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Health philanthropy established in 1986 by Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church

Endowment of approximately $60 million

Based in Hutchinson, Kansas

Provides resources to create change in selected health fields in Kansas

Given over $72 million in grants

Board comprised of members from Kansas United Methodist churches with most serving from the original Kansas West Conference.

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2019-2022 Fields of Work

EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

ACCESS TO CARE

HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS

Engaging Great Plains United Methodist churches in local projects focused on improving the health of their congregations and communities

Supporting sustainable health care systems that ensure people have access to care

Ensuring children are physically, mentally, and socially healthy and go to school ready to learn

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Healthy Congregations

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Program Requirements

Complete the sign-up form

Only requirement for eligibility in accessing special grants

At least 3 team members and lay lead

Core Training completed within two years of sign up by at least 3 team members

Transitioned to self-led, virtual training with support from Judy Johnston and Health Fund Staff

Annual renewal- plan, report, and needs assessment due by June 30th

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Social Determinants of Health

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Determinants of Health

Determinants of health are factors that contribute to a person’s current state of health. These factors may be biological, socioeconomic, psychosocial, behavioral, or social in nature. Scientists generally recognize these five determinants of health of a population ^1,2

Fig. 1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. What are determinants of health and how are they related to social determinants of health? Available at: URl to Source

Before addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) specifically, it’s helpful to look a little broader at the generally recognized determinants of health. You can see a definition of the determinants of health here: they are factors that contribute to a person’s current state of health. There are five generally recognized categories of determinants:

5 Generally Recognized Categories

Genes and biology: for example, sex and age
Health behaviors: for example, alcohol use, injection drug use (needles), unprotected sex, and smoking
Social environment or social characteristics: for example, discrimination, income, and gender
Physical environment or total ecology: for example, where a person lives and crowding conditions
Health services or medical care: for example, access to quality health care and having or not having insurance^1,2

Scientists do not know the precise contributions of each determinant at this time. In theory, however, genes, biology, and health behaviors together account for about 25% of population health³. Social determinants of health represent the remaining three categories of social environment, physical environment/total ecology, and health services/medical care³. These social determinants of health also interact with and influence individual behaviors as well³. More specifically, social determinants of health refer to the set of factors that contribute to the social patterning of health, disease, and illness³.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2019. What are determinants of health and how are they related to social determinants of health? Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/socialdeterminants/faq.html

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Social, Environmental and Behavioral Factors that Impact Health �

Physical environment

Housing

Transportation

Access to �healthy food

Stress

Poverty

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Using SDoH Framework to guide Special Grant Opportunities

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The Big Garden

The Big Garden special grant opportunity is for congregations that are interested in increasing access to healthy foods in their community. The Big Garden allows churches to build relationships with their communities and local food banks by developing community gardens and providing education on hunger.

Grant recipients will receive up to $2,700 for garden infrastructure such as:

• raised beds

• fencing

• garden shed

• water irrigation

• tool

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Bike Share in a Box

Healthy Congregations interested in this opportunity are passionate about breaking down transportation barriers and providing a fun alternative for physical activity.

Each participating church will receive:

• five bikes

• a bike rack

• bike locks

• waivers

• signage for the community

• technical assistance

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Faith in Democracy

One of the strongest ways to ensure healthy communities is for each person to be engaged and to have a voice. Faith in Democracy is a nonpartisan relationship-based program focused on increasing voter turnout. This grant provides tools to support Kansas Healthy Congregations in ensuring their congregations and community members can access the polls.

Grant participants will receive:

• digital resources

• worship resources/sermon guide

• regular information on how to support members in registering to vote, finding their polling place, and knowing what is on their ballot.

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Financial Health-Take Control Collaborative Training

Is your Healthy Congregations team ready to move beyond short-term crisis assistance and start helping your congregation and community create sustainable financial wellness?

This training is comprised of four, 3-hour sessions that will provide faith leaders training to promote financial wellness through client-centered behavior-based education, that will help your congregation and community members reach their financial goals through healthy decision making.

Healthy Congregation churches will receive virtual training and coaching as well as curriculum in the coaching model developed by Interfaith Housing & Community Services.

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The Giving Grove

Healthy Congregation churches interested in making sure that their community has access to healthy calories should consider this special grant opportunity.

The Giving Grove grant provides:

• up to ten fruit trees

• all materials and tools needed for planting day

• ongoing support and training to ensure the success of their orchards

Orchards typically take three years to produce fruit. When it’s time for harvest, a percentage of the produce is given away— hence The Giving Grove

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Good Neighbor Experiment

This opportunity is for churches who want to engage their community as neighbors.

Healthy Congregation churches who participate in this nine-month-long learning cohort will receive training rooted in the practices of Asset-Based Community Development and Christian Faith.

The process includes:

• three in-person or virtual workshops

• four action-based “labs” of small group materials each six weeks long • congregational coaching for churches

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Mental Health First Aid

Healthy Congregation churches who participate in the Mental Health first Aid Training (MHFA) special grant opportunity learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help. Additionally, MHFA teaches congregations and communities about recovery and resiliency – the belief that individuals experiencing these challenges can get better and use their strengths to stay well.

Congregations and Communities will receive a one-day, 6.5-hour virtual training– open to all individuals from existing Healthy Congregations churches, the MHFA training manual, and technical assistance

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Summer Food Service Program

Healthy Congregation churches interested in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) want children to continue receiving nutritious meals during summer break and unanticipated school closure. A church will receive up to $2,000 to go toward:

Start-up costs for new programs
Expanding: sites, meals served, or number of months meals are served
One-time resource expenses
Strengthening the existing site’s work or increasing numbers served: strengthening partnerships, providing programs/activities, alleviating transportation barriers, partnering with Kansas Food Bank to provide “food backpacks” for weekend meal

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As for Me and My Body – Newest Special Grant opportunity!

As for Me and My Body is a four-week coaching program that invites churches to connect their spiritual and physical health to come to a deeper understanding that taking care of the body is an act of serving God.

Grantees receive:

Copy of the book
4 virtual coaching session

Upcoming dates: Tuesdays from Sept 13^th-Oct 4^th, noon-1pm

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Retreat/intersections of Faith and Health Conference

Open to all UMCs in KS and NE
Due to COVID-19, combined event planned for the fall
Annual retreat typically held at Rock Springs 4-H camp and free
Opportunity to:

Discover ways churches can advance health, healing, and wholeness in the congregation and local community
Learn from Healthy Congregations training courses
Enjoy fellowship with others sharing your passion for health ministry
Gain renewed personal energy in a scenic retreat setting

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Questions?

https://healthfund.org/a/healthy-congregations/

Katie Schoenhoff

Director of Programs

katie@healthfund.org

Dashinika Poindexter

Program Coordinator

dashinika@healthfund.org