Additional Resources
Health departments pursuing accreditation must complete a community health assessment, a community health improvement plan, and a strategic plan. The Kansas Health Institute, a partner in Kansas Health Matters, created, with support from the Kansas Health Foundation, a series of handbooks and guides on how to prepare the three documents. Click here to learn more about the materials.
The Health Statistics and Resources for Kansas document is a compilation of sources for statistical information and resources to support community health assessment and health improvement planning. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Bureau of Epidemiology and Public Health Informatics (BEPHI) prepared this document as part of Kansas Health Matters. Many sites have information by county, and a few of the sites aggregate data by Kansas Health Preparedness Region. Click here to access Health Statistics and Resources for Kansas.
Creating a directory of local health services and community assets provides multiple benefits to local residents, health service providers and community health organizations. A local health services and community asset directory is a requirement for certain hospital entities performing Community Health Needs Assessments. It also is required for health departments preparing to apply for national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board. The Kansas Health Matters Partnership in conjunction with K-State Research and Extension has created a Guide and Template to assist hospitals, health departments, and other community organizations with a local health services and community asset directory. Health services directories were created for 98 Kansas counties in 2012, and could serve as a starting point for many communities. These directories can be found at: http://www.krhw.net/ruralhsd.html.