By Phil Cauthon, KHI News Service-Topeka, 2/3/12- Gov. Brownback appointed Phyllis Gilmore as the secretary of the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS), which will adopt the name Department for Children and Families under the recently announced executive reorganization order. 

Photo Courtesy of Phil Cauthon

Gilmore has been the executive director of the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board for the past 11 years, which regulates the licensing and disciplining of mental health providers across Kansas. As a former legislator, Gilmore, a Republican, represented Olathe in the Kansas House from 1994 to 2000. Brownback expects Gilmore to do an “outstanding job in a tough field”. Gilmore stated that she shared Brownback's vision for SRS. "The governor's proposal that we have a department where we can focus and have a strong emphasis on furthering the issues of fathering, relationships with children, self-sufficiency, job employment — we want to go forward with all gusto that we can muster and bring forth great things for these families that are in true need", Gilmore said.

She clarified that she did not intend to revisit the recent changes made in eligibility rules for food stamps. Food stamp policy changes resulted in more than 1,000 children (in households headed by an undocumented immigrant) being dropped from the program, which was criticized by child advocacy groups and legislators. Brownback reiterated his support for the change “it’s a matter of equity,” said Brownback. “The change that was put forward is that you consider all … adult income coming into that household, whether it comes from somebody that’s documented or undocumented.”

The executive reorganization order (ERO) # 41 proposes significant changes in the state agencies. If accepted by the Legislature, ERO 41 would assign administration of Medicaid programs for the elderly and the physically and mentally disabled to the newly named Department for Aging and Disability Services. Those programs were previously administered by SRS. The Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) would oversee Medicaid medical programs and would continue to administer Medicaid financing. Dr. Robert Moser, KDHE secretary said that the purpose of this reorganization is to increase administrative efficiency. Brownback’s plan aims to contract all services under Medicaid to three private managed care companies and, if accepted, it will go into effect on July 1. However, legislators from both parties have expressed their concerns regarding this plan, considering that they had no input in the process

Legislator Morris said "we'll probably try to authorize a joint House-Senate oversight committee to monitor this because we're not in session the majority of the year and we need some kind of mechanism for us to get feedback on what's going on."

Courtesy of KHI News Service

Original Article: Brownback appoints Gilmore new SRS secretary, unveils ERO

Link: http://www.khi.org/news/2012/feb/03/phyllis-gilmore-appointed-new-secretary-srs/