Sign On to Policy Priorities

Kansas legislators are only at the Capitol for a few months a year (Jan-April); most of the time, they are at home, in your community. Use the time outside of legislative session to build relationships with decision makers.

Lunch & Learn Tours connect decision makers to your work in a literal way: bringing them into your workflow and buildings. Use that time to engage them with clear data, successes and stories, as well as current challenges and evidence-based solutions to increase housing security and end homelessness.

So far, KHAN has hosted these events with Salvation Army Lodge in Olathe, Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Building Health in Pittsburg, McPherson Housing Coalition, Emmaus House and Southwestern KS Catholic Charities in Garden & Dodge City, Leavenworth Attainable Housing and Leavenworth Community of Hope, as well as a bus tour of the housing support ecosystem in Wyandotte County highlighting many local partners.

This toolkit provides tips for planning a Lunch & Learn Tour along with templates for planning and execution of the event that your organization can use or adapt to host your own event. Check it out here: Lunch & Learn Toolkit

The current KHAN Academy will run July 2025-August 2025. If you’re interested in joining the next cohort, email Kristy Baughman, kristyb@ucsjoco.org, to be added to the interest list. 

Building Housing 

Acting Upstream

Ending Homelessness

Section 8 Explained

A powerful highlight of the day was the Youth Poverty Simulation, which 35 participants experienced firsthand. This immersive exercise offered a glimpse into the instability and impossible choices young people without housing face every day. It sparked deep reflection and empathy, grounding the policy conversations in lived experience and human impact.

The collective energy throughout the Capitol was undeniable. Every conversation, every shared story, and every moment of connection helped build momentum toward solutions that are more grounded, compassionate, and effective. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up, stood up, and spoke out. Your presence made a difference—and it’s that kind of advocacy that moves us forward.

Capitol Hill Day