UCS 2026 Human Service Summit Celebrates 25 Years of Connection, Collaboration, and Community Action
How do we prepare Johnson County for what’s coming? That question brought community partners together for the first Human Service Summit in 2002 and guided the conversation again on September 16th as UCS celebrated its 25th annual Human Service Summit. The gathering honored the relationships and collective work that have shaped our community and asked participants to explore what the next chapter requires of us.
Johnson County looks different today than it did at the first Summit. UCS Executive Director Kristy Baughman shared a look at Johnson County then and now, highlighting changes in population, age, diversity, poverty, and housing costs. The data illustrated a community that has grown significantly, alongside increasing financial pressures for many residents. Housing, child care, transportation, and mental health were priorities at the first Summit and remain central to our work today. Their persistence underscores the need for sustained attention, stronger partnerships, and responses that evolve as our community changes.
An interactive gallery walk brought this history to life through four themes: Seeing What’s Next, Better Together, Creating Communities Where Everyone Thrives, and Turning Ideas into Action. Participants explored past Summit materials, community research, and examples of ideas that developed into ongoing work. At their tables, participants reflected on what has changed, what remains unfinished, and what this history asks of us next.
Keynote speaker Drew Wilburne, Associate Vice President at the Kansas Health
Foundation, continued the focus on the future with “Leading Health—Building the Next 25 Years.” Drawing on the book Leading Health, he challenged participants to examine the mindsets that shape how they lead and create change. His message connected to a question running throughout the day: as our community changes, how must our ways of working change with it? Building on 25 years of collaboration will require us to question familiar approaches, learn from different perspectives, and remain willing to do things differently.
As the Summit looked towards the next 25 years, a panel discussion, “Building a Future of Belonging,” explored what it takes for people to feel valued, heard, and able to help shape their community. Moderated by Kourtney Vincent-Woodbury, Vice President of Equity and Community Relations at Planned Parenthood Great Plains, the panel included Erica Andrade, Presiden
t and CEO of El Centro, Inc.; Rachel Russell, UCS Director of Equity and Community Engagement; and Erin Winn, Chief of Staff to Chairman Kelly in the Johnson County Manager’s Office. Together, they The conversation challenged Summit participants to consider how organizational practices, policies, and decisions can create belonging—and where those approaches need to change.
The Summit closed with a personal call to action: What will you carry forward, and how will you put it into practice? For 25 years, the Summit has helped partners see emerging needs, build relationships, share ideas, and act together. Its continued impact depends on what happens after the gathering, as participants bring those connections and commitments into their everyday work.
Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, participants, and community partners for making this milestone possible and for continuing to build a Johnson County where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
UCS & KHAN Advocacy Academy Returned to Topeka, September 23-24
Last week, housing advocates from across Kansas came together to build confidence, strengthen advocacy skills, and develop strategies for creating change in their communities. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and continues to help build a stronger statewide network working toward safe, stable, and affordable housing for all Kansans. “Change happens when people do something differently.” Interested in joining our advocacy training in October? Reach out to Rachel for more information, rachelr@ucsjoco.org
Join us for the 2026 Kansas Public Policy Forum
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month & Join us for the Welcoming JOCO Open House event
During Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15, we celebrate their histories, cultures, and contributions while continuing the work of building a more welcoming Johnson County.
The greater Kansas City region has a rich Hispanic and Latino history shaped by generations of families, workers, leaders, and immigrants. Today, Hispanic and Latino residents make up nearly 10% of Johnson County’s population and continue to strengthen the culture and future of our community.
Join us October 28 for the Welcoming JOCO Community Open House. Stop by to connect with community members, celebrate the cultures and stories that make Johnson County stronger, and share feedback on the draft Welcoming JOCO Roadmap.
