health commission executive summary report...faith communities, government (federal, state, city ......

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HEALTH COMMISSION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT 2013C I T Y O F K A N S A S C I T Y , M O .

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Thank you to all the commissioners, committee members, staff

and host of volunteers who made this report possible.

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2 0 1 3 H E A L T H C O M M I S S I O N E R S :

Councilman Michael Brooks

Council Co-Chair

Lora Lacey-Haun, Ph.D.,

Community Co-Chair

Thomas Cranshaw

Vice-Chair

Pearl Fain

Councilman Ed Ford

Marissa Gencarelli

David Garrett

Rosemary Graves, Ph.D.

Alice Kitchen

Brenda Kumm

Bryan Love

Clay Marcusen

Michael Mayberry

Michael McGill

Adriana Pecina

Michael Seward

Crystal Williams

Landon Rowland,

Emeritus Co-Chair

Rex Archer, M.D., M.P.H.

Director of Health,

Ex-Officio Co-Chair

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O U R V I S I O N

To promote a community health system that

improves access to health care, reduces health

inequities and improves health outcomes for all

residents.

O U R M I S S I O N

To achieve a citywide collaboration and

partnership of organizations and individuals to

work together to build a healthier community.

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Factors that impact where people live, work and play extend beyond the traditional public

health and health care systems. The “health of a community” is based upon an equation that

includes not only these systems but also recognizes the impact of other things such as crime

(public safety), neighborhood blight (vacant lots and illegal dumping), elementary and

secondary education, post-secondary opportunities, investment levels in quality, early

childhood education, unemployment/under-employment, accessible and affordable food

markets, employment training, enforcement, legal and justice systems, and local, state and

federal public policies.

I N T R O D U C T I O N

All of these “things” can affect our homes,

neighborhoods, schools and workplaces and

sometimes be a sign of trouble when disparities

exist such as high unemployment, low graduation

rates, rising crime, failing neighborhoods, etc.

The City of Kansas City, Mo., recognized the need

to reshape the narrative in October 2005 when it

passed Ordinance 0512161 to create the Health

Commission. The commission serves three primary

purposes: 1| to provide structure and oversight

for the cyclical development, implementation and

evaluation of a Community Health Plan; 2| to

advise the mayor and City Council on public

health matters and policies; and 3| to achieve a

citywide collaboration and partnership of

organizations and individuals to work together to

build a healthier community. The vision and mis-

sion statements emphasize the need to reshape the

narrative by engaging, collaborating and adding

others to dialogue to create sustainable change.

The commission engages many partners from

various areas of expertise including community

organizing, social services, criminal justice, educa-

tion, neighborhood associations, employment and

training services, transportation, criminal justice,

faith communities, government (federal, state, city

and county), and the private and business sector.

This 2013 Executive Summary highlights advoca-

cy efforts to address the Kansas City Community

Health Improvement Plan (KC-CHIP) priorities.

Commission volunteers attended more than 40

public meetings to listen, learn and objectively de-

bate issues related to KC-CHIP strategic goals.

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In 2013, accomplishments included the following efforts of the commission and its

community partners:

Joined national, state and local partners to sup-

port passage of the farm bill to ensure low-income

families, children and seniors have access to food

through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program (SNAP).

Partnered with Community Transformation Grant

fund agency recipients to further common goals on

smoke-free parks and housing policies.

Adopted a standardized data set for establishing a

baseline to evaluate and monitor health inequities

in Kansas City.

Presented the Citizen Recommendations for Poten-

tial Firearm Violence and Interventions, Actions,

and Preventions Steps report to the City Council,

who subsequently adopted five recommendations

by passing Resolution No. 130556 in July 2013.

Established a new committee dedicated to address-

ing violence in Kansas City.

Supported the passage of the health levy to ensure

access to health and preventive services for low

income citizens.

W H O ’ S E L I G I B L E T O R E C E I V E

S N A P B E N E F I T S ?

The gross monthly income for SNAP benefits is

income before any of the program’s deductions

are applied. Generally an applicant must be at or

below 130 percent of the poverty line.

For a family of three, the poverty line in federal

fiscal year 2014 is $1,628 a month. Thus, 130

percent of the poverty line for a three-person

family is $2,116 a month or about $25,400 a

year.

Source: Center for Budget and Policy Priorities

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V I S I O N

Thriving people living, learning and working in a

healthy, active, vibrant and safe community, where

there is equitable access to jobs, quality health,

and education and social services.

G O A L S

1| Improve access to clinical preventive services,

illness care, and public health services and

interventions

2| Create a safe and healthy community

3| Reduce health disparities and improve social

determinants of health

4| Ensure every child has a healthy start

5| Encourage active living and healthy eating

6| Live tobacco-free

C O M M U N I T Y H E A L T H I M P R O V E M E N T

P L A N K C - C H I P 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 6

One of the Health Commission’s roles, pursuant to City Ordinance No. 151261, includes pro-

viding “structure and oversight for the cyclical development, implementation and evaluation

of a Community Health Plan.”

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H E A L T H C O M M I S S I O N 2 0 1 3

C O M M I T T E E A C T I V I T I E S

C O M M I T T E E

Budget and

Contract Evaluation

H I G H L I G H T S

Increased Kansas City’s capacity for the delivery of clinical and preventive services, illness care and public

health services, as well as the capacity to serve uninsured and underinsured persons [2013 goal].

Assessed service-level data reported by safety net providers in order to maximize fund use.

Established audit criteria and recommended to the Health Commission a plan to conduct an external audit

of safety net providers to increase program accountability. This plan was adopted by the commission.

Developed a process for distributing unallocated funds and presented the recommendations to the Health

Commission for approval.

C O M M I T T E E R O L E S A N D

R E S P O N S I B I L I T I E S

Review performance data from all entities funded by the City’s health levy.

Develop recommendations for the expenditure of health levy funds and

monitor the development/expansion of levy-supported health services.

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C O M M I T T E E

Minority Health and

Health Equity

H I G H L I G H T S

Revised the Community Health Assessment report process to include an additional report focused on

factors that affect the health of people where they live, learn, work and play. This new focus acknowledged

the existence of other contributing causes to health-related issues such as education, socio-economic

conditions (poverty), exposure to violent crime and/or poor environmental conditions (trash/illegal

dumping and stray animals), social norms and attitudes (discrimination).

Produced a baseline data set for tracking change as a means to comparatively measure or evaluate

change over time and between defined geographic areas. The document will be used in part to make

policy recommendations to the City Council and the mayor.

Elevated the focus on health equity as defined by Healthy People 2020, which is “attainment of the highest

level of health for all people. Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and

ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the

elimination of health and health care disparities.”

Presented a slate of legislative priorities which was adopted by the Health Commission and presented to

the mayor and City Council.



Increase awareness of the significance of social, economic and

environmental factors that contribute to health disparities and the actions

necessary to improve the health outcomes for minority, ethnic and

underserved populations.

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C O M M I T T E E

Health Planning

H I G H L I G H T S

Developed a health messaging and communications plan to inform/educate residents about healthy

lifestyles and health services [2013 goal].

Collected community members’ suggestions for reducing fire arm violence in Kansas City.

Developed and presented a written report of citizen recommendations to the Public Safety Committee.

Presented the Citizen Recommendations for Potential Firearm Violence and Interventions, Actions, and

Preventions Steps report to the Health Commission and City Council. The Health Commission adopted the

report and recommendations in a resolution that was submitted to the City Council for consideration. In

July, the City Council passed Resolution No. 130556 which identified five recommendations for immediate

implementation.

Supported a Ban the Box resolution to eliminate disclosure of a criminal record from City employment

applications. The City Council passed Resolution No. 130230 to remove the criminal history box from its

application in order to facilitate reentry opportunities for ex-offenders.

Established a comprehensive framework for the Local Public Health System Assessment which will provide

an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the capacity of the local public health system to conduct essential

public health services.



Develop and monitor the City’s Community Health Improvement Plan KC-

CHIP, oversee the Local Public Health System Assessment, provide input into

the Community Health Assessment Process, and write the Health Commis-

sion’s annual report with input from all committees.

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C O M M I T T E E

Tobacco Use Reduction

H I G H L I G H T S

Expanded use of evidence-based tobacco cessation services and increased funding for tobacco prevention

education in the metro area [2013 goal].

Worked with the Parks Board and provided technical assistance and educational testimony which resulted

in all of the park facilities having smoke-free zones as part of a phased-in approach.

Engaged new partners to host a regional summit on smoke-free multi-unit housing with the regional

housing authorities which further enhanced additional agencies working directly with housing agencies on

indoor air testing, policy and cessation assistance.

Gave a presentation through the Kansas City Fire Department on fires in multi-unit housing to the Public

Housing Resident Council.

Partnered with Community Transformation Grant fund agency recipients to further common goals on

smoke-free parks and housing policies, which also maximized available resources.

Created a resolution for the support of the Federal Tobacco Tax, which was later approved by the Health

Commission.



Articulate the status of the community regarding tobacco use reduction

efforts, advise and help to strategically position the community to secure

resources for future tobacco use reduction activities, and advocate for and

develop policies to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco.

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C O M M I T T E E

Women, Infants and

Children’s Health

H I G H L I G H T S

Ensured that every woman and child has timely access to and appropriate use of health care services that

support the mental, physical and social well-being of the family [2013 goal].

Advocated breastfeeding as the healthiest choice for moms, babies and families.

Advocated for the expansion of Missouri and Kansas newborn safe haven laws, which passed and went into

effect in August 2013. In Missouri, the relinquishment period expanded from 5 to 45 days and expanded

the safe havens to include hospitals, ambulance and fire stations, police stations, pregnancy resource

centers and maternity homes.

Prepared a baby and family-friendly survey for use in producing a consumer education brochure that

showcases baby and family-friendly services available in the Kansas City area, especially high risk

communities. The final product will be distributed in 2014 to area clinics and neighborhood associations.

Addressed infant mortality

Served as Fetal Infant Mortality Review Community Action Team for Kansas City and the City’s In

fant Mortality Review Project.



Serve as the Community Action Team for Kansas City’s Fetal Infant Mortality

Review Board, consider all valid data sources for determining community

interventions and ensuring their implementation, establish partnerships to

develop linkages that align community efforts, and advocate for and develop

policies to improve the health outcomes of women, infants and children.

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H I G H L I G H T S C O N T I N U E D

Used a community-based approach to bring together local health providers, consumers, advocates

and leaders to identify strengths and areas for improvement in the overall service system

and available community resources for women, children and families.

Used Fetal Infant Mortality Review data to develop policy direction and provide monthly updates for

the committee to review.

Continued work to decrease local infant mortality rates through engagement in educational and

advocacy activities that built awareness, knowledge and encouragement to change behavior.

Provided advisory support to the Nurse Family Partnership program and assisted with the distribution of

information to potential clients.

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Health Commission 2013 legislative priority recommendations (federal and state) to the City

Council

A D V O C A C Y

C H A L L E N G E S : Budget reductions and

policy positions at the federal and state Levels

threaten to negatively impact public health deliv-

ery systems and the quality of life of Kansas City

residents.

F E D E R A L I S S U E S : The Health Com-

mission’s federal legislative priorities were

adopted by a City Council unanimous vote on

Resolution No. 130958 on 12/12/2013.

Access to health care and public health

interventions - Continue support for full funding

of the Affordable Care Act, including support for

the Prevention and Public Health Fund and the

Community Transformation grants which support

implementation of community wellness and

prevention efforts and expansion of public health

infrastructure to prevent, detect and respond to

public health issues.

Federal block grants for prevention - Continue to

support Title V Maternal and Child Health Block

Grant; increase funding for the Maternal, Infant

and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; and

increase funding for the Preventative Health and

Health Services Block Grant.

Farm bill - Support reauthorization of the farm bill

to maintain funding for the Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program, the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable

Program for low-income children, the Emergency

Food Assistance Program and the Commodity

Supplemental Food Program.

Emergency preparedness and response -

Support enabling legislation and additional

funding for public health emergency preparedness

that includes expanding the emergency response

and public health workforce; ongoing emergen-

cy response workforce and community training;

comprehensive communication systems; continua-

tion, support and expansion of monitoring systems

along with public health supplies and equipment

for emergency response efforts; and provision of

liability protection for qualified volunteers.

Violence as a public health issue - Support enact-

ment of federal legislation for a relief program for

cities addressing high rates of crime and violence,

including funding to increase youth employment

(ages 15-30) in high-risk communities and support

of evidence-based prevention activities.

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S T A T E I S S U E S : The Health Commis-

sion’s state legislative priorities were ad-

opted by a City Council unanimous vote on

Resolution No. 130959 on Dec. 12, 2013.

Affordable Health Care Act - Support imple-

mentation of the Health Care Affordability Act

and other access-related legislation such as

Medicaid expansions.

Food safety - Oppose any effort to amend the

Missouri law to reduce or limit the state’s

current food safety guidelines.

Tobacco use - Support legislation designed to

reduce the use of tobacco, whether smoked or

chewed, and exposure to tobacco smoke.

M E D I C A I D E L I G I B I L I T Y W O U L D

E X T E N D F R O M T H E current 19 percent

of the federal poverty level to 138 percent, reduc-

ing the state’s uninsured by more than one-fourth,

providing coverage for roughly 267,000 previously

uninsured Missourians, and bringing an estimated

$1.56 billion in new federal health care matching

funds into the state’s economy in 2014.

In the Kansas City metropolitan area the number

of uninsured would be reduced by an estimated 27

percent.

Source: George Warren Brown University

M O R E T H A N 5 0 P E R C E N T O F

P E O P L E R E C E I V I N G S N A P food

assistance in January 2013 were either children

(18 and under) or older adults ( 59 and over) in

the following counties:

Clay: 57 percent

Jackson: 55 percent

Platte: 58 percent

Source: Missouri Department of Social Services Research and

Development

Cooperative law enforcement - Oppose efforts to

make it illegal for federal, state and local law en-

forcement to work cooperatively to reduce violent

crime and other serious criminal activity.

L E T T E R S T O E L E C T E D

O F F I C I A L S

Letters were sent to the Kansas City U.S. House of

Representatives in support of Senate Bill 954, a

bipartisan bill that maintained nutrition as a title

in the farm bill and retained food assistance for

low-income families, children, seniors and

disabled persons.

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A letter was sent to the Missouri speaker of the

house to urge his support of the governor’s veto of

the Second Amendment Preservation Act

(Missouri House Bill 436). The bill restricted the

ability of state, local and federal law enforcement

agencies to work together. The veto was

subsequently upheld.

A letter was sent to the Missouri speaker of the

house in support of upholding the governor’s veto

of House Bill 253. The bill cut funding to public

schools and taxed prescription medications. The

veto was subsequently upheld.

A letter was sent and public testimony was

provided before the Mayor’s Charter Review

Commission to advocate for the Health Depart-

ment to maintain charter status. The Health

Commission’s recommendation was not upheld by

the Charter Commission. This issue remains pend-

ing City Council review.

Commission resolutions supporting policies to protect

and promote the health, safety and well-being of

Kansas City citizens

A resolution was passed to adopt the Citizen

Recommendations for Potential Firearm Violence,

Preventions Violence and Interventions, Actions

and Preventions Steps. These recommendations

were presented to the mayor and City Council,

which amended and adopted them as Resolution

No. 130556.

A resolution was passed in support of an increase

in the federal tobacco tax and to encourage

support from the mayor and City Council. No

action was taken by the council, but the resolution

did gain media attention and built awareness.

A resolution was passed opposing across-the-

board cuts to the federal budget. A letter was sent

to the senate to officially oppose sequestration.

S T O R I E S O N M I S S O U R I H B 4 3 6

As police officials we are concerned this legislation

would make it a state crime for our federal part-

ners at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Alco-

hol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other

agencies to do their job of enforcing federal gun

laws in Missouri.

Source: Kansas City Star, Opinion Page, Chief Darryl Forte

S T O R I E S O N M I S S O U R I H B 4 3 6

An operation by the ATF and Kansas City police

produced 61 arrests and seizure of 222 firearms.

Some of the seized guns had been used in multiple

violent crimes, including unsolved homicide inves-

tigations. This operation targeted armed career

criminals — violent felons who carry guns.

Source: Kansas City Star, Opinion Page, Sept. 13, 2013

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The Health Commission’s central focus is on the six strategic areas of the Kansas City

Community Health Improvement Plan.

L O O K I N G A H E A D T O 2 0 1 4

Through education and advocacy the commission

is able to build awareness around issues that ei-

ther support improved health or threaten to com-

promise our community’s health. Their advocacy

brings prevention and health disparities issues

to the public’s attention. It is essential that the

commission stay informed and remain poised to

respond to issues and concerns that have potential

public health implications.

To bring comprehensive solutions to complex

problems will require engagement from all sectors

of our community. E Pluribus Unum, “Out of Many

One,” expresses the power of unified voices to

create change.

O V E R T H E U P C O M I N G Y E A R ,

the commission will continue to work on the

following issues:

Expanding Missouri Medicaid

Decreasing health inequities

Engaging and supporting collaboration among

community partners to reduce violence in Kansas

City

Ensuring that every child has a healthy start by

supporting policy initiatives that advance a vision

where all our children matter, all are nurtured

and all have opportunities to thrive. Adoption of

these policies will improve the economic health of

Kansas City.

Encouraging active living and healthy eating

To help cultivate that unified voice, the Health

Commission will continue work in collaboration

with the mayor, City Council, city manager and a

host of partners including the Parks and Recreation

Board, the National Association of Local Boards of

Health, the Missouri Association of Local Boards of

Health, the Metro Organization for Racial and Eco-

nomic Equity, Communities Creating Opportunity,

neighborhood and health communities, residents,

stakeholders and all others interested in getting

involved.

The commission thanks all residents and part-

ners for the privilege of serving the Kansas

City community.

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How to get involved in improving Kansas City’s health

G E T T I N G I N V O L V E D

C O U N C I L P R I O R I T I E S , C R O S S

I S S U E S A N D G O A L S

Healthy communities | Encourage active living

and healthy eating via strategies in the KC

Community Health Improvement Plan (KC CHIP)

Social determinant | Availability, affordability

and access food and safe places to exercise

Reduce illegal dumping and littering

Social determinant | Environmental conditions

affecting public health

Neighborhood livability | Target blight by

redeveloping, repurposing and clearing vacant lots

in collaboration with the community

Social determinant | Environmental conditions

affecting public health

H E A L T H C O M M I S S I O N

M E E T I N G S

The Health Commission meets every first Friday

of the month. Come to listen, learn and lend your

voice to the process.

Become a Community Health Advisor – Participate

in one of six of the Health Commission’s standing

committees. See committee meeting dates and

times below.

E D U C A T I O N A L A W A R E N E S S

The monthly commission meetings include an

educational session to keep the commissioners

aware of issues, services, needs and trends in the

community. You can get involved. Give a

presentation to build awareness or highlight a

community issue, emerging trend or opportunity.

P U B L I C N O T I C E

N O T I F I C A T I O N S

Join the list of partners and receive notices re-

garding Health Commission monthly meetings and

weigh in on topics through Twitter or Facebook or

through in-person testimony.

S U R V E Y

Periodically, the Health Commission conducts

surveys to identify citizen needs, concerns and

suggestions for improving the health of our

community. Sign up to receive email survey

notifications.

T W I T T E R A N D F A C E B O O K

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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F O R A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M A T I O N

contact the Health Commission office at (816) 513-6302.

health commission executive summary report...faith communities, government (federal, state, city ......

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