Discussion about the soon to be opening of the HealthWave children's insurance program and welfare to work issues will highlight the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Open Meeting December 1 in Hutchinson.

SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister and Deputy Secretary Janet Schalansky will open the meeting with a review of issues the Kansas Legislature looked at during the time between legislative sessions. These include foster care issues and health care issues.

The Open Meeting is being held in Hutchinson to give residents in the area the opportunity to hear directly from state social service directors. The meeting will held at the Best Western SunDome, 11 Des Moines Avenue, in South Hutchinson beginning at 10 a.m.

Gary Nelson, SRS's Hutchinson Area Director, will provide the opening welcome. Also on hand will be commissioners and directors of SRS programs.

"We host Open Meeting every three months to gain input and provide information from the people and communities with whom we work," Secretary Chronister said. "Our agency has been changing quickly as we work to provide efficient and effective social services across Kansas. These meetings give the public a chance to hear about changes and respond to them."

A network of telecommunications gives Kansans in other parts of the state an opportunity to hear and talk with Secretary Chronister, Deputy Secretary Schalansky, and other members of the SRS management team. The Open Meeting will be connected via Kansas State University's Telenet system to the department's 12 Area Offices, where key staff will also be on hand to answer questions.

The public is invited to attend the Open Meeting, either at the Best Western SunDome or at one of the 12 Area Offices. Area Offices are located in Chanute, Garden City, Emporia, Hays, Topeka, Olathe, Salina, Manhattan, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Lawrence, and Wichita.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001