Breathe Easy KC

Kansas City, MO residents vote on April 8th to require enclosed public spaces and work spaces, including bars and restaurants to become smoke free. Learn more about KANSAS CITY QUESTION 3

HPV Vaccine Promotional Materials Available

Whether you are riding a Metro bus, using the women’s restrooms at local bars and restaurants, watching a movie, listening to the radio or reading a local paper – you will be seeing messages encouraging young women to get the FREE HPV vaccine (provided by HCF and the REACH Healthcare Foundation). A marketing campaign begins this week on local radio stations and will continue throughout the month of April. Fliers promoting the vaccine availability are available in English and Spanish.

Please contact Jennifer Sykes at [email protected]. if your organization is interested in materials to promote this program.

MARC Update

The Safety Net Working Group (SNWG) of the MARC’s Regional Health Care Initiative met last month to complete a six month mid-term assessment and determine whether the initiatives currently underway continue to be the top priorities for the group. The group developed a wish list for clinics that will be refined into key priorities for the group and help guide changes to the SNWG administrative structure. Click here for more information.

Blogging with Steve

HCF President and CEO Steve Roling wrote many editorials and opinion columns on a broad range of topics as the former publisher of the Kansas City Business Journal. Steve is now taking his writing skills to a new cyber level as HCF debuts a new feature on its website – Steve’s Blog. Check in and see what is on Steve’s mind and share with him your thoughts.

HCF Enters the Web 2.0 World

HCF has developed a presence on two of the world’s most popular websites – Facebook and MySpace. Please join the HCF network by visiting www.myspace.com/healthcare4kc or join the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City group in Facebook (for exisiting Facebook users).

Grantee Spotlight: Rainbow Center for Communicative Disorders

Every 20 minutes a new case of Autism is diagnosed. In fact, more children will be diagnosed with autism this year than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined, making autism the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the country.

While there is no medical detection or cures for autism, there are many programs that can help those diagnosed with autism to lead a healthy and productive life. The Rainbow Center for Communicative Disorders helps those with developmental disabilities who need an intensive therapy program within an academic environment. Read more.