Following eight months of construction DCF Topeka Service Center renovations complete
Topeka, Kan. – Today, the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) officially cut the ribbon to a newly renovated center that welcomes an average of 760 visitors each month and is the base to more than 270 employees. The Topeka Service Center, 500 SW Van Buren, now features an open lobby, flexible meeting spaces, charging stations and a family-friendly atmosphere.
“Service to Kansans is our top priority,” said DCF Secretary Laura Howard. “During the eight-months of construction, the service center remained open to visitors. Our DCF team members were innovative and adaptable during the construction as they found ways to interact and serve clients, which makes this new space even more special.”
This newly renovated space will offer more flexibility as we meet the privacy and comfort needs of clients and our employees,” she continued.
The $900,000 renovation project updated nearly 75 percent of the first floor of the three-story building. A few important features of the space include:
- An open lobby with distinctive furniture that allows for both community and privacy, depending on the needs of the client.
- Reimagined interview room to accompany families’ and employee’s comfort levels featuring glass divided interview rooms, accessible spaces, and open concept rooms.
- Conference rooms with state-of-the-art technology that encourages productive and efficient Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings.
- An employee breakroom was added to the first floor.
“We are so happy to finish the improvements in the Topeka office,” said Caroline Hastings, Northeast Regional Director. “We now have the flexibility to welcome visitors in a variety of different interview room styles. The new lobby is designed to increase safety and security while also offering options for connection and community.”
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