Johnson County Health Department - Community Health Assessment Process

CHAP is a community partnership covering all of Johnson County, which is collectively and systematically assessing the health status and needs or our community. Our goal is to improve and/or maintain a high level of health for our citizenry.

1996 - Collected data through a general population survey, a Key Informants study, focus groups and a study of existing data.
1997-Determined community assets and key findings and then selected three core initiatives through a retreat process with CHAP Ambassadors.
1998 - Received a National Association of Counties Achievement Award and a Behavioral Risk Data Survey Project Award.

Current Initiatives:

Access to Care

Found that 13% of the adults in Johnson County experience some obstacle to obtaining health care
In 1998, took a closer look at this population with a community survey reaching over 450 residents
Identified a need for dental care and access to care for children
Some CHAP and community activities which responded to these needs:
- Developed a major database of free/low-cost health care services and locations
- Provided information on health care resources to the county On-line Information Program
- Established the Richard L. Danford Dental Referral Service to assist low-income residents in obtaining quality dental care.
- Opened a second Health Partnership Clinic in Olathe in January of 2000.
- Initiated Jo-Wave, and outreach effort to get children enrolled in Healthwave which is the statewide Children's Health Insurance Program for those at 150% to 200% of the poverty income level. In 1999, 934 children in Johnson County were enrolled in Healthwave.) At the end of 2000, 1286 children were enrolled in Healthwave and 1746 in Medicaid through the Healthwave application process.

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Physical Activity

Data indicated that seniors exercise less than the rest of the population.
Partnered with the Roeland Park Community Center to develop a fitness room specifically for seniors to encourage an increase in physical activity rates for that population.
Initiated a school based family reading and physical activity program title "Jog Your Mind"
Coordinated a fun run and pedometer program for the Kansas Medical Society Conference.
Provided fitness information and resources to a parish nurse program.

Future of CHAP:

CHAP recently received a grant from the Kansas Health Foundation for KDHE to perform a Behavioral Risk Data Survey in Johnson County.
The 12-month telephone survey will study the health risks and behaviors of over 1000 residents.
Data will be used to evaluate progress towards our current health initiatives as well as for developing new intervention strategies to meet the changing needs of the community.

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