An update on 1997 Kansas Legislative action effecting the department and an overview of the "new face" of SRS after major structural changes will be among the highlights of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) statewide Open Meeting next week in Emporia. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 4, at the American Legion from 10 a.m. until noon.

SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister, Deputy Secretary Janet Schalansky and commissions of the various SRS social service programs will be on hand. Emporia Area Director Joe Myers will serve as host. The meeting is open to the public; through the use of telecommunications, the public can also take part in the meeting at 11 other SRS management areas across the state.

The quarterly Open Meeting offers a chance for people from Kansas communities to hear first-hand about state-run social service programs and to question directors of these programs. In her remarks, Secretary Chronister will focus on legislative issues and the outlook for the future funding of SRS programs. Deputy Secretary Schalansky will go over the privatization of long term care and social service programs, along with progress made toward creation of the Juvenile Justice Authority. SRS commissioners will provide reports on major initiatives within their divisions.

The meeting will be held in the lower level meeting room of the American Legion, 1301 Chestnut. In other parts of the state, the public can take part in the meeting by telephone hook-up at each of the SRS Area Offices in Chanute, Hays, Garden City, Hutchinson, Wichita, Salina, Manhattan, Lawrence, Olathe, Topeka, and Kansas City.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001