Kansas Department of Health and Environment

Did you know nearly 900,000 people call rural Kansas home? Rural communities have less access to opportunities for physical, mental and emotional well-being. Today on National Rural Health Day, we take time to celebrate the power of our rural communities by honoring the selfless, can do spirit that prevails in rural America while also recognizing and bringing light to the unique health care challenges the citizens face. We also celebrate and showcase the efforts of rural health care providers, State Offices of Rural Health and other rural stakeholders that work to address those challenges. Join us in thanking a rural health care provider today! ?? #PowerOfRural #NationalRuralHealthDay

Every day, children die from preventable injuries. By using safety practices, products, and smart policies, many of these deaths can be prevented. Our program, Safe Kids Kansas, is dedicated to prevention of unintentional childhood injuries. They raise awareness of childhood injury risks through local coalitions, community partners and media. In addition, they have partnered with state and country safety advocates to bring awareness to National Injury Prevention Day by educating families and community leaders about ways to create and support safer environments. To learn more about Safe Kids Kansas, visit: safekidskansas.org.

Be sure to bring your walking shoes next Thursday, November 21. We'll be joining the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health to celebrate National Rural Health Day by taking a walk around the Capitol and discuss how to increase health care access for rural and underserved Kansans. The walk starts at noon.

We're honored to recognize the Kansas Medicaid program for their tremendous efforts in the unwinding process. Learn more about the process in our press release: https://lnkd.in/gX6w5wmg.

#TeamKDHE was all treats for Halloween! Dressing up isn't just for kids; it's a fantastic way to foster team spirit and encourage a lively atmosphere. We hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween!

Ghost the flu & Covid too by scheduling your immunizations today. Find a location near you: vaccines.gov.

Looking to join #TeamKDHE? We're currently hiring! A few open opportunities include: ??Medicaid Communications Manager - closes November 4: https://lnkd.in/gcKMzYzk. ??Director of Legislative Affairs - closes November 4: https://lnkd.in/gfk-7YnW. ?? Chief Legal Counsel - open until filled: https://lnkd.in/gxnZjYiY. Take a moment to review additional opportunities: kdhe.ks.gov/jobs.

The National Association of Community Health Workers (CHWs) has introduced a new tool: the CHW Connector - a new social platform where community health workers and networks come together to share information, insights, and resources. It is available to download in the Apple App Store, Google Play and on the Web. The app was developed as a way to ensure community health workers are able to: ?? connect with other CHWs to learn, share, grow and identify resources and information ?? follow and connect with state/local CHW networks and topic-specific communities ?? receive critical alerts related to public health emergencies ?? share valuable insights and information with NACHW to build the CHW movement ?? learn about and get involved in CHW- and equity-focused policy and advocacy opportunities at state and national levels *This app is for CHWs and CHW networks. CHWs do not need to be members of NACHW to access and use the CHW Connector. If you are already a member of NACHW, you can use your NACHW MemberClicks account to sign up and login in one easy step.*

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is proud to announce that the Bureaus of Health Promotion and Disease Control and Prevention have secured a $500,000 grant for Kansas Community Health Care Workers (CHW) to provide support for persons living with HIV in rural counties. The grant project aims to hire, train and deploy community health workers to work with persons living with HIV over a three-year period. CHWs will focus on those individuals diagnosed with HIV in rural communities who are not in care or not virally suppressed, with specific attention paid to mental health, substance use disorder, and social determinants of health. There are 559 persons living with HIV in frontier, rural and densely settled rural counties in Kansas. The awarded funds will allow the Bureau of Health Promotion and the Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention to work with community partners and health care providers to increase access to care, decrease structural barriers, decrease stigma, and decrease the number of persons with HIV who are not in care or not virally suppressed. Learn more about Community Health Workers: https://lnkd.in/giaWsrki.

In celebrating the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Governor Laura Kelly has proclaimed October 2024 as Kansas Disability Employment Awareness Month. Through two programs, Supports for Training for Employing People Successfully (STEPS) and Work Opportunities for Reward Kansans (WORK), the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is dedicated to fostering employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Both programs are part of KDHE's Working Healthy program and allow Kansas residents who have a permanent disability to work and keep their health care. Good jobs change lives, and all workers—including disabled workers—deserve the opportunity to prepare for, obtain and succeed in them. Reflecting this, "Access to Good Jobs for All" is this year's National Disability Employment Awareness Month (#NDEAM) theme. Learn more: dol.gov/NDEAM.