UCS Reflects on a Year of Challenges and Celebrates a Strong Community
Approximately 150 community members participated in the 2020 UCS Annual Meeting on December 4, where the theme was Stronger Community Together. The event was an opportunity to reflect on the ways in which UCS uniquely responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by engaging partners, providing information and resources, and responding to emerging needs. From working with community partners to find a “shelter in place” solution for community members experiencing homelessness who may have tested positive or were waiting for COVID test results, to serving on the KC Regional COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund advisory board, to assisting with the COVID-19 Recovery Funds $35 million allocation process across six priority areas – UCS was here to help.
View other highlights of 2020 and a video of the entire annual meeting here.
View videos of the Human Service Awards recipients below:
Distinguished Public Service Award
Excellence in Community Service Award
UCS Shares Policy Platform at Kansas Public Policy Forum in December
On December 14, UCS released its 2021 Public Policy Platform outlining local, state and federal policy priorities for the upcoming year. UCS believes in the importance of supporting policies, programs and services that invest in the health and well-being of our community and provide people the opportunity to achieve their individual potential.
The Kansas Public Policy Forum, hosted virtually and in partnership with United Way of Greater Kansas City, began with a brief data presentation on key UCS policy priorities with a focus on health equity. UCS recognizes that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires intentionally addressing health disparities such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences. Health equity requires that we remove institutional obstacles to health, like disparities in access to housing, education, employment, and health services.
View the Public Policy Forum summary and video of the event here.
Johnson County's Continuum of Care on Homelessness to Conduct Point-in-Time Count January 26-27
Johnson County’s Continuum of Care on Homelessness, KS-505, will be conducting its annual “Point-In-Time” (PIT) count of the sheltered and unsheltered experiencing homelessness in our County on the night of Tuesday, January 26-Wednesday, January 27. This survey takes 10-15 minutes to administer to individuals and provides critical data on the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in our area, their needs, and gaps in our services. Our receipt of federal and state funds is based, in part, on this information. KS-505 is inviting your support in capturing accurate numbers in our PIT count. Your agency can post flyers advertising the PIT count and, if appropriate, staff are welcome to complete a training and administer PIT surveys to individuals experiencing homelessness. Our virtual PIT survey training will be January 20th at 8:30 a.m.; email christinag@ucsjoco.org for the link. This training will also be available by recording after January 20th.
KS-505 is also inviting new members to join the Continuum of Care; meetings take place 11x a year. If you or your organization is interested in joining the Continuum of Care, contact Christina Ashie Guidry, christinag@ucsjoco.org.
