Public Health Initiative supports Kansas local public health system | Sonja Armbruster, MA

Public Health administrators discuss new ways to
exercise leadership at a recent training in Salina.

The Center for Community Support and Research’s new Public Health Initiative provides technical assistance, training and evaluation support to local health departments and other organizations that provide public health services. The initiative is largely supported by a contract from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that focuses on public health and prevention efforts for the Medicaid population. It also includes several components to strengthen the Kansas public health system.

A Local Public Health Leadership Series is included to enhance the ability of local health department administrators to exercise leadership in the delivery of Medicaid services to residents in their communities. The series was co-created and facilitated with the Leadership Development Team at CCSR.

“The Leadership Series (in Scott City) has given me the opportunity to identify and respond to innovative concepts and methods using decision making processes as well as identifying, creating and balancing theories and concepts to practical situations used in day to day Public Health operations,” said Mila Bandel, administrator, Cheyenne County Public Health Agency.

The Public Health Initiative includes training and educational opportunities. CCSR has helped in developing and delivering initial training related to Medicaid Health Homes and opportunities for health departments to better understand best practices, including chronic disease prevention programs, diabetes prevention and new mother programs.

CCSR’s Research and Evaluation Team assists the public health system by assessing workforce, program offerings, technical assistance needs, and readiness for accreditation. In addition, staff from CCSR’s Community and Organization Development Team helped convene partners from across the state regarding how to improve population health. Meetings focused on how public health and primary care providers in communities and regions can partner.

For more about the Public Health Initiative, please contact Sonja Armbruster, CCSR Public Health initiative coordinator, at sonja.armbruster@wichita.edu or (316) 978-3988.