Together—

We can reduce the enormous toll of substance use disorders in the lives of Kansans.

United to Transform

United to Transform is a targeted statewide project intended to identify means of reducing the enormous toll of substance use disorders in the lives of Kansans. The aim is to expand the understanding of community-level strengths and challenges and recommend well-defined opportunities to align systems and implement innovative solutions. The project is initiated by Sunflower Foundation, funded by Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board, and conducted by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research.

Engage Now

Ways to Engage

This is the phase of the Needs Assessment Process when adding your perspectives helps create a robust base from which action plans can be formed and can inform this question: If we do this well, what will be different in 2044? Join our effort by sharing or participating in the below activities:

A Kansas Without Stigma: Add your response and see the webinar submissions to our newest Imagine 2044 prompt: What would it look like if there were no stigma around substance use disorder in Kansas?
SUD program inventory survey: Contribute to our understanding of the SUD system and tell us about the programs in your community that are helping address substance use and substance use disorders!
Share your story through the sensemaking survey. We are interested in learning how substance use affects individuals, families, and communities in Kansas.
We are conducting virtual focus groups as part of study. Your participation will help us gather valuable insights to inform a final Needs Assessment report aimed at improving state SUD (Substance Use Disorder) prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.
- Experiences of Trainees in Behavioral Mental Health Services including behavioral health providers or recently graduated. This includes individuals that are interested in doing work with individuals with substance use issues and those that are not planning on providing substance use services
- Experiences of EMS/first responders when working with individuals with substance use disorder

News & Events

Community Sensemaking Events

United to Transform invites Kansans to participate in Community Sensemaking Events in Manhattan and Pittsburg.

July 30, 2024 Webinar

The webinar explores following topics: Insights from the Needs Assessment Process—researchers Sushmita Samaddar and Jenny Flinders share updates from their respective quantitative and qualitative work: Mapping the SUD system: Program Inventory in Kansas Why...

May 14, 2024 Webinar

The webinar explores following topics: Webinar discussion: How do you engage youth in your work? Guest speakers from STAND and Youth Leaders in Kansas (YLinK) discussed the role of youth in substance use prevention and the impact of peer-to-peer support. Kansas...

March 26, 2024 Webinar

This webinar explored the topics of SUD Recovery and Signals of Change. The agenda included: An overview of what we heard from Kansans during our statewide Community Futures Tour. A conversation with Joey Nowlin, Founder and CEO of the Novus Network. Participant...