March 11, 2025
Community Health Corner
The National Extension Framework for Health Equity and Well-being recommends using community development strategies and health literacy programs to ensure that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. The following resources help us improve well-being for all, and achieve Healthy Kansas 2030 and Healthy People 2030 objectives.
Behavioral Health Data Maps: The Kansas Prevention Collaborative (KPC) has data maps for nine behavioral health indicators though county- and state-specific summarized data for behavioral health indicators selected by the Kansas Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council Prevention Subcommittee. For example, maps illustrate important and linked behavioral health concerns ranging from alcohol binge drinking, suicide rate, depression during the past year and DUI arrests. Each map provides state and county information necessary to collaborate with other partners to address local behavioral health/mental health needs.
Kansas Respite Program for Caregivers: According to the Kansas Reflector, family caregivers of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in Kansas now can apply for respite support from a statewide program. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services is providing the Kansas Respite for Alzheimer’s and Dementia program, or K-RAD, to provide funding to unpaid caregivers of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. According to Alzheimer’s Association officials, in 2020 there were 55,000 Kansans older than 65 living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. That number is anticipated to climb to about 62,000 people by the end of this year. Find out more about the K-RAD respite program here.
Kansas’ Coalition for Person’s with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD): In the fall of 2023, KCDD launched a first of its kind statewide Kansas Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Health Equity and Outcomes Coalition, with the goal of convening self-advocates, families, and others to improve quality of life and health access issues for those who live with . With technical assistance from the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, the coalition is developing an action-oriented blueprint focused on healthcare systems and health care access for all persons with I/DD across Kansas. In addition to facilitating the communication and networking functions of the coalition of 50+ organizations, the Council on Developmental Disabilities has resources and programs for Daily Life and Employment, Community Living Safety and Security, Healthy Living, Citizenship. Learn more here and joint the listserv here.
For more information, contact Elaine Johannes, ejohanne@ksu.edu; and Stephanie Gutierrez, smgutier@k-state.edu