We give our partners the expertise they need—when they need it—to navigate complexity and move work forward. We pilot bold ideas, respond to evolving challenges, and sustain momentum, turning vision into impact through research, community partnership, and innovative technical solutions. Our partnerships and research follow a connected approach. We build understanding through rigorous research and data, deepen insight through community engagement, and work alongside partners to co-design strategies that address real gaps and opportunities. From there, we help bring strategies to life by building and implementing solutions that strengthen systems and improve outcomes for children and families.
External link for Center for Public Partnerships & Research
1617 Saint Andrews Dr
Lawrence, Kansas 66047, US
Center for Public Partnerships & Research reposted this
The United States is the only western country where maternal mortality rates are on the rise, and Indigenous women experience the poorest outcomes in our country. We can do better. I'm honored to be in Kansas City discussing ways to improve access to quality care for Indigenous women and other women we serve in Kansas. #maternalmortalityprevention
What is our data telling us about early childhood in Kansas? 🤔 Our #AllinForKansasKids partners can help answer that question! 💫 A recent Distinct Count Dashboard data update tells us that 107,031 Kansas kids, birth through age 5, benefit from early childhood programs and services like licensed child care, prekindergarten, home visiting, and Part C. Dig deeper into the who, what, where, when, how, and why ⤵️ ⭐ Article: https://bit.ly/4p0WDcg ⭐ #AllinForKansasKids Strategic Plan Progress Dashboard: https://bit.ly/4xY7JTp
"The state of Kansas, as well as the Wichita area, has a substantial gap in substance use disorder treatment capacity, according to a recent assessment for the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board that was conducted by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships & Research."
Attending the IRHA Conference? Julie and Mary are ready to answer all the IRIS questions you've ever wanted to ask! 🤓 And you can learn more anytime at iris.ku.edu.
Heading to the Illinois Rural Health Association Conference on July 29–30? Be sure to stop by Exhibitor Booth #41 and say hello! My colleague, Mary Orem, and I will be there sharing how IRIS is strengthening public health by connecting healthcare providers, community organizations, and social service partners—making it easier for individuals and families to access the resources they need. Whether you're looking to strengthen community partnerships, improve care coordination, or learn how IRIS supports healthier rural communities, we'd love to connect. We look forward to seeing you! #IllinoisRuralHealth #RuralHealth #PublicHealth
The summer edition of our IRIS newsletter arrives in inboxes next week, celebrating the people and partnerships making a difference across the country. ✈️ IRIS on the Move – Catch highlights from upcoming conferences, partner presentations, and a recap of Julie Herzog and Kankakee County IRIS Network leader Kailee Zito's presentation at the Illinois Action for Children Partner Plan Act Conference. Community Launches – Join us in celebrating the launch of two new IRIS Networks: 🌱 Illinois Collaboration & Action IRIS Network serving Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Morgan, and Scott counties, IL. 🌱 OAC Intake and Response Center IRIS Network serving Gloucester, Ipswich, and Rockport, MA. 🏡 IRIS in Action – Explore key takeaways from our June session, Building Connections to Home Visiting, and preview the September session, Public Health as a Trusted Connector for Families. 📧 Subscribe today: bit.ly/4jOS4z3 📲 All things IRIS: iris.ku.edu
Center for Public Partnerships & Research reposted this
🎬 How do the places we build shape opportunity and well-being? The Office of Community Impact is excited about the upcoming Land of Opportunity Summit, taking place on July 25 at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri. Building on the PBS documentary series Land of Opportunity hosted by Nico Giles Wiggins, the Summit brings together storytellers, civic leaders, and community members to explore how film and conversation can deepen our understanding of the people, histories, and policies that shape American neighborhoods. We are especially excited about the role of storytelling and filmmaking in strengthening communities and creating meaningful connections across sectors and generations. Events like this remind us that stories help us better understand place, foster dialogue, and inspire action. The Summit will feature speakers including Marvin Lyman, Elaine Paige, Chris Goode, Damon Patterson, and the Kansas City Design Center, along with a keynote address from Dr. Mindy Fullilove. Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend the premiere screening of the newest episode of the Land of Opportunity documentary series. 🌟 We'd especially love to see members of the KU community there—students, faculty, staff, and community partners who are interested in the power of storytelling, community engagement, and the future of our neighborhoods. 🗓️ Land of Opportunity Summit 2026 📍 Union Station, Kansas City, Missouri 📅 July 25, 2026 ⏰ 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 🔗 Registration is now open: https://lnkd.in/gZRZARjz 📣 Follow the Office of Community Impact for more opportunities to connect, learn, and engage with communities across Kansas and beyond. #CommunityEngagement #KUImpact #KansasCommunities #CommunityOutreach
In the public imagination, children enter foster care primarily because of abuse. In reality, most are removed for neglect—a category that often reflects families lacking the resources to meet basic needs, including child care, health care, food and safe housing. In many cases, children are separated from their families not because of intentional harm but because of poverty. A growing body of research shows these separations are preventable. 🔵 https://bit.ly/45eEVJ5
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our A Million Moments for Maternal Mortality Prevention Keynote Speaker, Dr. Lisa Hollier! Lisa Hollier, MD, MPD, FACOG, is Senior Medical Advisor on the Maternal Mortality Prevention Team within the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Throughout her career, Dr. Hollier has been dedicated to reducing health inequities and improving women's health by advancing women's health policy. We're honored to have her join us! 📍 Children's Mercy Park, Kansas City 📆 July 29-30, 2026 💲 FREE ✏️ Continuing Education Credit Available 💻 Event site: https://adobe.ly/3Tri7mJ (Registration is full) Brought to you by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and partners.
IRIS is powered by its people. 💙 This week, CPPR's Julie Herzog had the pleasure of attending the retirement celebration for Maureen Sollars, who dedicated 26 years to her local community, serving as the McLean County (IL) All Our Kids (AOK) Coordinator. For the last six of those years, McLean County has also been an IRIS community, allowing Maureen to have an even greater impact on both her local community and Illinois' early childhood system. Congratulations, Maureen, on an extraordinary career! Thank you for your years of partnership and unwavering commitment to Illinois' children and families. Wishing you all the best in your well-earned retirement! 💜 Pictured below, left to right, are Ana Maria Accove, Illinois' All Our Kids (AOK) Early Childhood State Administrator, Maureen Sollars, and Julie Herzog.
"It's really important to have a shared language, take the wins where you can get them, and work with the willing." Sara Gardner, CPPR
Day 2 of our 2026 State Policy Academy on Early Childhood Governance is a wrap! We opened by looking at the national landscape of early childhood governance. A 50-state scan plus the District of Columbia shows that governance choices vary significantly across the country, and states' structures may reflect their own goals for young children and families. Our case studies point to a few consistent lessons: governance change takes years, strong leadership matters, a clear vision informed by community needs is critical, and consolidation can increase system accountability and prompt increased funding. From there, we turned to lessons learned from states that have consolidated their early childhood-focused departments. Jenna Lawrence Conway (Virginia Department of Education), Elizabeth Groginsky (New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department), and Kara Wente (Ohio Department of Children and Youth) shared what consolidation looked like in their states. We also explored coordination in a panel moderated by Elliot Regenstein (Foresight Law + Policy, PLLC), hearing from Sara Gardner (University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships & Research) and Tracy Ann Vandervliet (South Carolina First Steps) about building collaboration across departments. State teams closed the day with breakout conversations on making the case for early childhood, funding, data systems, and relationship building, each led by state and national experts. Now it is time to enjoy Nashville! Follow along at #PN3PolicyAcademy as the conversations continue. #EarlyChildhoodGovernance #ECGovernance #StatePolicyAcademy