Women For Elk County

Envelope Facebook Contact: Diane Cucar About the Coalition: The purpose of Women for Elk County is to receive and distribute donations to reduce local food insecurity, to support community improvement projects in the five communities in Elk County, Kansas and to promote community health, vitality and women-led civic engagement. Coalition Established Date: April 1, 2025 Past Grants: Over the past several years, Women for Elk County has helped support projects and activities that make our county stronger. In April 2025, we started placing Little Food Blessing Pantry Boxes in communities across Elk County. In February 2026, we began a monthly mobile food distribution serving families, seniors, and individuals throughout the county. We work with local chambers, churches, schools, cities, businesses, museums, community event centers, and other organizations. We also serve as a fiscal agent for several groups and projects, helping them receive grant funds and support work that benefits their communities. Our other efforts include supporting local events, community spaces, and placemaking projects that help our small towns continue to grow and thrive. We are currently working to build long-term partnerships and find sustainable funding for the mobile food distribution so it can continue serving Elk County without relying on month-to-month resources. Focus Areas: General Health & Wellness, Food Access, Physical Activity, Built Environment, Community Health Worker Programs, Mental Health, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Access to Care County: Elk County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 5 Partner Network: 15 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; In-person Back to the Coalition Directory

Live Well Crawford County

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram Contact: Brad Stroud About the Coalition: Live Well Crawford County is a health and wellness coalition in Crawford County, dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyle choices through education, motivation, and support. Established in 2006 with backing from the Kansas Health Foundation, the coalition operates under the guiding philosophy of “making the healthy choice the easy choice” for residents of all generations. The coalition relies on passionate community stakeholders, change-makers, and business professionals to implement Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) changes that improve local public health outcomes. The coalition maximizes its community impact by dividing its work amongst the following specialized task forces: Eat Well: Focuses on expanding local food systems, supporting the Pittsburg Farmers’ Market, managing community gardens, and reducing food insecurity. Live Active: Encourages physical exercise and infrastructure enhancements to combat local obesity and sedentary lifestyles. Age Well: Develops supportive networks and health programming specific to the aging demographic in Crawford County. Addiction Prevention: Focuses on community education, youth advocacy, and intervening to reduce substance abuse across the county. Coalition Established Date: September 1, 2006 Past Grants: Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Grant Recipient (2016-2024) Over 20 policies implemented in Crawford County through Pathways work Crossroads Drug and Alcohol Prevention Program Facilitators (2022-present) Catch My Breath Vaping Prevention Facilitators Arma Community Garden McCune Community Garden CTEC High Tunnel Laundry Love – over 3000 free loads of laundry provided in Crawford County Focus Areas: Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Built Environment, Safe Routes to School, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Workforce Wellness, Breastfeeding, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity, Community Health Worker Programs, Access to Care, Mental Health, Violence Prevention County: Crawford County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 25 Meeting Frequency & Format: Month & Quarterly; Hybrid 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

Grow Labette

Envelope Contact: Lauren Coover About the Coalition: Grow Labette is a community coalition dedicated to improving health, well-being, and quality of life for everyone in Labette County, Kansas. Through collaboration with local organizations, businesses, schools, healthcare providers, and residents, Grow Labette addresses community needs by promoting health equity, expanding access to resources, and creating sustainable solutions to social, economic, and environmental challenges. The coalition works to strengthen connections, empower residents, and support initiatives that help individuals and families thrive. Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2022 Past Grants: BCBS Pathways Grant, KU Communities Organizing to Promote Equity Grant, EPA Government to Government grant, KU Community Impact Hub award, Safe Haven Outreach Mission support, Parsons Community Gardens management and support, Parsons Farmers Market management Focus Areas: General Health & Wellness, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Physical Activity, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care/Resilience Building, Access to Care, Built Environment, Community Health Worker Programs, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Violence Prevention, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Workforce Wellness, Food Access County: Labette County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 30 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

Finney County Community Health Coalition, Inc d/b/a LiveWell Finney County

Envelope Link Facebook Instagram X-twitter Contact: Callie Dyer About the Coalition: LiveWell Finney County is a backbone organization and convening body that leads collective impact efforts to improve health outcomes in Finney County and surronding counties in Southwest Kansas. Thecoalition leverages multi-sector parnterships, local data, and evidence-based strategies to address social detminates of health, influeince systems and policy change, and create sustainable, community wide improvements in health and quality of life. Coalition Established Date: August 21, 2000 Past Grants: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas Pathways, KDADS Problem Gambling, Common Spirit Communities of Compassion, Common Spirit Pathways, Common Spirit Health Equity and Improvement Fund, KDHE HIV Prevention & Education Grant, Drug Free Communites Grant, KDHE Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) Grant, REACH Grant, RADx Grant Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Community Health Worker Programs, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Breastfeeding County: Finney County Region: Southwest Region Estimated Membership size: 40 Partner Network: 150 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly; In-Person 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

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

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

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

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