A Coalition Engaging for Positive Change
The Montgomery County Local Health Engagement Action Team (MGC LHEAT) is a community-driven coalition dedicated to improving the social determinants of health in Montgomery County, Kansas. We bring together nonprofit leaders, community advocates, and local residents who are committed to ensuring that everyone in our county has access to basic needs such as food, housing, healthcare, and supportive resources.
Rather than duplicating services, LHEAT strengthens existing organizations by funding projects that directly serve people facing poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, and limited access to care. Our members represent a wide range of agencies, ministries, businesses, and service providers, allowing us to work collaboratively, share resources, and connect individuals and families to the help they need.
LHEAT is a true "boots-on-the-ground" organization. We know our community, we know the challenges, and we know the people doing the work. By listening to local voices and responding to real, identified needs, we help improve quality of life across Montgomery County — one project, one partnership, and one person at a time.
As we continue to grow, LHEAT is committed to expanding our impact through sustainable funding, strong partnerships, and community-led solutions that create lasting change.
Our beginnings
LHEAT was formed in early 2021 in response to growing concerns about poverty, food insecurity, housing needs, and access to essential services in Montgomery County. The coalition began after receiving a three-year, $50,000 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), administered through KU Medical (KUMED).
From the beginning, LHEAT was built as a coalition, not a single agency. Leaders from local nonprofits, community health, food pantries, shelters, and service organizations came together with a shared goal: to improve health equity by addressing the conditions that affect people's ability to thrive.
Meeting twice a month, the group worked collaboratively to identify priorities and fund projects led by trusted local organizations. Early efforts focused on strengthening food pantries, increasing access to fresh produce, improving accessibility at service facilities, restoring shelter space for women and children, and expanding hygiene, laundry, and resource services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
LHEAT also made a deliberate effort to reach underserved populations, including Montgomery County's Mexican and Guatemalan communities, by developing bilingual resources and supporting Community Health Workers who help families navigate food access, public benefits, healthcare, and other critical services.
As the original grant concluded in 2024, LHEAT recognized both the meaningful impact of its work and the continued needs within Montgomery County. The coalition remains committed to carrying this work forward and is exploring the possibility of transitioning to an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This potential step would allow LHEAT to expand partnerships, pursue sustainable funding, and continue supporting the organizations and neighbors who rely on these vital services.
Leading the work on the ground
Linda Follet
MGC LHEAT lead, spearheading the coordination of MGC LHEAT activities and projects.
"As lead for the MGC LHEAT, I’m excited about the opportunities this collaboration is creating to support healthier living conditions in our county. We sincerely welcome additional individuals and organizations to join us so we can build even greater momentum together. Your involvement can help drive real, synergistic progress for our community."
Leeann Stevenson
Community Health Worker, leading support for Holly House services.
"By helping people with basic needs and comfort, we are making connections and building a foundation for the future of families. Teamwork in our community is an important way to improve our local quality of life. By encouraging volunteers, we set a good example and take steps forward in securing our future generations."
Guidance from our research partners
KU Med / COPE Leadership
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Dr. Sarah Finocchario-Kessler, PhD, MPH
Project Lead; Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC)
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Christina M. Pacheco, JD, MPH
Project Director; Assistant Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health
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Jody Love, MBA
Regional Community Lead; Southeast Kansas President & CEO, Healthy Bourbon County Action Team (HBCAT) and Rural Community
OUR COALITION
MEMBERS
Astrid Sanchez
Bilingual Home Visitor, Healthy Families, asanchez@kcsl.org, 620-779-0201
Carol Foister
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), https://www.kdads.ks.gov/
Carol McLaughlin
Grant Coordinator and Board Member, Home Sweet Home HSH Homeless Ministry, cmclaughlin2548@gmail.com, 620-330-2548, HSH Ministries Facebook
Charlene Paolini
Senior Director of Nursing and Inpatient Services, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Welcome to Coffeyville Regional Medical Center-Where Quality Matters
Chris Mitchell
Director, Community Access Center, Chief Operating Officer, HSH Homeless Ministry, President SEK-Veteran Provider Coalition, and President Live Healthy Montgomery County
Christie Tarver
Dorothy Shaffer
Director of Programs, Caney Valley Agape Network Facebook
Doug Mund
Pastor, Grace Fellowship Church & Longfellow Warehouse Ministry, 620-251-1190
Emily Lewis
Community Organizer, Live Healthy Montgomery County Coalition Youth Substance Prevention Task Force, Live Healthy Montgomery County, Live Healthy Montgomery County Facebook
Esther Cuevas
Community Health Worker, RMS/FKHS USD 445, 620-252-6420, Ext. RMS 13505, Ext. FKHS 14101, Esther.cuevas@cvilleschools.com, USD 445 Counseling Department
Eva Green
Family Childcare Owner, Green Acres Childcare, Community Health and Resource Worker, 620-870-4144
Geoff Bennett
Gina Brown
Montgomery County Public Health
Hailey Collins
Hortense Mason
Future Empowerment, INC
Jody Love, MBA
President & CEO, Rural Community Partners, including Rural Connect Magazine, Rural Community Partners Facebook (Rural Connect), Rural Community Partners website, Rural Connect Magazine website
Julianna Gastineau
Volunteer, Kansas Family Advisory Network (KFAN), 620-926-0208, Kansas Family Advisory Network,
Julie Voelker
Executive Vice President, Solutions North Bank, Treasurer, Live Healthy Montgomery County, Inc.
Karan Maritt
Volunteer, Holly House
Karry Reeves
DCF Southeast Region Resource Specialist, Kansas Department of Children and Families
Kenneth Dodson
Horticulture Extension Agent, KSU Wildcat Extension District, Garden and Lawn
LaKisha Johnson
Lead Coffeyville Supervisor, Kansas Family Advisory Network (KFAN)
Linda Follett
Montgomery County LHEAT Lead and Director of Genesis Food Pantry, 620-251-3004
Marci Roberts
Executive Director, Live Health Montgomery County Coalition
Renita Butler
Board Member, Home Sweet Home Ministries
Robert Cooper
Sara Varga-Chipres
Assistant Grant Coordinator for BCBSKS Pathways, Live Health Montgomery County Coalition, 620-515-1593, 620-714-0817
Tonja Housel-Wolford
Program Provider & Intensive Supervision Officer, 14th Judicial District Community Corrections
Valerie Hurd
Intensive Supervision Officer, 14th Judicial District Community Corrections
Valerie Suddock
Coordinator, LHEAT Transport, vlsuddock@gmail.com