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

North Central Kansas Health Collaborative

Envelope Facebook Contact: Shelby Bohnert About the Coalition: The mission of the NCK Health Collaborative is to align efforts regionally to improve the health and quality of life of our rural communities. Coalition Established Date: June 1, 2015 Past Grants: Over the past 10 years, our NCK Health Collaborative has led and collaborated on several impactful initiatives: 1422 Grant – Kansas Department of Health and EnvironmentThis was our first large-scale initiative and a foundational project that launched our chronic disease prevention and health systems work across the region. Pathways to a Healthy Kansas – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of KansasA comprehensive, multi-sector effort focused in Mitchell and Jewell County that advanced our work in policy, systems, and environmental change, while strengthening local partnerships and improving health outcomes in our communities. Chronic Disease Risk Reduction (CDRR) Grant – Kansas Department of Health and EnvironmentA longstanding initiative focused on reducing risk factors for chronic disease through community-based strategies targeting tobacco use, nutrition, and physical activity. Health Equity Grant – Kansas Health FoundationThis grant deepened our efforts to address social determinants of health and reduce disparities, especially for underserved and rural populations. These projects represent significant milestones in our organization’s development and have had lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve across north central Kansas. Focus Areas: Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention / Injury Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity, Trauma Informed Care / Resilience Building Region: North Central Region Estimated Membership size: 15 Partner Network: 10 Meeting Frequency & Format: Quarterly, In-person & Virtual 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

Elk County Community Empowerment (ECCE)

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Jessica Kessler About the Coalition: Helping Build Strong Communities through Education, Advocacy, and Engagement of Our Youth, to Break Generational Cycles and Trends of Drug and Alcohol Use Coalition Established Date: December 30, 2023 Past Grants: Drug Endangered Children (DEC) Grant, KPCCI Focus Areas: Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention / Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention / Injury Reduction, Food Access, General Health & Wellness County: Elk County & Chautauqua County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 5 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-person 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

Because We Care

Envelope Link Contact: Kerianne Ehrlich About the Coalition: We are a community-wide coalition of stakeholders engaged in mental health efforts by improving the awareness of the resources and efforts. Our mission is ” Community partners working together to connect citizens of Ellsworth County in Kansas with resources for life. You’re not meant to go through life alone. We’re here to help you find your people and help you grow as a person.” Coalition Established Date: October 1, 2020 Focus Areas: Mental Health, Access to Care, Suicide Prevention / Injury Reduction, Food Access, Housing, General Health & Wellness County: Ellsworth County Region: North Central Region Estimated Membership size: 10 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-person Back to the Coalition Directory

Graham County Health & Wellness Committee

Envelope Facebook Contact: Kristen D Fritts About the Coalition: The committee was founded with the mission to promote health, wellness, and preventive care initiatives that would address the unique needs of the community. The vision was to create a healthier, more connected community by providing accessible wellness programs, encouraging lifestyle changes, and raising awareness about common health issues such as chronic diseases, mental health, and nutrition. Coalition Established Date: June 15, 2023 Past Grants: Current BCBS Pathway GranteeNorthwest Kansas Health & Resource Fair Hosts Focus Areas: Mental Health, Substance Use Prevention/Harm Reduction, Suicide Prevention/Injury Reduction, Food Access, Tobacco Cessation & Prevention, Local & State-Level Advocacy, General Health & Wellness, Physical Activity County: Graham County Region: Northwest Region Estimated Membership size: 12 Meeting Frequency & Format: Quarterly and As Needed, In-Person 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