Our newest project is to build a facility that will house a recreation and wellness center, Therapeutic Preschool, adult mental health services group rooms and the emergency preparedness site for the citizens of Cherokee County Kansas.

The new Community Health Education and Wellness Center has been specifically designed to reflect the needs of the citizens of Cherokee County identified in the strategic planning process surveys that were completed. Health promotion activities will imporve health awareness and encourage users to take the necessary steps to improve their overall health and adopt healthy lifestyles as a way of life. The facility will provide access to an array of the necessary exercise equipment.

The delivery of health care services in Cherokee County will be significantly improved through the provision of a safe, user friendly indoor walking track. What is needed, especially for an organization committed to promoting behavioral health, is a designated facility where fitness, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles can be modeled, practiced and encouraged. One of the best ways to instill the value of exercise among children and youth is for the adults in their lives to display these disciplines on a regular basis. With the addition of the new Community Health Education and Wellness Center in Cherokee County, the whole community will be able to benefit from the positive effects of regular exercise. The addition of a Health Education and Wellness Center on the FLC campus will also provide a perfect venue for promoting good nutritional education. The facility will have a classroom and kitchen area that can be utilized by the local hospitals and health department for educational seminars and cooking classes.

The construction of a Health Education and Wellness Center, will not only benefit the genral public, but FLC clients will be able to focus on overall wellness, incorporating tips for a healthy lifestyle into their treatment plans. Persons with mental illness need providers knowledgeable about their behavioral, medical, and social needs. Often the medical and social needs are directly related to health, providers like FLC are best suited to understand and meet this spectrum of needs.

Emergency Prepardness Center
As an additional benefit to county citizens, FLC has partnered with the Cherokee County Emergency Management Team. Because of the size and design of the facility the team asked to have the new facility designated as the disaster prepardness site for the southern part of Cheorkee County. A back up generator and a FEMA certified storm shelter will be available for approximatley 170 individuals. Working with the Red Cross, the faciltiy will be available as temporary shelter in the event of a natural or man made disaster, providing shelter, meals and medical needs for any displaced citizens. This space will double as a conference room and open playroom for the Therapeutic Pre-School when not in use as a storm shelter.

Therapeutic Pre-School
Another goal for Phase II is the construction of a new preschool. Currently, in our existing facility, a small space operates as a therapeutic preschool for 10 children. The demand is for much more space and additional services. The Therapeutic Pre-school focuses on social skills and academic preparation skills, using a specialized mental health psycho-social treatment group model.

Adult Services Group Room
FLC currently serves over 100 adults per year that have a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI). With the addition of the new group rooms in the Wellness Center they will be able to incorporate physical wellness with their already successful group activities.

Location
FLC acquired land during Phase I that will be used to build the project. It will be on the same property as FLC’s Riverton office. This is centrally located in the southern population areas of the County.

Total Investment of the Project and Timeline
Family Life Center, Inc., set aside 4 years to raise the funds for the Capital Campaign and 6 months to complete the construction of the facility. The first 2 years of operating costs will be raised during the campaign. Ongoing operating costs will be generated by programs that will be operated out of that facility, example: Therapeutic pre-school, virtual golf, fitness center, community leagues and tournaments. The completed project will allow FLC to treat our clients in a more "holistic" manner, improving their emotional and physical health at the same time. Studies show that exercise has an important role to play in promoting sound mental health.

A total of $2.2 million must be secured from private donors in the Building Health Communities in Cherokee County campaign to construct and furnish the new Community Health Education and Wellness Center.