United Community Services of Johnson County

Poverty impacts health outcomes in profound ways – limiting access to healthy food, medical care and stable housing. Consider an Asian American immigrant who lives with his family in Johnson County. Despite working two jobs, his income remains below the poverty line. He is constantly juggling which bills to pay and has no financial cushion in case of emergencies. The stress of living paycheck to paycheck impacts his health, leaving him with untreated chronic conditions, like high blood pressure. Additionally, his lack of financial resources makes it hard for his children to access educational opportunities. In Johnson County, even though non-White residents represent a smaller share of the population, the poverty rate for White residents is lower than the overall poverty rate (5.3%) and the poverty rate for all other racial groups: - Asian alone 12.2%? - Two or more races 10.4%? - Black or African American alone 8.3%? - Hispanic or Latino origin 6.8%? - White alone 4.1% Systemic inequities in economic opportunities create barriers that perpetuate the poverty cycle. Addressing poverty means tackling these disparities and ensuring access to resources that support health, stability and opportunity for all. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 1-year data 2023 #racialequity #inclusion #poverty

Capitol Hill Day 2025: A Powerful Day of Advocacy! On March 7th, advocates, service providers, and community leaders from across Kansas came together at the State Capitol in Topeka for Capitol Hill Day 2025—an event focused on raising awareness and educating policymakers about the pressing issues of homelessness and housing instability, as well as the policies that can drive meaningful change. Throughout the day, attendees met with legislators, attended committee hearings, and took part in meaningful discussions about the challenges facing individuals and families without stable housing. These conversations weren’t just about sharing stories—they were about laying the foundation for real, lasting solutions. Every personal experience shared, every statistic presented, and every concern voiced helped build the case for policies that can create real change. One of the most powerful moments of the day was the Youth Homelessness Simulation provided by Rita Carr, Director of Community Planning at UCS and KS-505 CoC, which offered a firsthand look at the difficult choices young people experiencing homelessness must make daily. It was a sobering reminder of why this work matters and reinforced the urgency of addressing gaps in our support systems. Advocacy days like this don’t just raise awareness; they create momentum. When policymakers hear directly from those on the front lines—whether it’s service providers, people with lived experience, or passionate community members—it strengthens the push for legislative action. The energy, dedication, and commitment shown by everyone who participated is what turns conversations into policy, ideas into action, and advocacy into meaningful change. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who showed up, spoke out, and stood together for progress. Your voices are making a real difference, and we will keep pushing forward until safe, stable housing is a reality for all Kansans. A special thanks to United Community Services of Johnson County for their dedication and hard work in making this day impactful. Your efforts helped bring this important conversation to the forefront!

The Johnson County, KS Government Board of Commissioners recently released new data showing a steep drop in homes under $300,000 (down 75% since 2018). In Johnson County, approximately 26% of households are burdened by housing costs, and those who rent are twice as likely to be cost-burdened than those who own their home. UCS Executive Director Kristy Baughman spoke with KSHB / KMCI / The EW Scripps Company and The Kansas City Star about how the lack of affordable housing affects those in our community, and what the county and state can do to help. Read more at the links below: https://bit.ly/43x5Ujo https://bit.ly/41IMUgy #jocoks #affordablehousing

Homelessness in Kansas is temporary and solvable. It is directly tied to our inadequate housing supply. By acting now, we can support attainable housing for all – retirees, veterans, workforce, families and those experiencing homelessness. This complex problem requires a three-part solution: 1: Build and maintain attainable housing where Kansans need it 2: Act upstream to prevent vulnerable Kansans from losing housing 3: Invest in critical services and housing supports Get the details on all three parts here: https://bit.ly/4ds7fdb We’re focused on economic growth in Kansas – and homes must be part of that. Homes are where our jobs go at night. By filling the gaps in housing, we can build a brighter future, one home at a time. #homelessness #housingsupport #solvehomelessness

This #WomensHistoryMonth, we honor the women who inspire generations through education and leadership. Women have long been catalysts for change, shaping futures from classrooms to boardrooms to operating rooms and beyond. As we celebrate their achievements, we’re also reminded of the critical need for inclusive and equitable opportunities for all as we move forward together. As a society, we still struggle to support childcare solutions, leading to the loss of many talented workers and increasing fragility of families’ abilities to meet basic needs. In Johnson County, nearly 17,000 working women have children under 6 years old, highlighting the need for childcare solutions. On top of this, women in the workforce still face pay inequities. In 2023, the median annual earnings for full-time, year-round working women in Johnson County was $63,309, only 77% of the median earnings for men ($82,190). With over 314,000 girls and women calling Johnson County home, investing in and advocating for solutions that support equity is vital for healthy families, a strong workforce and a thriving economy. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 1-year data 2023

When residents struggle to afford a place to live, that financial strain makes it more challenging to make other health-focused choices. Consider a Black single mother struggling with housing instability. Despite working full-time, she can't afford to buy a home. Due to systemic housing practices, she is forced to rent in neighborhoods with fewer amenities like grocery stores with fresh foods, lower property values and limited access to quality schools for her children. Her family lives under constant stress, worrying about rent increases or eviction, which affects her mental health and her children’s academic performance. Homeownership is a key component of building generational wealth, yet systemic racism has created barriers that persist today. In the early 20th century, federally sanctioned segregation in housing and loans limited Black families’ opportunities to build wealth and access quality education — patterns that remain evident in Johnson County’s housing landscape. Today, Black homeownership stands at just 1.9%, compared to an overall rate of 66.7%. Black households also face an income gap, with a median income of $80,650 compared to $102,702 countywide. Housing should represent a place of safety and stability, not a place of stress and insecurity. Addressing these disparities is about much more than housing—it creates a foundation that leads to overall safety, health and prosperity. Source: U.S. Census American Community Survey 1-year data 2023 #racialequity #housingequity #rei

Meet Michael Wilson, one of our new UCS Board members. As Executive Director of Community LINC, Michael brings decades of experience in human services and a passion for helping community members thrive. Having lived in Johnson County for nearly 30 years, Michael understands the importance of addressing human service needs in a thoughtful and comprehensive way. He shared, “The vision of all people having the opportunity to fulfill their potential and contribute to the community resonates with me. Every person has intrinsic value, and we must recognize that and welcome them into the greater community. We are much better together and UCS is at the forefront of this work in Johnson County.” Michael is inspired by UCS’s collaborative approach to addressing barriers and building bridges. “This is done with a wide variety of voices and influencers in the discussion and the goal is always to make a better Johnson County," he added. "UCS is in the middle of carefully working through the issues and I look forward to joining the work.” Welcome, Michael!

Today, on National Caregivers Day, we honor caregivers and the legacy of Rosalynn Carter, a lifelong advocate for mental health and caregiving support. Caregiving is rewarding but can also be emotionally taxing. Prioritize your well-being with these tips: ?? Take breaks – Rest is essential, not a luxury. ?? Seek support – Connect with friends, family, or support groups. ?? Set boundaries – Your needs matter, too. ?? Practice self-care – Even small moments of joy help recharge you. ?? Ask for help – You don’t have to do it all alone. ?? Get more Mental Health Resources for Caregivers: https://lnkd.in/gZTtwxNp Let’s recognize and support those who give so much of themselves. #NationalCaregiversDay #Caregivers #MentalHealthMatters

The Human Service Fund provides grants to nonprofit agencies in support of human service programs that promote the well-being, personal safety and self-sufficiency of Johnson County residents. One nonprofit that has benefitted from this funding is Center of Grace, a community space that helps people attend to basic needs and move toward self-sufficiency. Through grant funding, Center of Grace was able to provide a free ELL preschool for children of parents who are also learning English through Center of Grace programs. Hear more from Executive Director, Sylvia Romero, in the video. Learn more about the HSF: https://lnkd.in/gDiPmYSc

Racial equity and health equity are deeply interconnected. At UCS, we recognize that race is a critical factor in shaping health, education, housing and economic outcomes. Structural racism and systemic barriers perpetuate disparities that cannot be ignored when addressing community wellbeing. Through our Racial Equity and Inclusion (REI) Committee, we’ve developed a Theory of Action to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into our core work. A key part of this centers around education. So, in the coming months, we’ll explore how social determinants of health—like housing, income, education and access to care—impact racial equity in Johnson County. It takes everyone working together to acknowledge and address these factors in order to build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Stay tuned for more. #racialequity #inclusion #dei