By Health Forward Blog Team on September 25, 2020
For the past 15 years, Health Forward Foundation has worked to transform communities and ignite a culture of health in our region. To mark this milestone, we are inviting our partners to join us in a virtual celebration of our collective work. Here’s everything you’ll need to know to attend and what to expect that […]
By Jessica Kejr on September 17, 2020
Director of Programs and Client Collaboration Initiatives
Harvesters—The Community Food Network
Hunger is a solvable, social determinant of health. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted various factors that drive deep health disparities in our communities. There is a renewed urgency to face these factors directly and address hunger as a health issue in a meaningful way. The 4th Annual Hunger-Free Healthcare Summit will engage in this important […]
By Health Forward Blog Team on September 15, 2020
In 2019, five local artists were commissioned to create works reflecting on racial and economic inequities associated with nutrition assistance programs and how food policy shapes access to healthy food. In this video featuring the entire Art for KC Voices collection, spoken word artist Glenn North shares one of his contributions: The House of Seven […]
By Cori Stites on September 11, 2020
Program Associate
Health Forward Foundation
After 15 years at Health Forward, Graciela Couchonnal has acquired extensive knowledge about the health needs in our service area and the agencies working to improve the health of our communities. Her experience includes serving as Health Forward’s first-ever program officer, leading the Safety Net Grants team, and now serving as the vice president of […]
By Anne F. Rauth, MBA on September 10, 2020
Marketing and Development Director
Mercy and Truth Medical Missions
Day in and day out, Mercy and Truth Medical Missions serves the poorest of the poor and the sickest of the sick. Our patients include the essential workers who have continued to serve the community at their own personal risk during this pandemic. When COVID-19 emerged in our region, our patients asked how they could […]
By Brenda Lasater on September 2, 2020
Dental Director
Seton Center
Improved oral health, better education, and lower costs have been the heart of Seton Center’s Dental Services since 1999. It is reflected in our mission and practiced every day as we serve those in need to improve their quality of life and change generational behavior. Dental Services works with each patient to understand their oral […]
By Alfredo Palacol on August 27, 2020
Director of Case Management
Hope Faith
Since 2004, Hope Faith has passionately strived to meet the needs of Kansas City’s homeless and vulnerable community members. Hope Faith humbly started off by serving sack lunches in the Westport neighborhood. We have grown steadily over the years, providing clothing and other essential items, and eventually evolving to a 47,000 square foot collaborative daytime […]
By McClain Bryant Macklin on August 20, 2020
Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives
Health Forward Foundation
At the beginning of August, Missouri voters sent a clear message: it’s time to provide Missourians the health care we all need and for Missouri’s tax dollars come back home to benefit the state and its residents. The passage of Medicaid expansion on August 4 was a huge success for the uninsured and underserved, and […]
By Nancy Osborn, Ph.D. on August 13, 2020
Psychologist/Trainer
KC Healthy Kids
The COVID-19 crisis has brought concerns for mental health issues to the forefront for almost everyone. However, one group that is often overlooked is the very young. Often it is difficult for parents, child care providers, and other caregivers to realize that even preschoolers can meet the diagnostic criteria for certain mental health disorders. For […]
By Jaynell “KK” Assmann, APRN-C on July 30, 2020
Founder and President
Care Beyond the Boulevard, Inc.
Care Beyond the Boulevard (CBB) has been providing mobile medical clinic services to individuals experiencing homelessness on the streets in the Kansas City metro for over four years. With a mission of compassionate health care for all, CBB’s Big Green Bus mobile clinic and volunteer corps of practitioners and volunteers are out seeing patients four […]
