Healthy Bourbon County Action Team

Initiative details coming soon

The Thomas County Coalition, in collaboration with Colby, Rexford, and Brewster, is tackling food insecurity. Despite 8.7% SNAP eligibility, only 2.8% participate, and 40% of households receive Free and Reduced lunches without CEP participation. The coalition aims to address stigma, boost community engagement, understand transportation/infrastructure limits for healthy food, and examine college hunger. They plan to enhance service access and quality via four community events and support college and farming communities by involving those with lived experience, connecting local efforts to the Hunger Free Kansas Blueprint.

The project aims to achieve two primary goals by June 30, 2027: first, to enhance food access and quality by increasing the number of functional food access systems from zero to one, and second, to increase the number of targeted populations supported by the food security initiative from zero to two. To accomplish these goals, the project will implement three key activities: planning and executing four community engagement events across Rexford, Colby, and Brewster; developing strategic and authentic partnerships focused on reducing food insecurity; and formally establishing partnerships with Grass Roots Institute (Jo Argabright), Thomas County Farmers Market (Cheryl Detamore), and Copeland Garden (Robin Whelchel).

Thomas County has forged several key partnerships to enhance food security. New collaborations include the Grass Roots Institute, providing strategic guidance, and Genesis Food Bank, connecting clients to the initiative and offering insights into food security barriers. Strengthened partnerships involve the Thomas County Farmers Market and Copeland Garden, both aiming to connect their communities to the initiative and identify food system engagement opportunities. Additionally, the Brewster Grocery Store and McCarty Dairy serve as central food engagement hubs in their respective towns.

LiveWell Northwest Kansas, now a region-wide Family Resource Center (FRC) funded by the Department of Children and Families, is forming a parent advisory council to guide its safety net and basic needs efforts. These parents can also serve as experts for the food security initiative. Thomas County, as the fiscal agent for the Thomas County Farmers Market and Copeland Garden, will integrate these programs with the food security initiative. While LiveWell has leveraged these programs for food security, deep federal funding cuts have significantly decreased safety net services. LiveWell is now fundraising for FRC-related services.

"Inequality of educational opportunity" is a root cause of food insecurity, impacting economic stability, health, and access to resources. Addressing educational disparities is crucial for reducing food insecurity. RISE Cowley, a coalition with strong educational leadership and a systems approach, has chosen this focus due to existing momentum from community health planning, resource directory updates, food system assessments, and grant funding. Strategies include partnering with a Health Equity Action Team to engage individuals with lived experience, developing a farmers market shuttle system, underwriting local food system education, and supporting partners who connect individuals with food and support.

Cowley County's Community Health Improvement Plan plan focuses on enhancing health care environments and local food systems. K-State Extension Cowley County is the lead organization for Food and Nutrition efforts. On February 5, 2026, the “Downtown Doc Walk” will be hosted at the Winfield Chamber of Commerce and K-State Extension will feature highlights of the Cowley County Food Assessment.

Key initiatives include integrating "Food is Medicine" practices into healthcare settings, increasing patient access to healthy foods through programs like healthy prescriptions, and connecting patients with locally-grown produce via initiatives like hydroponic gardens in waiting rooms and distribution of farmers market vouchers. The plan emphasizes supporting local food production, distribution, and recovery, with efforts like incorporating food-producing plants into public spaces and repurposing excess food. Furthermore, it aims to expand food-related education and mentoring for under-resourced populations, providing assistance with SNAP applications and establishing farmers market shuttle services. Strong partnerships with various organizations, from food pantries and schools to healthcare providers and community centers, are crucial for implementing these goals, whether they are new collaborations, existing relationships, or strengthened partnerships that facilitate referrals, promotion, education, and direct food access.

In 2026, key projects include establishing and building relationships with health care providers for “food is medicine” initiatives, support for local food systems in schools and communities, and support of local food pantries/distribution programs. We intend to establish a food referral presence on the “Unite Us” platform and partner with Data Across Sectors of Health initiatives (DASHconnect.org). 

Follow-up and sustainability efforts will continue with K-State Extension's "Growing Food is Medicine" (funded by a $15,104 Hunger Free Kansas mini-grant) and projects funded by a $25,000 Rural Champion grant to RISE Cowley.

Economic inequalities and an inadequate safety net contribute to a lack of adequate, affordable housing, which in turn leads to food insecurity. To address this, we will conduct housing assessments in each town with a housing authority, collecting data on housing supply, demand, cost, and quality, and incorporating input from individuals with lived experience through interviews and focus groups facilitated by agencies such as Peace Connections' Circle of Hope, New Jerusalem Missions, New Hope Shelter, and Community Crisis Response Team's peer groups. This initiative is expected to positively impact approximately 2,500 cost-burdened renters or homeowners in Harvey County.

The core activities for Harvey County include investigating housing needs by January 31, 2026, which involves reviewing existing assessments, engaging the Appraisers Office, gathering community input, obtaining information about the Land Bank, and conducting assessments for towns that lack them. Additionally, the plan is to educate community leaders by June 30, 2026, through a Poverty Simulation for elected officials and presenting assessment findings to various local groups. Finally, a 3-5 year plan is to be built by October 31, 2026, requiring a timeline, engagement of a partner like WSU CEI to facilitate development, and commencement of implementation.

Healthier Lyon County is addressing rising housing insecurity and rural homelessness, noting that 41.7% of renters lack affordable housing and 60 students were identified as homeless in 2023-2024. Data on other types of homelessness is limited. Interventions, developed with input from those with lived experience, include upcoming community events on tenant rights (September 2025) and resources for the homeless (April 2026), completing a Housing Needs Toolkit, implementing a storage locker project, and recruiting organizations to use the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to improve data collection.

The 2023 Point in Time Count identified 40 individuals experiencing homelessness in Lyon County. Furthermore, the 2023–2024 Kansas State Department of Education data identified 60 homeless students in USD 253 (Emporia). We aim to engage this population and local service providers, estimating a reach of 100 homeless individuals and at least 25 community service workers.

This project builds on two efforts: the City of Emporia’s Homelessness Advisory Board’s (HAB) research on storage lockers for the unhoused, and the statewide "Built for Zero" initiative in collaboration with the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition (KSHC). "Built for Zero" focuses on systems to make homelessness rare and brief, relying on accurate data. Current data for Lyon County is sparse, limited to the USD253 McKinney Vento report and the annual Point in Time Count. We aim to advance "Built for Zero" by encouraging organizations to use the Homelessness Management Information System (HMIS) to track individuals experiencing homelessness. Currently, only Bloom House Youth Services and Crosswinds Counseling and Wellness in Emporia utilize HMIS. This will ultimately provide reliable, up-to-date data on nightly homelessness.

The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Rural Champions Program has been crucial to the development of this work. The program provides two distinct grants: an Implementation Grant of $25,000 to fund Core Activities 1, 2, and 4, and a $20,800 grant to reimburse wages for one position working 20 hours per week for one year.

In January 2025, the Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita (HWC) surveyed the community to identify the primary cause of hunger for the Food Secure Communities Initiative, and economic inequality was identified as the priority. HWC, partnering with community organizations, gathered diverse responses, with data showing over half of respondents had an associate's degree or less, and one-third had household incomes under $40,000, residing in high-poverty ZIP codes, highlighting the prevalence of ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) households and emphasizing the need to address economic inequality in Sedgwick County. HWC held two community listening sessions—one with individuals with lived experience and another with service providers—to gather insights on economic equality, focusing on education, infrastructure, wealth building, safety nets, and workforce development. These sessions identified three key themes: Policy and Systems Change Investments (aligned with five Upward Mobility pillars), Community-Driven Solutions led by those with lived experience, and Holistic, Cross-Sector Collaboration for collective impact.

The Health & Wellness Coalition (HWC) proposes an 8-month Community Advocate Fellowship (CAF) for Sedgwick County residents who have experienced hunger. This fellowship aims to empower participants to advocate for policies and programs that support upward mobility. The CAF will provide group education, one-on-one coaching, and project development based on the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility framework, aligning with initiatives by the Kansas Health Foundation, Wichita Foundation, and Greater Wichita Partnership.

Fellows will receive a $350 monthly stipend plus support for technology, transportation, utilities, and childcare. The first year focuses on training in Upward Mobility, advocacy, storytelling, asset-based community development, targeted universalism, local government, and power structures. Fellows will also choose an Upward Mobility pillar and begin developing a policy, system, or environmental change project.

Currently, three Wichita organizations (Greater Wichita Partnership, Wichita Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation) use the Urban Institute’s Upward Mobility framework to address economic inequality. The Greater Wichita Partnership's June action plan focuses on living wages, the Wichita Foundation is drafting its plan to support upward mobility organizations and foster collaboration, and the Kansas Health Foundation launched its upward mobility work in June 2025. The HWC coordinates its efforts and maintains communication with these partners.

The Liberal Area Coalition for Families is tackling a critical issue in Southwest Kansas: the insufficient safety net during economic hardship. Although numerous resources like food assistance, healthcare, housing support, and unemployment benefits exist, families often remain uninformed, unable to access them, or unsure of where to begin. This initiative aims to bolster long-term stability by increasing awareness, access, and engagement with vital services. Guided by firsthand experience data and input from diverse community members, our coalition is implementing a multi-phase approach that includes planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. By integrating resource education into trusted community spaces such as schools, health departments, and local organizations, we are striving to build a resilient support system that reaches people where they are. The ultimate goal extends beyond mere service delivery; it is a transformation of systems rooted in equity, dignity, and authentic connection.

To achieve successful outcomes, the project aims to increase community-wide awareness of available support systems through clear, accessible, and multilingual educational outreach, particularly focusing on food assistance, healthcare, housing, and unemployment benefits. This will empower individuals and families to confidently engage with services by providing user-friendly resources, hosting inclusive events, and centering lived experiences to guide content and strategy. Key to this effort is defining a community-driven roadmap, identifying key community needs and root cause factors, and aligning deliverables with grant guidelines to ensure a well-defined work plan and maximized impact.

Building upon the Liberal Area Coalition for Families' established work, this initiative leverages past successes such as the Lived Experience Survey Project, which provided crucial insights into barriers to food, healthcare, and housing. The coalition's existing multilingual outreach and resource distribution campaigns offer trusted information channels, while partnerships with schools, health departments, and nonprofits provide access to key populations and increase content visibility. Furthermore, prior advocacy for nutrition-focused and anti-hunger policies demonstrates a commitment to systemic change and informs cross-sector communication. This robust foundation prevents duplication of efforts, builds on existing community trust, aligns with identified community needs, and ensures smoother implementation with a greater potential for lasting impact.

LiveWell Shawnee County

Initiative details coming soon