Press Releases Kansan Leads Change in Eldercare LAWRENCE, KS – Steve Shields is on a mission to change the way we take care of our parents and grandparents. Shields, an international expert on nursing homes, is president and CEO of Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, one of the nation’s most innovative retirement communities. “Our approach really is pretty simple. It’s to get residents involved in making their own decisions – to take control of their own lives,” Shields said. Shields is the final speaker in this year’s Sunflower Foundation Advocacy in Health Speaker Series. He will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5, at the Oread Hotel in Lawrence. The event is free and open to the public. Shields will emphasize the importance of nonprofits working together to help change systems of care. “In this time of increasingly scarce resources, we can’t lose our passion and our imagination for creating change,” Shields said. “Now, more than ever, we need to be strong advocates for the people we serve, and we need to help them become more effective advocates for themselves.” “Steve was selected to present as part of our Advocacy in Health Speaker Series because of his success in changing long-held beliefs and improving lives,” said Billie Hall, president and CEO of the Sunflower Foundation. “Sometimes ‘advocacy’ is seen as only happening through direct contact with legislators and local officials, and that’s important. But sometimes advocacy involves pushing for regulatory change – and just getting people to work together in different ways,” she said. “Steve is an excellent example of someone who helped bring about needed change by advocating within a system.” As a pioneer in eldercare reform, Shields has helped transform traditional nursing homes and retirement facilities into the “Household” model in more than 40 states and 10 countries. He co-authored In Pursuit of the Sunbeam: A Practical Guide to Transformation from Institution to Household and The Household Model Business Case. He is also a faculty member at the Kansas State University Center on Aging, where he teaches leadership in long term care. This is the Sunflower Foundation’s second year to feature nationally known speakers as part of its advocacy initiative, which is designed to provide education and training opportunities for nonprofit leaders in Kansas who want to become more involved in public policy. This event and the reception following are free and open to the public, but require advance reservations by calling (785) 232-3000 or visiting www.sunflowerfoundation.org. Sunflower Foundation Announces New Appointments TOPEKA – The Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans announces three new members of its board of trustees, appointed by Kansas Attorney General Steve Six. Eight members of the foundation’s nine-member board are appointed through a process overseen by the Kansas Attorney General. One trustee is appointed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Trustees are limited to serving three three-year terms. Appointed by Attorney General Six are Karen Hauser, Salina, reappointed to her third term; Mia Korbelik, Dodge City, reappointed to her second term; and Les Lacy, St. Francis, appointed to his first term. The three appointees will begin their terms in June. Karen Hauser serves as chief executive officer of Catholic Charities in Salina. She was appointed to her first term on the Sunflower Foundation board in 2005. Mia Korbelik is resource development and marketing coordinator for Good Samaritan Society in Dodge City, where she and her family also operate a farming business. She was appointed to her first term in 2007 and is currently secretary of the board. Les Lacy serves as administrator of Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis. The Attorney General also made three appointments to the Sunflower Foundation’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC nominates candidates for the foundation’s board and acts in an advisory role to the foundation. CAC members are also limited to three three-year terms. The three CAC appointments were Rev. Bobby Love, Olathe, reappointed to a third term; Janet Schalansky, Topeka, reappointed for a second term; and Karen Cochran, Lawrence, appointed for a first term. The mission of the Sunflower Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans, which it supports through a program of grants, awards and related activities. Clean Air Kansas Recognized for Innovation in Grassroots Campaign for a Smoke Free State April 13, 2010 TOPEKA - The Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans congratulates the Clean Air Kansas campaign that was recognized in two award categories from the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) during the recent 2010 Annual Pollie Awards and Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. “The Clean Air Kansas campaign was unique in the public health field because it successfully engaged Kansas residents in advocacy using new technology,” said Billie Hall, president and CEO of the Topeka-based Sunflower Foundation, which supported the campaign. “The Clean Air Kansas campaign focused on grassroots contacts with legislators instead of media buys. When the day of the vote arrived, we wanted to make sure lawmakers had heard the overwhelming calls from their districts for a smoke free state. In the end, people mattered.” The award winning, innovative strategy employed live phone calls to constituents across the state to engage grassroots participation in the successful public health initiative campaign. The paid phone program identified over 11,000 supporters of the statewide clean indoor air policy. The campaign also pioneered the use of recorded constituent testimony in support of the Kansas Clean Indoor Air Act. More than 5,000 recorded constituent messages were sent to their corresponding elected officials. The Kansas House of Representatives passed the statewide public smoking bill February 25, 2010. The bill, signed by Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson on March 12th, takes effect July 1, 2010. “The campaign team, including Jake Lowen, Joyce Morrison, Kaelyn Seymour and Capital Strategies, successfully implemented the new strategies and worked with health care partners across the state to bring about this historic public health law,” Hall said. The AAPC awards in excellence were presented to Kansas Grassroots Consulting, Domain 51, Grassroots Solutions and Stones’ Phones for their roles in the Clean Air Kansas campaign to keep public places and workplaces in Kansas smoke free. Sunflower Foundation Announces New Funding Opportunity February 3, 2010 TOPEKA - The Topeka-based Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans has announced a statewide grant opportunity through the release of three requests for proposals (RFPs). These RFPs call for projects that add or expand services in health care safety net settings, that build the organizational capacity of health-related nonprofit organizations, or that build community or school-based walking or multi-use trails to promote increased physical activity. Complete details on these RFPs and directions for the new online application process can be found on the foundation’s Web site, www.sunflowerfoundation.org, or are available by calling the foundation at 785-232-3000 (local) or 866-232-3020 (toll free). Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in one of several RFP briefings to be held by telephone conference calls beginning February 8, 2010. These briefings will be specific to each of the three RFPs and will address funding criteria and the new online application process. Information regarding the conference call schedule and instructions for participating are available on the foundation’s Web site or by calling the foundation office. The Sunflower Foundation was created in 2000. The mission of the foundation is to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans, which it supports through a program of grants, awards and related activities. Organizing Communities for Change is the Emphasis for Next Advocacy in Health Speaker December 16, 2009 TOPEKA – Rudy Lopez, Director of Politics at the Center for Community Change, is the second speaker in the Sunflower Foundation’s 2009-2010 Advocacy in Health Speaker Series. His message focuses on the place where passion and politics come together – at the grassroots level. The key, he says, is to engage people who are affected by the changes they want to see happen. “It’s really about helping people in communities win for themselves instead of trying to win for them,” he said. Lopez will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka. The speech is free and open to the public. A reception to meet the speaker will follow. “Many groups – organizations, nonprofits, social service agencies – tend to do the work themselves rather than helping those they serve do the work,” explained Lopez, whose own organization helps build the power and capacity of low-income people, especially those of color, to change their communities and public policies. Programs that consistently rely on the “hand out instead of hand up” model of building community can result in unhealthy consequences, he said. “People become more dependent and less empowered and are without the tools to make the kind of changes that improve their lives.” Lopez encourages organizations to extend themselves to the communities they serve and not have people come to them. At the lecture in Topeka, he plans to stress the importance of understanding how to empower people living within communities to influence change. Lopez has served as national field director of Wellstone Action, where he trained thousands of people throughout the country to manage campaigns and run for public office. He also has served as national field director for U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, was a community organizer and has worked on dozens of partisan campaigns at the local, state and federal level. Lopez is the second speaker in the Sunflower Foundation’s 2009-2010 Advocacy in Health Speakers Series. It is the Sunflower Foundation’s second year to feature nationally known speakers as part of its advocacy initiative, which is designed to provide public policy education and training for nonprofit leaders. The Lopez speech and reception are free and open to the public. However, seating is limited so advance reservations are required by calling (785) 232-3000 or visiting www.sunflowerfoundation.org.
Sunflower Foundation Announces 2010 Advocacy Fellows November 5, 2009 TOPEKA – The 2010 class of Advocacy Fellows for the Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans has been announced. This year’s class of 15 nonprofit leaders from across the state will learn how to become effective public policy advocates for their organizations and the people they serve. The Advocacy Fellowship class is part of the foundation’s non-partisan advocacy initiative, which is designed to provide education and training opportunities for nonprofit leaders. The goal is to bring the perspective of the nonprofit world to public policy. “We are proud to build on the success of our inaugural class with this second year of outstanding Fellows,” said Billie Hall, President and CEO of the Sunflower Foundation, which launched the advocacy program in 2008. “We are pleased with the diversity of individuals and organizations that are represented and look forward to another year of exceptional involvement from the group.” The fellowship program includes six sessions over the course of a year, including one visit to Washington, D.C. Topics include how to develop advocacy strategies, build coalitions and grassroots efforts, navigate the political process and work with the media. “Bringing together nonprofit leaders with a wide range of experiences and interests really brings a new voice to policy discussions – on a local, state and national level,” Hall said. “These Fellows, as well as the class before them, are committed to learning, engaging and building a network across the state that can address health care issues facing us now and in the future.” Leaders selected for the 2010 Advocacy Fellowship class are: Ric Dalke, Executive Director HAYS Janette Meis, State Director IOLA David Toland, Executive Director KANSAS CITY, KS Katherine Kelly, Executive Director Roberta Lindbeck, Executive Director LAWRENCE Brutrinia Arellano, Post-Graduate Fellow Dee Ann DeRoin, MD, MPH, Family Practitioner LIBERAL Arturo Ponce, Director PITTSBURG Monica Murnan, Executive Director TOPEKA Corrie Edwards, Executive Director Craig Kaberline, Executive Director Doug Vance, Executive Director WAMEGO Deb Kiker, Clinic Administrator WICHITA Annette Graham, Executive Director Anne Nelson, Associate Executive Director In conjunction with the fellowship program, the Sunflower Foundation also will be sponsoring its Advocacy in Health Speaker Series, which brings four national leaders to the state for public forums. All forums are free and open to the public. This year’s first speaker in the series is Marcia Avner, nationally recognized author and nonprofit advocacy expert. She will speak at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka. The Sunflower Foundation is a charitable organization with a mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans. The foundation’s funding priorities are health care access, healthy behaviors and prevention, capacity building and advocacy. More information is available at www.sunflowerfoundation.org.
Fellows Graduate From Inaugural Health Advocacy Program September 17, 2009 TOPEKA - The Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans announces the graduation of its first class of Advocacy Fellows. The 15 members of the program finished a year of intensive training earlier this month with congratulations from Governor Mark Parkinson and a reminder that the advocacy they will do not only leverages the political power of their nonprofit organizations, but will serve those who often don’t have a voice in the public policy debate. “This class is an exceptional group and we know individually and collectively they will be making a difference for Kansans for many years to come,” said Billie Hall, President and CEO for the Sunflower Foundation, which launched the program last year. The Advocacy Fellowship is designed to equip nonprofit leaders with the understanding, experience and expertise needed to become effective public policy advocates for their organizations and the people they serve. As part of the year-long program, participants attended six sessions, including one visit to Washington, D.C. Sessions covered key areas essential to developing skills and expertise in advocacy and nonprofit lobbying. Training session topics included how to develop advocacy strategies, build coalitions and grassroots efforts, navigate the political process and work with the media. Leaders who successfully completed the Advocacy Fellowship are: EMPORIA GARDEN CITY KANSAS CITY LAWRENCE PITTSBURG SHARON SPRINGS TOPEKA WICHITA The Sunflower Foundation is a health philanthropy with a mission to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans. The foundation’s funding priorities are health care access, healthy behaviors and prevention, capacity building and advocacy. The 2010 Fellowship class will be announced in October. For more information about the Advocacy Fellowship, visit www.sunflowerfoundation.org. Sunflower Foundation Names Board Officers July 1, 2009 TOPEKA – The Board of Trustees of the Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans has announced the election of new board officers. The officers will serve one year terms, beginning July 1, 2009. Elected to chair the board was Chris Ruder, Lenexa. Ruder is vice president, patient care services, at the University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City. He was initially appointed to the foundation board in 2005. Mia Korbelik, Dodge City, was elected to serve as secretary. She is development director for United Methodist Mexican American Ministries, Garden City, and involved in managing a family farming operation. Korbelik was appointed to the foundation board in 2007. Kraig Gross, Hays, was elected as treasurer. He will also chair the board’s finance committee. Gross is controller for Kansas Natural Gas, Inc., Hays. He was appointed to the foundation board in 2006. The Sunflower Foundation is governed by nine trustees who represent diverse backgrounds and regions of the state. Eight trustees are appointed through a process overseen by the Kansas Attorney General. One trustee is appointed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. The Sunflower Foundation was established in 2000. Its mission is to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans, which it supports through a program of grants, awards and related activities. Sunflower Foundation Offers Unique Grants in Response to Current Economic Challenges May 4, 2009 Complete details on this RFP and application documents can be found on the foundation’s Web site, www.sunflowerfoundation.org, or are available by calling the foundation at 785-232-3000 (local) or 866-232-3020 (toll free). Potential applicants are encouraged to participate in one of the telephone briefings to discuss the RFP, which will be held May 12, 13, 14, & 15, 2009. Information regarding the briefing schedule and instructions for participating are available in the RFP documents posted on the foundation’s Web site. The foundation welcomes questions about the application process or guidelines. The Sunflower Foundation was created in 2000. The mission of the foundation is to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans, which it supports through a program of grants, awards and related activities. Sunflower Foundation Announces New Board Members May 26, 2009 TOPEKA – The Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans announces three new members of its board of trustees appointed by Kansas Attorney General Steve Six and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS). Eight members of the foundation’s nine-member board are appointed through a process overseen by the Kansas Attorney General. One trustee is appointed by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Trustees are limited to serving three three-year terms. Appointed by Attorney General Six are Kraig Gross, Hays, reappointed to his second three-year term, and Reggie Robinson, Lawrence, appointed to his first three-year term. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas appointed Howard Shuler, Topeka, for his first three-year term. The three new trustees will begin their terms in June. Kraig Gross serves as controller for Kansas Natural Gas, Inc., Hays. He was appointed to his first term on the Sunflower Foundation board in 2006. He currently is treasurer of the board and also chairs the finance committee. Reginald (Reggie) Robinson serves as president & CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, Topeka. Robinson replaces Harry Craig, Topeka, who was among the first Sunflower Foundation trustees appointed by then-Attorney General Carla Stovall in 2000. Howard Shuler is retired Superintendent of Schools for Auburn-Washburn USD 437, a position he had for 19 years. Shuler replaces Tom Miller, Topeka, former CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, who has served as the BCBSKS appointment to the Sunflower Foundation board since it was created in 2000. The Attorney General also made three appointments to the Sunflower Foundation’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC nominates candidates for the foundation’s board and acts in an advisory role to the foundation. The three CAC appointments were Robert Thomen, Chanute, reappointed to a third term; Doug Sheern, Abilene, reappointed for a second term; and Barbara Carswell, Lawrence, appointed for a first term. The mission of the Sunflower Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans, which it supports through a program of grants, awards and related activities. | Calendar October 28, 2010 Final application deadline for the foundation's three current Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Plan to participate in TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL BRIEFINGS to discuss the RFPs and the new Online Application process. Watch this website for the briefing schedules as they are announced. |
