Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Linkedin Contact: Jody Love About the Coalition: Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) is a community-based coalition and backbone organization working to improve health, economic stability, and quality of life across Bourbon County and Southeast Kansas. HBCAT brings together residents, nonprofits, healthcare providers, educators, employers, local governments, and faith-based partners to address the root causes of health inequities in rural communities. HBCAT supports and coordinates Rural Community Partners (RCP), a grassroots regional network of Local Health Equity Action Teams (LHEATs) operating across Southeast Kansas. Each LHEAT is a place-based, community-led team made up of residents and local partners who identify priorities based on community needs, lived experience, and data, then work collaboratively to design and implement solutions. Together, HBCAT and RCP operate as an integrated coalition model that balances regional coordination with local ownership. HBCAT serves as the fiscal agent and provides shared infrastructure including grant administration, data collection, evaluation, technical assistance, and cross-county coordination. Rural Community Partners and its LHEATs lead on-the-ground action, relationship building, and community engagement. HBCAT and RCP also provides business technical assistance and a rural entrepreneurship mentorship program. Through one-on-one mentoring, expert advising, and resource navigation, the program supports startups and existing small businesses, helping entrepreneurs strengthen operations, access capital, and grow sustainably. Experienced local business owners and professionals are compensated for their time, ensuring practical, high-quality support rooted in real-world experience. HBCAT and RCP are committed to long-term, community-led change that strengthens people, businesses, and systems across rural Southeast Kansas. Coalition Established Date: July 1, 2018 Past Grants: Over the past 10 years, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) and more recently Rural Community Partners have led and administered a range of grants, contracts, and community-driven initiatives focused on health equity, workforce development, and rural economic resilience across Southeast Kansas. Key highlights include: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas – Pathways to a Healthy Kansas: Multi-phase funding supporting coalition capacity, community health workers, and cross-sector health improvement efforts. USDA Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG): Administration of business technical assistance, capital navigation, and workforce-related support for rural entrepreneurs through the Center for Economic Growth. Regional Small Business & Entrepreneurship Technical Assistance Hub: Grant-funded initiative providing one-on-one advising and access-to-capital support, serving more than 200 entrepreneurs and contributing to over $3 million in local capital investment. Rural Entrepreneurship Mentorship Program: Ongoing program connecting startups and existing small businesses with experienced local mentors, providing paid, practical expertise to strengthen operations and growth. Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Initiatives (KDADS and partners): Coalition-led prevention, recovery support, and systems coordination efforts addressing substance use disorder. Community Health Worker (CHW) Programs: Deployment of CHWs to support care navigation, resource connection, and barrier reduction in alignment with community priorities. Local Health Equity Action Teams (LHEATs): Creation and support of grassroots, place-based teams advancing locally led solutions in health, workforce, and community development. Focus Areas: Community Health Worker Programs, Access to Care, Built Environment, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Workforce Wellness, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Bourbon County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 23 Partner Network: 40 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; Hybrid Back to the Coalition Directory

WELL Core McPherson County

Envelope Contact: Shalei Shea About the Coalition: The idea behind WELL Core is simple: health is about more than just medical care. It’s shaped by things like education, jobs, safe neighborhoods, and community connections. The official purpose of WELL Core is to strengthen wellness, equity, leadership, and linkages across McPherson County by addressing the root causes of health through collaboration and action. Our coalition will work to assess and respond to community health needs, with a focus on the social determinants of health. By uniting cross-sector partners and using data-driven approaches such as the Community Health Needs Assessment, we aim to identify gaps, guide priorities, and pursue strategic funding to support a healthier, more equitable future for all who live, work, and play in McPherson County. To relfect that, we’re organizing our work around five key areas: Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2026 Focus Areas: Access to Care, Built Environment, General Health & Wellness County: McPherson County Region: South Central Region Meeting Frequency & Format: Every Other Month, In-person & Virtual Back to the Coalition Directory

Flint Hills Wellness Coalition

Envelope Link Contact: Debbie Nuss About the Coalition: The Flint Hills Wellness Coalition works cooperatively with citizens and groups throughout the City of Manhattan and Riley County to develop community norms that support healthy behaviors and environments. Our mission is to create a healthy, equitable community for our residents through policy, system, environmental, and personal change. Our work is focused on the social determinants of health and our position statements are developed through a Health in All Policies (HiAP) framework. Coalition Established Date: February 7, 2022 Past Grants: Kansas Health Foundation Healthy Communities InitiativeBlue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Phase 2Memorial Hospital Association City of Manhattan Community Support FundsCaroline F. Peine Foundation Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Community Health Worker Programs, Built Environment, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Food Access, Housing, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention County: Riley County Region: North Central Region Estimated Membership size: 75 Partner Network: 225 Meeting Frequency & Format: Quarterly, Hybrid Back to the Coalition Directory

Healthy Harvey Coalition

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Layla Nightingale About the Coalition: Vision: A Healthier Harvey CountyMission: Working together to improve the health, safety, and success of all people in Harvey County Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2013 Past Grants: Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Community – 3 funding cycles. Established a fitness trail, extension of walking/biking trails, installed bike repair stations throughout county, engaged in Food As Medicine with FQHC, created storytelling videos, established community garden, collaborated on four cities’ bike/pedestrian plans, coordinated and supported implementation of WorkWell Kansas employee wellness programs, initiated many policies focused on food and/or physical activity, assisted many food providers with equipment, assisted to implement preschool backpack food program, implemented with a food pantry a Healthier Eating Research policy, and conducted a Food Access Assessment. KDHE Chronic Disease Risk Reduction work – Established tobacco-free parks in two cities, tobacco-free large-scale community events, and tobacco-free daycare policies. Networked KS grants – Countywide book club “13 Ways to Kill a Community” and town hall, from town hall discussion a neighborhood bonding with front door painting events was implemented. Conducted a free Bike Valet annually at large community events. Transportation Alternatives Program SRTS Funding – Halstead Safe Routes to School Plan Established the Harvey County Food & Farm Council in 2015. Kansas Health Foundation Food Secure Communities funding – Council received support from Kansas Food Action Network (KFAN). Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Built Environment, Safe Routes to School, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Childcare Access, Breastfeeding, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Harvey County Region: South Central Region Partner Network: 150 Meeting Frequency & Format: Bi-monthly, Hybrid Back to the Coalition Directory

LiveWell Shawnee County

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Contact: Sarah Karns About the Coalition: LiveWell Shawnee County is the grassroots health and wellness coalition serving Shawnee County. We are dedicated to creating healthier communities across the county, the implementation arm of the Community Healthy Improvement Plan. Coalition Established Date: March 1, 2008 Past Grants: Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Phases I and II, Kansas Food Action Network Food Secure Communities grant, Stormont Vail Foundation grant, Shawnee County funding contract, City of Topeka Multimodal Transportation funding contract, various health policies passed, Safe Routes to School in two SNCo school districts, creation of food resource guide. Focus Areas: Mental Health, Built Environment, Safe Routes to School, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention / Injury Reduction, Food Access, Housing, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Violence Prevention, Breastfeeding, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Shawnee County Region: Northeast Region Estimated Membership size: 200 Partner Network: 70 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, Hybrid Back to the Coalition Directory

Barber County United, Inc.

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Contact: Debra G Kolb About the Coalition: Barber County United (BCU) is a rural quality of life coalition focused on supporting the wellbeing of Barber County residents and neighboring counties. Aimed at increasing opportunities for healthier choices and fostering an environment of awareness and support. Past Grants: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas: Pathways to a Healthy KansasKansas Children’s Cabinet & Trust Fund: Childcare Accelerator Grant – Tri-County Childcare Coalition, Barber, Harper, and Kiowa Counties.Thrive Allen County: Navigator ServicesKDADS: Mobilizer Substance Use Prevention ServicesFHWA: KDOT: Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway Memorial Peace Park Rest Area & Unique Greenspace.South Central Community Foundation: Leadership BCU Focus Areas: Mental Health, Built Environment, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention / Injury Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Workforce Wellness, Childcare Access, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity, Breastfeeding County: Barber County Region: South Central Region Estimated Membership size: 12 Partner Network: 20 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-person & Hybrid Back to the Coalition Directory

LiveWell Douglas County

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Contact: Ginny Barnard About the Coalition: LiveWell Douglas County is leading a movement to build communities that support the health and well-being of all through policy, system, and environmental changes. Coalition Established Date: October 1, 2008 Focus Areas: Access to Care, Community Health Worker Programs, Built Environment, Safe Routes to School, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation and Prevention, Workforce Wellness, Violence Prevention, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Breastfeeding, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Douglas County Region: Northeast Region Estimated Membership size: 30 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-person or Virtual Back to the Coalition Directory

Reno County Community Wellness Coalition

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Candace Davidson About the Coalition: We are dedicated to building a healthier future for all residents of Reno County. Our coalition is a diverse group of passionate individuals and organizations committed to promoting wellness and improving the overall health of our community. Past Grants: We have been a BCBS of KS Pathways recipient for all 3 phases Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Built Environment, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Reno County Region: South Central Region Estimated Membership size: 75 Partner Network: Text Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-Person Back to the Coalition Directory

RISE Cowley

Envelope Link Facebook Linkedin Contact: Yazmin Wood About the Coalition: RISE Cowley is a coalition of like-minded organizations and individuals dedicated to working to make Cowley County a healthier place to live, work and play. RISE stands for: Raising Awareness, Improving Health, Supporting Collaboration and Energizing Communities. RISE Cowley coalition membership is open to anyone with two options: “coalition member” or “network member.” In 2001, a group evolved from a health committee to a coalition to promote physical and mental wellness and to collaborate for greater resources within our community. The coalition started to implement WEKAN grant objectives in 2006. In 2007, Vision 2020 countywide strategic planning committee formed “The Cowley County Healthy Community Committee” that later became RISE Cowley. The coalition rebranded in 2016 to become RISE Cowley #TogetherWeRise. The following year RISE Cowley formed a governing board and adopted bylaws, a logo, a website and a strategic communication plan and RISE Cowley was selected as a Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways Phase One Community. In 2020, RISE Cowley was selected as a Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pathways Phase Two Community. Today, the RISE Cowley steering committee now meets monthly, and subcommittees meet independently to further initiatives identified in the BCBSKS Action Plan. Full coalition meetings are held quarterly and are open to any individuals and community partners interested in working towards our vision of “Cowley County is healthier and thrives because RISE Cowley creates space for the passion, vision, and energy of individuals, organizations, and businesses to collaborate in prioritizing health equity and improving health outcomes.” The mission of RISE Cowley is to promote healthy lifestyles by collaborating to raise awareness and encourage involvement for residents of Cowley County, Kansas. RISE Cowley is excited to build upon the work undertaken during previous Pathways participation and looks forward to accelerating that momentum in Pathways 3. Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2006 Past Grants: RISE Cowley is pleased to have been selected as a part of the BCBSKS Pathways Initiative in Phase 3 after participating in Phases 1 and 2. Focus Areas: Built Environment, Food Access, Breastfeeding, Physical Activity, General Health & Wellness, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention County: Cowley County Region: South Central Region Estimated Membership size: 40 Partner Network: Text Meeting Frequency & Format: Full coalition meets quarterly; Steering committee meets monthly, In-person with a Virtual Option Back to the Coalition Directory