United to Transform: The Power of Kansas Collaborations
At the Center for Public Partnerships and Research (CPPR), we believe it is the people closest to the problem who are also closest to the solution. This perspective shaped every step of the United to Transform project, a statewide needs assessment focused on strengthening Kansas’s response to substance use. Through deep engagement with more than 2,000 Kansans across all 105 counties, one insight rose above the rest: collaboration isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.
We spoke to people across the state, including people with lived experience, family members, community leaders, and service providers. Their message was clear: the system isn’t working in a dependable way, and no single organization can fix it alone.
That’s why, from the beginning, we approached this work differently. We designed a process rooted in community collaboration—not just outreach, but true co-creation. Individuals with lived experience were not just participants, they were partners. An 8-person accountability cohort worked alongside us throughout the duration of the process to shape questions, interpret findings, and guide next steps. Service sector experts, systems leaders, and frontline staff brought in-depth, cross-disciplinary knowledge. Local partners hosted conversations and made connections in places where trust had to be earned.
This approach reflects CPPR’s broader commitment to community-led systems change. Our role is to connect the dots, build bridges, and hold space for people to work across boundaries—because elevating this lived experience turns community perspectives into action.
As Jonathan Sublet from SENT Topeka put it, “Effective collaboration requires patience and long-term thinking. Start small and build trust. True collaboration thrives when partners prioritize collective impact over individual credit.”
Throughout the needs assessment project, that kind of collaboration made visible what’s often hidden: the disconnect between systems and services, the weight communities carry when those systems fail, and the innovation already happening on the ground.
“Many times, there are a plethora of resources without knowledge of each other’s existence,” said Kar Woo of Artists Helping the Homeless. “This creates service gaps that can be crucial to the individual in need.”
Lindsay Smith of Radical Life shared, “Effective community collaboration requires openness, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace different approaches. When partners set aside rigid mindsets and individual agendas, diverse groups—from faith communities to civic organizations and local agencies—can come together to support families and strengthen the community . . .”
We agree with these leaders. And we believe that lasting solutions start with working together.
These stories of collaboration are just the beginning. The full United to Transform report, developed in partnership with the Sunflower Foundation to inform the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board, charts a bold and practical path forward made possible by the strength of communities working together.