COMMUNITY PLANNING

A FRAMEWORK FOR COLLABORATION

to improve well-being in Johnson County

UCS leads and participates in a variety of community planning initiatives, fostering frameworks for cross-sector collaboration to improve the availability and delivery of human services. Team members serve on various councils and committees to bring a data-focused and strategic planning lens to improving health and human services for Johnson County residents. UCS also hosts the Human Service Summit and presents the Human Service Awards annually.

2025 HUMAN SERVICE SAFETY NET FACT SHEET

HUMAN SERVICE AWARDS

 UCS presents multiple Human Service Awards each year, which pay tribute to individuals and organizations making a lasting difference in the Johnson County community. Award categories include Citizen of the Year, Excellence in Community Service, Distinguished Public Service andThe Karen Wulfkuhle Bridge Spanner Award.

PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
2023 Citizen of the Year Awardee
Komal Kaur, Eye of an Immigrant Founder
2022 Distinguished Public Service Awardee – Hon. Tom Foster, 10th Judicial District Judge
2022 Excellence in Community Service Awardee – Lowrider Bike Club

2023 Distinguished Public Service Awardee – Hon. Michael Boehm

EVENT SPOTLIGHT: HUMAN SERVICE SUMMIT

Each year, UCS convenes its annual Human Service Summit in Johnson County—bringing together providers, advocates and policymakers from across sectors to exchange ideas, explore emerging needs and inspire collective action. Centered around a timely theme that reflects both current and future human service priorities in our county, the event features keynote speakers, interactive sessions and dynamic panel discussions. Together, these elements create a collaborative space for insight, dialogue and the development of strategies to improve the health and well-being of our community.
2025 EVENT RECAP

Johnson County Community Planning Initiatives

CHILDREN’S COORDINATING COUNCIL

The Children’s Coordinating Council engages public school and human service personnel in dialogue and action to improve outcomes for at-risk children and their families. It is led by UCS and was formed in 1995 to improve the availability and delivery of health and human services for Johnson County children and youth through collaborative planning and information sharing. The Council fosters the development of a comprehensive, interconnected service network in order to achieve better outcomes for the most vulnerable children and their families.

Council members include representatives of public child-serving institutions and private child-serving organizations with a public mission, and parent representatives. All public school districts are represented, as well as Johnson County Department of Corrections, 10th Judicial Court Services, Kansas Department for Children and Families and applicable contractors, CASA, Head Start, Johnson County Mental Health Center, Sunflower House, and the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. For more information, contact Erika García Reyes at erikag@ucsjoco.org.

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS ADVISORY BOARD

The Community Corrections Advisory Board (CCAB) provides a valuable and continuing role to provide community participation and formal recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, at least annually, concerning the comprehensive plan and its implementation during the ensuing year. For more information, contact Kristy Baughman at kristyb@ucsjoco.org.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Criminal Justice Advisory Council makes data-driven decisions to address criminal justice in Johnson County. The council works to promote public safety and explore the root causes of criminal behavior, helping to create a better community. For more information, contact Kristy Baughman at kristyb@ucsjoco.org.
DRUG & ALCOHOLISM COUNCIL

UCS facilitates this 25-member community council to support an array of services to respond to substance abuse. The Drug and Alcoholism Council oversees alcohol and drug planning and allocations in Johnson County. Its goal is to reduce alcohol and drug problems by promoting and advocating for the full continuum of care, including prevention, education, intervention, treatment and recovery.

The DAC recommends allocating funds from the Kansas liquor-by-the-drink excise tax and national opioid settlements to support the Substance Use Continuum of Care. Non-profit agencies, public school districts and local government entities compete for these funds through an application process to the DAC. This process maximizes benefits and enables thousands of Johnson County residents to access services. Click here to learn more about SUF grants. For more information, contact Erika García Reyes at erikag@ucsjoco.org.

EVICTION MEDIATION
UCS is involved with Johnson County’s Eviction Mediation Program, which was developed in the 10th Judicial District. This program makes mediation mandatory if a tenant disagrees with the landlord’s eviction filing. For more information, contact Christina Ashie Guidry at christinag@ucsjoco.org.
PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

A UCS representative serves on the Public Health Leadership Council, which works with Johnson County Department of Health and Environment and the community to design and implement priorities of public health to promote heath and champion the mission and vision of health in Johnson County.

SPECIALTY COURTS

UCS is involved with Johnson County’s Specialty Courts, which includes Veterans Treatment Court, Adult Drug Treatment Court, Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, Behavioral Health Court and Family Court. For more information, contact Christina Ashie Guidry at christinag@ucsjoco.org.