The Kansas Association of Local Health Departments (KALHD) is advancing planning, piloting, and documenting the evolution of a foundational public health services (FPHS) model in Kansas, as well as evaluating the use of cross-jurisdictional sharing (CJS) for specific FPHS components. Significant progress has been made in several areas, including a literature review of FPHS efforts in other states, development of the Kansas FPHS model, an assessment to measure current capacity to deliver FPHS, and a fiscal assessment to estimate the cost of full implementation of the Kansas FPHS model. More recently, the partnership has engaged cross-sector partners to determine the feasibility of applying the model in a rural, decentralized state and evaluating the use of cross-jurisdictional sharing for specific FPHS components. The project has resulted in the development of a statewide roadmap and logic model designed to highlight milestones that need to take place at the systems level to support FPHS implementation; a successful local pilot planning project and replicable local implementation plan; a thorough review of Kansas statutes and policies to identify support for and challenges to implementation of FPHS; and identification of performance measures to ensure accountability under the new model of public health service delivery.
At the outset, it is important to define your vision for change and build the case for why change is necessary and will be an improvement from the status quo. For jurisdictions looking to replicate this work, some prerequisites must first be considered, including the development of a model for FPHS, assessment of current system capacity, and assessment of potential cost of implementation. Through systems-level partnerships, coordinate an overarching project management team with the ability to provide education and awareness of the new model and to cultivate champions to lead local planning efforts. The project team should be responsible for coordination of efforts, research, and support to the local teams tasked with in-depth review and planning for implementation. The reports and tools developed through this project will aid in developing a successful planning process.