For the first time\, Topeka's Community He alth Improvement Plan includes "Neighborhood Safety and Housing" as a prio rity area. \; When you register\, you will be provided with a few page s of advance reading from the "Neighborhood Safety and Housing" section of the Shawnee County Community Health Improvement Plan. It is important to note that though this docu ment identifies workgroups and partnering organizations working towards CH IP strategies\, continued engagement from the community is necessary for t he improvement efforts outlined in this plan to be achieved and sustained.
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We will also contact you for your food preference - all reg
istered attendees will be provided with a boxed lunch including a sandwich
/wrap\, potato salad or pasta salad\, chips and a cookie. \;
< br />Our conversation will be facilitated by library staff and focus on th e lived experiences of renters in Topeka with housing affordability and li vability as it relates to the goals and actions in the "Neighborhood Safet y and Housing" priority area of the Community Health Improvement Plan. Man y experts and organizations are already working on housing issues. One pur pose of this conversation is to broaden the participation of who is gettin g to talk about these issues and be involved in these issues. We will use conversation strategies to hear from people who are impacted by the decisi ons of decision makers\, and prioritize the perspectives of renters over p olicy positions. \;
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According to Livewell Shawnee County:
How does Neighbo
rhood Safety and Housing come into the CHIP?
Where we are affects how
we live. From safe streets to stable housing\, our environment plays a ma
jor role in health. In Shawnee County\, In 2023\, Shawnee County had 34 ho
micides&mdash\;nearly 1 in 3 victims were under 18\, and 60% involved fire
arms. The CHIP includes community-driven strategies to create safer\, more
stable neighborhoods for all.
What does health equity look like i
n the CHIP?
Not everyone in Shawnee County has the same opportunity t
o live a healthy life. Health equity means recognizing and addressing thos
e gaps. In Shawnee County the high infant mortality rate disproportionatel
y affects the Black and Hispanic communities at an alarming rate. The CHIP
names equity as a cross-cutting priority&mdash\;because justice needs to
be part of every solution.
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