Governor Kelly Signs Executive Order Establishing Kansas Multi-Sector Plan on Aging atGovernor's Conference on Aging

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Press Release from the Kansas Office of the Governor

On the opening day of the 2026 Kansas Governor's Conference on Aging, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order 26-06 directing the development of a Kansas Multi-Sector Plan on Aging (MPA). The order directs the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), in coordination with other state agencies, stakeholders, and community partners, to develop a comprehensive 10-year, cross-sector plan to prepare Kansas for its growing older adult population, in addition to convening necessary workgroups and gathering input from the public.

The MPA will cover health and behavioral health care, long-term services and supports, housing, transportation, economic security, workforce, caregiver support, social connection, emergency preparedness, and age-friendly communities, as well as complement existing efforts to improve access to community-based services, support family caregivers, strengthen the direct-care workforce, and protect the rights and safety of older Kansans.

"Kansas is aging, and we must plan together, across agencies and sectors, to ensure older Kansans can live with dignity, independence, and connection in the communities they call home," Governor Laura Kelly said. "Signing this executive order on the first day of the Governor's Conference on Aging underscores our commitment to turning collaboration into action."

The executive order builds on Kansas' participation in the national Multisector Plan for Aging Learning Collaborative, led by the Center for Health Care Strategies, and aligns with the federally-approved 2026–2029 State Plan on Aging. That plan includes a specific objective to lead a collaborative process to develop a Multi-Sector Plan on Aging for Kansas.

"The conference highlights the strength of Kansas' aging network and our partners," said Secretary Howard, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. "This executive order gives us a clear mandate, plus the direction needed, to develop a plan that connects the work already underway through Age-Friendly Kansas, the State Plan on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, and communities statewide."

Governor Kelly also presented the inaugural Kathy Greenlee Award for Public Service to Older Kansans at the conference. Greenlee served 18 years in Kansas state government as the Secretary for Aging and as the state Long-Term Care Ombudsman. She later served as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging, helped create the Administration for Community Living, and continued her national leadership through ADvancing States. The award, which will be presented annually, recognizes Kansans whose public service strengthens the lives of older adults.

The two-day conference, held September 29–30 at the University of Kansas Conference Center, brought together health professionals, policymakers, educators, aging-service providers, students, and community leaders. This year's event focused on strengthening the workforce supporting older adults and advancing cross-sector collaboration, with the theme of growing an age-friendly Kansas.

Below are pictures from the event.