January 20, 2021

2020 was a year like no other. The COVID-19 pandemic, glaring health injustices for people of color, the economic downturn, racial unrest, and political polarization have all challenged our health, mental health, and livelihood. Though Health Forward associates spent most of the year working from home, we still had a full year. In addition to […]

December 21, 2020

We are rapidly approaching the end of what has seemed like a 600-day year. We are ready to turn the page on 2020 and approach the coming year with hope. But before we bid farewell to 2020, we are pausing to thank the many grantees, partners, and community organizations that displayed ingenuity, creative problem solving, […]

October 22, 2020

Editor’s note: On Sept. 30, Health Forward hosted a virtual celebration for our 15th anniversary. During the event, president/CEO Qiana Thomason inspired us with the announcement of Health Forward’s focus on racial and health equity. Below are some frequently asked questions that came from audience members during and after the event. You can also watch […]

October 8, 2020

Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual celebration in honor of Health Forward’s 15 years! We were overwhelmed by the engaged audience comments during the event.  If you were unable to join us, you can still watch a recording of the live event. We have also published just Qiana Thomason’s keynote address, which you […]

September 25, 2020

Updated: Watch the event live. We invite you to download these pages and color while you watch. Be sure to share your masterpiece on social media with #HealthForward15 so we can feature your work! For the past 15 years, Health Forward Foundation has worked to transform communities and ignite a culture of health in our […]

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 […]

May 14, 2020

Sometimes the best response is silence. That’s the approach we have taken on our blog since the onset of the pandemic. In mid-March, we suspended posting anything not related to timely COVID-19 and policy-related communications.  Normally, our blog features a healthy mixture of posts from grantees, community partners, and our associates. It’s May so our […]

January 2, 2020

As we all file back to work in the new decade, we pause to celebrate a time-honored tradition here at Health Forward by recapping highlights from the previous year. Here’s how we spent some of 2019: Honoring Bridget McCandless’ service to Health Forward Foundation Dr. Bridget McCandless announced her retirement as Health Forward President/CEO in […]

September 19, 2019

Circumstances beyond a child’s control can shape his or her destiny, for better or worse, far into the future. That’s why helping children avert a cascade of lifelong problems triggered by early adverse experiences is central to two area programs funded by Health Forward Foundation. Known as Promise 1000 and Healthy Kids Bright Futures, the […]

August 2, 2019

Combating an elusive, often-overlooked killer that preys on the youngest and most vulnerable among Kansas City’s African-American community is the objective behind Asthma Empowerment-Kansas City, a far-reaching program supported by Health Forward Foundation. The three-year-old initiative uses evidence-based strategies to fight the chronic respiratory disease on multiple fronts: In public schools with training, screenings and […]

January 14, 2019

Before we are too solidly into 2019, we want to stop, catch our breath, and take a look back at what a big year 2018 was for our communities and for our foundation. Health Forward Foundation Obviously our big news of 2018 was the culmination of two years of work on our new identity. Our […]

December 19, 2018

Well, here it is, dear readers. The end of another busy year, with the biggest news being our new brand reveal. In the image above, you’ll see the roughly 170 grantees and community organizations that we partnered with to build communities of health in 2018. We thank each and every one for their dedication and […]

October 25, 2018

Fresh fruit and vegetables — and the health benefits that go with them — unfortunately remain out of reach for many with insufficient means. But thanks to a powerhouse Kansas City area program, a growing abundance of fresh produce is making its way to local families who need it most. After the Harvest, a nonprofit […]

August 1, 2018

We know applying for grants takes time and resources from each of our applicants. We respect that time and effort, so we’re continually seeking ways to reduce the burden of this process on our applicants. Today we’re launching an effort to hopefully reduce the confusion of grant documents. Previously, applicants used individual links on the […]

July 5, 2018

Part of our work to ignite a culture of health in our region is advocating for health and wellness. One of our advocacy efforts is this blog. We love to share this platform with the voices of the community to advance conversations around wellness, prevention, and other timely health issues. So, thank you to our […]

April 19, 2018

Government aid remains essential in the fight against hunger for the area’s most vulnerable populations. Yet there’s no guarantee those in need can or will use their benefits to support healthy eating habits. Fortunately, a Kansas City area program is making it easier for individuals and families battling food insecurity to afford a diet rich […]

February 22, 2018

A visionary idea that took root in the Kansas City area six years ago continues to flourish as it improves healthy eating for low-income families and nurtures a renewed sense of community across struggling urban neighborhoods. The Giving Grove, a program of the Kansas City Community Gardens, is a one-of-a-kind initiative that helps at-risk communities […]

February 12, 2018

We often talk about our work to tackle the pressing health issues facing our community. Though the topics are always worthy of discussion and support, they can also be heavy and sad; after all, rarely does something positive come from not receiving regular medical care. However, it occurred to us recently that we rarely talk about […]

December 19, 2017

Well, here it is, dear readers. The end of another year. And what an interesting year 2017 has been! As Americans, we persevered through a tumultuous year. As Missourians and Kansans, we saw some successes in health. And closer to our home, Health Forward experienced quite a bit of change. Before we get too far […]

November 30, 2017

Isolated by language, culture and poverty, many Latino immigrants in Kansas City face chronic health risks often made worse by their limited knowledge of nutrition and inadequate access to healthy foods. El Centro Inc., a 40-year-old area nonprofit, is reducing that isolation with an innovative program that draws from the oral tradition to educate vulnerable […]

March 1, 2017

After a fun few weeks of packing, this week is moving week for Health Forward. Moving trucks are shuttling our work environments to the new office, and we have said goodbye to 18th and Prospect. By Friday afternoon, we will officially begin settling into our new interim home in Two Pershing Square (2300 Main Street, Kansas […]

February 27, 2017

At the corner of 18th and Prospect sits a humble, unassuming building that has been the home of the Health Forward Foundation since our inception 14 years ago. In those early days, the inaugural Health Forward Board of Directors looked for a location that could provide a short-term lease while the board met and began […]

December 30, 2016

The coming of a new year marks a time of fresh beginnings and resolutions. December, then, becomes an important time to reflect on the accomplishments of the year and brings into focus the goals we still need to work toward. Each year, organizations in our region plan and implement outstanding programs and policies that continue […]

December 19, 2016

All of us at the Health Forward Foundation would like to wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. As we approach the new year, we thank you for all you do to help make Greater Kansas City a healthier place to live. As a reminder, the Health Forward office will be closed Dec. 24 […]

November 21, 2016

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for family, friends, good health and great food. In addition to all the delicious calories, we recommend a walk after dinner, weather permitting, of course. This year, in addition to serving the old standbys — turkey smothered in gravy, candied yams, and pumpkin pie — Health Forward is […]

October 31, 2016

On Friday afternoon, Health Forward associates visited our young neighbors at the KIPP Endeavor Academy for an early Halloween treat. Staff had a fun time dressing up and surprising the K-4th grade classrooms, delivering treats and sending the kids off into the weekend with some early Halloween spirit. Program officer Andres Dominguez said it was a good […]

October 12, 2016

Three weeks ago, Health Forward was proud to sponsor American Public Square’s Dinner at the Square event, The Painful Truth. People in attendance listened to a thoughtful, informed and respectful discussion on opioid abuse and whether Missouri needs a prescription drug monitoring program. Missouri is the only state in the nation without a prescription monitoring program. You […]

May 6, 2016

Editor’s note: In our last feature on our 10-year report, we highlighted the efforts of municipalities that are working toward healthier communities. But neighborhood organizations are creating improvements as well, as you’ll read in this excerpt. Read more about healthy communities. In addition to municipalities, neighborhoods also are stepping up with grassroots solutions to stimulate active […]

April 15, 2016

Since 2010, a dozen municipalities in the region have implemented complete streets resolutions. A “complete street” is a street that allows for multiple modes of transportation, such as walkers, bikers, bus riders and wheelchairs, in addition to cars. Many municipalities in the region are also working to create areas more conducive to physical activity. Johnson […]

March 27, 2016

It’s been four months since Kansas City, Missouri, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, became the first cities in the metropolitan area to pass policies to increase the age of sale for tobacco products from 18 to 21. Since then Gladstone and Independence, Missouri, and Olathe and Prairie Village, Kansas, have passed […]

March 2, 2016

A few years ago, we started looking ahead to our 10-year anniversary and how we could mark the occasion. Thus was born an ambitious project of mapping the health care landscape to better understand the accomplishments and obstacles surrounding care to the uninsured and underserved in the Kansas City region. To accomplish this, we sought interviews […]

February 5, 2016

In addition to new general service clinics, the area also has benefited from an expansion in dental care access for special needs and elderly populations. Oral Health on Wheels, a 40-foot mobile dental clinic operated by Johnson County Community College, provides professional dental cleaning and other maintenance services to special needs populations. A dental services […]

January 27, 2016

Historically, one of the most effective strategies for reducing smoking has been to increase the cost of tobacco through higher taxes. According to the American Lung Association, a 10 percent increase in tobacco cost reduces consumption by about 4 percent among adults and 7 percent among youth. Each year, 6,500 Missouri youth start smoking, while […]

December 23, 2015

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! As we celebrate the holiday season, we asked Health Forward associates about their favorite holidays traditions. We hope you enjoy our latest infographic. We want to wish all of our grantees and community partners a very happy and healthy holiday season. As a reminder, the Health Forward offices will […]

December 7, 2015

While many people in this region are uninsured and underserved, over the past decade, legislation like the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and other health care transformations has made health care more accessible to many in our communities. Local free clinics, community health centers, safety net hospitals and community organizations are seeing increased […]

November 25, 2015

In case you haven’t heard, during 2015, we have been celebrating Health Forward’s 10th anniversary of grantmaking. Whether a celebratory picnic in the park, a luncheon and report looking back on how health has advanced in our region, or through our #AHealthy10 series, we’ve enjoyed looking back on all the amazing work that has been done […]

November 9, 2015

Over the past decade we’ve seen new approaches in the understanding and treatment of mental illness. Among the most effective of these is trauma-informed care. We’re proud to say that the Kansas City area has emerged as a national leader in this approach. Trauma-informed care is grounded in the knowledge that traumatic events or situations […]

October 14, 2015

Ed. Note: This is a modified excerpt from our Decade of Difference report. Read more about the region’s health care workforce in our full report. Important developments throughout the dental workforce have played an essential role in supporting the expansion of the area’s oral health safety capacity. Increasingly, dental schools are reaching out to engage students […]

October 8, 2015

In 2015, Health Forward is celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking. But we are nothing without the organizations that work every day on eliminating barriers to quality health in our community. To mark this milestone, we launched a special series — A Healthy 10. Each month we’ll highlight one of 10 areas of health that saw progress […]

October 6, 2015

Ed. Note: This is a modified excerpt from our Decade of Difference report. Read more about the region’s oral health evolution in our full report. Increased oral care capacity, improved collaboration among safety net providers and a growing awareness of the relationship between oral and general health all have helped push oral health care nearer […]

September 10, 2015

In 2015, Health Forward is celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking. But we are nothing without the organizations that work every day on eliminating barriers to quality health in our community. To mark this milestone, we are launching a special series — A Healthy 10. Each month we’ll highlight one of 10 areas of health that […]

August 6, 2015

In 2015, Health Forward is celebrating 10 Years of Grantmaking. But we are nothing without the organizations that work every day on eliminating barriers to quality health in our community. To mark this milestone, we are launching a special series — A Healthy 10. Each month we’ll highlight one of 10 areas of health that […]

July 9, 2015

At its best, the quality of health care in our country and in our region is outstanding. We are at the forefront of developing and using state-of-the-art technologies and innovative pharmaceuticals and have some of the most sophisticated and highly renowned medical centers and clinicians. However, despite these impressive feats, the quality of health care […]

June 4, 2015

To build healthier communities, a logical place to start is through improving nutrition. Ensuring that everyone has access to healthy foods has major implications for preventing chronic diseases and for improving overall community health. The availability of healthy foods — in grocery stores, restaurants, schools and farmers markets — is the hallmark of a thriving […]

May 12, 2015

We know how important early years are for getting children off to a healthy start. These years set the stage for healthy habits to last throughout one’s life. Raising healthy children sounds pretty simple: brushing teeth, developing healthy relationships, practicing good nutrition and encouraging 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Instilling these life-long habits […]

April 13, 2015

If there is one thing that we’ve truly come to understand the past decade, it is that health is influenced by the places in which people live, learn, work, and play. In addition to the work we’ve supported to increase access to care, we’ve also funded work that transforms communities to make healthy choices easy […]

March 25, 2015

Just a decade ago, prohibiting smoking indoors wasn’t even on the table in most of the Kansas City metropolitan area. There was simply too much opposition on the part of tobacco companies, municipalities and owners of hospitality businesses to even begin the conversation. It was thought of purely as an economic decision that would harm […]

March 17, 2015

The year was 2005. There was little discussion and even less action surrounding the need to make public buildings smoke free. The same is true about improving food distribution in the urban core — helping low-income families get fresh fruit and vegetables. The public had few open discussions about mental health and its impact on […]