Center for Community Health and Development

The Center for Community Health and Development is a university-affiliated research and training center in Lawrence, Kansas, dedicated to advancing community health and well-being through collaborative research, evaluation, teaching, and technical support. Serving local, state, national, and international communities, the center specializes in community-based participatory research, capacity building, and the development of practical tools such as the Community Tool Box and the Community Check Box Evaluation System. With a history spanning over four decades, it has supported initiatives ranging from youth violence prevention to public health assessment, and maintains a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre designation. The center is part of the University of Kansas, affiliated with the Department of Applied Behavioral Science and the Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies.

The center’s approach centers on empowering communities through evidence-based strategies and long-term partnerships. Its multi-generational team includes Ph.D.-level researchers, graduate and undergraduate students, and professional staff with expertise in public health, behavioral science, education, urban planning, and social work. It offers training programs, evaluation services, and online courses designed to strengthen community health initiatives. The Community Check Box Evaluation System enables practitioners to document and report on their progress, while the Community Tool Box provides a globally accessible resource for community development. The center has played a key role in reducing youth homicides in Wyandotte County and continues to contribute to public health advancements across Kansas and beyond.

Located on Sunnyside Avenue, the Center for Community Health and Development sits just a short walk from Watson Library and the KU Child & Family Services Clinic, both within a quarter-mile. It is also near the KU Psychological Clinic, the Victory Eagle-WWI Memorial, and Anschutz Library, all within a half-mile radius. The Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center lies just a few hundred feet away, placing the center within a vibrant academic and health services corridor.

The center is recognized for its longstanding commitment to community-driven solutions and its role in shaping public health policy and practice. As a WHO Collaborating Centre, it has helped disseminate critical health resources to over 300 countries while applying global insights to local challenges in Kansas. Its work reflects a deep integration of research, training, and real-world impact.

Through its enduring presence in Lawrence, the center stands as a vital hub for transforming communities through health, equity, and collaboration.

Services:

• Community Health Assessment and Planning
• Evaluation Services
• Facilitation of Community Processes
• Online Courses and Training Curriculum
• Technical Support and Capacity Building