UCS Executive Director Julie Brewer and CHC Executive Director Jerry Jones began the forum discussing issues that impact health in Johnson and Wyandotte counties such as poverty, lack of health insurance, safe and affordable housing, and barrier to success for children and youth. Both agencies have received grants from the Kansas Health Foundation to improve health equity, the fair and just opportunity for everyone to be as healthy as possible, in their respective communities.
David Adkins, Executive Director/CEO of the Council of State Governments, was a featured presenter at the forum. The Council of State Governments is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving all three branches of state government. It is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. Adkins, a former Kansas state legislator, discussed the role federal funding plays at the state level and the potential impact of the President's proposed budget cuts to critical Kansas safety net programs.