To enact sustainable policy change, we need informed, engaged and empowered people who can turn ideas into action.

Action is the driving force behind FuseKS, an annual event by the Kansas Health Foundation to convene advocates, funders, policy implementors and policymakers to enact policy changes that improve the health of all Kansans. Through structured conversations, data-driven insights and collaborative problem-solving, FuseKS aims to transform policy from something abstract into a tangible and accessible tool that redistributes power to drive meaningful change.

For the inaugural convening, representatives from elected offices, government agencies, nonprofits, schools and the private sector came together to chart a clear path toward ending food insecurity in our state.

Informed By Data

For policy to be effective, it must be informed by data. FuseKS prioritized evidence, research and the lived experiences of Kansans to ensure solutions were rooted in the challenges, needs and voices of the people that are affected most.

Rather than presenting data in static charts and graphs, we hosted a Data Walk – an interactive experience designed to bring data to life. With information compiled by the Kansas Health Institute, FuseKS participants moved through a series of stations in curated small groups that paired numbers with real-world experiences of those directly impacted.

This approach helped bridge the gap between policy discussion and the outcome of policy change by making data more accessible and equipping participants with a clearer understanding of the issues.

Engaged in Trust

Sustainable policy change also requires trust. Trust in the solutions created, the process to get to them and in the people making them.

To enable this trust, Kansas Health Foundation President & CEO Ed O’Malley facilitated an activity about “factions” to encourage participants to reflect on the groups they belong to and how those affiliations shape their viewpoints. Factions highlighted included farmers, food security advocates, food industry representatives and more.

By recognizing these groups and physically moving into different factions by stepping into others’ roles, participants gained insights into experiences they might not typically engage with – helping to break down assumptions and allowing for collaborative work.

Empowered to Act

Policy change takes action, and action requires power. One of the core principles guiding FuseKS is that power must be distributed to where it’s needed most.

We had participants engage in what we called “Policy Circuits.” Participants rotated from group to group, reacting to different policy solutions, such as food planning requirements for cities and counties, tax credits for farmers and ranchers, technical assistance support for food pantries and more.

They were asked:

• What excites you about this policy?
• What concerns you?
• Would you support or oppose it?
• What modifications would be needed?

Before leaving each group, participants had to vote whether they would support or oppose a policy. For example, a policy for investment in rural grocery stores and rural food distribution infrastructure was initially voted down. Representatives from rural communities spoke up to advocate for their needs.

By allowing participants to advocate for what matters to them and fight to include policies they believed in, they became more invested in the outcome.

Vision for the Future of FuseKS

Our vision for FuseKS is built on three key insights:

• When more people are informed and engaged, better decisions are made.
• An informed, engaged public is empowered to act, ensuring ideas don’t just exist on paper.
• Real, lasting change extends beyond the FuseKS convening.

Our goal is to equip the organizations leading the charge on policy issues and doing the work in our communities with the tools and momentum they need – not just to adapt policy but to shape it.

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