What is LINC?

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Greater KC LINC, INC, a 501(c)3 non-profit, also known as the Local Investment Commission (LINC), was founded in 1992 by Bert Berkley and community members. LINC is citizen-driven collaborative that localizes state of Missouri resources and programs to improve the lives of children and families in the Kansas City region.

LINC works primarily through its 53 Caring Communities sites in partnership with seven public school districts.

LINC’s Caring Communities join neighborhoods and government agencies in a unified effort that makes better students, stronger families and healthier communities.

Other LINC initiatives include senior support services, job training for families on government assistance, childcare training, and transitional and mentoring programs for foster youth.

Our Vision

A caring community that builds on its strengths to provide meaningful opportunities for children, families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, attain their highest potential, and contribute to the public good.

Our Mission

To provide leadership and influence to engage the Kansas City Community in creating the best service delivery system to support and strengthen children, families and individuals, holding that system accountable, and changing public attitudes towards the system.

Watch our latest video describing our work and philosophy.

Core Results

LINC’s work is organized around achieving results in these nine core areas:

  1. Adults working

  2. Children and youth succeeding in school

  3. Healthy children and families

  4. Young children ready to enter school

  5. Children safe in their families and families safe in their communities

  6. Youth prepared for productive adulthood

  7. Elders and people with disabilities valued and living as they choose

  8. Well-informed citizens making decisions about their communities

  9. Strong, thriving neighborhoods

LINC’s work is performed according to our 15 Guiding Principles.

Guiding Principles

  1. COMPREHENSIVENESS: Provide ready access to a full array of effective services.

  2. PREVENTION: Emphasize “front-end” services that enhance development and prevent problems, rather than “back-end” crisis intervention.

  3. OUTCOMES: Measure system performance by improved outcomes for children and families, not simply by the number and kind of services delivered.

  4. INTENSITY: Offering services to the needed degree and in the appropriate time.

  5. PARTICIPANT INVOLVEMENT: Use the needs, concerns, and opinions of individuals who use the service delivery system to drive improvements in the operation of the system.

  6. NEIGHBORHOODS: Decentralize services to the places where people live, wherever appropriate, and utilize services to strengthen neighborhood capacity.

  7. FLEXIBILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS: Create a delivery system, including programs and reimbursement mechanisms, that are sufficiently flexible and adaptable to respond to the full spectrum of child, family and individual needs.

  8. COLLABORATION: Connect public, private and community resources to create an integrated service delivery system.

  9. STRONG FAMILIES: Work to strengthen families, especially the capacity of parents to support and nurture the development of their children.

  10. RESPECT AND DIGNITY: Treat families, and the staff who work with them, in a respectful and dignified manner.

  11. INTERDEPENDENCE/MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITY: Balance the need for individuals to be accountable and responsible with the obligation of community to enhance the welfare of all citizens.

  12. CULTURAL COMPETENCY: Demonstrate the belief that diversity in the historical, cultural, religious and spiritual values of different groups is a source of great strength.

  13. CREATIVITY: Encourage and allow participants and staff to think and act innovatively, to take risks, and to learn from their experiences and mistakes.

  14. COMPASSION: Display an unconditional regard and a caring, non-judgmental attitude toward, participants that recognizes their strengths and empowers them to meet their own needs.

  15. HONESTY: Encourage and allow honesty among all people in the system.

LINC Commissioners and professional cabinet members talk about the history of LINC and its impact on families and communities.

Watch the first video about LINC from 1996. "A Quiet Revolution"

LINC's administrative offices are located at:
2301 McGee St., Suite 600
Kansas City, MO 64108

Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.  Our phone number is (816) 889-5050.