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.

In 2019, we conducted a needs assessment survey which resulted in the 2020 Riley County Community Needs Assessment. In 2021 we supported the work of the Riley County Health Department as they led the community through the next Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process. FHWC established three workgroups to put the results of the Community Needs Assessment and CHIP into action; these workgroups focus on housing, mental health, and transportation.

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 was be eligible to apply for up to $300,000 of implementation grants.  The FHWC works with 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.