Wildcat Connection August 2019 | Page 6

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s a Kansas State University Culture of Health grant recipient, Wildcat District had the opportunity to attend a summer PSE Boot Camp in June. Policies, Systems, and Environmental change is a term we have been learning and talking about. This one-day experience grew our knowledge and helped us to dig in a little deeper to some of our work plans.

The concept is still big but many communities are doing its work, maybe without realizing it. Then there are still parts within a community that can be improved to create habit and behavior change. A recent article shared by a colleague, Are We Program Rich, but System Poor? By The Chung Report, put this thought in an understandable way. It compared this type of work to a machine. If a system is the machine that produces an outcome, individual programs are the gears and parts that make that machine operate. Programs are great and have a part, however if they are not tied effectively into the system, it does not have as much power.

Wildcat District personnel are navigating this new challenge and learning so much! Which is one reason why we reached out to Thrive Allen County to share its work in early July. Lisse Regehr, President and CEO of Thrive Allen County, motivated members of SHIFT Labette County to be a, "yes, we'll think about it," coalition and never a, "no," coalition. She provided great insight into building trust, community conversations, and being a whole community/whole person project!

I look forward to continuing our part within great communities, with great people, to move the needle of change towards an even happier and healthier Southeast Kansas.

Medicare Help in Community Locations Coming this Fall

I am excited for the annual enrollment period to begin this October through December! Please help me share the unbiased, quality assistance that K-State Research and Extension can provide through SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling of Kansas)!

I will be traveling around the district and

can even meet you where you are!

My schedule will be as follows:

Mondays and Fridays—Girard

Tuesdays—Altamont/Parsons

Wednesdays—Fredonia/Neodesha

Thursdays—Independence/Coffeyville