Mental Health First Aid training is a proven and effective resource that teaches lay people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in their community.
We are excited to offer online training sessions at no cost to interested Kansans. Many sessions have filled quickly, demonstrating a large interest in mental health training in our state.
You must register two weeks in advance of the training. You should register individually, even if multiple people from one organization are attending. We will not offer special trainings for individual organizations.
Spaces are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis; please register early. Each virtual session will be from 9 AM – 3:30 PM (MHFA Adult) or 9 AM – 2:30 PM (MHFA Youth) with breaks, including a half-hour lunch break.
Please view our MHFA page for current schedules and additional information.
The results of four phases of telehealth research during the COVID-19 pandemic are clear. Patients, providers, and administrators expressed that telehealth increased access to care and saw benefits beyond expanding access during the pandemic.
While providers were attuned to access and continuity of care, patients were attuned to benefits like convenience, savings of time and money, and the importance of choice between telehealth and in-person services.
Overall, patients and providers were satisfied with telehealth, though some reported specific bad experiences. Providers and patients agreed not all health services were suitable for telehealth and believed they knew when it was time for an in-person visit.
Patient access to devices and internet connectivity was generally good; the same was true for providers. Patients, particularly those who participated in the consumer poll, wanted rural broadband access to be increased to improve access to telehealth and improve health.
New consumer focus group research with Kansas patients demonstrates that telehealth has increased access to care, has room for improvement, and that patients want telehealth to be a permanent option. This research reinforces results from a 2021 consumer poll of Kansas voters—participants had positive experiences with telehealth, found it to be an important option, and wanted policymakers to support telehealth by increasing access, including broadband capabilities.
The consumer focus group qualitative research, conducted for the Health Fund and REACH Healthcare Foundation by the University of Kansas Medical Center during 2021 and 2022, included an oversampling of Black, Hispanic, Spanish-speaking and rural consumers to ensure sufficient sample sizes of minority populations.
Summary of Patients’ Perspectives
A summary of the patients’ perspectives on telehealth includes:
Many participants were enthusiastic about continuing to use telehealth—finding it easier, more convenient, safer and a time saver.
Potential cost savings related to spending less on gas and transportation and saving time, including missing less work, crossed socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, and parental or caregiver status.
Most suggestions for improvement focused on making telehealth a more integrated part of health care through better care coordination and greater standardization of scheduling, processes, and platforms. Patients wanted to see certainty in terms of costs and payor policies. They also recognized the need for better broadband internet access.
Telehealth allowed some patients to receive care that was many hours away or that they otherwise would not have been able to access.
Some participants did not have access to reliable transportation or to transportation at all.
Patients did not like that it was harder to show providers injuries or other visible health conditions on a telehealth videoconference.
Most participants reported using their smartphones for telehealth videoconferencing. Many also used laptops, and a few used iPads or other tablets.
Several participants noted specific barriers to utilizing telehealth regarding interpretation services, insurance coverage, and tech savviness.
Overall, caregivers of elderly parents and children alike found telehealth to be a convenient option that aided in better use of their time and generally lowered the burden of caregiving.
Kansans want telehealth to remain an option for care. An initial provider survey, a statewide poll of voters, also co-funded by the Health Fund and REACH Healthcare Foundation, in-depth provider interviews, and this consumer focus group research are evidence that telehealth can play a significant role in improving health care access for Kansans.
This guest blog post was authored by Joyea Marshall-Crowley, CBS, Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition.
In the Wichita area, we have heard from Black and brown mothers that they are not even being asked about breastfeeding as an initial feeding choice, and that their healthcare providers assume they are formula-feeding their babies. This makes it difficult for Black and brown mothers to obtain breastfeeding resources, support, or information during pregnancy and upon delivery. It is imperative to have these supports for a woman’s breastfeeding journey, and it should be accessible to all mothers no matter their decision to breastfeed or not.
The need for the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition is clear.
Who is the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition?
The Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition (WBBC) was formed in October 2020 under the non-profit organization Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition. The foundational vision for this local breastfeeding coalition is to help increase breastfeeding rates in the Black and brown communities of the Wichita Metropolitan Area.
The coalition currently houses six members. The outstanding members of the WBBC hold many titles, such as Certified Breastfeeding Specialist (currently on track to obtain their IBCLC), Certified Trained Doulas, Registered Nurse, Chocolate Milk Certified Trainer, Chiropractor, and Midwife, to name a few.
All WBBC members share the same passion for helping women of color gain the support, resources, and tools needed to reach their breastfeeding goals. We want mothers of color to have a safe space just for them to receive the breastfeeding support they need—and that is what they will get from the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition.
“I Breastfed; This is My Legacy”
Representation of Black women is so important when it comes to normalizing breastfeeding. This group is underrepresented, and there is already a stigma in the Black and brown community that breastfeeding is a “white” thing. When they see pictures and videos of breastfeeding mothers that heavily display white mothers as the focus it just reinforces the same message as the stigma and creates barriers.
To dispel this myth, the Wichita Black Breastfeeding Coalition created a project called “Latched Legacy.” This project highlights and normalizes that Black women do indeed breastfeed. The campaign video shows Black mothers confidently sharing the statement “I Breastfed; This is My Legacy” while capturing them with their children and partners. The project’s goal is not only to increase breastfeeding initiation rates in the Wichita Metro Area but also to increase media representation for Black mothers regarding breastfeeding.
“Latched Legacy” campaign video
In conjunction with representation, this project has also allowed us to provide breastfeeding kits for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers of color. These kits include supplies and information to encourage them to initiate breastfeeding as their first choice upon delivery. As a result, we have a success rate of 95% of mothers who have received a kit while pregnant initiating breastfeeding as their first choice of feeding after delivery.
Breastfeeding is for mothers of all backgrounds. We are changing the Black breastfeeding narrative one family at a time in the Wichita area. Every Kansas family should receive the resources and support they need to reach their breastfeeding goals. You can support new or expecting parents in your area by referring them to a local breastfeeding coalition or to an organization that provides breastfeeding resources.
About the series
This is the final post in a series on breastfeeding in Kansas. Prior posts include:
Childhood vaccination is a sensitive topic. Whether you’re discussing wellness vaccines or COVID-19 vaccines, it’s important to meet people with empathy and active listening. This webinar on navigating vaccine hesitancy with families was recorded on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Speakers included Dr. Gretchen Homan, president-elect for the Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and former Immunize Kansas Coalition chair; Erica McGinley, nurse consultant for Child Care Aware of Kansas; and David Jordan, president and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.
We often wish someone could walk us through insurance applications or help us understand doctor’s orders. The challenges can be amplified for uninsured patients and patients whose primary language isn’t English.
Thankfully, there is growing interest in Kansas and beyond in establishing the widespread practice of community health workers to help patients navigate our complicated health system.
A community health worker (CHW) is a member of the health care team who serves as a bridge between patients and providers. They translate doctor jargon. They fill out paperwork and connect patients to needed resources. CHWs help patients overcome obstacles to seeking care, such as transportation or language barriers.
CHWs make the system work better for patients and providers, which is why the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund has invested in supporting the use of CHWs in health care settings throughout Kansas and is partnering with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Health Forward Foundation and over 20 health care and community stakeholders to create certification and payment policies to establish and sustain the profession in Kansas.
CHWs Impact: Lucy’s first patient
Lucy Watie of Bob Wilson Hospital is one of approximately 500 CHWs practicing in Kansas today. As a resident of Ulysses who works at her local hospital, she is passionate about improving the health of her neighbors and community.
“One of my first referrals was a 23-year-old, obstetric patient, mother of two,” said Watie. “The client had no insurance and was considering canceling her ultrasound appointment.”
This patient’s health was impacted by more than what happened at her doctor’s office. All of us are affected by the social determinants of health—the conditions where we live, learn, work and play. This patient lived in a deteriorating apartment with two small children and very little money.
She couldn’t afford to pay for a safe place to live. Paying for an ultrasound was out of the question. Watie helped her apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and WIC. During their time working together, the patient moved from an unsafe apartment to subsidized housing, obtained a library card for internet access, enrolled in the adult learning center to work on her diploma, and established care with a dentist.
“This young lady has endured trauma in her life and been diagnosed with mental illness,” said Watie. “It’s so rewarding to see how well this client is doing since her discharge. She is happier, healthier and has become very self-sufficient.”
Working with a CHW was a lifechanging experience.
Community health workers are becoming more common in Kansas as health care organizations realize their value as part of the care team. Although CHWs improve access to services while reducing disparities and the cost of care, there are challenges to implementing them.
A 2021 study commissioned by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund identified opportunities to expand the use of CHWs in Kansas, including standardizing education and training, and exploring alternative funding sources because most CHW positions are largely dependent on grant funding. Until now, there has been no baseline education and training to becoming a CHW in Kansas.
Certification program announced
Kansas is one of a growing number of states that are recognizing the community health worker profession by formalizing the certification process. This week, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition announced the certification process, which has two pathways. Interested individuals can become a CHW by completing a KDHE-approved CHW training program or through a combination of work experience and letters of recommendation.
The decision to move forward with the state certification process is the result of workgroup recommendations made by a group of health care professionals including providers, payers, community health advocates, and community health workers, convened by KDHE and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, with support from the Health Forward Foundation, that explored the role of community health workers in Kansas, a certification process and sustainability issues—including Medicaid payment policy. The group continues to work collaboratively to explore sustainability issues.
As momentum and support for the profession grows in Kansas and nationally, the state of Kansas has recently received two grants to support the use and deployment of nearly 100 community health workers to help Kansans navigate the health care system and challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through return on investment, community health workers actually pay for themselves. They reduce reliance on emergency care and increase primary care use. A 2020 study at Penn Medicine found each dollar invested in their CHW program would have a $2.47 return on investment to an average Medicaid payer within the fiscal year.
To become a sustainable part of patient-centered health care, the next challenge to overcome will be creating sustainable funding for CHW positions. The 2021 research study found that more sustainable funding options could include Medicaid, service reimbursement strategies, and other innovative and unique payment ideas. Integrating CHWs into a care team can also create new possibilities for funding.
What’s clear is that CHWs can improve health and bring down costs. Recognizing the profession through a certification process is an important step forward. Establishing sustainable financing will ensure better patient care and reduce costs for providers and payers, like state Medicaid programs.
Dr. Sharla Smith of the Kansas Birth Equity Network joined Health Fund CEO David Jordan for a conversation on the Black maternal health crisis.
Conversation with Dr. Sharla Smith of the Kansas Birth Equity Network
“Black women are two to three times more likely to die of childbirth-related issues than white women,” said Dr. Smith. “We’re seeing that crisis happen in the absence of the social determinants of health. So, Black women from the wealthiest communities still have worse outcomes. Black educated women still have worse outcomes than all other women.”
Through its new budget, Kansas is taking an important step in improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed the new budget bill which contains funding for extending postpartum KanCare (Medicaid) coverage from 60 days to 12 months.
More than 30% of Kansas births are covered by KanCare. Extending postpartum coverage will allow mothers to access early interventions and coordinated care, preventing postpartum complications that arise more than 60 days after delivery. Now more mothers will have health insurance and access to care in the first full year postpartum when the mother is still at risk for complications, including pregnancy-related death.
In response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, a temporary federal expansion of postpartum benefits to 12 months has allowed mothers to access or continue accessing health care and mental health services that provide both mother and child with a healthier start to life. A significant aspect of these improved health outcomes results from mothers being able to access early interventions and coordinated care, preventing postpartum complications that arise more than 60 days after delivery and keeping chronic conditions from worsening due to early identification and intervention.
“We commend Governor Kelly and the Kansas Legislature for extending postpartum KanCare coverage to 12 months,” said David Jordan, president and CEO of the Health Fund. “This will positively impact 9,000 Kansas mothers each year—reducing maternal mortality, improving health outcomes, and reducing disparities.”
Extended postpartum KanCare is an important step toward improved health for mothers. We need to remain attentive to and advocate for mothers’ access to quality physical and mental health care in all Kansas communities.
The American health care system is expensive and difficult for patients to navigate. Even insured patients worry about the costs of care. Most patients believe providers should consider if social determinants of health are impacting patients’ health, such as concerns regarding food, housing or transportation.
Community health workers (CHWs) address patient health care struggles and are an important part of a patient’s experience. CHWs bridge the gap between patients and providers, explaining what providers mean and what the next steps are. They connect patients with resources and help them overcome obstacles to seeking care, such as transportation or a lack of insurance. Health care organizations are realizing the importance of investing in CHWs.
Webinar: Community Health Workers – Strengths, Challenges, Opportunities
To increase awareness of the value of community health workers, the Health Fund and the Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute have produced a series of short videos highlighting the role of community health workers and their contributions to addressing chronic conditions, health accessibility, and health outcomes. The videos also discuss the importance of reimbursement of services and the return on investment to organizations.
The importance of CHWs
Community health workers bridge the gap between the client and health care provider. Medical information can be confusing or even intimidating. Interpreting medical information for patients influences health outcomes.
“Community health workers are the point where health care sort of ends traditionally and extends out into the community or even their home,” said Dennis Dunmyer, COO of KC CARE Health Center. “They help people understand a lot of what the other health care professionals are saying and they help translate for our patients what the next steps are.”
Providers agree that including community health workers in care teams helps patients achieve better outcomes.
“I really think that every health care team and every community-based organization team could benefit from having a community health worker present. I see that my patients are able to follow up with instructions, they are able to get more resources, [and] they are able to live healthier lives because of what our community health workers do,” said Erin Corriveau, MD, University of Kansas Health System.
Community health workers help patients manage chronic conditions.
“A lot of times people with chronic conditions don’t actually feel bad…so it’s confusing as to why they have to take medication every day when they feel fine or why they have to see the doctor a few times a year,” said Dunmyer. “Community health workers can help a lot with education and help people understand why those things are important.”
“One of the main focuses of community health workers is how can we prevent this condition or this situation from ending up in the ER or urgent care,” said Kevin Ochoa, a community health worker. “That all starts with showing our clients how to self-manage their chronic conditions.”
A 2020 study at Penn Medicine found each dollar invested in their CHW program would have a $2.47 return on investment to an average Medicaid payer within the fiscal year. Although CHWs bring great value, a barrier to including CHWs on the health care team is reimbursement.
“For this type of work to continue and to be sustainable, it is critically important to be reimbursed by payers. There have been a number of studies that have demonstrated a return on investment,” said Karen Braman, senior vice president of the Kansas Hospital Association. “It really is critical that community health worker services be reimbursed so they can take advantage of this additional layer of services for patients.”
A Three-Part Series Examining the Commission on Racial Equity and Justice’s Final Recommendations
Following months of discussions with community members and stakeholders, the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice developed recommendations to address racial equity in Kansas by focusing on social determinants of health, particularly looking at factors that influence the economic, educational, and health outcomes of our citizens.
The Commission’s recommendations address items that may take place on the state/agency, legislative, and/or local level. Each webinar in this series explores recommendations applicable at a specific level of government.
Examining CREJ Legislative Recommendations
This webinar details the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice’s final recommendations for legislative changes that would influence the economic, educational, and health outcomes of our citizens.
This webinar details the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice’s final recommendations for local government changes that would influence the economic, educational, and health outcomes of our citizens.
View the slides from the local level webinar. This webinar was co-sponsored by the Kansas Association of Counties, League of Kansas Municipalities, and the KU School of Public Affairs and Administration.
Examining CREJ State and Agency Recommendations
This webinar details the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice’s final recommendations for state and agency changes that would influence the economic, educational, and health outcomes of our citizens.
