Our very own Dr. Lee (Carla A. Bouska Lee, PhD, EdS, MN, MA, APRN-BC, FNP, CNS, CHES, FIBA, FAAN) of La Familia Senior Community Center is invited to present “Aspects of Immune Building Modalities” at the Global Summit on Nursing Education & Healthcare! She will present her paper in person in April 2023 in Rome, Italy.

The presentation will cover immune system building especially as related to the aging process and will feature her work with Increase The Reach and educating senior audiences about COVID-19.

What a Great Way to start 2023!!!  The event on January 7, 2023 for Juntos Contra El Covid-19 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church was a great success!  We had a line at our booth from before we opened the doors till the very end of the event.  We gave out 52 Covid Test and information on how to receive enough for their family online for FREE!!!! 

To prepare for the event KCET hung 13 posters at businesses around the area.  We also set up a table canvas before the event at El Mercado Fresco Fresh Market on Metropolitan.  We had wonderful afternoon visiting with the community outside the store. Although it was quite windy, Kansas City residents were eager to learn about vaccinations and how testing can reduce the spread of Covid-19. We handed out 198 Free Covid Test and as many flyers for the event.

We reached more than 5000 local residents online as well. Providing them event scheduling and information support about the event in both English and Spanish.

The Community Health Council of Wyandotte County discussed with Ukrainian students the difficulties of navigating COVID in Wyandotte County.

The Community Health Council of Wyandotte County attended a youth mental health support group where they talked about COVID and isolation. Attendees painted masks to show how people saw themselves during the pandemic. This was a great opportunity to gain insight on how people are feeling about COVID.

The Community Health Council of Wyandotte County assisted with a vaccination and pantry event in Bonner Springs. Vaccination rates are lower in this area and this event provided a vaccination opportunity for the community. 

Over the holiday period, a number of our staff will be taking time off from Friday, December 23, 2022, through Monday, January 2, 2023. Responses to inquiries made during this time may be slower or delayed based on the number of staff available. We appreciate your patience and look forward to working with you.

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas created the following video to help share information about the importance of childhood vaccinations that aired on local TV stations for two weeks. To check out the video, click here. 

The Center hosted a vaccination event on December 3rd that provided vaccination opportunities to the community. Attendees got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus with a special appearance by the Grinch!

Alce su voz shared their outreach work towards, "Vaccine equity for Guatemalan Indigenous Communities in Kansas" through a blog post on their website.

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"Kansas is home to thousands of individuals who have migrated here from Guatemala to find work and better lives and who speak indigenous languages that are not mutually comprehensible with Spanish. One example is the language K’iche,’ which is the most common indigenous language in Guatemala and also in Southwest Kansas. Meanwhile, in Southeast Kansas, we are getting to know speakers of another Guatemalan indigenous language called Akateko. Our vaccine equity project is focused on addressing vaccine hesitancy and barriers to vaccine access in Guatemalan indigenous communities and enhancing the dissemination of health messaging for those communities."

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To read more, click below.

Genesis Family Health provided weekly outreach events to the community at their Garden City outreach center at East Garden Village. Genesis Family Health provided blood pressure check, glucose, and BMI checks, COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccinations on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

On October 29th, Heartland Community Health Center hosted their annual Trunk-or-Treat community event! People of all ages were invited to enjoy elaborately decorated trunks with free candy, treats, games, face painting, raffles and more. The Heartland Trunk-or-Treat event aims to help make flu & Covid-19 vaccines seem less spooky, with staff onsite to provide vaccines to those who'd like them.

Konza Prairie Community Health Center co-sponsored the Laundry Love community event on October 20, 2022. Attendees were able to do up to five free loads of laundry per family at Laundry Land in Junction City. Community Health Workers were available to share information about services, vaccines and set up follow-up appointments for one-on-one assistance.  

El Centro, Inc. hosted a vaccination event on October 28, 2022 providing flu vaccinations for children ages 3 and up and COVID-19 booster doses for children ages 12 and up along with fun activities for those in attendance!

The Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas vaccine team was at the Pittsburg State University tailgate event for the home football game on Saturday, October 1st.  We highlighted Covid-19 Booster and Flu Vaccine.  We added kid's activities also.  The team gave 16 Covid-19 boosters and 39 flu vaccines, along with lots of vaccine information.  Gus Gorilla stop by our tent and we had our message on the giant jumbotron!

On Tuesday, Sept 27, Konza Prairie Community Health Center Medical Director Dr. Megan Seidl and Konza Community Health Worker Veronica Godinez presented at the Dorothy Bramlage Public Library staff meeting. Veronica presented to the group of about 20 library staff members about Konza health and wellness services and social services available through community health workers.  Dr. Seidl educated library staff about vaccines and the importance of receiving appropriate immunizations throughout one’s lifetime. Each library staff member was given current information about COVID vaccines, flu vaccines, and the importance of adult vaccination.

Library staff asked many excellent questions during an engaging discussion session. After the presentation, Konza communications coordinator Shannon Rosauer, sent a follow up email to provide additional information based on the discussion.