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History of SRS
Use the drop down menu below to choose a year to view
1973
On February 6, 1973 - Docking Orders Welfare Reorganization.
"Gov. Robert Docking today issued executive order No. 1, calling for a revamping of the state Department of Social Welfare into a reorganized division to be called the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services." Banner headline and story, Topeka Capital Journal
The Rehabilitation Act, Public law 93-112, established policy which prioritized services for persons with severe disabilities and required development of individualized written rehabilitation program plans and client participation in development of those plans.
1974
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The First Secretary of SRS was Dr. Robert Harder when SRS was formed in 1974. |
| January 1, 1974 the transfer of county administration of public assistance programs to the state and SRS. | |
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At this point, state government assumed financial responsibility for welfare. One hundred and five county offices across Kansas were consolidated into six regional offices and 35 district offices |
Child Support Enforcement Program set up under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
Which was called L&S, Location and Support.
Kansas joins Interstate Compact on Placement of Children.
Kansas Legislature requires licensure for treatment facilities for drug abusers.
Regional Offices eliminated. Thirty five district offices reduced to seventeen area offices.
During budget review for SRS Governor Bennett questioned why we should have six regional offices and 35 district offices. During that fiscal year the six regional offices were phased out.
SRS Audits formed.
Services for the Aging leaves SRS Social Services Commission to form it's own state agency, the Kansas Department on Aging.
TB hospital in Chanute closed.
"There were seven patients there, the last six months, and pretty close to full staff. It was on the way out when it opened. It was for the miners in Cherokee and Crawford counties, zinc and lead miners. The black lung people were up there." Lauren Harrod who retired as Income Maintenance Chief in Chanute. He had also been Director of Services for the Aging and Chief of Social Services in central office.
Federal Law authorizes independent living services to assist persons to live more independently despite severe disabling conditions which include employability. Client assistance programs authorized.
SRS umbrella agency now included the following: Division of mental health and retardation;income maintenance, including Medicaid; vocational rehabilitation; children, youth, and adult; and special programs including alcohol and drug abuse, services to the blind, child support enforcement, emergency preparedness, and administration. All area directors reported directly to the Secretary.
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Toll-free hotline for welfare fraud mandated by state law. |
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Rainbow Unit of Osawatomie State Hospital established as a separate state institution - Rainbow Mental Health Facility. |
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| Child Support Enforcement expanded to include non-public assistance clients. |
1979
Shelter allowances revised in cash assistance to provide for geographic difference.
Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse created with change to plan, develop and implement program of prevention, intervention, and treatment services.
The Legislature abolished the State Planning and Advisory Council of Developmental Disabilities Services and established the Kansas Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities Services.
Food Stamps lawsuit over timeliness.
Division of Services to the Blind established.
Governor John Carlin appoints task force to examine SRS organization and operations.
Kansas enacted its first Adult Protective Service Statue.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program initiated.
Office Automation begun in SRS.
The Omnibus Reconciliation Act replaced Title XX with the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). This act also substantially changed AFDC policy toward earned income deductions, what parties are financially responsible to one another, and a variety of lesser changes.
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Youth Services and Adult Services, each led by a commissioner, created by Governor's Executive Order. |
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The three youth centers at Atchinson, Topeka, and Beloit and the youth rehabilitation centers at Osawatomie and Larned moved from the direction of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Retardation Services to the Commissioner of Youth Services.
Adult Services Commission established.
1983
Kansas Commission for Deaf and Hearing Impaired established within SRS Rehabilitation Services.
House Substitute for SB 2084 split General Assistance into two categories. Transitional General Assistance recipients were given substantially reduced grants since they were not disabled nor responsible for any children. The remaining recipients continued to receive grants on a par with AFDC families.
Home and Community Based Services waiver for persons in nursing facilities and persons with Developmental Disabilities enacted.
New Medicaid program created, limited further eligibility for medical assistance for state-funded General Assistance clients.
Rehabilitation Act extended, mandating a Client Assistance Program (CAP) in each state
Country Club nursing home lawsuit settled.Surprise Health Care Financing Administration survey at WSH&TC.
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Several cost-saving measures passed by the
1985 Legislature limiting Medicaid coverage; restrictive formulary
for prescription drugs, creating Primary Care Network program, and
incentives to encourage outpatient procedure over hospital admission. |
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Adult Care Homes transferred to Adult Services Commission. |
The Federal Food Security Act required every state to implement an employment and training program for Food Stamp recipients by April 1, 1987.
The More Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency and Training (MOST) program serves General Assistance Food Stamp and Food Stamp only recipients in 10 counties, and provides child care assistance for participants.
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 passed by Congress which increased Medicaid coverage to pregnant women and children, mandated identification of third party resources and required the computation of the federal match on an annual basis.
The Kansas Legislature mandates the department to investigate reports of truancy and institute proceedings under the Code for the Care of Children for non-attendance.
Methodology to distribute funds to community mental health and community mental retardation centers restructured.
ICF Decertification threat in state MR hospitals.
In January 1987, federal surveyors from Kansas City HCFA office found serious problems of abuse and poor conditions at Winfield State Hospital & Training Center. This marked the beginning of an extremely difficult period of time for everyone associated with WSH&TC.
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Winston Barton named SRS Secretary
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Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 put additional skilled nursing requirements on nursing homes.
Kansas pioneered welfare efforts with passage of the KanWork statute, a model closely mirrored by federal Family Support Act of 1988.
The Transitional General Assistance portion of General Assistance was eliminated.
This left GA with three primary populations, those age 55 and up, those with a significant physical or mental barrier to employment, and pregnant women and families with children not eligible for AFDC.
Serious HCFA surveys at WSH and KNI.
In the fall of 1988, after passage of the KanWork Act, Congress enacted the Family Support Act of 1988 and, as a result, the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills/ Training (JOBS) program was implemented statewide on October 1, 1989.
Norton State Hospital closed.
State legislature passed the Division of Assets law and also expanded Medicaid for pregnant women and children up to age two. Both had a significant impact on Medicaid
Family Preservation pilots begun.The Family Support Act passed by Congress.
SRS Area Offices reduced from 17 to 15; Winfield and Pratt Areas absorbed into Garden City, Hays, Hutchinson, and Emporia Areas.
Class Action lawsuit filed in Shawnee County concerning foster care.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program as part of federal Medicare Catastrophic Act of 1988 implemented in Kansas providing coverage of part B medicare premiums, deductibles and co-insurance.
The annual computation inversely proportional to a state's per capita income resulted in an increase in federal funding for Medicaid from 50.1 percent to 56 percent in FY 1990.
The Kansas Automated Eligibility and Child Support Enforcement System (KAECSES) implemented statewide.
Adult Services Commission dismantled.
With the demise of Adult Services, Medical Services got Adult Care Homes and HCBS back. When adult services was dispersed in the fall of 1989, ICF and skilled nursing facilities went back to Medical Services and ICF/ MR went to MH&RS.
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Dennis Taylor named SRS Secretary. Americans with Disabilities Act passed. |
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Federal eligibility criteria modified for many Medicaid groups: pregnant women and infants covered at 150 percent of federal poverty level and children age one to six at 133 percent of federal poverty level. |
Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis Treatment, which became Kan Be Healthy program in Kansas, expanded. Federal spousal impoverishment laws permitted more resources to be retained by a spouse remaining at home. Family Support Act of 1988 established medical benefits up to 12 months for persons losing AFDC eligibility and medical benefits due to employment.
Attempts to reduce state-funded MediKan program again unsuccessful.
15 Area Offices reduced to 12 Area Offices; Chanute absorbed Pittsburg and Parsons and new Area Office created in Lawrence absorbing the Hiawatha and Osawatomie offices.
Mental Health Reform Passes.
Dr. Harder brought back as Acting SRS Secretary in January. He stayed until Donna Whiteman was appointed.
Donna Whiteman named SRS Secretary in August. Community Integration Project begun.
A waiver specific to services for persons with mental retardation approved by the Health Care Financing Administration by the Mental Health and Retardation services Commission.
Kansas awarded millions of dollars in disproportionate share funds, including a retroactive payment of $185 million.
Kansas Legislature directs establishment of transition councils and directs SRS to provide transition planning for special education students who reach age 16.
Work on KESSEP project begins.
KanWork expanded statewide.
SRS mandated to provide managed care statewide, a process completed by Adult and Medical Services in 1997
Regional Interagency Council (3113 councils) established to coordinate services for children and adolescents.
Estate Recovery Program established.
Five years strategic plan for services for persons with mental retardation adopted and recommended by interim legislature committee.
Mental Health and Retardation Services established a tiered rate reimbursement schedule based on the level of severity for the Home and Community Based wavier.
Family Agenda funding approved by legislature.
423 new positions authorized for Youth and Adult Services. $15.5 million ($9.7 million in state funds) approved to expand family preservation statewide, add paraprofessionals, and provide day reporting and flex funds.
Kansas Quality Management (KQM) established.
The Rehabilitation Amendments of 1992 clearly linked the propose of the program to achieving the goals of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services completed creation of the Regional Prevention Center System with 13 centers covering 105 counties.
LAN computer system implemented.
SRS adopts the Family Initiative, a five-year plan to raise drug free youth.
The Family Preservation and Family Support Act provides funding to states.
The purpose of the act is to promote family strength and stability, enhance parental functioning, and protect children.
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 included disproportionate share hospital reductions, reduction in AFDC and Food Stamp administrative match to 50 percent, capped entitlement foe family support services and other changes.
Medical Support Enforcement Initiative in CSE.
Alcohol and drug abuse counselors registration bill setting standards for treatment counselors passed by legislature.
House Bill 2929, state welfare reform, passes the Kansas Legislature.
SRS implements sexual predator program.
Janet Schalansky named Acting SRS Secretary in January.
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Rochelle Chronister named SRS Secretary in May. |
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| The Divisions of Income Maintenance and Workforce Development are combined to form the Income Maintenance / Employment Preparation Services Commission. | |||
Kansas Legislature enacted Developmental Disabilities Reform designating Community Developmental Disabilities Organizations as single point of entry for eligibility determination and waiting lists for services and renaming the MHRS Commission to MHDD.
Community-based funding, excluding ICF/MR, surpasses funding for state MR hospitals for the first time .
Honoring choice from residents at KNI also leads to new management style, leaving behind the 'command and control' system .
Winfield State Hospital & Training Center, Topeka State Hospital, chosen for closure.
Congress transforms welfare by ending the statutory entitlement to aid to Families wit Dependent Children by passing personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193).
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services begins managed care program .
Child Support Enforcement Services partially privatized.
Family Preservation and Adoption programs privatized .
Implemented MMIS, the Medicaid Management Information System .
Home Care program privatized.
Congress passes the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
The act emphasizes child safety as a priority, clarifies reasonable efforts to reunify families and allows for circumstances when reasonable efforts need not be made such as abandonment, chronic physical or sexual abuse and when a child has been in foster care 15 of the previous 22 months .
Electronic Benefit Transfer system goes statewide . Childrens Mental Health waiver significantly expands community options for children with severe emotional disturbances . Topeka State Hospital closed Long term care program moved from SRS to the Kansas Department on Aging .
The Home and Community Based Services for physically Disabled and for the Frail Elderly waivers were granted by the Health Care Financing Administration .
Foster Care program privatized .
The Balanced Budget Act passed by Congress creates Title XXI of the Social Security Act, providing funding for state-designed and state-administered health coverage for uninsured children not eligible for Medicaid who meet certain other income and age criteria. Kansas named its program HealthWave, and began the program January 1,1999 .
State Youth Centers transferred to Juvenile Justice Authority; Juvenile offenders program transferred from SRS to the Juvenile Justice Authority .
SRS Office of Research established .
Caseloads continue to decline for cash assistance .
Consolidation of SRS Central Office operations into the downtown complex.
Winfield State Hospital & Training Center closes.
By the end of 1998, six large Intermediate Care Facilities for persons with Mental Retardation closed.
Creation of the SRS Records Center .
Kansas Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Salina closes; 20 staff moved to Salina Area Office .
Strategies developed to help people remaining on cash assistance .
Working families begin turning to HealthWave to find health insurance for their children; coverage to begin January 1, 1999
1999
Enrollment in new children's health insurance program HealthWave exceeds expectations for 2nd straight month
More than 1,800 Kansas children signed up for the new children's health insurance program in January. That represents more than 1,300 more children enrolled in the second month of the HealthWave program than projected Modification of child care family fee structure helps low-income families whose earnings increase; SRS also adjusts rates upward for child care providers based on market survey
Recruitment campaign begins to increase number of foster families in Kansas providing homes for children in state custody
State fiscal year 2000 contracts between SRS and Community Developmental Disability Organizations and alcohol and drug treatment programs finalized, Secretary Chronister announces.
Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Deputy Secretary Janet Schalansky announced today that the area management offices in Salina and Manhattan will be combined into one area office.
Secretary Rochelle Chronister retires; Janet Schalansky new Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS).
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| Reorganization of the SRS central office in Topeka. | |
Incoming Social & Rehabilitation Services Secretary Janet Schalansky today announced a major reorganization of the SRS central office in Topeka. |
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2000
Secretary Schalansky announces $1.25 million in Head Start grants.
Governor to help celebrate first birthday of HealthWave, the Kansas children's health insurance program.
Connect Kansas: Supporting Communities That Care to be subject of March 20 meeting in Holton.
National Report: Kansas program rates high for making services available for children with serious emotional disturbance.
National attention is being drawn to the Kansas system to make mental health services available to children with serious emotional disturbances in a report by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law called "Relinquishing Custody, The Tragic Result of Failure to Meet Children’s Mental Health Needs," published in March. The Bazelon Center is a leading national legal advocate for adults and children with mental disabilities based in Washington, D.C.
SRS setting up pilot projects in response to studies showing clients leaving assistance face multiple barriers; federal government helps out with grant.
Kansas University Medical Center teaming with SRS to create a statewide prevention and health education program; program to open in Southwest Kansas.
Kansas Pay Center for child support set to begin operating Sept. 29th.
The Kansas Payment Center will give people making child support payments and employers who are complying with income withholding orders one place to send all Kansas child support payments. Secretary Schalansky announces over $2 million in grants awarded to community agencies working to fight substance abuse and related problems.
As some clients move closer to 60-month lifetime limit on cash assistance, SRS increases effort to help reduce barriers to employment.
An estimated 150 Kansas families now receiving cash assistance through Temporary Assistance to Families (TAF) will begin their final 12 months in the program by year’s end. And by June, 2002, another 350 families may begin the final 12 months of the 60-month time limit for cash assistance.
SRS's Organizational Development unit wins Kansas Award for Excellence.
2001
Hotline established to provide assistance for problem gamblers.
A hotline that will connect problem gamblers or their families with immediate assistance will begin operation in Kansas March 1.
Governor's Substance Abuse Prevention Council received student survey results that show a decrease in drug and alcohol use, and other positive trends.
New Kansas program, "Working Healthy," aims to increase employment for persons with disabilities.
Children receive needed services to stay with families and in their own communities.
Health insurance programs merge to provide children and families with better continuity of care; blended program to be known as HealthWave.
Two programs providing health insurance for thousands of Kansas children and families with limited incomes - Title XIX Medicaid and Title XXI HealthWave - have been blended together to promote continuity of care. Both programs are funded through a state/federal partnership.
Low and moderate-income women can now get financial help in fighting breast and cervical cancer through the FREE to Know program.
2002
Jacbonson named Acting Assistant Secretary of Children and Family Policy Division at SRS.
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) Secretary Janet Schalansky announced today that Marilyn Jacobson has been appointed acting assistant secretary of the Children and Family Policy Division at SRS effective immediately.
Newborn Protection Act provides an option that may save a baby's life; other options available at licensed child placing agencies.
Study shows Kansas is doing a good job in helping families transition from welfare to work.
Kansas Mental Health Centers Participate in International Study.
Redesign and consolidation plan, calls for closure of 23 county offices by June 30, 2003
2003
Some social services restored in Governor's Budget Recommendation.
SRS announces it will close 43 More County Offices.
Kansas Early Head Start receives national recognition.
National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP) announces that out of 125 Programs nominated from across the country, Kansas' Early Head Start (EHS) was one of the top 25 programs.
SRS awarded $5.1 million high performance bonus.
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) Secretary Janet Schalansky announced today that the agency has been awarded a $5.1 million high performance bonus for the state’s success with the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program.
SRS consolidate administrative regions, move will save money and improve services.
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Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Janet Schalansky announced today that the Department is implementing a BEST (Budget Efficiency Savings Team) recommendation to consolidate its administrative regions from 11 to six | |
Page Last Updated: October 23, 2003