A meadow at sunrise with red and blue flowers.

Working together to transform environments and conditions to assure health and well-being for all.

About the Center

Our Mission

Supporting community health and development through collaborative research and evaluation, teaching and training, and technical support and capacity building.

Recent Highlights

Podcast episode promotional graphic for "Pioneers in Health," featuring episode 48 with Christina Holt from Center for Community Health and Development. Design includes a dark blue background with colorful circles, a green microphone icon, a landscape photo, and a blurred portrait of the guest, alongside United Methodist Health Ministry Fund branding.

Christina Holt Featured on Pioneers in Health Podcast

Christina Holt, interim director of the University of Kansas Center for Community Health and Development (CCHD), is featured in a recent episode of Pioneers in Health, a podcast produced by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund that highlights leaders advancing health and well-being across Kansas.
A panel of adults and youth speak in front of an audience at a community event.

Wyandotte County Kicks Off Youth Violence Prevention Week with celebration that highlights achievements

Community and local leaders turn out to support the KU-based initiative, which has contributed to a 38% drop in youth homicides since it began.
Christina Holt

Christina Holt Named Interim Director of KU Center for Community Health and Development

After 36 years of research and leadership, CCHD Director Vincent Francisco retires this May. He has led the CCHD since 2015, overseeing its role as a WHO collaborating center and co-developing the Community Tool Box.
A toolbox with tools is positioned next to a globe

From Kansas to the world: KU’s WHO collaboration works to promote global health

By delivering a digital “toolbox” to 300 countries, researchers at the Center for Community Health and Development are bringing life-saving lessons back home to Kansas.
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Services

The Center for Community Health and Development offers a variety of services to support the work of promoting community health and development.

Community Check Box Evaluation System

A web-based recording, measurement, and reporting tool for community work that helps practitioners document their community change efforts and share success stories with funders and other stakeholders.
Group of people gathered around a whiteboard.

Evaluation

Our Center provides support and evaluation services for local, state, national, and international initiatives.
Open road with hills and trees on either side.

Building Healthy Communities: Online Courses

Our comprehensive courses feature 16 self-contained instructional modules for developing practical skills in core areas of community health and development.
Diverse people holding electronic devices sitting up against a green wall.

Community Tool Box Training Curriculum

Our center has developed a training curriculum based on the Community Tool Box that outlines 16 competencies for promoting community health and development.
Stack of books with a green apple on top.

Capacity Building Trainings

People taking action need skills in core areas including assessment, planning, advocacy, evaluation, and sustainability.
Young hands holding a seedling with dirt.

Community Health Assessment and Planning

Our center employs a multi-method, collaborative approach to assessing community needs and resources.
Change barometer.

Facilitation of Community Processes

Our experience includes small and large group facilitation, including coalition meetings, board retreats, town hall meetings/ listening sessions, focus groups, PhotoVoice initiatives, and collaborative community planning.
Row of whiteboards in a classroom, with sticky notes on them for things like "Access to Health Care" and "Mental Health Recognition and Treatment."

World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Community Health and Development

African mother holding her child

World Health Organization Collaborating Centre

KU's WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health and Development received official designation by the World Health Organization in 2004. During these nearly 20 years, the Centre has worked to promote health and development with local and global partners.

About the WHO Centre

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Give to the Center for Community Health and Development
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Learn More About the Community Tool Box

The Community Tool Box is about empowering people with tools to change our world. Visit the Tool Box to discover thousands of pages of tips and tools for taking action on issues that matter.

About the Tool Box

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