Sunflower Foundation

Throughout January, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will be observing the first National Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month. It's a time to raise awareness of the benefits and availability of evidence-based treatments for people with substance use disorders and to break down barriers that keep people from seeking help. Many people view January as a time to take steps toward healthier living, so what better time to highlight information and resources that can help support treatment and recovery from substance use disorders? Because treatment works, and recovery is possible! As administrator for the Kansas Fights Addiction grant program, which provides money recovered by the Kansas Office of the Attorney General to support agencies and organizations that provide SUD services across Kansas, Sunflower Foundation is committed to assisting SAMHSA in its efforts to highlight resources that connect people with SUDs with the support, treatment and care they deserve. So come back here throughout the month as we share tips, links to resources and other information from SAMHSA’s SUD Treatment Month toolkit. Go to https://lnkd.in/guy28iCg to learn more about SUD Treatment Month. Go to https://lnkd.in/g8KPGzNx to learn more about Kansas Fights Addiction. #SUDTreatmentMonth

As we reflect on 2024, we want to thank our many great partners and celebrate their collective commitment to making our state a healthier place. And as we welcome 2025, we look forward to more opportunities to collaborate with them as we strive together to improve the health and well-being of all Kansans. Happy New Year! The Sunflower Foundation team #sunflowerfoundation #sunflowernonprofitcenter

We are excited to announce the newest member of our team - Rebecca Atnip! Rebecca recently started as executive assistant/office manager, where she works closely with the President and CEO, the executive team and the foundation’s Board of Trustees, providing administrative support and assistance and managing office logistics. Join us in welcoming Rebecca and click below to read more about her and her new role! #sunflowerfoundation

On #NationalRuralHealthDay, we acknowledge and celebrate the dedicated work being done by rural healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, local health departments, volunteers and other stakeholders to address the unique health challenges in small communities across Kansas. Sunflower Foundation’s rural-based grantmaking continues to engage thousands of Kansans working to make smaller communities around our state healthier and more welcoming. Whether it be by supporting efforts to improve access to primary care and behavioral health care services, helping more Kansans discover public trails and the many health benefits they provide, or investing in work to address food access and nutrition security needs, we partner with individuals, organizations and communities that are committed to improving the health and well-being of all Kansans. The success of these partnerships continue to show how the #PowerofRural inspires small communities to make a big impact. Learn more at www.powerofrural.com

How do we build and sustain thriving rural communities? That's the big question I am excited to dive into at our upcoming convening. On our Health on the Plains podcast, we take a broad view of health - we recognize that our individual health is interconnected with the health and vitality of the communities we call home. In our conversations with stellar leaders across Kansas, we hope to create a space for nuanced conversations about the many factors the shape health for our rural communities. For our inaugural Health on the Plains convening, we are building on that approach and creating another venue for shared discussion and learning. If you don't already have plans for Friday, December 6 from 10am-1pm, I'd love to have you join us for what promises to be an insightful event.

We are thrilled to announce the newest member of the Sunflower Foundation team - Emily Wolf! Emily recently started as grants and finance manager, where her primary responsibility will be monitoring the foundation's grantmaking processes and promoting and applying best practices for effective grantmaking. Join us in welcoming Emily, and click below to read more about her and her new role! https://lnkd.in/gSqqKKRW #sunflowerfoundation

What does it mean to be innovative in the context of health philanthropy? This was one of the many questions raised by my stellar conversation with Brandon Skidmore and Elizabeth Burger from the Sunflower Foundation. Often, I think about innovation as doing something different - with an emphasis on what is being done. But as Brandon notes, “innovation doesn’t always have to be about the strategy. Innovation can really be about where the strategy takes place.” Sometimes, I think that innovation goes beyond where current literature and best practices end. But it’s risky to go beyond what we can confidently say is strongly supported by the best evidence. The ability to strategically consider and take on that risk is another aspect of health philanthropy we discussed. As Elizabeth shared, “with the privilege of investing funds, you have to be willing to take that risk, and you have to be willing to fail forward.” I really enjoyed learning more about their work and how they support rural communities. Our conversation gave me a lot to think. It also left me feeling inspired and hopeful about the future of our rural communities - knowing there are stellar people and organizations across the Sunflower State working towards thriving rural communities. You can also listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gWFxXQdj #ruralhealth #rural #kansas #philanthropy

As part of our commitment to raise awareness of mental health issues with a goal of increasing early interventions and improving access to behavioral health services for Kansans struggling with mental illness, we join advocates around the world today in observing #WorldMentalHealthDay. This year’s theme – mental health in the workplace – prioritizes employees’ mental health and well-being. Employees suffering with mental health issues don't leave their illness at home, and if left untreated, that not only can impact employees' health but also worker productivity, attendance, satisfaction and overall performance. Employee mental health and well-being matters, and a healthy workforce is the best workforce. And remember, caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. Today and every day, take time to look after yourself and prioritize your well-being. #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek #WMHD2024 #workplacementalhealth #PrioritizeMentalHealthintheWorkplace #MentalHealthInTheWorkplace #workplacewellness

Sunflower Foundation is seeking a highly organized, reliable self-starter to be our new executive assistant/office manager. Primary responsibilities would be supporting the president and CEO and executive staff while also helping coordinate office administrative operations. This resourceful multi-tasker will work collaboratively with leadership and staff, as well as independently, to successfully complete a wide range of tasks to meet the needs and challenges of supporting a small office of diverse people and programs. Major duties would include: managing the president and CEO’s calendar and meeting schedule and providing him with meeting support; preparing and editing correspondence, communications, presentations and other documents for the President and CEO and staff; performing copying and clerical tasks; serving as primary administrative staff to the Sunflower Foundation Board of Trustees; managing and supporting day-to-day office operations; and supervising maintenance and archiving of corporate records, including all digital and paper filing systems and databases. To learn more and apply, go to https://lnkd.in/ggAbSsmN