This K-State 105 partnership is meant to support and augment the work already being done by dedicated physicians, nurses and care providers throughout the state.

The statewide K-State Research and Extension network has locations in all 105 counties and plays a key role in connecting with communities. Community vitality and health have long been a focus of K-State Research and Extension programming, and K-State Research and Extension agents understand the opportunities and challenges in their local communities.

This project will build on the work being done by the Care Collaborative, a health system program that originally started to drive better outcomes in stroke, heart attack and sepsis care in rural Kansas. It now reaches 73 counties statewide, providing access to a variety of tools, expertise and resources for rural health care providers. The Care Collaborative, now in its 10th year, has developed programing and tools for quality improvement, behavioral health, diabetes education and new payment models for rural providers to enhance sustainability as the health care landscape changes.

We are collaborating to identify health care areas for initial project focus. Some of these areas could include:

• Caregiver support for patients with dementia.
• Increasing access to digital and telehealth resources.
• Programming focused on behavioral health needs in rural communities.
• Addressing OB-GYN/high-risk pregnancy provider shortages.
• Grant writing and facilitation resources.
• Strategies to keep care local.

The program will start with pilot projects in areas still being determined through collaboration with communities and with K-State Research and Extension offices.

As part of the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan, K-State has identified community health and well-being as a focus area for engagement and transforming lives in Kansas.