Throughout its history, Kansas has had exceptional leaders in every field and human endeavor. Kansans have excelled in industry, agriculture, sports, politics, government, academics, media, physical and mental health, and many other areas. The field of social services is no different.

With "Profiles in Leadership," we start with 10 individuals who will leave a significant social footprint. But these individuals represent other committed, uncommon leaders in Kansas social services who step forward every day to make a difference for people in need. These leaders do their work in different places: some in communities and some in state agencies; some already in titled positions and some with many years of achievement still to come.

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Lori Alvarado	Jim Caccamo	Dr. Gary Daniels	Will Etzbach	Carolyn Hill
Angela Hoobler	Cathy Hubbard	Gina McDonald	Maggie Sale	Janet Schalansky

Leadership in social services is not new to Kansas. Community-based organizations have provided help to people in need for more than 100 years. State hospitals were founded in the mid-1800s. With leadership from Dr. Karl Menninger and Governor Frank Carlson, Kansas became a leader in mental health services in the 1950s. The University of Kansas provided national leadership in the field of developmental disabilities, starting in the 1960s. The Mental Health Reform Act of 1990 propelled Kansas to the forefront of services for people with serious mental illness. Welfare reform, the public private partnership, privatization of many services -- Kansas leaders help us to do many things well. Recently, Kansas became the only state in the nation to reach agreement with the party which brought a lawsuit concerning child welfare.

Over the years, Kansas benefitted from leaders who left their own, personal footprint on our social service system. Perhaps the most renown leader was Dr. Robert Harder, the first secretary of SRS, who served in that position for 18 years under five governors, both Republican and Democrat. Dr. Harder organized SRS into a single, umbrella agency for the benefit of consumers, many of whom needed services from more than one division. He created the vision of many services and programs working as one for Kansans in need. Dr. Harder earned the respect of many Kansans for his achievements on behalf of people in need.

Howard Moses was a Kansan who championed the rights of people with disabilities. Howard's reputation was made at a national level as a leader in disability rights. He was an author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. He worked in Kansas early in his professional life, then again in the twilight of his life. Howard has been described as a "mentor, confidante, and advocate who worked tirelessly and passionately for equality."

There are many other Kansans who made a positive difference in social services. Here are but a few:

• Andrew O'Donovan – alcohol and drug abuse and prevention.
• Melissa Ness, Wayne Sims and Joyce Allegrucci -- child welfare.
• Barbara Huff and Jane Adams -- children with serious emotional disturbance.
• Ethel May Miller and Rudd and Ann Turnbull -- developmental disabilities.
• Marion Vernon, Bryce Miller and Dr. Karl Menninger -- mental health.