Blue Health Initiatives 2016-2017 Impact Report

March 31, 2017
First Implementation Grant
awarded (Bourbon County
walkability/bikeability
assessment)
July 19, 2017
Pathways Round Two
Kick-off Event | Grantee
awards ceremony
Preliminary Impact
The Pathways logic model outlines the short-term,
intermediate, and long-term outcomes anticipated as a
result of this initiative. Below you’ll find the early impact
highlights from communities awarded funding in the first
round of funding (2016-2019).
Atchison County
Established bike share program with stations at the
Visitors Center and YMCA.
Bourbon County
Formally adopted a Food and Farm Council and a
Non-Motorized Transportation plan based on the
completed and approved walkability/bikeability
assessment recommendations.
Crawford County
Key locations identified and funding secured for active
transportation signage to improve safety and awareness
of multi-modal active transportation.
Franklin County
Wellsville School District updated school wellness
policies, converted fountains into water bottle filling
stations, and provided clear water bottles to each student.
Hoisington and northern Barton County
Completed a sidewalk loop around Clara Barton Hospital
and introduced the “Providers Guide It, Walkers Stride It”
monthly walking club led by hospital staff.
Kearny County
Purchased and placing greenhouses in Lakin and Deerfield
Schools, Kearny County Hospital, and identifying locations
in partnership with the City of Deerfield.
Reno County
Secured “Pathways to a Healthy Restaurant Pledge” and
conducted assessment with Cara’s Cafe and Pizzeria.
Wichita County
Implemented Simply Produce in partnership with local
grocery store, Leoti Foods, allowing for bulk orders of
fresh produce and increased accessibility through pick-up
locations and delivery.
364,534
Across all 16 communities,
Pathways is improving access
to healthy lifestyles for 364,534
residents in Kansas (roughly the
same population as Wichita).
Implementation & Support
Grant funding for each community begins with a
coordination grant of $100,000. Additional implementation
and achievement funding becomes available as the
community demonstrates commitment and progress
toward initiative goals.
In addition to grant dollars, communities are provided
with technical assistance for planning, evaluation,
communications and measurement through
partnerships with:
• Community Engagement Institute at Wichita
State University
• jones huyett Partners
• Kansas Health Institute
• Public Health Law Center
• Thrive Allen County
• WorkWell Kansas
Community Feedback*
Respondents observed that grantee
communities are approaching culture change for
health improvement in new ways. Respondents
reported that Pathways catalyzed additional
action to existing efforts. Several recognized that
there has been good progress because it was
thoughtfully designed and the right communities
were selected from the start.
At least half of the community coordinators
stated that they had found success in certain
pathways. A few stated specific ways that
Pathways had helped in their community,
including strengthening the coalition, bringing
resources and momentum, and creating
concrete changes in the community. Others
noted that the technical assistance and
resources have been helpful, that the project is
going better than they expected, and that they
feel accountable for their success.
Respondents indicated that the advisory council has
been a large contributor to the recognition of the
Pathways efforts across Kansas, and that council
members have included BCBSKS as an organization
with a key role in improving community health.
*as submitted in Year One Evaluations
conducted by the Kansas Health Institute
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