You are welcome to participate in more than one group and to share the information about the focus groups with others in your organization or community who may wish to attend. We have scheduled multiple dates and times for the Focus Group for each Vision Priority, so hopefully one of the three choices for that Priority works for you to participate if it is one you are interested in providing feedback for. 

In order to participate:

STEP 1—Identify every Vision Priority from those listed below where you want to give your input.

STEP 2—ADD the selections to your calendar and include this Zoom link (the same link will be used for all Focus Groups)

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83480250742?pwd=3Fh7lpJRvWaA6owCeG1b6aATA0vFFC.1

Meeting ID: 834 8025 0742

Passcode: 779530

STEP 3—Give yourself some time to reflect on the Vision Priority that you plan to join and jump in ready to provide your valuable input.

The six Vision Priorities are and the dates and times of related focus groups (you only need to participate in one focus group for each vision priority you are interested in) are:

1. Community Health & Well-Being: We will ensure every Kansan lives in a strong, healthy community with access to local health care, services and resources they need to achieve the life they deserve.

• Monday, July 13^th at 11:30am
• Monday, July 20^th at 12:30 pm
• Monday, August 3^rd at 1:30 pm

2. Partnerships & System Integration: We will partner across health care and community systems to create a seamless, patient-centered network of care that improves the health and well-being of all Kansans

• Monday, July 13^th at 12:30 pm
• Monday, July 20^th at 1:30 pm
• Monday, August 3^rd at 11:30 am

3. Quality and Innovation In Care: We will transform bold ideas into solutions that expand access, improve outcomes, and enhance the patient experience and change what is possible for Kansans.

• Monday, July 13^th at 1:30 pm
• Monday, July 20^th at 11:30 am
• Monday, August 3^rd at 12:30 pm

4. Data, Evidence & Impact: We will leverage data and evidence to measure outcomes, demonstrate impact, and tell the story of thriving patients, stronger communities, and a healthier more prosperous Kansas.

• Thursday, July 16^th at 11:30 am
• Wednesday, July 22^nd at 11:30 am
• Wednesday, August 5^th at 1:30 pm

5. Workforce Capacity & Sustainability: We will develop, attract, strengthen, and retain a workforce that mirrors its communities, creating career pathways where people stay and grow to ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered care across Kansas.

• Thursday July 16^th at  12:30 pm
• Wednesday, July 22^nd at 12:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 5^th at 11:30 am

6. Operational Strength & Fiscal Sustainability: We will strengthen financial and organizational capacity to invest in the future, adapt to evolving needs, and ensure we remain the cornerstone of the Kansas health system.

• Thursday, July 16^th at 1:30 pm
• Wednesday, July 22^nd at 1:30 pm
• Wednesday, August 5^th at 12:30 pm

Thank you for joining in this effort, giving your input, and helping strengthen our collaborative service and support across our state.

This includes:

• Waving geographic and originating site requirements
• Expanding practitioners eligible to furnish telehealth services
• Allowing Federally Qualifies Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics to serve as distant site providers
• Delaying in-person requirements for tele-mental health services
• Allowing audio-only telehealth
  

Learn More

Helpful Resources from KDHE:

• K-12 2026-2027 School Immunization Requirements
• Licensed Child Care Facilities and Early Childhood Programs Operated by School 2026-2027 Immunization Requirements

The agency said it does not expect any changes to Kansas’ current clinical guidance at this time.

KDHE emphasized its continued commitment to transparency, evidence-based decision-making, and maintaining public trust in vaccines, noting that immunizations remain a proven tool for preventing serious diseases.

The department encouraged clinicians to rely on their medical training and professional judgment and to continue following immunization schedules published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians. These resources, KDHE noted, support consistent and informed shared decision-making with families.

Links to recommended vaccine schedules are available on the KDHE Immunization Page.

Read the Announcement

Read the Memorandum

As a result of this action, the CDC intends to organize the childhood immunization schedule in three distinct categories.

1. Immunizations recommended for all children
2. Immunizations recommended for certain high-risk groups or populations
3. Immunizations based on shared clinical decision-making

The schedules can be found Here

Key Takeaways and points shared during the January 7th NACHC F.A.S.T. call:

• Access: Families should still be able to access the full range of childhood immunizations to protect their children from serious diseases.
• No Out-Of-Pocket Cost: All vaccines, including those moved to shared clinical decision-making, remain covered with no out-of-pocket cost by ACA-regulated private insurance plans, federal coverage programs such as Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, as HHS affirmed in its announcement. Clinicians, hospitals, and states can continue to offer these vaccines at no out-of-pocket cost to patients.
• Challenges Ahead: These changes may create significant confusion and unnecessary barriers for families and clinicians, including regarding school vaccine requirements, UDS reporting requirements (Table 6B, Hep A and B), clinical workflows, reporting, and the supply and use of combination vaccines. 
• Vaccines are still recommended: the timing and share decision-making is where the changes have been made.
• Documentation Will Be Important: It will be necessary to document shared clinical decision-making in the patient's record.
  

Community Care will continue to monitor this area and provide updates. 

Source: Adapted from Immunize.org

We're excited to share several opportunities to learn about the recently updated Community Care annual reporting process. These sessions are designed to help clinic staff feel confident with the new streamlined format. 

Annual Reporting Virtual Training

Date: January 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AMC
Location: Online via Zoom

About: This 45-minute session will walk through the updated data reporting system and process for entering data. The new process includes significantly fewer data elements, making reporting easier and clearer. We'll cover what is required, what is optional, and tips for successful submission. 

Audience: Highly recommended for all clinic staff involved in preparing or submitting annual report data to Community Care. 

Can't Attend? A recording and guidance materials will be available after the session.

Register Here

Virtual Office Hours Sessions

Following the training, we're offering optional 1-hour virtual office hours for live Q&A and guidance. These informal sessions provide flexibility—join anytime during the hour to ask questions. clarify requirements, and get support.

Dates:

• January 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM
• February 10, at 9:00 AM
• February 19, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Note: Calendar invitations will be sent to reporting contacts. To add someone else, please email Trisha Harkness at tharkness@communitycareks.org.

The CBPCC Program is designed to help clinics expand access to high-quality health care, with a strong emphasis on community-based services and reducing health disparities among underserved populations. 

During the training, staff from KDHE's Office of Primary and Rural Health will provide:

• A detailed walkthrough of the grant application process
• Guidance on required documentation
• An opportunity for participants to ask questions

Attendance at one of these sessions is required for all organizations seeking CBPCC funding. 

The final session will be held on Thursday, January 15, at 1PM.

Register Here 

This free, easy-to-use tool is designed to help individuals and families track dental care, build confidence at appointments, and take ownership of their oral health, all with compassion and clarity.

Why Oral Health Matters

Oral health is deeply connected to whole-body health. Poor dental care can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, pregnancy complications, and more. Yet across Kansas, many individuals face barriers to accessing consistent care: limited insurance coverage, lack of transportation, fear of the dentist, or simply not knowing where to start.

Pathways to Oral Health is tackling these barriers head-on, working with community health centers, providers, and families to make dental care more approachable, more personalized, and more empowering.

Meet “My Dental Care Passport”

Just like a travel passport helps track your journeys, My Dental Care Passport helps you and your care team track progress on your dental health journey. The passport is a physical booklet or printable PDF that patients bring with them to dental appointments. It includes space to document visits, goals, medications, and follow-up needs, and it’s designed in plain language with visual cues to make it accessible to all ages and literacy levels.

This isn’t just a form, it’s a communication tool. It helps patients feel prepared and confident at appointments and gives providers insights into what matters most to their patients. And for caregivers—whether you're a parent, a sibling, or a support worker—it’s a simple, organized way to keep track of everything.

“It gave us something to hold onto to take from one appointment to the next. It helped my son remember what to expect and helped me feel like I could advocate for him better.”
— Recent Caregiver Testimony

What’s Inside the Passport?

• My Dental Team – A place to record your dentist’s contact info and provider team

• My Dental Goals – A spot to set personalized goals for oral health

• My Appointments – Easy tracking of visits, recommendations, and follow-ups

• My Feelings – Prompts to talk about dental anxiety or special accommodations

• My Medications and Conditions – A page to list relevant health info

Available in both English and Spanish, the Passport is tailored for use across a wide range of needs, from children in school dental programs to older adults navigating complex care.

Who Is It For?

This resource is for anyone who wants to feel more in control of their dental care. But it’s especially helpful for:

• Individuals with disabilities or sensory sensitivities

• People with dental anxiety

• Caregivers supporting someone else’s care

• Parents helping children build positive dental habits

• Patients receiving care through community health centers or mobile dental clinics

It also supports providers in building stronger, more collaborative relationships with patients. By bridging the communication gap, the Passport ensures everyone is working from the same page, literally.

How to Get One

Download My Dental Care Passport for free at pathwaystooralhealth.org/my-dental-care-passport. You can print it at home, or ask your local health center if they have copies available. Community health centers across Kansas are encouraged to share this tool with their patients and incorporate it into care coordination efforts.

Building a Healthier Future, One Smile at a Time

When we equip people with the tools they need, we empower them to take charge of their health. My Dental Care Passport is a small booklet, but its impact can be big. It’s a reminder that your oral health matters, your voice matters, and you don’t have to walk the path alone.

At Community Care Network of Kansas and through initiatives like Pathways to Oral Health, we’re proud to support practical, people-first solutions that make care more accessible and meaningful. Whether you’re a patient, a parent, or a provider, we invite you to explore the Passport and share it with someone who could benefit.

Because better oral health isn’t just a destination, it’s a journey. And the path forward is clearer than ever.

COMMUNITY CARE NEWS

JOIN US FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE!

We are excited to announce Nadine Burke-Harris, MD, as our keynote speaker on Thursday, September 25. Dr. Burke-Harris is an award-winning physician, researcher, and public health leader who has spent her career on the front lines of some of our world’s most pressing public health challenges. As California’s first Surgeon General, she helped guide the state’s response to the public health events of 2020. Dr. Burke-Harris successfully launched a first-in-the-nation, statewide effort to train over 20,000 primary care providers on how to screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and respond appropriately.