Empowering Health through Community Workers in Rural Hays

At the Epworth Towers retirement community in Hays, a group of women gathered to participate in the Walk with Ease program, spearheaded by Karissa Frasier, a community health worker from Kansas State University's local extension office. The program aims to increase physical activity in individuals with arthritis or other chronic conditions. After warming up, participants engaged in a walk through the retirement home's halls as part of their weekly routine.

Frasier, certified through the Kansas Community Health Worker program, plays a crucial role in connecting community members with essential health and social services. "As a community health worker, I help people navigate health care, insurance options like Medicare or Medicaid, and programs for medication assistance," Frasier noted. Her work aligns with K-State Extension's mission to bridge health care gaps, particularly in rural communities.

Since 2017, Kansas has fostered the certification of community health workers through a comprehensive program managed by the Kansas Division of Public Health. In 2023, K-State Extension joined this initiative by employing health workers in local offices to enhance rural health care coordination. These workers undergo 160 hours of training, supplemented by practical fieldwork, or demonstrate prior relevant experience.

Enhancing Community Health

Monique Koerner, a family and community wellness expert, collaborates with Frasier to support health initiatives in Hays. "The community health worker role extends the efforts of family and community wellness agents, offering a more personalized approach," Koerner said. This collaboration exemplifies the tailored health care support available to community members.

A recent instance involved a woman unable to attend K-State Extension's Stay Strong, Stay Healthy class due to her husband's dementia challenges. Koerner connected her with Frasier, who leveraged her local dementia support expertise to provide necessary resources and support.

Frasier underscores the importance of listening and comprehending individual health struggles to deliver targeted assistance. For example, she helped a woman secure funding for essential medication through a grant, enabling her to focus more broadly on lifestyle and disease management.

Community health workers like Frasier and Koerner assist people of all ages, helping with tasks such as Medicare enrollment and navigating disability benefits. Their work furthers K-State Extension's land-grant mission of education and community service. For more details on community health programs, local K-State Extension offices offer a wealth of resources and guidance.