2024 Year in Review
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” — John Wesley
As we navigate new waters, we remain committed and focused on doing as much good as we can — to continue improving access to care, nurturing health and helping children thrive, and building leadership in our church congregations and their communities.
Though we are already hard at work on our 2025 goals and projects, it’s important to reflect on the past year and celebrate all that we have achieved — the ways we’ve been able to do good and help improve the health of all Kansans. After all, that’s at the center of everything we do.
In 2024, the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund awarded 115 grants, secured $14.4 million in federal grant money for Kansas, launched and released 14 podcast episodes and participated and/or organized 19 educational webinars, trainings, regional and national presentations. We also surpassed $80 million in grants awarded since our inception in 1986.
Learn more about these efforts in our 2024 Year in Review.
2024 Highlights
ACCESS TO CARE
- Joined efforts with the Patterson Family Foundation to support a groundbreaking pilot program in Kansas and Missouri to demonstrate the effectiveness of mobile integrated health and community paramedicine.
- Partnered with the Kansas Health Institute to develop a research brief exploring community paramedicine as an emerging model of care.
- Alongside Health Forward Foundation, the community health worker (CHW) coalition and partners, we successfully advocated for an increased reimbursement rate for CHWs.
- Partnered with the University of Kansas Medical Center and other funders and groups to develop a documentary highlighting the profound impact of CHWs on individuals, families and communities in Kansas.
- Partnered with Kansas Health Institute to research how an expanded care team could increase access to health care while leveraging the skills, knowledge and expertise of existing health care professionals.
- Launched a new podcast series, “Pioneers in Health,” where Health Fund President and CEO David Jordan interviews pioneering leaders in health care who provide insights from a local, regional and national perspective.
- Worked with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to successfully receive grant funding to bolster access to mental health services in public schools.
- Helped Thrive Allen County receive federal funding for its Navigator program, which provides free assistance to people exploring health insurance through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace.
- Continued efforts to expand and improve Medicaid in Kansas.
THRIVING CHILDREN
- Invested in advocacy and grantmaking efforts to support the doula profession, including providing funding to help train 200 new doulas.
- Partnered with the Kansas Birth Justice Society, Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition and others to successfully advocate for doulas to become recognized by Kansas’ Medicaid program, KanCare, making them eligible for reimbursement.
- Launched a new recognition program for High 5 for Mom & Baby program.
- Continued to support breastfeeding initiatives.
- Partnered with the Kansas Health Foundation to help launch the Food Secure Communities Initiative by the Kansas Food Action Network.
- Successfully advocated for multiple key early childhood initiatives.
- Supported Kansas Appleseed in its successful advocacy efforts to defeat a bill that would have eliminated the Summer EBT program in Kansas, which helps families purchase groceries during the summertime.
- Supported multiple research efforts to support early childhood development, including infant and early childhood mental health, the state’s child care subsidy system and a home-visiting program.
ENGAGED CONGREGATIONS AND COMMUNITIES
- Hosted the annual Healthy Congregations retreat in Salina, Kansas, with 90 people attending.
- Continued offering special grant programs to help churches boost their impact and improve the health of their congregation and/or community.
- And more!
Our impact in 2024 was significant, and our efforts continue. We look forward to furthering our mission in 2025 to help create a healthier Kansas.