Rehabilitation Services announces schedule for Stakeholder Meetings in six communities

Individuals and organizations interested in employment and independent living services for Kansans with disabilities are invited to participate in a series of regional Stakeholder Meetings to be hosted in November and December 2012 by Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS) Director Michael Donnelly.

KRS is a division of the Kansas Department for Children and Families. KRS is responsible for vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs for Kansans with disabilities.

During the meetings, KRS Director Michael Donnelly will discuss the four strategic goals of KRS. These goals are:

Kansans with disabilities will achieve quality competitive, integrated employment and self-sufficiency.
KRS, its providers and partners will be accountable for the achievement of employment and the effective use of resources.
KRS will emphasize the employment potential of students with disabilities and improve the outreach and outcomes for transition-aged students.
KRS will emphasize the meaningful involvement of people with disabilities, public/private partners, employers and other stakeholders in KRS programs, services and activities.

Participants will be asked to share:

Their knowledge and experience related to the needs of Kansans with disabilities
Their views about the strengths of KRS programs and services
Suggestions on ways to improve programs and customer service
Opportunities for greater collaboration with other stakeholders and organizations

Input received will become part of the agency’s comprehensive statewide needs assessment and will be used to update strategic goals and state plans.

Each of the meetings will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. according to the following schedule:

November 20, 2012 – Topeka
Pioneer Room, Maner Conference Center, 1717 SW Topeka Boulevard

November 27, 2012 – Overland Park
Johnson County Workforce Partnership Office, 9221 Quivira Road

November 29, 2012 -- Wichita
Sudermann Commons Room, Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th Street North
(Please enter through Door C on the east side of the building.)

December 4, 2012 – Chanute
3rd Floor, Memorial Hall, 101 S. Lincoln

December 11, 2012 – Garden City
Bunker Room, Kansas Department for Children and Families Service Center, 1710 Palace Drive

December 12, 2012 -- Hays
Expeditions Room, Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 3000 Sternberg Drive

All meetings will be held in accessible locations and real-time captioning will be provided. To request a reasonable accommodation (such as a sign language interpreter, Braille, large print, other special media or any other accommodation), please call toll-free 1-866-213-9079 or toll-free TDD 1-800-432-0698 at least 10 days before the meeting you will be attending.

In case of inclement weather, please call to confirm the meeting: toll-free customer service line at 1-866-213-9079 or toll-free TDD 1-800-432-0698.

Please note my new email address effective July 1, 2012: peg.spencer@dcf.ks.gov

Peg Spencer
Kansas Rehabilitation Services
Docking State Office Building, 9th Floor North
915 SW Harrison Street
Topeka, Kansas 66612
peg.spencer@dcf.ks.gov
785-368-8214
FAX 785-368-7467