S.N.A.P. Special Needs Awareness Program

Coffey County Dispatch is on a mission to create a system to more effectively identify, locate, and interact with special needs individuals in our community during emergency situations!

With some guidance from our friends in Lyon County Emergency Communications, we are proud to bring S.N.A.P.  (Special Needs Awareness Program) to Coffey County!

In an emergency, some individuals may have difficulty  communicating who they are, where they live, who their caregiver is, unique needs, and more. "S.N.A.P is an invaluable resource, that will undoubtedly improve interactions with special needs individuals in our area when the emergency arises", says dispatch Supervisor, Tammy Sherwood.

What is SNAP?  It is a FREE program sponsored by the Coffey County Sheriff's Office that assists first responders in locating and identifying our individuals with special needs. This program is for those of all ages and disabilities. By compiling personal information, it can be a quicker recovery of citizens with special needs that have been separated from their loved ones. 

How do I sign my loved one up? We have made this EASY! You can sign up online or in person. 

Option 1:  Sign up online.  Fill out our online form at https://www.coffeycountysheriff.org/custom-forms/coffey-county-snap-special-needs-awareness-program

Option 2: Grab a form from the Coffey County Sheriff's Office located at 625 Neosho St, 1st Floor, Burlington, KS 66839. 

Option 3: Print a form and drop it in the mail or by the Coffey County Law Enforcement Center located at 625 Neosho St.  Click Here for the printable form. 

We ask that you provide some of the following information: physical descriptors of your loved one, calming techniques, like and dislikes, best way to communicate with them and most importantly- emergency contacts.

Dispatcher Stephanie Warkentine says, "We will be having a community meeting at a later date.  Anyone can call dispatch at 620-364-2123 for more information as well."

The Special Needs Awareness Program is NOT affiliated with the USDA SNAP Food Assistance program.  For SNAP food assistance information you can visit the USDA website by clicking Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ' Food and Nutrition Service