City of Independence August 2020 News

The Medical Reserve Corps of Kansas City is a network of medical and public health volunteers, along with non-medical community members, who volunteer their skills, expertise and time to support ongoing public health initiatives and assist throughout the Greater Kansas City area during disasters and other times of community need. Medical assistance and emergency response needs are high during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) pandemic. Hospitals, public health departments and state resources are stressed.

​Medical Reserve Corps Kansas City (MRCKC) and the Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD) of Independence believe that community resources need to be supported at this time. MRCKC has been filling in gaps for staff at testing sites across the greater Kansas City region with both its medically-trained volunteers and its logistics and traffic volunteers. MRCKC and Independence EPD are increasing recruitment of volunteers to continue to help the community respond to the virus. MRCKC invites individuals with the following profiles to join:

1. For conducting SARS-CoV-2 testing and immunizations support: Any holder of a valid medical license in the state of Kansas or Missouri.
2. For support of Public Health Departments or Centers in contact tracing, traffic, information intake, and other non-medical jobs: Any individual with an availability of 5 hours a month, and who is not in a high at-risk category.

If interested in volunteering for your community’s health, or to learn more information, please give MRCKC a call at 816-325-7167. MRCKC asks that individuals who are at risk of severe illness due to the virus, or who live with someone who is at risk, to not volunteer. Learn more about other volunteering opportunities available at indep.us/epvolunteer.

These are tough times for communities across the United States. Help make it easier by volunteering in your spare time with the Medical Reserve Corps of Kansas City and the City of Independence Fire Department.
Together, we can accelerate the community’s recovery!

COVID-19 Cases Increasing

The City of Independence will remain in Phase 1 of its services and facilities reopening plan through the month of August. As of August 3, Eastern Jackson County had seen a continued increase in positive COVID-19 cases for more than three weeks with a single week increase of more than 600 cases during the week of July 20. The City is working closely with the Jackson County Health Department to increase access to testing and provide regular updates related to the response to COVID-19. You can find information, resources and updates at indep.us/coronavirus. 

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Looking to the Future

​Beginning in August 2020, the Independence City Council will be starting the strategic planning process. In the fall of 2016, the Council created the Independence For All Strategic Plan which was approved and implemented in 2017. The five-year strategic plan included many goals in four key areas -Customer Focused, Financially Sustainable, Growth and Quality. You can READ THIS PLAN and see what has been accomplished so far. 

The planning process will include public engagement. Look for details to come as pieces are finalized. Citizens are encouraged to follow the City on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest information.