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Health Fundamentals

June 2011
Sections: News | Events

News

Kansas Foundations Establish Fund Preparing State for Implementation of Health Reform Law

Five health philanthropies that fund health programs and initiatives in the state of Kansas recently announced the formation of a $450,000 fund to help Kansas organizations carry out activities that support implementation of the federal health reform law. The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas Health Foundation, the REACH Healthcare Foundation, the Sunflower Foundation, and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund established the fund to assist state agencies and nonprofit organizations with planning, research, consumer engagement and other activities related to implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act Opportunity Fund (ACA Fund) was modeled on funding pools philanthropies have created in other states to help their states maximize federal grant and technical assistance opportunities connected with health reform.

"Our goal in setting up this fund is to ensure that Kansas and its citizens are well positioned to take advantage of federal programs, technical assistance and grants that are becoming available as part of federal implementation of health reform," said Brenda Sharpe, President and CEO of the REACH Healthcare Foundation. "It is our intent that Kansans receive the full benefit of opportunities related to the law."

Organizations can apply through the Topeka Community Foundation for grants of $5,000 to $30,000. To be eligible, applicants must be operating in Kansas for the benefit of Kansans. Eligible organizations include:

Organizations may apply for financial assistance to support legal, actuarial and policy research and activities; preparing federal grant applications; matching funds for grants; and efforts to engage consumers and other stakeholders in health reform implementation. Other funding opportunities may include participation in regional and national conferences related to health reform and public education on provisions of the law. Grants cannot be used to support indirect expenses of state agencies, nonprofit organizations or collaborative efforts.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is a federal statute that was signed into law on March 23, 2010. Along with the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (signed into law on March 30, 2010), the law is intended to put in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will roll out over four years and beyond, with most changes taking place by 2014. The law requires state action in many areas, including developing new state laws, regulations and structures to carry out health reform requirements. The law also offers opportunities for health system changes at local and regional levels.

ACA Fund applications will be accepted on a continuous basis through December 2011. Information on the ACA Fund and application forms are available on the Topeka Community Foundation website www.topekacommunityfoundation.org.

Health Fund Celebrates 25 Years of Kansas Health Philanthropy

With special activities at the 2011 Kansas West Annual Conference and a 25th Anniversary celebration banquet, the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund reflected on 25 years of Kansas United Methodist health philanthropy in action and looked ahead to new ways to improve health, healing, and wholeness for all Kansans.

At the May 25-27, 2011 Kansas West Annual Conference, the Health Fund celebrated with a presentation on the session floor, a special “Philanthropist for a Day” contest, and sponsorship of healthy breakfast items and the Fun Run.  President Kim Moore led the floor presentation with a video overview of the Health Fund’s 25 years and a story of one of the most successful philanthropic efforts from the Fund’s early years before moving into the current strategic focus areas of access to health care for all Kansans, fit children through increased physical activity and healthy food choices, and mental health for young children and their families.  Board Chair Rev. Lance Carrithers recognized the committed service of the 77 trustees who have served on the Health Fund’s Board over the years and provided an overview of the Fund’s governance by a diverse group of Kansas West United Methodists. 

Vice-President for Programs Virginia Elliott introduced the Philanthropist for a Day contest, designed to give four members of Annual Conference the opportunity to learn more about the philanthropic process by evaluating competing proposals and making actual grant awards.  The Health Fund set aside a total of $25,000 for the project.  Eight Kansas United Methodist agencies or institutions responded to an invitation to submit four grant proposals each, at the $10,000, $7,500, $5,000, and $2,500 levels.  Members of Annual Conference were invited to enter a drawing at the Health Fund booth to be among the four selected to become a “Philanthropist for a Day.” The four persons selected in the drawing are Jean Hedstrom, Mulvane UMC ($10,000), Merlin Dresher, Canton UMC ($7,500), Maureen Appenfeller, Downs-Portis UMC ($5,000), and Donna Blattner, Rozel UMC ($2,500).  Each of the four philanthropists received a copy of the full grant proposals, and were asked to consider how to do the most good with the available funding.  The Health Fund will provide the funding and take care of the paperwork, leaving the philanthropists to consider questions such as: Will the work exist for a reasonable time period? Is it meeting a need which will materially improve the lives of those benefited? Does it reach a significant number of people? The philanthropists will also need to work within conflict-of-interest rules to have a valid philanthropic experience.  One award a week will be made in June, starting with the $10,000 level.  The decisions of the philanthropists will be published, along with the other unmet funding opportunities.

The Health Fund also handed out healthy snacks and fluoridated bottled water during a break in Friday’s Annual Conference activities.

Nearly 200 people attended the Health Fund’s May 10 celebration banquet, which included a reunion and visioning event for former and current trustees, a seminar providing nonprofits with techniques for increasing impact and effectiveness, and a keynote presentation by Paul Vandeventer, President & CEO of Community Partners entitled “Melding Civic Heart and Mind: Philanthropy’s Next Generation Challenge.” The banquet also featured the presentation of the 2010 Janet Sevier Gilbreath Special Project Recognition award to the Kansas Head Start Association’s Parent Health Literacy project.  The 22 previous Janet Sevier Gilbreath award winners were again recognized for their outstanding work in improving the health of Kansans.

Call for Nominations: Kansas Health Champion Award

The Governor's Council on Fitness seeks nominations for the Kansas Health Champion Award, due July 15th. One individual and one organization will be honored by the Governor at the State Fair in September.

As part of the effort to help Kansans improve their health, the Governor recognizes an individual and an organization annually who put forth an exceptional effort to model, encourage, and promote fitness in Kansas. "Besides recognizing exemplary contributions," explains Virginia Elliott, Awards Committee Chair and Vice President for Programs for the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, "the awards program identifies models of effectiveness in increasing physical activity that can be reproduced in other organizations and communities."

Eligible nominees might include an outstanding volunteer, a school, a local community, a newspaper or individual reporter, a local or state policy maker, or an employer, among others. Nominees would be expected to have demonstrated:

Do you know an individual or organization making a difference in improving fitness? Take this opportunity to nominate your favorite health champion for this award and special recognition by the Governor.

For more information and to submit a nomination, go to www.kansasfitness.org and click on the link "Health Champion Award" or contact Anthony Randles at 785-296-8060.

The Governor's Council on Fitness advises the Governor and others on ways to enhance the health of all Kansans through promotion of physical activity, good dietary choices, and prevention of tobacco use.

Sedgwick County Dental Discount Program Available

The Sedgwick County Division of Human Services is sponsoring a new Dental Discount Program which can help members save an average of 20 percent to 50 percent on dental care, and up to 20 percent on orthodontics. Sedgwick County is one of a few pilot counties for this program designed to help uninsured or underinsured county residents.

Discount dental programs are easy to use -- members simply pay a small monthly fee ($6.95 monthly/$59 annually for an individual or $8.95 monthly/$69 annually for families) for access to participating providers who have agreed to give services at discounted rates. Members simply schedule an appointment with a participating dentist or specialist, then present the membership card to receive a discount at the time of service. At this time, there are 25 dentists participating, and more participating dentists are anticipated as the program grows.

Key factors of the Dental Discount Card:

For more information, including a list of participating dentists and signup information, please visit the Sedgwick County Division of Human Services website.

 

Events

Public Forums on Medicaid June 22, July 7 & 8

Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, MD, announced three public forums on Medicaid reform which will be held in Topeka, Wichita, and Dodge City this summer.

"It is essential to Governor Brownback and me that we receive guidance from Kansans while we work to reform our state's Medicaid system," Lt. Governor Colyer said. "These forums will provide Kansans from across the state the opportunity to give their input about healthcare in their communities. We look forward to working collaboratively with our fellow Kansans to find Kansas solutions for Kansas healthcare needs."

Details of the forums are as follows:

In his State of the State address to the Kansas Legislature in January, Governor Brownback announced Lt. Governor Colyer would lead a collaborative effort to remake the state's Medicaid program and improve healthcare. The working group led by the Lieutenant Governor include Aging Secretary Shawn Sullivan, SRS Secretary Rob Siedlecki, KDHE Secretary Dr. Robert Moser, Budget Director Steve Anderson and KHPA Director Dr. Andy Allison.

"We're fortunate to have this opportunity to make our state Medicaid program more effective through the public input process, allowing consumers, advocates, and other stakeholder groups to collaborate with us in improving health care for all Kansans," said Dr. Moser. "This effort is not just about cost savings. The ability to more effectively purchase and administer health care builds a better Kansas with stronger families and a growing economy."

Kansas, like most other states, faces an enormous shortfall in state Medicaid funding. The focus for the working group is to produce an affordable, sustainable program that improves health outcomes for Kansans in need. The public meetings will facilitate discussion and cultivate ideas from the public to decision-makers.

"I greatly look forward to working with stakeholders so together we can craft solutions to the challenges before us," Secretary Siedlecki said.

The working group will launch a web-based tool for Kansans to submit comments and ideas within a few weeks and will culminate the public input process with a conference in August to be held in the 3rd Congressional District.

"I believe a robust stakeholder input process is essential in formulating good public policy. I would like to encourage our partners around the state to participate in these discussions as we work to reform the state Medicaid system," Secretary Sullivan said.

The Medicaid reform public input and stakeholder consultation process has been funded by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, the Kansas Health Foundation, the REACH Healthcare Foundation, the Sunflower Foundation, and the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. Deloitte, an international consulting firm, has been hired to act as facilitators for the public input process. The hiring of Deloitte was supported by the grant.

Because of limited seating space at meeting facilities, please RSVP by clicking one of the following links:

Topeka, June 22 | Wichita, July 7 | Dodge City, July 8

Or, RSVP by contacting Alisha Kirby in the Office of the Lt. Governor at 785-296-2213 or by emailing rsvp@ks.gov. Please indicate which meeting you would like to attend by including the name in the subject line.

Self-Care Workshops for Kansas United Methodist Clergy offered online

Self-Care workshops for Kansas United Methodist clergy, clergy spouses, and church staff are now available in an online format to increase availability. Servant Leadership: Personal and Professional Self-Care provides a structured opportunity for individuals to examine their current choices within the areas of mental/emotional, physical, social, and spiritual health and to develop personalized plans for behavioral and environmental changes to improve their personal health.

Workshop participants explore connections between spiritual, mental, social, and physical health; understand how servant leadership requires self-care; experience stress-management techniques; learn how to say "no"; self-assess current health behaviors and choices; discuss current knowledge and recommendations for nutrition, physical activity, hydration, and sleep, and learn how to personally implement those recommendations.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed a structured self-care covenant for behavioral and environmental changes to improve personal health, and an accountability plan to help keep on track with the chosen self-care goals.

The online workshops are delivered as a series of four, two-hour sessions using a live electronic meeting room format with no travel required. The online workshops provide the same eight participation hours and cover the same materials as the in-person workshops. Online workshops for 2011 are scheduled in August, September, October, and November.

Pre-registration is required. Workshop details, dates, locations, and online pre-registration can be found on the Health Fund website www.healthfund.org/selfcare.php. The workshops are underwritten by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and are provided at no charge to participants.

Healthy Congregations Covenant Training Courses Scheduled

The Health Fund is again sponsoring a series of regional training courses to help Kansas United Methodist churches develop and grow effective health ministry programs. There is no cost to register or attend, but pre-registration is required.

The core courses count toward the training requirements of the Healthy Congregations Covenant program, but a Covenant agreement is not required to attend. If your church may be interested in future participation, or you would just like to learn more about ways to deliver high-quality health ministries, we encourage you to register today.

Training dates for the remainder of 2011 are July 30, August 27, and October 8.

The trainings are offered at several regional locations throughout the state:

A Goodland training site is under development; check back for availability of that site.

More event information, including a full schedule, detailed course descriptions, and online registration, is available at www.healthfund.org/hcctraining.php.

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