July 25, 2006

Sebelius appoints individuals to protect vulnerable Kansans
Governor names seven to Interagency Council on Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

Kansas has an obligation to protect its most vulnerable residents, Governor Kathleen Sebelius says, and to help meet that obligation she has named seven individuals to oversee the protection of these Kansans.

In April, Sebelius created the Interagency Council on Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation to find weaknesses in current safeguards for vulnerable Kansans and recommend steps to strengthen the state’s protection of these residents.

“The primary mission of any government is to protect its citizens.  That’s a job I take seriously, particularly when those citizens have special needs,” said Sebelius.  “We’ve taken several steps this year to strengthen safeguards for these Kansans and the individuals I’m appointing today will help us continue that effort.”

The seven members appointed represent the interests of Kansans with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, advanced age and mental illness.  They will serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

Linda Carter, Roeland Park, is the Director of Administration at the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.  She has been with that office since 1996 as a victim advocate and coordinator of the Victim Assistance Unit.  She is past president and vice president of the Kansas Victim Assistance Association and Kansas Organization of Victim Assistance.  Carter has been a member of the Community Violence Action Organization and its Elder Abuse Committee.

Barbara Emert, Independence, is a retired physical therapist who was most recently employed at Southeast Kansas Homecare Network.  She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Kansas Physical Therapy Association.  Since 1996, she has been a member of CLASS LTD Board of Directors and has served as chair and vice chair. 

Annette Graham, Wichita, is the executive director of the Sedgwick County Department on Aging and Central Plains Area Agency on Aging.  She has worked as a social worker since 1982 in numerous capacities, including as a clinical social worker at COMCARE of Sedgwick County, supervisor of the Youth Service Intake Unite and in the Adult Protective Service Unit at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.  In 2004, Graham was the president of the Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and for four years was the chair of the Aging and Mental Wellness Coalition of Sedgwick County.  She is currently a member of the Kansas State Mental Health and Aging Coalition.

Robert Harder, Topeka, has served in numerous positions, including secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from 1992 to 1995.  He has also been a consultant with the Menninger Foundation.  Between 1973 and 1987, he was secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.  Prior to 1973, he was the director of the Kansas Department of Social Welfare.  Harder has served on the Kansas Health Institute Advisory Committee, Kansas Public Health Association and Kansas Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse.

Nancy Jensen, Wichita, was a resident at the Kaufman House in Newton.  She lobbied the Legislature last session for passage of reform laws.  In honor of her work on behalf of victims, Nancy will receive a Voice Award, which recognizes efforts of mental health consumer leaders and advocates who have been instrumental in raising awareness and understanding of mental health issues around the country, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services.

Rose Mary Mohr, Wichita, is the president and CEO of the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, a position she has held for 27 years.  She is past chair of the American Association of Mental Health Association Professionals and the Governor’s Mental Health Services Planning Council.  She serves as a member of the Kansas Mental Health Coalition. 

Rocky Nichols, Topeka, is the executive director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas.  He is a long-time advocate for disability rights issues and is a former member of the Next Generation Leadership Committee of the President’s Committee on Mental Retardation.  He has received numerous awards for his work with persons with disabilities, including being named Outstanding Public Official of the Year in 2002 by the Kansas Association of Community Mental Health Centers.  Nichols spent eleven years as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives. 

In addition, the following individuals will serve on the council as representatives of the following agencies and organizations:

• Ed Brancart, Kansas County and District Attorneys Association
• Rod Bremby, Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• Barb Conant, Kansas Department of Aging
• Gary Daniels, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services
• Eric Rucker, Kansas Attorney General
• Mike Watson, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police

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