Numerous services provided by the City of Olathe are available through strong working relationships with partners in the Olathe community, Johnson County, and throughout the Kansas City Region.

Olathe Community Initiatives

Third Grade Programs:

• Aquafest: City Stormwater staff facilitates a field day on school playgrounds to cover topics such as the water cycle, water conservation, pollution and watersheds.
• Fire and Life Safety Program: The Police and Fire Department teaches students how to stay safe at home and school.
• "Learning About Olathe": Once a year, every 3^rd grader in Olathe will visit City Hall for a half a day visit to learn about how the city serves its citizens. There is a mock city council meeting, a budget and planning event, a tour of our Emergency Operations Center and a lesson in Olathe history from Mahaffie staff members.
• Water & Wastewater Tours: The City gives tours of the water and wastewater plants to 3rd grade classes.

Automated Notification System: This emergency notification system was implemented through a grant between the City and the School District to notify impacted areas in the event of an emergency.

ACCESS: Students over 18 years who receive services in the School District resource programs have the opportunity to participate in activities such as swimming and walking at the Olathe Community Center.

Adopt-A-Park: Community individuals and groups participate in park activities, including landscaping, maintenance, and clean-up

Adopt-A-Stream: Some high school volunteer groups pick up trash along streams.

Adopt-A-Street: Community individuals and groups beautify Olathe city streets by removing litter.

Blue River Initiative: City Lab and Stormwater staff facilitated with the Student Naturalist Club at Olathe South to test Indian Creek for biological and chemical water quality.

Bomb Threat Management: City Fire Department bomb squad technicians work with Olathe District Schools staff to prepare for hazardous situations.

Camp Rolling Along: Summer camp opportunities are offered for Olathe youth who require the use of a wheelchair.

Coaching: Off-duty police officers participate in a variety of activities, including weight-lifting, speed and agility camp, track, football, and basketball to form relationships with students.

Community Collaboration: School District students with disabilities visit the City Fire and Police Departments for five weeks to learn about their service, how to interact with emergency responders, and how to be safe in the community.

Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition: Community leaders encourage positive youth development in efforts to prevent problem behaviors such as substance abuse, academic failure, unplanned pregnancy, school dropout, and violence.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): A program to develop disaster planning, preparedness, and survival skills.

Construction Projects: The Fire Department has provided opportunities for School District vocational students to construct storage room facilities and training props.

CO-PILOT (Placing Investment in Leaders of Tomorrow) 21st Century Program: Program provides Olathe High School juniors and seniors with real-world experiences for students wanting to explore careers in government

Crisis Management Team: City Fire and Police Departments work with School District to share timely information and manage stress in the event of a critical incident.

Crossing Guard Program: The City manages the contract to provide crossing guards at school locations.

Development Review Process: The City Planning Division partners with the Olathe School District development team on construction projects.

DUI Awareness Program: Driver's Ed students use fatal vision goggles while they drive a golf cart on a simulated course.

Food Tray Composting Program: The Olathe School District supplies lunch trays made of paper that can be composted by the City.

Forestry: The annual Arbor Day tree planting and ceremony is held at an elementary school.

Gang Training: Police Department staff presents an educational program to School District staff about gang activity in Olathe.

Helmet Head: The Olathe Fire Department offers bike helmets to Olathe school children at a reduced cost.

Intramural Sports Programs: Intramural basketball and volleyball programs provide an environment that emphasizes fun, safety, and participation for all.

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Historic Site: Olathe public and private schools participate in education programs at the Heritage Center and City Hall.

Martin Luther King Jr. Event: The City Human Relations Commission engages middle and high school students to celebrate diversity. Students showcase their writing, visual arts and multimedia skills in paying tribute to Martin Luther King’s legacy.

Mass Care: The School District plays a role in the City emergency Operation Plan to provide mass care facilities and services in the event of a disaster.

Middle School Career Day: The City annually shares career information with School District youth interested in emergency service careers. Firefighters and police officers provide presentations and participate in School District events.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Program: The City distributes bike helmets and information about services.

Middle School Fire and Burn Prevention: City firefighters visit family and consumer science classes each quarter to teach safety to help prevent fires and burns.

Mill Creek Center Gym: The School District provides gym space to support City indoor recreation programs.

Medical Director Partnership: The Olathe Fire Department EMS care is overseen by an emergency room physician from Olathe Medical Center to ensure quality EMS care in the community.

Miracle League: An opportunity for children with mental and/or physical challenges to play baseball on a specially designed rubber turf field.

Olathe Teen Council: Olathe teens representing all four Olathe high schools and local private schools are appointed by the Olathe City Council. They adopt annual service projects and initiatives.

Olathe Live!: Supports local Olathe organizations through donations from patrons at each event. 

Operation Prom Night (OPN): High school students learn about the consequences of impaired driving.

Professional Development: Fire Department staff provides professional development opportunities such as Storm Spotter and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training for School District students

Project Alert: School Resource Officers (SROs) provide education on the effects of alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes to School District middle school students upon request.

School Recycling Program: Olathe School District facilities provide recycling opportunities.

Sneaks & Snacks: City Environmental Services staff leads activity to discuss the water cycle, including water production and wastewater treatment.

Special Event Planning: The Fire Department and School District use incident action planning for events where large numbers of people are in attendance or special hazards may be present.

Special Olympics: The City provides staff, programming, and transportation at Olathe School District facilities.

Special Services/PDAB Partnership: The Persons with Disabilities Advisory board (PDAB) partners with the School District to provide parents of disabled students education and outreach information about the Disability Mentoring Day and Job Fair.

School Recycling: The City and School District partner to encourage mixed, single-stream recycling.

School Resource Officer (SRO) Program: Ten Olathe police officers and a K-9 unit provide support to Olathe District Schools.

Strategic Procurement: The City and School District cooperate to purchase commodities such as fuel and office supplies to maximize the value of return.

Student Development: These programs include Youth Court and Camp A.B.L.E.

Text-a-COP: Students and parents communicate with their School Resource Officer about safety issues or other concerns.

Traffic Operation Reviews: Public Works staff coordinates traffic signal timings, pavement markings and signing in response to building modifications and operational needs at School District facilities.

Vehicle Maintenance Internship: Students assist the City Vehicle Maintenance Division and develop skills to maintain vehicles.

Volunteers in the Parks: Schools help in City parks by picking up trash, mulching, painting and planting. Some schools adopt a specific park, often the park is located adjacent to the school.

Youth Mentors: City volunteers spend approximately one hour a week with School District students. Activities include: lunch buddy, tutor, after-school homework helper, mentor and special projects.

Johnson County and Kansas City Regional Initiatives

County Dispatch: The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office provides dispatch services for emergency and non-emergency calls for service in Olathe. They staff and maintain a facility to receive calls and dispatch appropriate Olathe response units twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Mutual Aid: The Olathe Fire Department has mutual aid agreements with all Johnson County fire departments and districts ensuring the appropriate resources are dispatched.

Notify JoCo: A mass notification system providing time-sensitive messages directly from county, city, and participating public utilities, to inform residents and businesses of emergencies and certain non-emergency events.

STOP Underage Drinking: This countywide program helps educate you about the negative effects of underage drinking.

The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC): A coordinating non-profit agency of city and county governments. The regional system is coordinated by local government representatives.

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