Utilizing Deliberative Dialogue to Facilitate Conversations on Extension’s Role in Community Health

Given the polarizing climate of health care, reorganization of priorities within public health services, and the declining health of Americans, now is the time for K-State Research and Extension to define their role in improving community health. K-State Research and Extension has long identified health as one of its grand challenges, but national trends and initiatives have necessitated Extension improving the programming and initiatives that we currently provide. The national movement to provide high-impact, research- and evidence-based programming in addition to policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives requires Extension to explore where we stand, where we need to go, and the steps we need to take to achieve our constructed vision of success. This presentation provides an overview of the steps K-State Research and Extension has taken thus far to transform Family and Consumer Sciences Extension and will highlight the world café method of facilitating deliberative dialogue that has been utilized to move our Extension system forward.