Stevens County Coalition

Envelope Contact: Josie Cromer About the Coalition: To serve as a forum for the advancement of community health and services through a networking of government, non-profits, civic services and business organizations to identify gaps in community resources and services and to seek out grant possibilities to establish programs where there is a need. Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2025 Focus Areas: Physical Activity, Childcare Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Safe Routes to School, Built Environment, Access to Care, Mental Health County: Stevens County Region: Southwest Region Estimated Membership size: 15 Partner Network: 20 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; In-person Back to the Coalition Directory

Choose Ottawa County

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Contact: Katie Vanderhoff About the Coalition: Choose Ottawa County was formed with the mission to promote economic growth and prosperity throughout all of Ottawa County. The major areas of focus are Jobs, Housing, and Quality of Life, with programs and initiatives designed to support local businesses, expand housing opportunities, attract new residents and workforce, and strengthen communities throughout the county. Coalition Established Date: December 15, 2020 Focus Areas: Housing, Childcare Access County: Ottawa County Region: North Central Region Estimated Membership size: 10 Partner Network: 400 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; In-person Back to the Coalition Directory

Ness County Community Development Foundation

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Kathy Clouston About the Coalition: Thee Ness County Community Development Foundation supports initiatives that preserve Ness County’s heritage, promote growth in each community, and plan for the future – together. Coalition Established Date: October 1, 2023 Past Grants: The Ness County Community Development Foundation has a history of supporting community-based initiatives that improve the health, safety, and quality of life of residents in Ness County and surrounding communities. The organization previously participated in the Kansas Preventive Collaborative underage drinking grant through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). Through this initiative, the foundation was involved in community prevention efforts addressing underage drinking and participated in a national conference during the 2018–2019 grant period, providing valuable training, networking, and exposure to evidence-based prevention strategies. In 2025, the organization experienced significant leadership and membership turnover. As a result, the foundation is currently undergoing a reorganization to rebuild its leadership structure, strengthen community partnerships, and establish a renewed vision for future community development and prevention efforts. While the foundation is rebuilding its organizational structure, it brings with it a history of community involvement and experience working with state and national prevention initiatives. The reorganization provides an opportunity to engage new community members, strengthen partnerships, clarify organizational responsibilities, and develop sustainable programs that address current needs in Ness County. The foundation is committed to building on its previous experience while creating a stronger and more sustainable organization for the future. Funding support will help the foundation continue this transition, strengthen its capacity, and implement meaningful community-based initiatives that benefit residents of Ness County. Focus Areas: Trauma Informed Care/Resilience Building, Access to Care, Community Health Worker Programs, Built Environment, Safe Routes to School, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Food Access, Housing, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Workforce Wellness, Childcare Access, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Breastfeeding, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity, Violence Prevention, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Mental Health County: Ness County Region: West Central Region Estimated Membership size: 10 Partner Network: 10 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; In-person Back to the Coalition Directory

Plainville Wellness Coalition

Envelope Facebook Contact: Chris Hansen About the Coalition: MISSION Collaboration: Bringing together our community stakeholders in the fields of education, childcare, early childhood development, healthcare, recreation and fitness to work together to pool resources and capacity to maximize our efforts. Innovation: Seeking new ideas or ways of thinking to solve our most challenging problems to enhance the quality of life in our rural community. Inclusion: Creating a welcoming -environment for everyone in the community, where everyone is valued, ideas are shared and we all have access to resources to live a safe, healthy, active lifestyle. Resilience: Investing in the right people, adopting the right policies and taking proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with initiatives as we plan for the growth and sustainability of the community.   STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Access: Increase the visibility, value and access to public health resources that are focused on prevention, especially for the most vulnerable populations of focus in our community. Collaboration: Foster collaboration between community leaders and stakeholders and health organizations. Provide leadership, facilitate discussions and leverage community assets to address complex health and wellness challenges. Policy: Provide technical assistance resources to write and adopt health and wellness policies. Use a unified voice on policy matters and take advantage of advocacy opportunities. Social Determinants: address social determinants of health such as income, age, race, access to care, food insecurities, housing. Coalition Established Date: June 1, 2020 Past Grants: Built and opened a school owned childcare operation with facilities at the school and hospital campus resulting in 48 new childcare slots.Used Dane G Hansen, Patterson Family Foundation, Childcare Aware grants. BCBS Pathways implemented the playgrounds and created policies. Built and opened a new 1/5 mile paved walking/hiking/biking trail at the Plainville Township Lake.Leveraged Sunflower Foundation funding with BCBS Pathways. Built an outdoor fitness center on the school campus with open access to the entire community without a paid membership. Placemaking project at our low income, senior housing with a community room improvements and outdoor gathering space. Focus Areas: Built Environment, Childcare Access, Physical Activity County: Rooks County Region: North Central Region Estimated Membership size: 30 Partner Network: 8 Meeting Frequency & Format: Quarterly or As Needed; In-person, Virtual Back to the Coalition Directory

Liberal Area Coalition for Families

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Sarah Foreman About the Coalition: MISSION: To serve as a forum for the advancement of community health and services through a networking of government, non-profits, civic services and business organizations to identify gaps in community resources and services and to seek out grant possibilities to establish programs where there is a need. ​VISION: ​To make the Liberal region the best place to live and raise a family. Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2001 Past Grants: Liberal Farmer’s MarketLegal ClinicsCitizenship ClassesBlue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Grant Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE)Healthy Families Grant (Sub-Awardee through Thrive Allen County)Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities Services Intro GrantKansas Health Foundation Early Literacy GrantKansas Health Foundation Integrated Voter Engagement Grant (Civic Engagement Grant)Navigator Grant (Sub-Awardee through Thrive Allen County) Focus Areas: Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care/Resilience Building, Access to Care, Community Health Worker Programs, Built Environment, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Food Access, Housing, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Workforce Wellness, Childcare Access, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Breastfeeding, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Seward County Region: Southwest Region Estimated Membership size: 45 Partner Network: 235 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; In-person with Zoom Link Available Back to the Coalition Directory

The Whole Heart Coalition

Envelope Contact: Rachel Sample About the Coalition: The Whole Heart Coalition is a community-driven partnership committed to improving health, well-being, and quality of life across the lifespan by addressing the social, environmental, and systemic factors that influence health outcomes. The Coalition brings together healthcare providers, public health professionals, educators, community-based organizations, local leaders, and residents to collaboratively identify needs, reduce barriers, and create sustainable solutions that support individuals, families, and communities. Coalition Established Date: January 14, 2021 Past Grants: Over the past 10 years, local partners and participating organizations have implemented multiple grants and funded initiatives focused on access to care, workforce stability, infrastructure, and community health improvement. Highlights include: Focus Areas: Food Access, Access to Care, Community Health Worker Programs, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity, Childcare Access, Workforce Wellness, Housing, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Substance Use Prevention/Injury Reduction, Safe Routes to School, Built Environment, Trauma Informed Care/Resilience Building, Mental Health, Violence Prevention, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Breastfeeding County: Greenwood County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 3 Partner Network: 3 Meeting Frequency & Format: Bi-monthly, Hybrid Back to the Coalition Directory

Morton County Community Coalition

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Linkedin Contact: Leslie Kraich or Tara Kemp About the Coalition: Morton County Community Coalition works together to bring opportunities for health and wellness, thriving communities, preservation of history and safe spaces for our families to grow and stay. Coalition Established Date: April 29, 2022 Past Grants: Over the past three years, our coalition has made significant strides in mental health and crisis response support in the community. Key activities and achievements include: Established 9-8-8 Kiosk Centers: Three centers set up around the county, providing direct access to the suicide and crisis lifeline. Training & Supplies: DCCCA has conducted training sessions and provided Naloxone supplies. Compass Behavioral Health Counseling: Compass now provides regular on-site counseling services twice a month within the Health Department. Grant Funding: Secured ChildCareAware grant funding to support early childhood initiatives and Daycare efforts. Human Trafficking Awareness: Hosted Russ Tuttle for a community and school presentation on human trafficking. Media Coverage: Featured in Kansas Country Living (March 2024), KWCH news (August 2023), and Kansas Commerce (September 2023) highlighting 988 centers. Mental Health Walks: Organized “Be Seen In Green” walks to raise awareness for mental health. Mental Health First Aid Training: Hosted trainings to educate the community on recognizing and responding to mental health crises. Collaborations: Participated in rural/frontier crisis care workgroup meetings with KDADS. Community Presentations: Hosted NAMI Kansas’ “Standing In The Gap” community presentation (September 2024). Upcoming Benefit Concert: Organizing the “Silence Isn’t Strength” concert on September 27, featuring artists Drake McCain, Jordan Mitchell, and Radleigh Hurn to raise awareness for suicide prevention and mental health.   These activities reflect our coalition’s ongoing commitment to enhancing mental health resources and support for our community. Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Food Access, Housing, Workforce Wellness, Childcare Access, Violence Prevention, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Morton County Region: Southwest Region Estimated Membership size: 10 Partner Network: 0 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-Person Back to the Coalition Directory

Healthier Lyon County Coalition

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Jessica Reth About the Coalition: Beginning in 2014 with a grant from Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Healthier Lyon County (HLC) has strived to promote healthy lifestyle habits in Lyon County. After merging with Healthier Community Alliance in 2016, Healthier Lyon County now boasts a coalition of over 75 organizations and 140 people who work to improve the lives of Lyon County residents. Our mission is to encourage initiatives, policies, and resources to improve health in Lyon County. Coalition Established Date: July 1, 2014 Past Grants: Current Grants: BCBS Pathways, Rural Champions Program, Kansas Food Action Network Food Secure Communities, Kansas Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Previous Work: Covid response including vaccine & testing clinics Walk With a Doc Creative Placemaking efforts Multi Modal Transportation Planning Healthy school policies and funding Community Garden Projects Food Pantry access funding and support Early Childhood funding and support Bike Share Program (Now with CrossWinds) Back to School Haircuts for kids Interactive HealthFest Park Crawl Fairgrounds Trail Safe Routes to School drafted/adopted & Safe Routes to Food Ordinance passed Tobacco Free grounds at ESU Tobacco Free Parks & Playgrounds Farmers Market partnership and expansion to rural communities Infrastructure work including sidewalks, crosswalks, park improvements Restaurant and convenience store funding for healthy grocery items in rural food deserts Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Safe Routes to School, Food Access, Housing, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Childcare Access, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity, Workforce Wellness County: Lyon County Region: Northeast Region Estimated Membership size: 30 Partner Network: 140 Meeting Frequency & Format: Bi-monthly, 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

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