Partnerships Build Possibilities

The collaborative partnerships that are being developed through Kansas Health Online demonstrate the willingness and commitment these organizations have toward improving the health of Kansans.

Regional Library Systems
KHO staff met with Regional Library Systems Managers at the beginning of March to discuss how libraries in Kansas could support Kansas Health Online. During the next year KHO will work with library liaisons across the state who will assist in developing Kansas Go Local, a database of Kansas Health Care Providers. Kansas Go Local is part of the National Library of Medicine's Go Local Project.

KHO staff at Dykes Library is also working with Regional Library Systems to schedule a Kansas Health Online Day in each region during this spring and summer.

Kansas Public Health Association
Dykes Library, Kansas Public Health Association and The State Library of Kansas are looking forward to working together to improve access to health information in Kansas.

University of Kansas Center for Healthcare Informatics
The Center for Healthcare Informatics has approached KHO about the possibility of providing health literacy content as well as important information about privacy issues.

Johnson County Infant Toddler Services
KHO has met with Johnson County Infant Toddler. Early Childhood Service Providers are on the front lines working with families who will benefit from KHO resources. KHO and Infant Toddler Services are looking at ways we can work together in conjunction with public libraries across the state to get the word out to service providers and families about KHO.

Families Together
Families Together contacted KHO to offer to provide data for Kansas Go Local. In addition, Families Together has informed us that they will be providing information about Kansas Health Online in their workshops and conferences.

United Way
KHO has met with United Way staff in Kansas to discuss how we can leverage our resources to improve the health of Kansans by working together. United Way 2-1-1 provides a valuable service to Kansans and we are happy to promote this important service. The complimentary resources available on 2-1-1 and Kansas Health Online are excellent examples of how collaborative relationships benefit Kansans by promoting the availability of services. We are looking forward to working with United Way of Greater Kansas City and United Way of the Plains.

National Network of Libraries of Medicine
The biomedical librarians at Dykes Library on the KU Med Campus are responsible for reviewing the content to make sure it meets the criteria developed for Kansas Health Online. Rebecca Brown is the liaison to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. Rebecca's knowledge of NNLM materials is a valuable resource for Kansas Health Online.

Kansas Health Online
Kansas Health Online is a collaborative project developed by the Kansas Health Policy Authority, the State Library of Kansas, and Dykes Library at KU Medical Center and is part of the health policy reform package recommended by the Health Policy Authority.

This unique collaboration provides a powerful foundation for Kansas Health Online. Public libraries are often the first place people where individuals look for health information. Kansas Health Online answers the need for reliable information. Biomedical librarians and public librarians will now be able to pool their resources to meet the information needs of Kansans. Biomedical librarians will bring expertise in their specialized areas. Public librarians bring their communication skills as well as their knowledge and connections in their community. All of which demonstrates the exponential power of collaboration.