Featured work
“Since working with KWB, our coalition has built a richer connection with the community and also the members in the coalition.”
Assessment
Assessment is essential because it provides the insights needed to understand current realities, measure progress, and make informed decisions that lead to greater impact. Some assessments we proudly played a part in include:
Community Needs Health Assessment (CHNA) Throughout Muskegon and Oceana Counties, numerous public and non-profit organizations gather and review data to understand and prioritize health needs to inform their work. Many of these organizations engage community partners in their process. While this can improve their assessment and make the results more meaningful, it causes duplication of efforts and endless meetings.
KWB assisted the organizations in joining forces and achieving a collective impact on the issues that matter most. KWB was able to produce a robust data set and one shared process to identify agreed upon priorities to benefit each partner organization. Over a four-month period, KWB Strategies facilitated dozens of meetings and moved the massive project forward under tight deadlines.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Regional Assessment – District 10 Health Department (Jan 2024) KWB led a comprehensive regional assessment across the D10HD service area to evaluate resources and readiness for implementing prevention strategies aligned with the CDC’s framework for preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Produced a detailed Regional Overview summarizing existing efforts that support CDC-recommended ACEs prevention strategies
Identified gaps in services, key stakeholder-informed priorities, and contextualized community needs through both qualitative input and available data
Developed individual county profiles highlighting local capacity, existing initiatives, community-specific priorities, and archival data to inform county-level mobilization and planning
Findings supported future cross-sector planning and strategic investment in trauma-informed prevention efforts across the ten-county region
Facilitation
Effective facilitation is a cornerstone of success, turning ideas into action by guiding collaboration, fostering clarity, and ensuring every voice contributes to the outcome. The following are a sample of the types of groups and projects we have facilitated:
Overdose Fatality Review & Strategic Response Support Our team provides comprehensive facilitation and technical assistance for overdose fatality review (OFR) processes. In Barry and Ottawa counties, Jessica led local OFR initiatives in collaboration with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services epidemiologists and medical examiners. Through cross-sector coordination and data analysis, she translated complex poisoning surveillance data into actionable insights for multidisciplinary team members.
KWB supported stakeholders in interpreting data trends, identifying root causes, and co-developing intervention strategies grounded in evidence-based practices. This work enhances community capacity to respond proactively to substance-related fatalities and drives systems-level change.
Opioid Settlement Funds in Barry County KWB partnered with Barry County to develop a transparent, community-centered process for distributing funds from the national opioid settlement. Our team facilitated key committee conversations to shape a responsive Request for Proposals (RFP), identify priority areas, and co-create application guidance and evaluation tools.
We supported each step—from initial strategy to final materials—helping the County produce a refined RFP, clear scoring forms, and supportive guidance for applicants. KWB also designed website content, visual assets, and outreach materials to build awareness and encourage community participation.
Strategic Planning
It’s more than just a roadmap; it’s a tool for intentional growth, stronger teamwork, and measurable impact. Read more about a recent strategic planning project.
LRE Strategic Plan
Strategic Planning for Regional Behavioral Health Oversight We partnered with the Lakeshore Regional Entity (LRE) to develop a comprehensive strategic plan guiding the oversight and coordination of behavioral health services across seven Michigan counties. As a Prepaid Inpatient Health Plan (PIHP), LRE manages Medicaid-funded services in collaboration with local Community Mental Health Services Programs (CMHSPs), and oversees prevention and treatment services for substance use, mental health, and developmental disabilities.
The resulting plan provided a clear framework to strengthen LRE’s operations and leadership infrastructure—identifying strategic priorities, actionable tactics, and measurable outcomes. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement, the plan supports regional alignment, fiscal responsibility, and innovation while reinforcing LRE’s mission to improve access to high-quality behavioral health care.
Virtual and Personalized Training
Our team delivers expert training to strengthen coalitionns and prevention efforts. Recent projects include:
Evaluation Training & Technical Assistance In collaboration with Lakeshore Regional Entity Prevention Providers (August 2024), we developed and delivered a tailored Evaluation Workshop to support FY25 funding applications. This included a custom slide deck and training agenda aligned with the Lakeshore Regional Entity Prevention Plan and Reporting Form, and instruction on evaluation fundamentals, real-world applications, and initiative-specific strategies.
Coalition Leadership & Engagement We facilitated a mini-session on Advocacy for Coalitions for the OSAP Coalition (April 2025), offering practical guidance to enhance coalition effectiveness. For the OSAP Steering Committee (May 2025), we led a session on Membership Recruitment and Onboarding, equipping members with strategies for sustained engagement and smooth onboarding.
Skill-Building for Prevention Professionals Through our Coalition Boot Camp (March 2024), we trained District 10 Health Department staff across 10 counties, providing them with tools to strengthen coalition infrastructure and operations.
Systems Development for Regional Consistency From 2024–2025, we guided the development of procurement and reporting structures for Lakeshore Regional Entity’s SUD Prevention work, including:
Standardized procurement forms
Monitoring and reporting tools
A regional compilation of metrics to promote consistency and shared accountability across agencies
Understanding & Navigating Municipal Law
To assist local prevention specialists, KWB Strategies partnered with the Lakeshore Regional Entity to offer a 90-minute virtual training. This workshop focused on understanding the relationship between local regulations and substance abuse prevention. Participants learned how decisions are made within different levels of government and gained practical skills in locating and reviewing municipal laws relevant to their work.