Streetscape project in Mission, Kansas, tansformed a main arterial roadway with stormwater upgrades, new sidewalks, street lights, seat walls, signage and other features. Grandview,Missouri Gateway/Main Street Improvements Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas Healthy Community Corridor Mission, Kansas Johnson Drive Streetscape 18 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

11 4,398 cars 11 mobile collection events 31 member communities SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT The MARC Solid Waste Management District (SWMD) works to reduce the amount of solid waste sent to landfills. The district encourages recycling, reuse and waste reduction through education, outreach and grant programs. District Grant Program Each year, the SWMD uses half of its state funding from landfill and transfer station fees to provide grants to local governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations and individuals to support waste reduction, reuse and recycling projects. In 2016, the district awarded $585,500 to nine grantees. Projects included education and 2016 HHW program statistics Safely disposed of 243 tons of household hazardous waste consulting for recycling and composting programs in schools and businesses, food waste diversion, and mattress recycling. Hazardous Waste Collection Since its inception in 1997, the SWMD s Regional Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Program has safely disposed of more than 7 million pounds of HHW products like paint, oil, batteries and pesticides that shouldn t be tossed into regular trash. Outreach and Education The Recycle More at Work program provides private businesses and nonprofit organizations with technical support to help improve their internal recycling and waste-reduction efforts, and recognizes those who strengthen their commitment to recycling. The program has grown to In 2015, recycling activities contributed an estimated: $214 million in wages $58.5 million in tax revenues to state and local governments from direct and indirect employment Source: Dr. Joseph Martinich, Founders Professor of Operations, University of Missouri St. Louis, a 2016 SWMD grantee. 6,250 jobs 68 partners (16 municipalities, and 52 businesses and organizations) since its inception less than two years ago. RecycleSpot.org, the district s one-stop spot for recycling information, saw 58,747 first-time visitors in 2016, with a total of 201,105 visits. The SWMD staff provided presentations to community organizations, shared outreach materials at local events, helped local governments and other organizations with waste audits, and answered more than 800 phone calls on the district s recycling information line. RecycleSpot.org CLIMATE RESILIENCE As part of the region s Climate Action Champion designation, MARC hosted three speakers and held two large stakeholder workshops on climate resilience. Workshop sessions organized attendees into groups by discipline: ecosystem management, energy, hazard mitigation and emergency planning, public health, transportation, and water. Groups identified vulnerabilities and discussed strategies to remedy them, finding many commonalities among disciplines, such as the need for data-driven evidence and free access to shared data and information to support planning for climate adaptation. Area partners are committed to developing a regional climate resilience strategy that will assess climate change trends for the Kansas City region, identify potential risks and vulnerabilities, and include alternative mitigation, adaptation and resilience options. Ultimately, the regional climate resilience strategy will identify high-level priorities across multiple time horizons and provide area communities with information they can use to enhance resiliency at the local and regional levels. ALTERNATIVE ENERGY Aggregated Alternative Technology Alliance In March, the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) launched the Aggregated Alternative Technology Alliance (AATA) initiative to advance the use of fuel-efficient vehicle technologies through targeted outreach and education. MARC is one of five regions participating in the project, known as Fleets for the Future. MARC works with the region s government fleet managers to promote and increase the use of alternative fuel vehicles, and with Metropolitan Energy Center s Clean Cities program to promote the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles to private-sector fleets and individual consumers through outreach and education. Solar Ready KC The Solar Ready KC initiative, a Department of Energy Rooftop Solar Challenge project, launched in 2011 to streamline the solar permitting process in the Kansas City region. The second phase of the project, Solar Ready II (SRII) focused on expanding the initiative to a national scale in partnership with the National Association of Regional Councils. The program concluded in 2016, having reached 10 regions in 13 states and the District of Columbia, engaged 277 local governments and targeted 23 million residents. In the Greater Kansas City area, 26 jurisdictions actively participated in SRII. The program developed GIS mapping tools to determine which rooftops are most conducive to solar, and created a recognition program, designating 12 local jurisdictions Solar Ready Communities LOOKING AHEAD GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE FRAMEWORK In late 2016, MARC completed the first phase of a Green Infrastructure Framework for the Kansas City region. The framework illustrates the presence and health of the natural systems, along with layered opportunities for protection, connection and enhancement of green infrastructure. The final report, Phase 1 Green Infrastructure Framework: Connecting People to Nature, focuses on integrating multiple human and social benefits with natural resource conservation and restoration. Phase 2, set to begin in 2017, will facilitate local implementation of green infrastructure practices in different land-use conditions in the region keeping the regional vision of sustainability in the forefront while including public outreach and education about green infrastructure. marc.org/giframework 20 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

12 Efficient Transportation TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDING In November, MARC s Board of Directors approved the allocation of approximately $84.4 million in federal funding for 68 projects that will enhance roads, rehabilitate bridges, improve air quality and support public transportation and mobility choices in the Kansas City region during the coming years. MARC works with the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation, city and county governments and other local stakeholders to review funding applications that align with priorities and strategies established in the region s long-range metropolitan transportation plan. The projects selected for funding will help make progress on a broad range of policy goals identified in Transportation Outlook Forty-one percent of funds were apportioned to roadway capacity and operations projects and 19 percent to livable communities projects. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will receive more than $10 million to create bus rapid transit service along Prospect Avenue, to purchase clean diesel buses for better efficiency and reduced emissions, and to put technology in place to enhance fare collection and real-time monitoring. SMART MOVES 3.0 The Regional Transit Coordinating Council has set its sights on developing a new long-range transit plan for the region, with a stronger emphasis on transit as part of an integrated, multi-modal transportation system. The plan serves as an update to the Smart Moves Regional Transit Vision, adopted in 2008, and will guide $84.4 million in federal funding for 68 projects smartmoves 3.0 decisions on where to focus service improvements and how to maximize the benefits of transit by coordinating with land-use planning and development and connecting to other modes of transportation. It aims to improve access to jobs across the region. Through the planning process, project partners are exploring issues and challenges people face as they travel in the region. In 2016, the team worked to develop a plan that creates mobility hubs (places where a variety of transit services come together) throughout a system focused on high-demand corridors with specific strategies to create more vibrant places and deliver innovative technology solutions. MARC held a series of public meetings throughout the region to gather feedback about the plan, which should be completed in late summer marc.org/smartmoves 699 traffic signals coordinated through Operation Green Light 10% of jobs in the region accessible by transit MARC s establishes priorities and guides investments to implement the region s long-range plan for a safe, balanced, multimodal and equitable transportation system. 22 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

13 OPERATION GREEN LIGHT Operation Green Light (OGL) is a cooperative effort to improve the coordination of traffic signals and incident response on major routes on both sides of the state line throughout 23 cities in the Kansas City area. OGL helps synchronize 699 traffic signals on major streets throughout the region, especially those that cut across city limits, reducing unnecessary delays, improving traffic flow and cutting emissions that contribute to ozone pollution. In January 2017, OGL published an updated strategic plan that will guide its work through The plan outlines goals to use innovative and emerging technologies, maintain an adequate budget, continuously engage partners in ongoing planning, conduct public education and outreach, provide staff training and develop performance measures for the program. marc.org/ogl PLANNING SUSTAINABLE PLACES FUNDING In September, the MARC Board of Directors and Total Transportation Policy Committee approved the allocation of $1.3 million in grant funds to 19 local projects nine in Missouri and 10 in Kansas that advance sustainable development in the region. The Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) grant program, established in 2013, provides communities with funding for pre-development planning and implementation of projects that support a regional vision for vibrant, green and connected activity centers and transportation corridors. MARC received 26 applications for funding and worked with its regional Sustainable Places Policy Committee to make funding recommendations. The selected projects include 10 sustainable places plans, seven project development activities and two implementation activities. RIDESHARE KC RideshareKC Drive less. Save more. RideshareKC provides commuter resources to individuals and employers in the Kansas City region. The program aims to increase mobility and reduce congestion by encouraging alternative transportation options such as carpooling, riding a bike, walking, taking public transit or telecommuting. Each summer, RideshareKC partners with MARC s Air Quality program to host the Green Commute Challenge a friendly competition intended to reduce the number of vehicles on the road during peak commute times. Participants form teams with coworkers and log work-related trips on their commute calendars to earn points and a chance to win prizes. The 2016 challenge wrapped up in August with 44 employer teams and 640 participants who logged a combined 45,553 trips using alternative commuting options. Altogether, the 2016 Green Commute Challenge reduced driving by 560,702 miles enough to fly to the moon, orbit it 12 times, then fly back to Earth. The challenge prevented 431,044 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions and saved $111,056 in driving costs. RideshareKC.org TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT Work began in 2016 to understand the impacts of bus rapid transit along the Main Street MAX and Troost MAX corridors. There has been a significant amount of national research on the benefits of light rail, commuter rail and streetcar, but very little research on the benefits of bus rapid transit. A variety of variables such as demographics, average rents, lease rates and urban form will be examined to understand what has changed since the service began in each corridor. The analysis will also look at the Prospect MAX route, currently under development, and other routes across the region to develop best practices which can then be used in the development of future corridors. The analysis will assist in understanding the development stage of the various segments of any corridor and identify if public or private investment could catalyze further development. The study will be completed in 2017 and will provide a guide for maximizing the benefits of transitoriented development. Results will be integrated into the Smart Moves 3.0 plan to assist in the future development of mobility hubs that best address needs of the surrounding community LOOKING AHEAD PLANNING FOR THE BUCK O NEIL MEMORIAL BRIDGE The Broadway Bridge, recently renamed the John Jordan Buck O Neil Memorial Bridge, provides a key north/south regional connection over the Missouri River on U.S. Highway 169. It also directly interacts with the North Loop, the portion of Interstate 70 between The Paseo and the Kansas River on the north side of downtown, a key east/ west connection. As the bridge approaches the end of its projected lifespan, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, the Missouri Department of Transportation and MARC collaborated to begin a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study to examine possible ways to improve the relationship between this important piece of transportation infrastructure and the communities it serves. The project began by asking stakeholders residents, neighborhood groups, governments and transportation officials to envision the future of the bridge and north loop. The study was designed to identify several feasible long-term options for the future of the bridge and corridor, but stop short of identifying a single preferred solution. In early 2017, MoDOT announced plans for bridge repairs that raised interest in exploring funding options for shorterterm solutions in parallel with the longerterm study. BeyondtheLoopKC.com 24 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

14 22.8 minutes average commute time 22.3 daily vehicle miles traveled per capita 83.5% of commuters drive alone INTERSTATE 35 INTEGRATED CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT The Interstate 35 Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) planning project focused on the I-35 corridor in Kansas from the Sunflower Road interchange in Edgerton to the Missouri state line. ICM involves the coordination and integration of various institutions, operations and technologies within a particular transportation corridor to increase choices and improve mobility. In regionally significant, high-activity corridors like I-35, ICM is a viable solution for optimizing movement of people and goods in a safe and efficient manner. The I-35 project developed a comprehensive plan for the integration of transportation modes, agencies, networks and intelligent transportation systems. It outlines roles, responsibilities and technological requirements for the integration of multi-modal transportation operations within the corridor. TO2040 PERFORMANCE MEASURES Transportation Outlook 2040 (TO2040), the metropolitan transportation plan for the bistate Kansas City region, provides a policy framework for the investment of anticipated federal, state and local transportation funds through the year 2040, based on anticipated needs and regional goals and objectives. MARC uses a series of performance measures to monitor trends and track progress toward these goals. In December, MARC released a report offering historical data and analysis for selected performance measures. The report included measures defined specifically for the Kansas City region, as well as measures required by the Fixing America s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. These indicators will help to better understand and evaluate how well the region is achieving the plan goals. TO2040.org KINETIC New technologies ranging from driverless cars to connected freight convoys are poised to create profound benefits and implications for cities, economies and infrastructure. These new technologies hold the promise of safer, greener and more efficient transportation, yet also raise questions about planning and public policy. To gain a better understanding of these issues and prepare the region to take advantage of related opportunities, the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, MARC and a number of community partners launched the KINETIC forum series in The series began with a community conversation in February on the future of transportation featuring keynote speaker Bill Ford, executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company. In April, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, author of Move: Putting America s Infrastructure Back in the Lead gave a keynote presentation on the future of transportation infrastructure. The series wrapped up with a workshop and panel discussion on emerging technologies such as smart infrastructure and autonomous vehicles and their implications for our transportation systems. The 2017 series will highlight innovative funding models, such as public-private partnerships, and the role of policy in innovation. KINETIC-KC.com Local Government Services MARC provides high quality training and technical assistance services to local governments, and develops collaborative efforts and shared services to help cities and counties work more efficiently and effectively. 26 Mid-America Regional Council 2016

15 COOPERATIVE PURCHASING The Kansas City Regional Purchasing Cooperative (KCRPC) has helped local governments save $7.7 million since it was established in MARC formed the cooperative to help local governments increase their purchasing power and lower administrative costs with cooperatively bid contracts for commonly used products and services. Using KCRPC s online database of contracts, local governments purchased more than $3.5 million in products and services in KCRPC also offers local governments the opportunity to access contracts for higher-ticket equipment, such as fire trucks, ambulances and public works equipment, through a partnership with the Houston-Galveston Area Council s HGACBuy program. In 2016, local governments used this service for purchases totaling over $16 million, saving approximately $1.6 million. KCRPC.org COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES In an effort to help local governments address topics of common interest, MARC supports informal work groups, hosts and facilitates meetings, conducts topical research and surveys regional professionals for best practices. Collaborations include the First Suburbs Coalition, which promotes preservation, reinvestment and revitalization in the metro s older suburbs; CORE4 work groups, which convene leaders from Jackson, Johnson and Wyandotte counties and the city of Kansas City, Missouri; and the Planners Roundtable. In 2016, MARC convened dozens of meetings, discussions, workshops and presentations to heighten the region s understanding of common issues, and promote collaborative approaches and decision-making. SHARED SERVICES MARC continually explores new opportunities for local governments to benefit from shared services that lower costs and increase efficiency. In 2016, MARC continued its agreement with the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a nonprofit organization that offers cities and counties access to low-cost, efficient building department services. IBTS has helped 25 jurisdictions review development plans, conduct inspections and enforce codes. MARC s annual salary survey gathered data from 52 local governments and organizations in The survey provides participants with easy online access, searchable by job type, to compare salary and benefit packages with peer cities and counties. MANAGERS ROUNDTABLE The increasing number and severity of cyberthreats topped local government concerns in During bimonthly meetings of the Managers Roundtable, city and county administrators discussed the need to identify new technology to better protect government data systems and build strong capabilities for detection, response and recovery from cyberthreats. Additional presentations in 2016 highlighted legislative agendas for Kansas and Missouri, an energy project in the city of Kansas City, Missouri, the regional economic forecast and housing market trends, and a preview of the Kansas City Streetcar. MARC also published the monthly Management Matters e-newsletter, highlighting regional news, grant opportunities and upcoming events of interest to city and county managers. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS Working closely with area cities and counties, MARC coordinated a regional aerial photography flight to provide new images at a fraction of the cost that agencies would pay individually. MARC s GIS staff also created a model to predict stream health, using field-collected data along with environmental, topographic, land cover and land-use data to identify streams in need of protection or remediation. GIS staff continue to map addressed signposts along biking, walking and equestrian trails to help 911 dispatchers locate off-road callers. GOVERNMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE Continuing its mission to provide high-quality courses, workshops and certificate programs that meet the needs of government employees, MARC s Government Training Institute (GTI) passed two significant milestones in 2016, having served 150,000 attendees and hosted more than 6,000 events. GTI introduced a new computer lab equipped with 15 state-of-the-art computers and software. GTI open enrollment courses and certificate programs teach basic skills in customer service, supervision and computer programs. GTI also offers customized and on-site training programs, as well as specialized workshops with an environmental focus through its Academy for Sustainable Communities. RESEARCH SERVICES In 2016, MARC s Research Services department worked with KC Rising partners to develop a framework to measure regional progress on key economic indicators. Data is presented in an online dashboard that tracks year-over-year change and compares Kansas City to peer metros across the nation. Research staff also worked with the Technical Forecast Committee on a population and employment forecast that will be used for long-range transportation planning extending to Other major projects included collaboration with national partners on the development of scenario planning tools; research and analysis for a fair housing assessment for five cities in the region; data and labor analysis support for Talent-to-Industry Exchanges; publishing a monthly newsletter of workforce indicators; and steps to increase automation in data collection and distribution. SMALL CITIES MARC s small cities program provides targeted grant writing, grant administration and project development services to jurisdictions with limited in-house capacity. In 2016, the program helped Riverside administer an infrastructure grant to support new manufacturing businesses locating in the city. MARC assisted Mosby with a buyout of flood-damaged homes, helped Orrick complete repairs to public infrastructure damaged by a tornado, and assisted the Richmond Housing Authority and the cities of Archie, Creighton and Missouri City with water and storm drainage projects. The program also helped Sugar Creek, Harrisonville and Ray County oversee construction of a new gymnasium, food pantry and storm shelter LOOKING AHEAD YOUTH CAREER EXPO For the second time, cities and counties from around the region will host a dynamic, hands-on job fair designed to motivate young people to pursue high-demand careers in public service. MARC will provide planning and logistical support. Career Expo 2017 will take place on Nov. 8 at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. About 3,000 high school juniors and seniors are expected to attend the event, which will feature more than 50 exhibitors from local government, including police, fire, health, human services, administration, parks and recreation, public works and water services. Nearly 2,400 middle and high school students representing 45 schools from across the region attended the 2015 career expo. CareerExpoKC.org 28 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

16 EMERGENCY SERVICES Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee The Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee (RHSCC) convenes leaders from a wide range of disciplines including law enforcement, emergency management, emergency medical services, hospitals, public health, public safety communications and public information to support regional efforts to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from threats and hazards. As federal funding for homeland security has become more scarce, the RHSCC has focused its work around four key regional priorities: planning and coordination; training and exercise; information sharing; and sustainment of critical equipment. In 2016, the RHSCC established a bistate forum to advance regional preparedness efforts within and among school districts; completed the annual Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and State Preparedness Report processes to inform regional investments; and convened city and county administrators and technology managers to discuss the development of a regional cybersecurity strategy. Training and Exercises On behalf of the RHSCC and with guidance from its training and exercise subcommittee, MARC provides support for an extensive calendar of training courses and exercises each year. In 2016, approximately 1,816 first responders participated in 54 courses and 10 conferences. The Law Enforcement subcommittee developed web-based training for active shooter and civil disturbance events. Working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and National Transportation Safety Board, the RHSCC coordinated a large-scale Aviation Accident Response exercise series with 27 agencies and 165 participants. Other major exercises included a mass care exercise, a maritime security exercise involving 22 agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard, and an interdisciplinary Weapons of Mass Destruction Response exercise conducted at the Kansas Speedway with nearly 800 participants. Health and Medical Coordination Local public health agencies conducted a mass care exercise in August for 20 agencies, 65 hospitals and more than 90 participants. Hospital Committee stakeholders participated in the exercise through a health care coordination center, advising on medical surge issues. The Public Health subcommittee held a Medical Countermeasures Safety & Security 42 public safety answering points (PSAPs) 1,816 first responders trained in ,200 children at 35 area schools learned the proper way to use 911 MARC coordinates ongoing enhancement and operation of the regional 911 and interoperable communications systems. MARC helps ensure the region s ability to prepare, respond and recover with coordinated plans and high-quality training, technology and equipment. Mid-America Regional Council

17 (MCM) tabletop exercise and, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, hosted an MCM summit that highlighted regional capabilities and best practices. Public health leaders also explored regional and state coordination for surveillance of highly infectious diseases. The region s Mortuary Operational Response Group, KCRMORG, conducted training and participated in exercises to prepare for mass fatality incidents. Hazmat Planning The Mid-America Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) conducted eight hazmat training courses throughout the year, with 313 participants. The committee also updated the Regional Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Plan and worked with Heart of America Fire Chiefs leadership to design a notification process for facility spill reporting to meet the original congressional intent. In addition, the LEPC oversaw collection of inventory forms known as Tier II reports, documenting the quantities and location of hazardous chemicals throughout the region, along with emergency contact information for each facility that stores or uses hazardous materials in qualifying amounts. Emergency Management In 2016, the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) participated in several large exercises that stretched agency capabilities, identified regional strengths, and identified planning gaps and training needs. The MEMC also fostered relationships with community organizations that serve individuals with functional and access needs, working to increase the ability of vulnerable individuals to plan for emergencies and take appropriate actions when they occur. The MEMC also made significant advances to improve connectivity between local and state WebEOC systems software that connects emergency operations centers to establish a common operating picture among all jurisdictions in both day-to-day events and emergency situations. Emergency Medical Services MARCER, the Mid-America Regional Council Emergency Rescue Committee, launched a Community Paramedic pilot program 2017 LOOKING AHEAD COMMUNITY RESILIENCE Under a new rule adopted by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 17 categories of health care providers and suppliers have until November to develop and implement emergency plans, policies and procedures; establish emergency communications plans; and develop a training and exercise program. This summer, leaders of regional hospital, public health and emergency management committees will explore opportunities to help these agencies meet the new requirement, with a workshop and tabletop exercise tentatively planned for September designed to reduce stress on hospital emergency departments by connecting non-emergency patients to community resources that can help them address health and other needs. MARCER also coordinated a radio reprogramming project that allows EMS agencies and hospitals to coordinate pre-hospital care and patient transport information and led discussions regarding the transport of patients with highly infectious diseases. In June, MARCER awarded a new cooperative purchasing contract for medical supplies that is expected to save agencies as much as 25 percent over the previous contract. Specialty Response Teams The region s technical rescue teams added a tower rescue capability in 2016, conducting training for team members and securing funding for needed equipment. The teams are also trained for incidents involving confined space, swift water or structural collapse rescue operations. Regional technical rescue teams, explosive ordinance disposal teams and hazmat response teams train together throughout the year using common terminology and equipment. These highly specialized teams are based within local agencies but stand ready to respond to disasters and emergencies across the region. PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS 911 Operations MARC administers the regional 911 system, serving 42 public safety answering points (PSAPs) across nine counties. In 2016, MARC completed a major system upgrade at the PSAPs, maintained regional address and mapping databases and implemented technology that allows people to send texts to 911 when calling is not possible. Dispatcher Training In an effort to ensure that public safety personnel have the skills and abilities needed to perform highly technical and high-intensity jobs, MARC provided 88 training courses over 132 days to approximately 1,602 dispatchers and call takers in The public safety training program introduced nine new courses that focus on interpersonal communications, intelligence gathering, building PSAP succession plans and advanced level courses. Education and Outreach MARC coordinates several public education initiatives to ensure people of all ages understand how to use 911 properly during an emergency. To raise awareness among school-age children, volunteers provided educational materials to 4,700 students from 30 area schools in The 911 Heroes Award program recognized four children who demonstrated knowledge of the proper use of 911 by performing a heroic action during an emergency. At the Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration held each April, Ava Hawn from Leawood received a 911 Hero Award for her decisive action to call 911 on two occasions when her father became ill. She clearly and calmly described the situation and provided her father s address. MARC honored the region s 911 calltakers and presented six Outstanding Performance Awards for exceptional achievement. Interoperability The regional interoperability committee worked with the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command to develop and implement a mobile app version of the Tactical Interoperability Communications Field Operations Guide (TICFOG). The mobile app, called efog, will be available on Android and ios devices in The Communications Unit Subcommittee formalized the certification process for regional communications unit leaders and technicians and planned an exercise designed to help communications unit leaders earn certification. MARC hosted regular interoperability training sessions throughout the year. Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System The Metropolitan Area Regional Radio System (MARRS) provides 29,000 public safety radio users with the ability to seamlessly connect within and across agencies. In 2016, MARRS completed connection to the Missouri Statewide Interoperability Network, developed a new five-year cost-sharing model and began work on a sustainment plan. 32 Mid-America Regional Council 2016 Mid-America Regional Council

18 2016 Funders FEDERAL U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Health and Human Services U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Federal Aviation Administration U.S. National Park Service NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS* National Association of County and City Health Officials STATE* Kansas Department of Health and Environment Kansas Department of Transportation Kansas Division of Emergency Management Kansas Highway Patrol Missouri Association of Councils of Government Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Missouri Department of Natural Resources Missouri Department of Public Safety Missouri Department of Social Services Missouri Department of Transportation Missouri Office of Homeland Security REVENUES $61.0 million $48.7 million Federal, state and private grants $10.1 million Contributed services $1.2 million Program and other income $1.0 million Local government dues LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES* Nine counties and 119 cities in the MARC region Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Regional hospitals and emergency services agencies FOUNDATIONS AND NONPROFITS Blue Cross and Blue Shield Kansas City Durkee Fund Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Francis Family Foundation George Baum Family Foundation H&R Block Foundation Hall Family Foundation Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City Heartland Conservation Alliance Jewish Heritage Foundation Lumina Foundation Margaret A. Cargill Foundation National College Access Network Nettleton Foundation New American Economy Research Fund REACH Healthcare Foundation restart, Inc. Sosland Foundation of Kansas City Truman Heartland Community Foundation United Way of Greater Kansas City WJ Brace Charitable Trust, Bank of America, Trustee Wyandotte Health Foundation Wyandotte Homeless Services Coalition *Includes pass-through federal funds EXPENDITURES $60.6 million $37.4 million Pass-through funds $13.1 million MARC's coordination services $10.1 million Contributed services MARC Committees AGING SERVICES Commission on Aging Senior Center Administrators Silver-Haired Legislature Delegation COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT First Suburbs Coalition Regional Economic Development District Advisory Board Homelessness Task Force of Greater Kansas City HMIS Lead Agency Governing Board KC Communities for All Ages Advisory Board Sustainable Places Policy Committee GradForce KC Steering Committee Regional Community Health Workers Collaborative Solid Waste Management District Management Council Household Hazardous Waste Task Force SWMD Grant Review Committee EARLY LEARNING Partners in Quality Mid-America Head Start Policy Council MAHS Advisory Committee MAHS Health Advisory Committee EMERGENCY SERVICES Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee and subcommittees Law Enforcement Terrorism Early Warning Public Health Policy Training and Exercise Functional and Access Needs Hospital Committee Area Maritime Port Security Committee Community Disaster Resiliency Network Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee Mid-America Local Emergency Planning Committee Mid-America Regional Council Emergency Rescue PUBLIC SAFETY Public Safety Communications Board Public Safety Communications Users Regional Interoperability Committee Metropolitan Area-Wide Regional Radio System (MARRS) Board RESEARCH SERVICES Community-Wide Information Network (C-WIN) KC Metro GIS Technical Forecast Committee Regional Workforce Information Network TRANSPORTATION AND ENVIRONMENT Air Quality Forum Air Quality Public Education Committee Conformity Consulting Agencies Operation Green Light Steering Committee Sustainable Places Policy Committee Total Transportation Policy Committee Long Range Plan Subcommittee Transportation Legislative Advisory Committee Aviation Committee Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee Destination Safe Coalition Goods Movement Committee Highway Committee Regional Transit Coordinating Council Active Transportation Programming Committee Kansas and Missouri Surface Transportation Program Committees Mobility Advisory Committee Regional Water Quality Public Education Committee PROFESSIONAL ROUNDTABLES Managers Roundtable Planners Roundtable Kansas City Regional Purchasing Cooperative Metropolitan Official Health Agencies of the Kansas City Area Regional Association of Public Information Officers Regional Information Technology Managers Association Management Team David A. Warm, Executive Director Ron Achelpohl, Director of Transportation and Environment Frank Lenk, Director of Research Services Marlene Nagel, Director of Community Development Dorothy Pope, Director of Financial Affairs Jovanna Rohs, Director of Early Learning and Head Start James Stowe, Director of Aging and Adult Services The MARC Region

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