In an effort to build community partners as major changes associated with federal welfare reform unfold, the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services has scheduled a series of public forums across the state over the next several months.

The forums are an attempt to provide information about welfare reform and how it will effect people and communities. The forums will be hosted by SRS area directors and will be geared toward building community involvement in moving people from welfare to work.

"The federal welfare reform law passed last summer will have significant ramifications for people in our state as we deal with the issues of poverty and jobs," said Rochelle Chronister, SRS Secretary. "Area directors are being asked to work with people in their communities in developing strategies to prepare for the effects of the law and to end welfare dependency. It is my hope these forums will become a call to action for developing community solutions."

There will be 20 forums held across the state, starting in Hays on August 21. A list of the communities where the forums will be held and the dates of the forum follows. Specific information on the location of the forum will be released nearer the forum date. Some Kansas communities, including Wichita, Olathe, Leavenworth and Manhattan, have already held public forums on welfare reform issues and found them helpful in bringing the community together.

Connie Hubbell, commissioner of Income Support/Employment Preparation Services (IM/EPS) for SRS, or Candy Shively, deputy commissioner, will attend each of the 20 forums. IM/EPS is the division in SRS that administers cash assistance and employment preparation programs.

Hubbell said in many ways, welfare reform is an economic development issue that will require input from communities for success.

"In addition to providing information, we want to hear from community leaders -- business people, school, city and county officials, family advocates, and others to identify community needs and solutions," she said. "We also urge persons receiving public assistance to attend these forums and offer their insights about how to end welfare dependency."

The forum will examine the new rules for operating welfare programs in Kansas and how these will impact our communities. Some of the rules include a 60-month lifetime limit on the receipt of cash assistance and the requirement for all adults on cash assistance to find work within two years.

Information specific to the counties where the forums are held will be shared, including the number of people in the area now receiving cash assistance, the amount of child care available now and needed in the future, information on jobs and job training needs, and the level of risk locally for welfare dependency. SRS specialists on welfare issues -- including those with information about child care, job training programs, and child support -- will also attend.

"The key to successful welfare reform is involvement," Hubbell said. "We hope the forums will offer a vehicle to identify community needs and solutions."

Community forums will be held on the following dates and locations: August 21, Hays; August 22, Colby; September 11, Hiawatha, Concordia and Abiline; September 15, Chanute; September 16, Lawrence; September 30, Great Bend and Pratt; October 1, Dodge City and Garden City; October 2, Liberal and Ulyssess; October 28, Wellington; October 29, Hutchinson and Newton; October 30, El Dorado; November 5, Kansas City; and November 6, Topeka.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001