For Rapid Launch: July 1, 2022
The Kansas Metropolis Well being Division is piloting a brand new strategy to join with residents, hoping extra folks will make the most of its necessary companies, belief the knowledge consultants within the subject present, and attain out to ask questions on points. well being that have an effect on their lives. .
Thus far, 53 residents from throughout town have signed as much as share public well being info with neighborhood associations and folks they meet all through the day.
They are going to be a part of the well being division.
Group Wellness Ambassadors Program, educated to offer displays or simply have conversations with folks about well being division companies and well being points which might be of biggest concern to residents.
“These group ambassadors give us a direct hyperlink to residents who could by no means suppose to name or go to us with questions,” stated Dr. Marvia Jones, director of well being. “We’ve got many residents who name us with questions or are available in for immunizations, beginning certificates or to report issues of their rental house. However we all know there are lots of extra who do not learn about our companies and the way we will help them. These ambassadors are dedicated to serving their group and are desperate to share necessary well being info.
The ambassadors are businessmen, lecturers, nurses and different professionals who meet the general public day by day. Many have realized throughout COVID how important it’s to remain related to public well being.
“Wellness is essential to me and having the ability to have info obtainable to our group is essential as a result of plenty of occasions, whether or not it is with COVID and every thing that is happening, they are not knowledgeable,” stated GiGi Jones, enterprise proprietor and new Ambassador of Group Welfare who attended the coaching.
Group Wellness Ambassadors obtain a stipend of $225 per thirty days for his or her communication efforts.
Wellness Ambassadors are unfold all through town to achieve residents of all municipal districts. The well being division can be recruiting Spanish-speaking ambassadors to achieve the Hispanic/Latino communities of Kansas Metropolis.
“We’re dedicated to enhancing the strains of communication with residents whose first language is just not English,” Jones stated. “As Kansas Metropolis turns into extra numerous, we all know the well being division should be consultant and supply well being info for various cultures and languages.”
“I feel prevention and wellness are two issues that my group wants. My group has turn out to be a lot broader as I work with English language learners and people who find themselves making an attempt to return to high school to get their GED,” she stated. Kevin White, KC scholar literacy advocate. “After I was given the chance to do that present, together with the work that I am doing, it is a good mixture, a constructive mixture.”
One other wellness ambassador, businesswoman Taryn Kelly, stated she needs to empower folks with info.
“I hope everybody on this room will take this ardour and power that they’d right here and go on the market and be that mild for others, beginning of their properties, their group, their metropolis, their state, and for Kansas Metropolis normally, as we frequently do, to come back collectively and work for the widespread good,” Kelly stated.
Media ought to contact Michelle Pekarsky, public info officer for the well being division, at 816-719-3610 or michelle.pekarsky@kcmo.org.
