April 1, 2025
Congratulations Grand Challenge for Health (GCfH) Cohort 6 Members!
Submitted by Stephanie Gutierrez
Please join us in congratulating Jamie Rathbun (Post Rock District), Monique Koerner (Cottonwood District), Jan McMahon (Wyandotte County), and Cindy Snyder (Comanche County) on completing the 6th cohort of the Grand Challenge for Health (GCfH) Systems Approaches to Healthy Communities (SAHC) training, developed by the University of Minnesota Extension.
This dedicated group began their learning journey the week of January 21 and wrapped up on March 11, 2025, completing an intensive 7-week course. During this time, they engaged in weekly online modules, explored supplemental resources like handouts, videos, and case studies, and participated in collaborative coaching sessions where they shared insights, experiences, and questions to deepen understanding and apply systems-thinking concepts in real-world settings. Coaching sessions were facilitated by Elaine Johannes and Stephanie Gutierrez.
The course content emphasized practical tools for real-world impact, including the Social Ecological Model, the Spectrum of Prevention, and community needs assessments – all aimed at building relationships and supporting meaningful Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) change.
The next step for Cohort 6 is to engage in a PSE project within their own communities. While developing and implementing a project is optional, these Agents will be eligible to receive $10,000 in GCfH funds over two years to support a local PSE initiative if they choose to pursue one.
Since the GCfH initiative launched in 2022 under the leadership of Lisa Ross and Elaine Johannes, participants have implemented projects that address a wide range of community health issues, including childcare access, civic health, youth engagement, health literacy, and the creation of local resource hubs.
The next cohort (Cohort 7!) will launch in January, 2026. If you or a local partner would like to be included on the early interest list, please contact Stephanie Gutierrez at smgutier@ksu.edu.
Congratulations again to Jamie, Monique, Jan, and Cindy for their commitment to systems-level thinking and improving community health through Extension!