Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Rochelle Chronister today announced that Robena M. Farrell, a 22-year veteran with SRS, has been selected as the new director of the Topeka Area Office.

A native of Topeka who graduated from Topeka West High School and Washburn University, Mrs. Farrell has spend her career with SRS in the Kansas City Area.

Since 1996, she has been the manager for Medicaid and Adult Protective Service and acted as permanent backup to Kansas City Area Director Eva Whitmire. Before that, she served as the ombudsman and training coordinator and has also been chief of social services and income maintenance division supervisor.

"Robena has valuable experience in working with Kansans in need and is knowledgeable about the administration of SRS programs," Secretary Chronister said. "Returning to her home town, she will be a tremendous asset to this agency and to this community."

Mrs. Farrell replaces former Topeka Area Director Oliver Green, who was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Adult and Medical Services for SRS.

The Topeka Area Office, now in two locations at 235 Kansas and 1035 Kansas, will be moving to the Topeka State Hospital grounds temporarily as a new state office building is constructed on the southeast corner of 5^th and Van Buren. The move to the Topeka State Hospital grounds will take place in March, 1999. Construction of the new state office building is expected to begin in the spring.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001