"During my time as Kansas State Treasurer, I have worked hard to enhance financial literacy education to Kansas citizens, specifically our youth," said Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins, CPA. "Partnering with the Girl Scouts of Kaw Valley Council and the Kansas Department of Corrections provides an opportunity to further this mission."

"Beyond Bars is an important program that gives incarcerated mothers a chance to educate their daughters during a difficult time in their lives," added Jenkins.

The Financial Literacy workshop will take place over two evenings, Sept. 7 and 14 both from 6 to 8 p.m. State Treasurer Jenkins will kick-off the workshop and Nancy Goodall, J.D., LL. M., Sr. VP & Trust Officer, Commerce Bank and Trust, will conduct it.

The Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program has been in place since 1996 in Kansas and has grown to serve 120 girls and their incarcerated mothers annually. Girl Scouts Beyond Bars is a program developed to address the unique family needs of its participants in a way that honors and supports family ties.

Jenkins, a former State Representative and Senator from Topeka, was elected Treasurer on Nov. 5, 2002. She is a Certified Public Accountant and former small business owner. Since being sworn into office in January 2003, Jenkins has expanded investment options in Learning Quest, initiated multiple financial literacy programs, and eliminated the reliance on state general fund dollars to operate the office.

Note to Media: If you are planning to attend the event, State Treasurer Jenkins is available for interviews, but if you would like to talk with an inmate, the Topeka Correctional Facility will need advance notice. Please contact Casey Woodward at 296-2956.

In a previous release sent by the Girl Scouts of Kaw Valley Council they indicated that Media needed to inform the Facility three-days in advance to enter the complex. THIS IS NOT NECESSARY, but please call Casey Woodward by 1 p.m. on the day of the event if you do plan to attend the Workshop.