The Annual Meeting finds us again with the familiar feelings of uncertainty as we move through the bidding process. We see on the horizon a similar course ahead with the Juvenile Justice Authority as they prepare to issue their first request for services for foster care.

In times of uncertainty I especially look for constants in which I can take comfort. Throughout the past eight years, an enduring constant for me has always been the commitment of the people in this field to their primary goal, caring for children and families. Over and over I have witnessed people confronted with a bureaucratic system finding ways to insure the needs of youth are served. Often, this has required great creativity as well as a determined spirit. These efforts are rewarded not by a “golden parachute” but by a far greater prize, the privilege to help improve the life of children.

Another constant is the fact that agencies, regardless of the competitive nature of our system, have found ways to continue to work together. Competition has to be credited with many of the extraordinary innovations we have seen in child welfare in Kansas. Unlike the “tech” sector though, families are best served by a balance between competition and cooperation. I take as a constant, the fact that at the conclusion of the contracting process, we will again return to that critical balance. Confidence in this constant comes from my knowledge of both the people of this field and their drive to move us toward an ever improving system of services.

As we have heard throughout the election cycle, "character is important". It is the character of each of you that continues to feed my enthusiasm for this field and the career choice I made those many years ago.

-- Bruce Linhos