Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas: Livable Neighborhoods (April 23, 2026)
By Masha Mackey, Kansas City Documenter
These notes were produced through Kansas City Documenters, which trains and pays community members to take fact-checked notes at public meetings, strengthening transparency and accountability in local government.
See more about this meeting at Documenters.org
Summary
- Health department representatives gave an update on the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), highlighting county priorities in housing, healthcare access, violence prevention, behavioral health and jobs/education, along with programs already underway.
- A speaker from the Unified Government Parks & Recreation Department presented a citizen survey to help determine future improvements at Welborn Park. The survey is available in English and Spanish.
- Local government departments, schools, nonprofits and service agencies shared public resources and upcoming events, including budget input sessions, an expungement fair, youth safety programs, volunteer cleanups and health fairs.
Notes
Presentations
Community Health Improvement Plan Health department staff explained that the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) is a multiyear county roadmap based on surveys, forums and community feedback. The current plan covers 2024-2028. The report covered the CHIP’s five areas that are major barriers to health. (Staff added that poverty, racism and trauma affect all five areas.) Staff provided these details about the areas:
- Jobs/Education:
- Led by the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, one area of note is that the council has expanded childcare access by several hundred slots during the past two years.
- One of the “coolest programs,” according to one presenter, is the council’s career pathways initiative, which includes all Wyandotte County high schools.
- Within the past year, 14 businesses participated in the program. Students tour these facilities. In almost all the tours, students meet students from previous years who are now employed in those businesses.
- Program leaders think the initiative has helped drive an increase in the median income in Wyandotte County.
- Healthcare Access: WyCo Health Link is a free transportation option helping residents reach medical appointments. The Wyandotte County Transportation Department supports the program with its vans.
- The program is expanding this year to include behavioral health services.
- Staff is also looking to support access to community health workers, who support vulnerable community members with getting connected with their care, understanding their prescriptions and learning about what is available to them through their insurance. They support the things that doctors and nurses do not have the time to do. The county is looking to expand on the 34 community health workers it has now.
- Housing: The team has recognized that aspects of housing are interconnected, such as ensuring safe and affordable housing helps prevent homelessness. Wyandotte County has enlisted numerous outside agencies as “strategy partners” to handle such a complex problem.
- Agencies involved include Catholic Charities, which has worked with some partners on community resource fairs. The group also just worked with the public library to have an online resource that is fully up to date for all homelessness and homelessness adjacent services.
- Violence Prevention: Violence prevention work includes youth support, environmental improvements, restorative approaches and gun safety efforts. A youth campaign called It’s Time to Step Up generated significant public engagement. Gun lock distribution increased by more than 450% over the past year.
- Behavioral Health/Substance Use: Calls to the 988 crisis line from Wyandotte County are now answered locally. More than 1,400 calls were handled last year. More than 2,000 doses of Narcan were distributed and organizations were encouraged to request free supplies or training. A county substance misuse summit is planned for June.
- Public Comment
- Residents asked about Narcan expiration dates and how public health overlaps with social services. Staff said health outcomes are strongly tied to housing, food access, transportation and economic stability, which is why agencies work together.
Welborn Park
- “It’s a tiny park, but it’s there,” said Ethan Haines, the marketing and special events coordinator for parks and recreation. Welborn Park is in the Bethel neighborhood on North 55th Street in Kansas City, Kansas.
- Current features include a trail, a playground, a dog park, sports areas and courts needing repairs.
- The UG is soliciting input from the community on future improvements to the park. It has a 12-question survey that is running through May 17.
- Haines also promoted a free Park Day at Welborn Park on May 16. The department is encouraging kids to wear the jerseys of their favorite soccer players.
Department and Organization Updates
- UG Strategic Communications
- Staff promoted:
- The UG’s participation in the Seven Days Week of Kindness event from April 20 through April 28.
- The beginning of the public input portion of developing the 2027 budget. The initial meeting was scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 28 at the Kansas City, Kansas, Technical Education Center at 6565 State Ave.
- The ribbon cutting for the completion of the work on the Seventh Street Corridor. Improvements included a new security system, 10 new bus stop shelters and 1,300 feet of sidewalks with ADA accessibility.
- Two KCK high school students won the “I Voted” sticker contest. The students will be recognized at the board of commissioners meeting on May 7.
- Festivities planned by Sporting KC for the World Cup matches scheduled to be played at Arrowhead Stadium from June 16 through July 11.
- Staff promoted:
- KCK School District
- District staff announced:
- Sumner scholarship reception
- Dual language family night
- Kindergarten kickoff events
- District staff announced:
- Turner School District
- Turner staff announced a Back to School Bash on Aug. 5.
- Mayor’s Office
- Flyers were available for upcoming “Christal Clear” community conversations hosted by Mayor Christal Watson.
- District Attorney’s Office
- Staff promoted the annual expungement fair scheduled for July 21-22 at KCKCC Tech Center. It will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. each day. This will be the office’s eighth annual fair. The event helps people clear their records of criminal convictions if certain criteria are met, helping people find jobs and housing.
- KCK Police Department
- Police promoted:
- Free Chiefs youth football camp on June 6.
- Police promoted:
- KCK Fire Department
- Fire staff reminded residents that yard waste burn permits are available online and require advance approval.
Additional Community Announcements
Community groups shared updates on:
- Severe weather preparedness from the American Red Cross.
- Workforce Partnership is moving its office to 400 State Ave. inside the federal building. The office will be closed May 6-8 for the move.
- The Woman’s Relief Corps is having a monument rededication on Memorial Day at 10 a.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery, 2041 N. Ninth St. in Kansas City, Kansas. The monument honors servicemen of color who served in the Civil War.
- YMCA food pantry and swim safety programs.
- Vibrant Health community health fair on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Neighborhood cleanups and gardening projects.
- Juneteenth celebration vendor opportunities.
Follow-Up Question:
- How will progress in the five CHIP priority areas be measured publicly through 2028?
- What improvements are most likely to be funded first at Welborn Park?
- Will future Livable Neighborhoods meetings include more follow-up reporting on past announcements and outcomes?
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