K-State Research and Extension Douglas County

Paving a "Path" to Healthier Communities

Ginny B.
LiveWell Executive Director

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) has selected LiveWell Douglas County, along with 18 other community coalitions, as grantees for its third phase of the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas (Pathways) initiative. BCBSKS will be partnering with these community coalitions to improve healthy eating, active living, commercial tobacco prevention and mental health.

Five people looking at the camera with a Pathways to a Healthy Kansas sign behind them.

The Pathways program was created to inspire long-lasting, community-wide health and well-being in communities across Kansas. “We’ve seen the commitment from LiveWell Douglas County and know they are ready to continue the work to improve the health and well-being of the communities they serve,” said Matt All, President/CEO of BCBSKS. “For more than 80 years, we have been dedicated to helping not only our members, but all Kansans live better, healthier lives. Through our Pathways initiative, we are helping remove barriers to accessing healthy foods, increasing physical activity, preventing commercial tobacco use and improving mental health. We are thrilled to continue this program with our new and returning Pathways grantees and can’t wait to see the difference they make in their communities.”

For the two-year grant, LiveWell Douglas County will be focusing efforts on five areas:

  • Healthier Food Access: Support the new Eudora Farmers’ Market and SNAP accessibility
  • Substance Use Prevention: Support schools to update policies to ensure a comprehensive prevention approach linked to cessation services for substance use, including tobacco use and vaping
  • Health-Related Social Needs: Develop a Community Navigator Program to connect individuals/families to resources
  • Multimodal Transportation: Engage youth voices and ideas to shape multimodal improvements along a segment of Massachusetts Street
  • Food System: Support the development of the Community Connection Bakery at Pinckney

“The Pathways initiative has provided our community with the tools and resources needed to take our work to the next level,” said Ginny Barnard, LiveWell Executive Director. “We are looking forward to partnering with other organizations to help make Douglas County a healthier place for all.” The Pathways initiative combines community-wide, evidence-based solutions and practices to help Kansas communities.

To learn more about Pathways, visit:

About Pathways