Local organizations will meet this weekend to discuss ways to reduce the impact of Gov. Sam Brownback’s planned closure of the state Social and Rehabilitation Services office in Lawrence.

The public is invited to attend the meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

Brownback and SRS Secretary Robert Siedlecki Jr. have proposed closing nine SRS offices, with the Lawrence office being the largest, as a cost-cutting move. Local social service advocates and law enforcement say the closure will mean many vulnerable Kansans will not get services. And, they say, the move will cost Lawrence and Douglas County taxpayers more because local agencies will have to pick up the slack.

Kay Hale, president of the League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County, said she wants the Lawrence SRS office to remain in operation.

But if Brownback refuses to reverse that decision, Hale said, “we must find ways to ensure this community can still meet its human service needs.”

Groups responding to the League’s initiative include the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Douglas County, Family Promise of Lawrence, Health Care Access and Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center.

“We want to gather and provide information to the public on how community agencies can respond,” Hale said. “We expect to form an on-going working group to monitor continuation of SRS services that are needed in our community,” she said.