​COVID-19 News & Resources

Like many organizations across the county, we’re taking a number of precautions to reduce interruption in critical services and support, while also mitigating the spread of COVID-19. These are precautionary measures:
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• In the interest of protecting our staff, partners and program participants, we have asked staff and consultants to work from home until further notice and to modify, reschedule or cancel face-to-face meetings with clients and stakeholders. We will hold virtual meetings and are fortunate in that we have robust tools that allow us to continue to effectively work with each other and our stakeholders.
• We are developing briefs to help the communities we serve get up-to-date and accurate information especially regarding early care and education centers, food distribution and transportation. These will be shared on our website and through social media channels.
• KC Healthy Kids' COVID-19 Outbreak Response Plan was developed in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• Please review information from the CDC regarding how to protect yourself, symptoms of severe respiratory illness and what to do if you become ill. The CDC also offers information about travel, coughing and sneezing etiquette, clean hands and more.

Our leadership team will continue to monitor the evolving situation and adjust accordingly to protect the health of our region. Please subscribe  for email updates and connect with us on social media.

Resources

State Health Departments

• Kansas Department of Health
• Missouri Department of Health
  (also check your county’s website)

Local Food

• KC Food Circle Community Supported Agriculture

Mindfulness & Self Care

• Mental Health Resources
• How to Make Stress Your Friend Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.
• All it Takes is 10 Mindful Minutes Andy Puddicombe
• Mindfulness Meditation for Beginners Barry Boyce

Program Updates

Beginning Farmer Wholesale Project

• The Advisory committee will meet and determine steps to support farmers moving forward.
• KC Healthy Kids will continue to work on a food system map planning to chart stakeholders in the local food system. Layers of map may include information about farmers markets, community supported agriculture, restaurants, wholesalers, food rescue and recovery, composting sites, seed and supply providers, hoping to create a comprehensive map of our local foodshed. 

Champions for Health

• Free virtual learning modules for Champions for Health and The Walking Detective are online now. Download Resources
• Meetings will be conducted remotely and program evaluation will occur later this spring once schools have resumed. Professional development and technical assistance for partner classrooms will also be conducted virtually.

Fare Food Shopping

• RideKC buses continue to operate and bus fares are suspended. Find more information here.
• Find grocery stores near bus stops. Shop By Bus Online Map
• Zero fare transit advocacy meetings will be conducted remotely.

Farm to School Academy

• KC Healthy Kids will work with existing partners and update district action plans to incorporate new goals. We plan to remain a resource to school food service directors for local food procurement and to connect them with farmers. 
• We are creating remote learning resources for partners and teachers and explore opportunities for more farm to school tools for families and schools. 

Greater KC Food Policy Coalition

• We partnered with Food Equality Initiative to produce this brief about policy changes needed to assist those who are food insecure and also have food allergies.
• Additional food policy resources relating to the pandemic can be found here.
• Meetings will be conducted remotely or rescheduled.
• Please subscribe to email and follow us on social media for meeting updates and policy action alerts.

Healthy Kids Bright Futures

• NEW WEB PAGE! COVID-19 Resources for Families and Early Ed Professionals
• We are constantly reviewing our community resources to grasp the latest changes to services and resources that children and families need, especially during this stressful time.

Kansas Alliance for Wellness

• Kansas Alliance for Wellness (KAW) will continue to provide regular electronic updates, as well as technical assistance and other support by phone, video conferencing, office hours and other methods which comply with Governor Kelly’s stay at home order.
• KAW is helping councils adapt to rapidly evolving needs in their communities by connecting councils with one another through Zoom calls and by offering video conferencing account access.
• Sign up for updates or contact KAW Director Miranda Klugesherz here.

Policy Resources & Advocacy

• NEW WEB PAGE! Policy Resources for COVID-19 Pandemic with links to resources and a more detailed policy guide.
• We are working with partners throughout the region to identify emerging  needs and opportunities for promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Sign up for updates and advocacy alerts here, and connect with us on social media.

Splitlog Farm & Orchard

• Splitlog Farm will work to grow as much produce as possible in the next few growing seasons.
• Food grown will be distributed to the local community through farm shares.
• We are preparing safe and effective distribution channels.
• Splitlog farm hydroponics systems will be assembled and implemented to increase growing.
• Farm staff will work to develop online resources to increase community outreach and remote learning opportunities.