Kansas Communities

OASIS at the University of Kansas helps caregivers of autistic children learn evidence-based strategies founded on behavioral science, serving as a critical bridge between diagnosis and intervention.

The Hall Center for the Humanities led University of Kansas faculty and staff on the annual Mini Wheat State Tour to Atchison, where participants explored local history, met with community leaders, visited historic and cultural sites, and learned about ongoing preservation efforts.

The Kansas Direct Support Workforce Initiative has announced the recipients of the 2025 Direct Support Worker (DSW) Awards, recognizing exceptional Kansans who provide critical, person-centered care and support to individuals with disabilities across the state.

The Arts Accessibility Forum, funded through a grant from the Kansas Arts Commission, aims to bring together arts professionals with members of the disability community to discuss methods of increasing the number and quality of accessible arts experiences across Kansas and beyond.

The Positive Psychotherapy Clinic in the University of Kansas School of Education & Human Sciences has served Kansans from 48 counties, with plans to continue growing services. Clinicians report seeing improvements in clients as early as the first session.

Community and industry leaders, policymakers and scholars will gather at the University of Kansas in October to discuss how to share and protect one of Kansas’ most important resources: water. The 2025 Kansas Economic Policy Conference will take place Oct. 23 at the Burge Union with a livestream option.

A recent report from the Institute for Research on Innovation & Science shows more than 7,000 KU research-funded employees leveraged their experience to build careers in all 50 states and the District of Columbia from 2011 to 2023 — and nearly 40% found employment in Kansas.

To foster a greater connection between the University of Kansas and the Lawrence area, The Big Event at KU will stage a day of engagement and service next month. There are several ways that KU students, faculty and staff can get involved to say thank you to the surrounding community.

The Kansas Geological Survey has released a new full-color geologic map of Jewell County, where an ancient inland sea left rocks rich in fossils, time and erosion created a striking landscape, and excavations reveal evidence of prehistoric people.

The AT Fair on Sept. 9 in Topeka will feature hands-on demonstrations of technology to help Kansans with daily tasks, employment and recreation.