Kansas is the first state to offer a nationally-recognized parent health literacy program to all our Head Start programs. Fifteen programs have trained thousands of parents on the use of a book, "What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick," and provided followup coaching and support. The results--a 40% reduction in unnecessary visits to the emergency room for minor illnesses and injuries, and a similar reduction in days lost from school and work due to illness. Click here for more information about our Year 1 results and here for a Year 2 summary.

KHSA is also working with five pilot public health sites to improve parent health literacy. With a newly-developed curriculum and funding from United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, KHSA is testing different approaches to reaching parents in public health departments and community health centers. Evaluation of the results will be completed by April 2008.