Phase I: Organizing for success and Developing Partnerships The Quality of Life Coalition consists of over 60 different agencies including schools, local governments, health providers, recreational and youth serving organizations, social services and concerned individuals. With this core group and a partnership with the Dickinson County Health Department as the springboard, additional stakeholders throughout the county were continually recruited to participate. Funding and facilitation for this project was provided through a Compassion Kansas grant from the Center for Community Research and Support at Wichita State University.

Information Technology Solutions

Phase II: Vision

Dickinson County is a thriving

community providing opportunities

for all to live a quality life.

VISION Dickinson County

is a thriving

community provid-

ing opportunities

for all to live a

quality life.

ASSESSING OUR COMMUNITY

• Forces of

Change

• Community

Themes &

Strengths

• Community

Health Status

• Local Public

Health System

Assessment

FIVE STRATEGIC AREAS • Infrastructure

• Volunteerism

• Education

• Youth

• Healthy

Lifestyles

Mobilizing Action Through Planning & Partnerships

Dickinson County, Kansas

WHAT IS MAPP?

Mobilizing Action through Planning and

Partnerships is a strategic

approach to community health

improvement developed by the

National Association of City and

County Health Officials.

In 1996, the Quality of Life Coalition

conducted the Community Health

Assessment Process (CHAP) which

determined five priority areas to

address to build a healthy community.

As 2006, approached the community

once again determined it was time to

conduct a thorough needs assessment

and planning to better serve Dickinson

County residents.

The results of MAPP have

strengthened our local public health

system and defined common goals to

build a healthy, thriving community.

Delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services

Phase III: Four MAPP Assessment The Forces of Change Assessment focused on identifying impending changes in Dickinson County that affect the context in which the community, the public health and social services systems operate. Changes affecting Dickinson County:

The Community Themes and Strengths Assessment provided a deep understanding of the issues that residents feel are important. Over 3,000 surveys were distributed throughout Dickinson County garnering a 37% response rate. Overall 49% responded that Dickinson County was somewhat unhealthy and surprisingly, 49% of respondents did no volunteer work in the community. Most important factors for a healthy community: Good schools, Low crime/safe neighborhoods, Good place to raise children Most important health problems: Cancers, Aging problems, Alcohol and Drugs Most important risky behaviors: Alcohol Abuse, Being Overweight, Drug Use Health issues needing most attention: Youth Tobacco Use, Clean Water for Drinking, Safe Food Issues most satisfied with: Good place to raise children, Safety, Sense of Community

The Community Health Status Assessment identified priority community health and quality of life issues through gathering data from a variety of sources. Data was collected and analyzed for Dickinson County on:

• Military Influx • Housing availability, affordability, quality • Technology & Communication • Medical & Dental Services, Insurance Coverage

• Immigration & Language Barrier • Environment: Air, Water, Recycling • Aging Population issues • $$$$-wages/jobs, government funded programs

The Local Public Health System Assessment is a comprehensive assessment developed and analyzed by the Centers for Disease Control that included input from all of the entities that contribute to the public’s health. This assessment provided an in-depth look at how Dickinson County is providing the 10 Essential Public Health Services

Challenges for the LPHSA:

Up-to-Date technology $$, Staffing Development & Resources Communication/Language Barriers/Public Information Hard to reach populations in rural areas, geography of county Decreased emphasis on connection between health & academic success Lack of understanding of Aging & General Community Needs Serving Military Families Laws/ Public Policies Consistent participation of all stakeholders & frequent participant burn-out Evaluating Programs & Services

• Demographic Characteristics • Socioeconomic Characteristics • Health Resource and Availability • Quality of Life • Behavioral Risk Factors

• Environmental Health Indicators • Social and Mental Health • Maternal and Child Health • Death, Illness and Injury • Infectious Disease

Phase IV: Identifying Strategic Issues A facilitated meeting was held March 19, 2008 to review findings of the four assessments conducted in 2007 and discuss recurring themes and issues. Five areas of issue were identified in which 18 different strategies to be implemented were developed. Of these 18 strategies, five were chosen as top priority to build a healthy Dickinson County. I. Infrastructure: Develop a county-wide housing authority to recommend, implement and monitor housing standards, affordability and availability. II. Volunteerism: Research creating a volunteer center. III. Education: Provide lifelong learning skills that meet the social and economic needs of Dickinson County. IV. Youth: Establish a countywide task force comprised of youth, law enforcement, schools, parents, service organizations and business with the purpose of addressing alcohol, tobacco and other drug issues. V. Healthy Lifestyles: Promote and encourage Environmental Stewardship. Many other areas of concern including health care accessibility, services for the aging, obesity, supporting military families and broadening the scope of collaboration were of concern to the coalition and should also be considered as work progresses on addressing the top five strategic areas.

Phase V: Formulate Goals and Strategies The Quality of Life Coalition will continue to host a monthly community forum in which the top five strategic priorities will be developed into action steps with measurable objectives. The community forum will serve as an continual opportunity to broaden collaboration efforts, develop additional key community partnerships and move the MAPP process into Phase VI. Phase: VI: The Action Cycle! Planning, implementation & evaluation will be ongoing as programs evolve and goals are reached in making Dickinson County a thriving community providing opportunities for all to live a quality life.

Thanks to the following organizations for making MAPP possible:

8th Judicial District Abilene Animal Hospital Abilene Area Ministerial Alliance Abilene Downtown Revitalization Committee Abilene Economic Development Council American Red Cross, Dickinson County Chapter Beta Sigma Phi Big Brothers Big Sisters Boy Scouts, Coronado Area Council Center for Community Support & Research, Wichita State University Centers for Disease Control Central Kansas Foundation & Regional Prevention Center Central Kansas Mental Health Center Children and Families Coalition Children’s Mercy Health Partnership City of Abilene City of Enterprise City of Chapman City of Herington City of Hope City of Solomon Community Foundation of Dickinson County

Dickinson County Administration Dickinson County Commissioners Dickinson County Environmental Service Dickinson County Emergency Management Dickinson County Emergency Medical Services Dickinson County Health Department Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas Heartland Programs Kansas Department of Health & Environment K-State Research & Extension Kansas Kids In Crisis Leadership Dickinson County Alumni Memorial Health Systems National Association of City and County Health Officials OCCK Parents As Teachers Quality of Life Coalition Smart Start Dickinson County United Way of Dickinson County University of Kansas, School of Medicine USD 435, Abilene USD 473, Chapman Woodbine Lions Club

Community

S a f e N e i g h b o r h o o d s

V a l u e s

A r c h i t e c t u r e

G r e a t P l a c e t o R a i s e

C h i l d r e n

H E A L T H Y

Making Where We Live A Better Place

785-263-1550 710 S Buckeye Ave Abilene, KS 67410

H e a l t h y E c o n o m y

A c c e s s t o H e a l t h c a r e

G o o d S c h o o l s

C l e a n E n v i r o n m e n t

If you would like more in-depth information from the Dickinson County MAPP process that includes data, assessments, other strategic issues identified and participant comments, please contact the Quality of Life Coalition at the phone number or address listed to receive a CD that includes all documents in an electronic file.