Davidson Highlights Community Wellness Coalition Efforts at Hutchinson Rotary Meeting

Candace Davidson, Health Promotion Supervisor with the Reno County Health Department, spoke Monday to the Rotary Club of Hutchinson about the work of the Reno County Community Wellness Coalition, a collaborative network focused on improving health and quality of life for residents across the county. 
The coalition will host a Community Wellness Event April 4 at DCI Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., (see flier below) featuring family activities, educational booths, and food vendors aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles.
More information about the coalition and its initiatives is available at RCCWC.org.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Davidson outlined its mission to build a healthier Reno County through collaboration, education, and community engagement. The coalition brings together partners from healthcare, education, local government, nonprofits, and community organizations to address a wide range of health issues, including access to care, mental health, healthy eating, physical activity, and substance misuse.

Davidson shared the coalition’s history, noting that local wellness initiatives date back more than two decades. Early efforts began in 2004 with the Personal Health Initiative Team (PHIT) and later evolved into the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) coalition. Over time, community needs and participation shifted, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting local leaders in 2022 to reevaluate how a health coalition could better serve residents.

Through conversations with stakeholders and community members, the group restructured and rebranded as the Reno County Community Wellness Coalition, with a renewed focus on whole-person wellness and stronger community engagement.

Today, the coalition organizes its work through several focused groups addressing key health priorities.

One of those groups, the Food Advisory Council, works to strengthen Reno County’s local food system and improve access to healthy foods. The council examines issues such as food insecurity, accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, and reducing food waste. Davidson noted that food access remains a challenge in parts of the county, as only a few communities — including Hutchinson, Buhler, and Nickerson — have full grocery stores.

Candace Davidson, Health Promotion Supervisor with the Reno County Health Department, spoke on behalf of the Reno County Community Wellness Coalition (RCCWC).

The Reno County School Health and Wellness Alliance focuses on improving the well-being of students through collaboration between schools, healthcare providers, and community partners. The group addresses concerns such as youth substance use and vaping, mental health awareness, and prevention of chronic disease by encouraging healthier lifestyles among students.

Another coalition group, Bike Walk Hutch, promotes physical activity by advocating for improvements to the community’s built environment. The group works with local policymakers to expand and connect trails, sidewalks, parks, and other recreational spaces, helping make Hutchinson and Reno County more walkable and bike-friendly. Davidson said the group is currently involved in developing a community bike and pedestrian master plan.

Improving access to healthcare services is another priority. The coalition’s Healthcare Access Task Force brings together healthcare providers and community partners to guide the county’s Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. Recent findings identified several major community health priorities, including behavioral health and substance use services, access to affordable care, food security, transportation to medical services, and housing stability.

Davidson also discussed the coalition’s Mental Health Task Force, which works to reduce stigma, strengthen support systems in schools, and build partnerships with law enforcement and community organizations. The group is planning a Mental Health Awareness Walk on April 18 at Carey Park, (see flier below), to raise awareness and encourage community involvement.

In addition, the Reno Recovery Collaborative focuses on preventing and reducing substance misuse while supporting treatment and recovery resources in Reno County. The group works with professionals as well as individuals with lived experience to strengthen prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.

Davidson emphasized that the coalition’s success depends on broad community participation and partnerships across sectors.

“We want Reno County to be a place where people can live, work, learn, and play in a healthy environment,” Davidson said. “It takes collaboration from all parts of the community to make that happen.”

She encouraged residents and community leaders to get involved by attending coalition meetings, participating in events, or partnering with the coalition’s various work groups.

More information about the coalition and its initiatives is available at RCCWC.org.

Reno County Administrator Randy Partington introduces Candace Davidson during the Rotary meeting Monday at noon.Candace Davidson visits with Rotarians after her talk.