Mission & Purpose

The Flint Hills Wellness Coalition works cooperatively with citizens and groups throughout the City of Manhattan and Riley County to develop community norms that support healthy behaviors and environments. Our mission is to create a healthy, equitable community for our residents through policy, system, environmental, and personal change.

The coalition has been successful in improving access to healthy foods, reducing exposure to tobacco in public parks, and advocating for bicycle/pedestrian-friendly environments. We have expanded our scope of work to address needs identified in the 2015 Community Needs Assessment for Riley County. In 2017, workgroups formed to put the results into action. Workgroups include nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and access and coordination of services.

For the full 2015 Community County Needs Assessment click here

For more recent health data visit the County Health Rankings Website

In 2019 we conducted a needs assessment survey which resulted in the 2020 Riley County Community Needs Assessment.  In 2021 we will support the work of the Riley County Health Department as they lead the community through the next Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process.  We anticipate forming new or additional workgroups to address the priorities identified by the community in the CHIP.

In 2020, the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition was one of 24 communities to receive a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas community grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.  The four-year grant ($50,000 per year over four years) is aimed at improving healthy lifestyles and creating healthy places using a community-wide approach.  The grant runs from August 1, 2020 through July 31, 2024.  As an awardee of an implementation grant, the community will now be eligible to apply for up to $300,000 of implementation grants.  The FHWC will work across sectors that are part of residents' everyday lives to create healthy places where people can be active, live well, come together, and ultimately improve quality of life now and for future generations.