Center for Public Partnerships & Research

Michigan is taking bold steps to address poverty and expand opportunity for families across the state. The newly released 2026 Michigan Poverty Task Force Report outlines actionable policy recommendations focused on employment, housing stability, youth success, and economic mobility.

We're proud to see recommendations from CPPR highlighted in the report. CPPR’s analysis of Michigan’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding helped identify several opportunities to leverage TANF more effectively as part of Michigan’s anti-poverty strategy, reflecting a shared commitment to helping families thrive.

🔵 www.michigan.gov/leo/news/2026/06/03/gov-whitmer-unveils-new-anti-poverty-strategies-and-policy-recommendations

We're proud to partner with the Kansas Children's Cabinet as they help broaden access to essential resources, strengthening communities across Kansas.

Did you know that in order to qualify for the Children’s Cabinet Accelerator Grant, there are a number of components that must be met?
We are highlighting each pillar and explaining how it will benefit all Clay Center citizens.
PILLAR #2: Physical and Mental Health Services

In May 2019, Illinois planted the seed to grow a more connected, responsive system of support for families with IRIS.

What began as a promising pilot has become a statewide collaborative effort. An effort that has reached a defining milestone of over 100,000 referrals.

🌱 cppr.ku.edu/news/article/cpprs-iris-celebrates-another-100000-referral-milestone

Thank you to everyone who joined the community conversation yesterday. ✨

We're grateful for the opportunity to listen to, learn from, and engage with community members.

A special thank you to the Community Children's Center for hosting this gathering and to every participant who contributed their voice to the discussion. Your insights help identify opportunities and create real solutions for families and communities.

A great turn out for today's community conversation with Center for Public Partnerships & Research!

Kansas is helping shape the national conversation on early childhood governance.

A recent case study from the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center at Vanderbilt University examines how Kansas leaders spent more than two decades working across sectors and political lines to strengthen the state’s early childhood system, culminating in the launch of the Kansas Office of Early Childhood on July 1.

The study explores the evolution of Kansas’ governance structure, highlighting best practices, challenges, lessons learned, and considerations for the future. As part of the research, 10 Kansas early childhood leaders were interviewed, including Sara Gardner, assistant director of the Center for Public Partnerships & Research, and Jackie Counts, chief operating officer of The Achievement & Assessment Institute at KU.

Their insights helped inform the study’s exploration of how Kansas brought most of its early childhood programs under one office and what other states can learn from the process.

🔵 cppr.ku.edu/news/article/kansas-early-childhood-leaders-contribute-to-national-governance-study

🌱 IRIS in Action Insight Series

Join us June 11th, 10:30 am CST, for IRIS in Action: Building Connections to Home Visiting.

Home visiting programs are a critical entry point for families—supporting early childhood development, strengthening family stability, and connecting caregivers to essential resources. In this IRIS in Action session, hear directly from IRIS community partners representing diverse roles in supporting home visiting connections and collaborative referral coordination.

IRIS works with communities across the country, and the IRIS in Action webinars are designed to support and engage established partners, future collaborators, and community members in every state.

Register now: bit.ly/IRISInsight_HomeVisiting

Let’s work together to expand access and save lives. 🤝

Supporting and strengthening the substance use disorder (SUD) workforce is one action that can positively and directly impact Kansans' access to high quality care for SUD, saving lives.

On May 26th, the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board announced a funding opportunity to increase the number of peer recovery specialists and community health workers who provide services for individuals with a substance use disorder.
📌 https://bit.ly/3PQnQB8

The United to Transform statewide SUD needs assessment, prepared by CPPR, offers comprehensive insights to help build a strong, competitive proposal.
📌 https://bit.ly/41Xb6vx

CPPR brings expertise in program design, outcomes definition, project evaluation, multi-sector collaboration, training and facilitation, and meaningful community engagement.

Let’s work together to expand access and save lives. 📧 Contact us today at [email protected].

"3,637 referrals were made through the Integrated Referral and Intake System (IRIS), connecting individuals and families to essential services."

Visit iris.ku.edu to learn how the referral platform can benefit YOUR community.

We’re excited to share that the 2025 Annual Report from the Kane County Health Department is now published and available to the community. This year’s report highlights the impact of our programs, partnerships, and dedicated staff working every day to improve health across Kane County.

A few highlights from 2025 include:

- 5,588 notifiable disease investigations helped protect the community from infectious disease

- 4,603 food service inspections ensured safer dining and reduced foodborne illness risk

- 3,648 people received lead poisoning prevention education on risks and how to protect their homes and families

- 379 referrals connected expectant parents and families with young children to nurse home visiting services

- 12,925 residents used Behavioral Health 360 for mental health information and support

- 19,584 doses of naloxone were distributed to help prevent opioid overdose deaths

- 3,637 referrals were made through the Integrated Referral and Intake System (IRIS), connecting individuals and families to essential services

- 1,166 vaccinations were provided to protect children, families, and the community from preventable diseases

- 3,107 gun locks and safes were distributed to support safer firearm storage

These numbers represent real people connected to care, protection, and support. Read the full report to learn more about our programs in behavioral health, disease prevention, environmental safety, maternal and child health, and emergency preparedness. Available in English and Spanish: https://www.kanehealth.com/Pages/Menu-About.aspx

Sharing your feedback helps move Kansas forward. ✏️

As part of the Title V Maternal & Child Health (MCH) Services Block Grant Federal-State partnership, Kansas makes the annual application and report available to the public for the purpose of gathering input. We have created an online survey to collect information, opinions and perspectives from consumers and partners across the state. As a key partner concerned about the needs of MCH populations, services and resources we invite you to share your input. Your input is very important and will be kept strictly confidential. The survey is open and will close June 23, 2026.

Find more information online at: https://bit.ly/4wTBrs5

Take the survey: https://bit.ly/4vePZ44