Johnson County received several prestigious awards this week! Today, at the United Community Services of Johnson County Annual Meeting & Community Awards event, Johnson County was recognized twice.

Board of County Commissioners Chairman Ed Eilert received the Karen Wulfkuhle Bridge Spanner award. UCS praised Chairman Eilert for dedicating his life to serving the community, holding many leadership roles with various organizations and fostering economic development. View this video about Chairman Eilert’s honor.

UCS gave the Excellence in Community Service Award to Johnson County Department of Corrections, along with NCircle and Johnson County Community College, for their work in the College of Trade program. This program provides career readiness, vocational skills and foundation life skills to clients residing at the Adult Residential Center, or those on probation or parole. UCS said this collaboration “helps clients of College of Trades identify their passions and gain skills that lead to career opportunities to end the cycle of incarceration, stabilize families, and reduce recidivism.” View this video about the College of Trades program.

On Thursday, County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson received the Leadership Award by the Kansas Association of City/County Management. The Leadership Award, established in 2021, is presented to a KACM member who has led an organization or community through a difficult time while upholding ICMA's Code of Ethics.