Kansas State University researchers are working with the rural town of Logan, Kansas, to evaluate whether a new multigenerational community center is meeting local needs while improving education, quality of life, and financial sustainability. Psychology faculty Natalie Barlett and Heather Bailey are leading the project, titled It Takes a Village, which focuses on the Logan Intergenerational Family Education (LIFE) Center. The facility combines a long-term care center, a preschool through fourth-grade elementary school, a gym, and a wellness center, fostering interaction between students and older residents.

The study will assess academic and social development in children, mental and physical health in residents, and job satisfaction among staff. The team will also support the center’s efforts to meet state standards, helping ensure long-term viability.

Funded by a $15,000 Interdisciplinary Research Grant from K-State’s Chapman Center for Rural Studies, the project brings together faculty from psychology, gerontology, aging studies, and interior design. The grant supports travel, materials, and software, while also providing scholarships for undergraduate researchers to gain hands-on experience.

By studying the LIFE Center model, the research aims to inform similar efforts in other rural Kansas towns and strengthen partnerships between the university and rural communities across the state.