Topeka ? Janet Schalansky, the secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilation Services, announced her retirement today.

Schalansky, who has worked 30 years at SRS, said, “I have been fortunate to work with compassionate and dedicated people who have a very difficult job to do.”

Schalansky was appointed secretary in 1999 by then-Gov. Bill Graves, a Republican, and then reappointed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat.

“Janet will be missed by her friends and colleagues, and the citizens of Kansas who have benefited from her work during the past three decades,” Sebelius said.

Sebelius has appointed Gary Daniels, administrator at Parsons State Hospital, as the acting secretary, effective Nov. 1.