About Us
- Annual Reports
- History
- Health Matters
- Board of Health
- Public Health Advisory Council
- Strategic Plan
- Needs Assessment
- CHIP
- Public Health Policy
- Food and Farm Council
Annual Reports
History of Riley County Health Department
The Riley County Health Department (RCHD) was started as a city-county Health Department in 1952. Since that time, the Health Department has grown to meet the health and safety needs of the unique communities in Riley County. In December 2011, the Health Department became a county Health Department. The Health Department provides services through funding received from Federal, State, and local revenues. The client of the agency is the community.
Riley County’s Health Matters
The Health Department works with the diverse partners, organizations, and communities in the county to identify and address health issues and improve the quality of life for residents, visitors, and neighbors. Want to learn more about Riley County’s health? Visit Kansas Health Matters and see how Riley County compares to other Kansas counties. Riley County Kansas Health Matters data includes the following morbidity (presence of disease) and mortality (death) data:
- Obesity rates
- Heart Disease and Stroke rates
- Cancer rates
- Diabetes rates
- Infant mortality
- Alzheimer's disease mortality
- Cancer mortality
- Diabetes mortality
- Injury mortality
- Suicide mortality
- and much more!
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute have released the eighth annual County Health Rankings. In 2019, Riley County ranked 5th in Kansas for Health Outcomes. An easy-to-use snapshot that compares counties within the states, the Rankings provide information on factors communities can do something about, such as jobs, education, housing, community safety and more. Learn more at the County Health Rankings website and check out the Neighborhoods Matters App.
The Kansas Health Institute has released a Chartbook: Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in a Changing Kansas. The racial and ethnic composition of the population in the state has changed with an increase in the number of minorities and a decrease in the number of non-Hispanic White Kansans, as well as a shift away from rural Kansas to urban and semi-urban communities. Overall health outcomes may be impacted by these changes in the population, as population groups may be exposed to different social determinants of health, including education, income, nutrition, access to care and more. The report includes county level data for Riley. Read the full report online.
Board of Health
The Health Department is governed by the Board of Health. The Riley County Commissioners serve as the Board members.
The Riley County Public Health Advisory Council
The Board of Health and the Health Department are advised by members of the Manhattan community and Riley County. PHAC meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month in the Riley County Health Department Board Room (2030 Tecumseh Road). Meetings are open to the public.
In accordance with provisions of the American Disabilities Act, every attempt will be made to accommodate the needs of person with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of our services, programs, and activities. Please contact the Health Department Administration Office (785-776-4779) for assistance.
Members of the Advisory Committee include:
- Robert Boyd, Chair
- Robbin Cole
- Ellyn Mulcahy
- Jenny Yuen
- Julie Gibbs
- Daniel Winslow
Riley County Public Health Advisory Council Minutes
Riley County Public Health Advisory Council Agendas
Sign-In Sheets & Handouts
Strategic Plan
Beginning in January 2016, members of the Riley County Health Department staff participated in a strategic planning process facilitated by Kansas Health Institute. We are pleased to present our organizational strategic plan for 2017-2019. This organizational strategic plan guides our work towards becoming a more efficient and effective health department that provides high quality programs and services that will positively impact the health of the community. We encourage all community members to read the Strategic Planning Report (pdf).
Annual Reports
Needs Assessment
In an effort to gain insights from the community for the purposes of planning and community improvement, Wichita State University’s Center for Community Support and Research (CCSR) was contracted to conduct a community-wide needs assessment for Riley County. The overarching theme of all of the data collected is that Riley County is a community that is divided between a high quality of life, prosperity, and growth on one hand, and dwindling resources for and lack of attention to those who are most in need on the other. Read the full Community Needs Assessment for Riley County (pdf).
Riley County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
Following the Community Needs Assessment, the Riley County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) process began. The CHIP was an iterative process involving over 200 stakeholders in reviewing data, discussing needs, and identifying priorities. Based on the series of community and stakeholder meetings, thirteen priorities were identified. Of those, three were selected as having the most potential for collective impact in improving the health of Riley County:
- Communication and Coordination of Systems and Services
- Transportation
- Mental Health
These selected three priorities are being addressed through a concerted, cooperative effort of strategic teams formed around the issues.The community continues to works on these priorities and develop a more detailed implementation plan with specific, measurable objectives and activities.Read more about the CHIP planning process (pdf). Read more the full CHIP Report including the implementation plan. To provide feedback on the Community Health Improvement Plan please email info@FlintHillsWellness.org. If you would like to get involved in implementing the CHIP, please submit your information here: http://www.flinthillswellness.org/get-involved.cfm
To provide feedback on the Community Health Improvement Plan please email info@FlintHillsWellness.org. If you would like to get involved in the CHIP planning process please submit your information here: http://www.flinthillswellness.org/get-involved.cfm
The health department is responsible for informing others of the potential public health impact of policies being considered at the local, state, and federal levels. This page is updated with information about selected current or proposed policies and resolutions that impact the health of the public.
This page is updated with Information about selected current or proposed policies and resolutions that impact public health.
Two new vaccines will be required for school-age children for the 2019-20 School Year: Meningococcal and Hepatitis A. KDHE proposed changes to the vaccine requirement regulations earlier this year and held a public hearing concluding a 60-day public comment period in June. The regulations were approved by KDHE and will go into effect on August 2. Read more on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment website.
Additional resources regarding public health policy:
- Kansas Health Institute
- Kansas Health Institute 2019 Kansas Legislative Preview (January 2019)
- Kansas Association of Counties 2019 Policy Statement
- Kansas Association of Counties Weekly Legislative Updates for the 2019 Legislative Session
- Kansas Association of Local Health Departments 2019 Policy Statement
- Kansas Association of Counties 2018 Policy Statement
- Kansas Association of Local Health Departments 2018 Policy Statement
- National WIC Association Advocacy
The Food and Farm Council meets the third Monday of each month from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Riley County Health Department Family and Child Resource Center (2101 Claflin Road Manhattan, Kansas). Meetings are open to the public!
Food and Farm Council Agendas
Food and Farm Council Minutes
The purpose of the Council is to advocate for and sustain an accessible, healthy and local food system. The Food and Farm Council of Riley County and the City of Manhattan, Kansas envisions a local food system that supports healthy living in our community. To accomplish this the Council must:
- Identify and prioritize needs and make recommendations that promote, support, and strengthen access to local, healthy, safe, affordable food.
- Educate and advise the City/County Commissions on local food system needs.
- Provide a forum for people involved in different parts of the local food system and local government officials for fostering collaborative, coordinated actions to improve our local food system.
The goals of the Food & Farm Council for Riley County and the City of Manhattan, Kansas are to:
- Serve as a city and county appointed council of community members to strengthen communication, education and policy within the food system.
- Make local and healthy food options more available, accessible and affordable.
- Support education of growing, choosing, and preparing nutritious foods.
- Improve health outcomes through the reduction of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and obesity.
The Food and Farm Council of Riley County and the City of Manhattan currently has no open positions, but will accept applications on a rolling basis.
CITY APPOINTMENTS:
City of Manhattan Advisory Board/Committee Application
COUNTY APPOINTMENTS:
Riley County Advisory Council/Board Application
CURRENT MEMBERS:
- Carol Barta (Riley County)
- Andrea DeJesus (Riley County)
- Gregg Eyestone (Riley County)
- John Green (Riley County)
- Sharolyn Jackson (Riley County)
- Jacquie Mack (Riley County)
- Jennifer Morris (Riley County)
- Maureen Olewnik (Riley County)
- Jaden Castinado (Riley County)
- Adrian Self (City of Manhattan)
- Kirsten Spear (City of Manhattan)
- David Procter (City of Manhattan)
- Stephanie Smith (City of Manhattan)
- Michael Wilson (City of Manhattan)
- Joshua Brewer (City of Manhattan)
IF the Food and Farm Council may be more than you have time to commit to, you can still get involved and make a difference in our local food system! Join the Flint Hills Wellness Coalition Nutrition Workgroup!! There are opportunities to be involved at the leadership team level or follow your passion, use your expertise and get involved in sub-committee work with specific food system issues like food insecurity, food waste and many others! See contact information below or read more at www.flinthillswellness.org.
Contact:
Brittany Dennis
Riley County Health Department
785-776-4779 Ext. 7650
Our vision:
Healthy people in a healthy community
Our Mission:
To promote and protect the health and safety of our community through evidence -based practices, prevention, and education
Our Values:
- Recognizing the value of all people
- Providing quality services
- Serving with leadership and integrity
- Advocating for advancement of public health policies
Your Health Department works with you, the local Board of Health, community health and education organizations, Fort Riley, and regional and state partners to strengthen and build the health of Riley County residents and visitors.
There are Ten Essential Public Health Services all local public Health Departments should undertake in their communities:
- Monitor the health of the community
- Diagnose and investigate health problems
- Inform, educate, and empower people
- Mobilize community partnerships
- Develop policies that protect and promote the health of the community
- Enforce laws and regulations
- Link to/provide health services
- Assure a competent workforce
- Evaluate quality of services and programs
- Research for new insights into improving health