Focus Area: Economy
Staff Contact: Emily Diehl/Lucas Mellinger
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title:
title
Report on the 2027 Human Service Fund Allocations.
Body
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recommended motion:
Accept Report.
Consideration and approval for the 2027 HSF allocations will appear on the December 1, 2026 Council Agenda.
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Summary:
United Community Services (UCS) of Johnson County acts as an advisor to the City of Olathe and other local governments on the expenditure of Human Service Funds (HSF). HSF supports nonprofit safety net programs that promote self-sufficiency, well-being, and personal safety for Johnson County residents, and helps defer or reduce costs that would otherwise be incurred by city and county governments.
Johnson County Government and fourteen (14) cities have contributed $503,898 for 2027, an increase of $2,500 from 2026. The City of Olathe’s contribution is $77,000, unchanged from 2026.
UCS received eighteen (18) applications requesting $504,494. After $31,000 for UCS administration and a $10,000 reallocation from an unspent 2025 grant, $482,898 is available. UCS recommends funding eighteen (18) programs: sixteen (16) regular grants totaling $472,904 and two (2) Small Grants of less than $5,000 totaling $9,994. In 2026, UCS funded nineteen (19) agencies. Four awards are below the amount requested, by a combined $21,596.
Changes from 2026: a new award to Futures First ($20,000); increases for Growing Futures (+$20,000) and Safehome (+$10,000); decreases for KidsTLC (-$14,193) and Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (-$596); Center of Grace and FosterAdopt Connect did not apply. All other awards are unchanged.
Under the HSF agreement, participating jurisdictions approve UCS’ recommendations. UCS asks the City to approve and notify UCS by December 31, 2026. Full details are in Attachment A: 2027 Human Service Fund Recommendations Report.
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Financial Information:
City funds in the amount of $77,000 are leveraged with contributions from Johnson County and other cities totaling $503,898 for 2027. This funding is included in the 2027 Budget.
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Attachment(s):
A. 2027 Human Service Fund Recommendations Report