Communities and state to benefit from engagement grants from K-State's Center for Engagement and Community Development

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Source: David Procter, 785-532-7260, dprocter@k-state.edu

Friday, January 19, 2007

COMMUNITIES AND STATE TO BENEFIT FROM ENGAGEMENT GRANTS FROM K-STATE'S CENTER FOR ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

MANHATTAN -- A state-wide effort to promote healthy Kansans, along with community projects at Fort Riley, Garden City and Kansas City, Kan., are the four initial projects funded by Kansas State University's Center for Engagement and Community Development. Center director David Procter announced the following will be funded:

Fort Riley: "Engaging the Military Student Community in the K-State Academic Culture: Fort Riley Education Services and K-State Libraries in Partnership." A team of K-State Libraries faculty will explore the educational opportunities and perceptions of soldiers and families associated with Fort Riley. Daryl Youngman and Donna Schenck-Hamlin will work with the Fort Riley Educational Services Division. This project will result in shared learning as military family members and educational representatives devise recommendations for K-State and other higher education institutions to improve their outreach, programs and services.

Garden City: "Community-based Participatory Research for Obesity Prevention and Management in Rural Kansas Latinos" is under the leadership of Elizabeth Fallon and Melissa Bopp, both of K-State's department of kinesiology. The project will promote shared learning with Latino audiences in Garden City. Working with the Southwest Area Extension office, the K-State team of instructors and students will determine community-based solutions for enhancing physical exercise and promoting healthy behaviors. In addition to the community assessment, students and community members will develop a community resource guide for physical activity.

Kansas City, Kan.: "Technical Assistance to Urban Core Communities," is under the leadership of Sheri Smith of K-State's landscape architecture/regional and community planning department. In cooperation with the Local Initiative Support Corporation of Kansas City, project participants will assist neighborhood groups with efforts related to planning, resource development, nonprofit organization, community connections and program delivery. Success will be measured by the neighborhood groups meeting the threshold requirements to qualify as a candidate for the NeighborhoodsNow community project in Kansas City.

The statewide program is "Partnerships for Healthier Kansas," a collaborative project of K-State's Carol Ann Holcomb, Mike Bradshaw and Elaine Johannes. This project links the knowledge of the master's in public health degree program with K-State Research and Extension trainers and local public audiences. This project will promote healthy eating and healthy behaviors. The project will include community-based implementation teams to help communities take active approaches to improving the health of citizens in Kansas.

"While engaging Kansas is a priority, the mission of the Center for Engagement and Community Development is not confined to Kansas," Procter said. The first round of proposals included one out-of-state project.

The Center for Engagement and Community Development is now accepting proposals for its spring 2007 Engagement Grants. Proposals are due in the Center for Engagement and Community Development office by 5 p.m. March 1. Awards will be announced April 2. For more information, please visit http://www.k-state.edu/cecd