Jerilyn Smith is the Director of Prevention Services at KVC Kansas, where she leads initiatives helping families stay safely together, preventing foster care and programs that support older youth currently and formerly in foster care. She leads a team of caring professionals working with children, teens and families across Kansas, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to live happy, healthy and stable lives. Jerilyn also develops training programs and leads KVC’s implementation of SOUL Family, an innovative legal permanency option for youth aged 16 and older in foster care.

With more than 25 years of social work and child welfare experience, Jerilyn brings a wealth of experience and steadfast commitment to Kansas children and families. During her career with KVC Kansas, she served in a variety of roles including family support worker, therapeutic case manager, supervisor, director of permanency (foster care case management) and more. In each capacity, Jerilyn consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, empathy and unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children, teens and families involved in the child welfare system.

Outside of KVC, Jerilyn led a team of volunteers providing round-the-clock crisis intervention to victims of sexual violence and trauma in Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties.

Jerilyn is a licensed master social worker in Kansas. She received a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a concentration in women’s studies from the University of Kansas.

“Building relationships has always been important to me personally and as a social worker. It’s the most crucial part of our work at KVC! I love coming to work each day and connecting with youth, families, caregivers, coworkers and community professionals to collaborate and be the village our families need to be successful – one small change at a time.” – Jerilyn Smith