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

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

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

Stay Strong Live Long Wilson County

Envelope Contact: Betti Jo Walters About the Coalition: Stay Strong – Live Long – Wilson County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for healthy lifestyle choices and policies across Wilson County, Kansas. We value collaboration and inclusivity and are dedicated to our employees’ growth and well-being. As a recipient of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS), we are committed to implementing community-focused initiatives that promote active living, healthy eating, behavioral health, and commercial tobacco prevention. Our mission is to make Wilson County a thriving, healthy place to live and raise a family. Wilson County represents the cities of Altoona, Fredonia and Neodesha Kansas Coalition Established Date: January 1, 2016 Past Grants: Previous CDRR grantee, current Pathways grantee, Drug Endangered Children grantee Focus Areas: Substance Use / Harm Reduction, Food Access, Housing, Tobacco Cessation and Prevention, Workforce Wellness, General Health and Wellness, Access to Care County: Wilson County Region: Southeast Region Estimated Membership size: 30 Partner Network: 30 Meeting Frequency & Format: Bi-monthly, 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

Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita

Envelope Link Facebook Contact: Shelley Rich About the Coalition: We promote physical activity and good nutrition for every generation living in the greater Wichita area. Coalition Established Date: January 31, 2004 Past Grants: Current CDRR and Pathways grantee, also Food Secure Community Initiative with KFAN. Focus Areas: Food Access, General Health & Wellness, Local & State-Level Advocacy, Workforce Wellness, Physical Activity, Community Health Worker Programs County: Sedgwick County Region: South Central Region Estimated Membership size: 60 Partner Network: 450 Meeting Frequency & Format: Monthly, In-person or Virtual Back to the Coalition Directory