Improving rural health- K-State 105's new initiative

By Scout Nelson

The K-State 105 project is a massive collaborative try that is bringing together 12 partners, including health organizations, other higher education institutions, and units of Kansas State University, with the goal of improving the health and safety of rural and agriculturally connected communities throughout the state.

The Rural Ag Health Community Health Worker project aims to maintain the health and safety of rural Kansans and the agricultural workforce. This project is creating resource hubs staffed by community health workers, co-supervised by local K-State Research and Extension units and health care partners. This initiative is supported by K-State 105 funding.

"Local extension units participating in the Rural Ag Health Community Health Worker project serve as a gateway to help rural residents manage chronic conditions, prevent injuries and reduce risk of illness," said Elaine Johannes, Kansas Health Foundation distinguished professor in community health and state extension specialist. "Extension units are known for providing education to promote and improve health; now, with the addition of community health workers, extension will be a resource and partner for local health care teams." 

This project will operate in 16 counties, including Allen, Bourbon, Clay, Cloud, Crawford, Jackson, Jefferson, Labette, Marshall, Montgomery, Nemaha, Neosho, Republic, Washington, Wilson, and Woodson counties.K-State participants include five K-State Research and Extension units, the College of Health and Human Sciences, the College of Agriculture, and the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. 

External partners include the University of Kansas Medical Center’s COPE, Unite Us, the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition with the Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute, Health Innovations Network of Kansas, and other local health care organizations.

"K-State 105 is focused on bringing people and partners together for the good of Kansas, and that's exactly what this project is doing," said Jessica Gnad, K-State 105 director. "We're building an ecosystem of support to help address a key area — in this case, health care — that is affecting economic prosperity in Kansas."

The project aims to hire five community health workers in various K-State Research and Extension districts. KU COPE members will help train and empower these workers, enhancing their community service capabilities. The model aims to provide consistent, high-quality, and accessible health and social care services statewide.

"When called upon, extension's community health workers can provide health coaching, client support, nonclinical services, care coordination and outreach activities with local health and care services," Johannes said. "Across the nation, community health workers' scope of work includes these services along with health education, supporting community health initiatives and being a liaison between providers and health care. Through this Rural Ag Health Community Health Worker project, we'll learn how extension can contribute to improved health care access for all."

Using Unite Us' secure referral technology, community health workers and their collaborators will connect clients to needed care and gather data on health issues and disparities to enhance interventions."It is exciting to participate in this boots-on-the-ground project to identify if a model of employing community health workers is feasible and how they can make a difference in the lives of Kansas families," said Susie Latta, K-State Research and Extension — Marshall County family and consumer sciences agent.

Photo Credit: kansas-state-university