INSIDE DHS IN THE NEWS - MAY 2014

(MUSIC PLAYS) 

(NO AUDIO)
Mark Beutler, Office of Communications 

Mark: Hello everybody, I'm Mark Beutler from the Office of Communications and once again, it's time to find out what's happening In The News. 

Last month the halls of the State Capitol echoed with music and children singing. The occasion was Child Abuse Prevention Day in Oklahoma. Over the past five years, the number of cases of reported child abuse has dropped in the United States but here in Oklahoma child abuse and neglect cases have been going up for three consecutive years. 

The organizers of this year's Prevention Day pulled out all the stops to make this day memorable for everyone involved. The message to lawmakers was loud and clear. The day included presentations on Legislative Advocacy, Child Abuse Reporting Basics, Citizen Involvement, performances from Adams Elementary School, Britton Elementary and Thelma Parks Elementary, photos with Governor Fallin, and a meeting of the Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families. This event is a collaborative effort of many groups, individuals, agencies and organizations. This year's Child Abuse Prevention Day at the Capitol was a huge success. 

(NO AUDIO)
April 2014 - "You're Gonna Hear Me Roar" Developmental Disability Awareness Day

The Capitol was also the site of a rally to raise awareness. This time in addition to music and laughter, there was a roar. "Hear Me Roar" was the theme of this year's Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day. People who have Developmental Disabilities, their families, friends and advocates converged on the Capitol to rally and meet with lawmakers. 

(applause) 

(NO AUDIO)
Mark Jones, 
DHS 
Community Living and Support Services director

Mark Jones: Well, welcome everyone. Thank you for coming. I know you'll have a great DD Awareness Day. You'll have a good opportunity to talk with your respective legislators and to tell them your story, to tell them what's important, what works for you, what doesn't work for you and what services you need in the future to have the most fulfilling lives possible. 

(NO AUDIO)
JoAnne Goin
DHS
Director, Developmental Disabilities Services

JoAnne Goin: Tell your story to your legislators and thank your legislators for the support they've provided so far but there's so much unmet need we need to talk about today. So, best wishes for your legislative day and thank you for coming. 

(applause) 

(NO AUDIO)
Representative Scott Inman

Rep. Inman: What we do up on the fourth floor in the House of Representatives and over in the State Senate and what the Governor does, as you well know, affects every day of your life; absolutely affects every day of your life. And you all face challenges that you've come to the state capitol and you're asking us to stand with you to help you face those challenges. 

(NO AUDIO)
Senator AJ Griffin

Sen. Griffin: I understand the community based services that are needed; I understand that families caring for families and neighbors caring for neighbors is truly the most efficient and effective way for us to provide services to anyone, any population, where it truly takes a village to ensure that all of our citizens have a long and healthy and productive life. 

(NO AUDIO)
Jim Nicholson
Chairman
Governor's Blue Ribbon for Developmental Disabilities

Nicholson: The number one job in advocacy is showing up and you guys have shown up in force today and it speaks very well of People First and very well on self-advocacy in Oklahoma, so good luck. 

(applause) 

(NO AUDIO)
Wanda Felty
Community Leadership and Advocacy Coor.,
Oklahoma Lend Core Faculty, Parent and Advocate

Wanda Felty: I have a friend here who's been at this rally for 3 or 4 years, Lauren Robbins, stand up with your son. Her son made it off the waiting list because of our advocacy. We did it for Reece now let's do it for everybody else. 

(applause) 

(MUSIC PLAYS) 

Mark: The event is an opportunity for citizens to come to the Capitol, meet with lawmakers and make their views known on public policy concerning people who have developmental disabilities. Each year this event becomes a highlight for the advocates who attend, the elected officials who represent these constituents and, maybe most of all, the attendees who find themselves empowered by participating in government. 

(MUSIC PLAYS) 

Mark: Besides attending this important day at the State Capitol, Developmental Disabilities Services Director, JoAnne Goin recently brought us up to date on the closing of SORC and NORCE. Now you'll recall we told you about the transition for residents of the Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley and the Northern Oklahoma Resource Center in Enid as the situation was developing. The centers, once the only state-run home for people who have developmental disabilities, are in great need of physical repair. Some of the buildings were nearly 100 years old. Renovating these centers would be extremely cost-prohibitive. Additionally, over time, segregating people with developmental disabilities has proven not to be in the best interest of the residents or of the community. 

JoAnne told us that over two-thirds of the residents who lived in the facilities have moved into community settings. Most of the former residents and their families report being very happy with the new living arrangements. DDS has contracts with more than 100 providers statewide; there are many choices for the residents and their families. Many of the residents had been living at SORC and NORCE for decades so there was some anxiety but for the most part the transition is taking place very smoothly. There are still 78 residents on the grounds of the two centers but eventually these facilities will close and everyone will be living in the community. 

JoAnne has continued the work begun by Jim Nicholson to make this change as positive as possible and her leadership has proven invaluable to the residents, their families and the state of Oklahoma. 

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series is concluding the Spring 2014 session. May 29th is the date for a lecture entitled: "Embracing Fatherhood, Leveraging Fathers: Strengthening Families, Children and Community." The speaker is Calvin Williams, the Director of Fatherhood Services for Public Strategies, Incorporated in Oklahoma City. The lecture will provide perspectives on father-presence and its impacts on child wellbeing. As usual, the lecture will be held over the noon hour at the Oklahoma History Center and will be later posted online in video, audio or transcription formats for those who can't attend the lecture in person. The lecture archive is made available through a partnership between DHS and the University of Oklahoma and is a fantastic resource for anybody with an interest in social work, public health or public policy. 

Finally, this month, we are fortunate to take just a few minutes to recognize some truly amazing people. The State Volunteer Recognition celebration was held last month to honor over 25 individuals and organizations that give their own time to help DHS fulfill the mission of improving quality of life. Many people don't realize the thousands of volunteer hours donated to DHS fill in the gaps that funded services can't provide. It's estimated that if DHS had to provide all the services donated by volunteers and partner agencies it would cost between $2-3 million. So, you can see, these awards are richly deserved. Let's take a moment to pay tribute to this year's award winners at the 2014 Volunteer and Partnership Recognition Celebration. 

(MUSIC PLAYS) 

(NO AUDIO)
Community Partners - Ben Loring
Community Partners - Coleta Christmas
Community Partners - Deborah Price
Community Partners - Delaware County Children's Special Advocacy Network
Community Partners - Dibble Senior Citizens Center
Community Partners - Kiamichi Youth Services, Inc.
Community Partners - OSU Trinity Community Garden, Kenda Woodburn and Joe Wilkerson
Community Partners - Sequoyah County CCR SART
Community Partners - Sharon Jepson
Community Partners - Stephens County Christmas Collaborative, Danny Moore and Larry Jones
Community Partners - Stillwater Church of Christ
Leader of Tomorrow Awards - Coalgate Future Farmers of America
Leader of Tomorrow Awards - Turner High School Beta Club
Donna Nigh Award for Public Service - Michelle Qualls-Long
Ed Birchall for Humanitarian Service Award - Paul Blair
Frieda Mosley Award for Outstanding Service - Tilda Sarrington
Karen Jacobs Award for Exemplary Community Service - Ron Jacob
State Honorees - Brook Andrews
State Honorees - Janeane Hartman
State Honorees - Lincoln County Bakers
State Honorees - Margaret Floyd
State Honorees - Radah Bray
State Honorees - Raymond Valdez, Accepted by Beth Patterson

Mark: To wrap things up this month, it's time to leave you with the current recipients of the "Putting You First" customer service awards. Our friends in Human Resource Management have been soliciting nominations for DHS employees who have exceeded the already high standards set by the agency to offer the very best customer service to our citizens. As the nominations come in and the awards go out, we like to offer our congratulations to the winners. 

Now, if you see one of your co-workers on this list, please take a minute to congratulate them on a job well done. And, likewise, if you see a DHS employee who is doing a super great job, nominate them for a "Putting You First" award. You can nominate your co-workers by going to the InfoNet and looking for the nomination link. So, enjoy the list of this month's winners. 

And, we'll see you next time. 

(MUSIC PLAYS)

(NO AUDIO)
Jessica Arthur
Administrative Technician III
Rogers County

Darla Blankenship
Social Services Specialist II
McIntosh County

John-Paul Bloese
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

Ana Briggs
Interpreter/Translator
Tulsa County

Bette Brown
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

LaDetria Brown
Social Services Specialist II 
Oklahoma County

Lynzie Cheatwood
Social Services Specialist I
Oklahoma County

Donna Collins
Administrative Technician IV
Mayes County

Grace Crossley
Administrative Technician III
Rogers County

Marsha Crum
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

Christopher Daugherity
Social Services Specialist I
Oklahoma County

Tina Day
Administrative Technician III
Rogers County

Sharon Denham
Social Services Specialist I
Oklahoma County

Vicki Fulgham
Social Services Specialist II
McIntosh County

Lisa Gallaway
Programs Field Representative I
State Office

Kristie Hall
Social Services Specialist II
McIntosh County

Caryl Hanson 
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

Patty Heer
Programs Field Representative
Oklahoma County

Mary Holt
Social Services Specialist II
Coal County

Kristen Hopkins
Social Services Specialist II
Oklahoma County

Brenda Howell
Social Services Specialist II
McIntosh County

Holly Johnson
Social Services Specialist I
Carter County

Chase Kirkland
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

Sherry Loudermilk
Administrative Assistant II
Atoka County

Travis McClellan
Social Services Specialist II
McIntosh County

Debbye McClurg
Administrative Technician III
Rogers County

Cindy Murray
Social Services Specialist II
Garvin County

Shannon Norfleet
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

Virginia Pack
Programs Field Representative 
State Office

Sally Peterson
Programs Field Representative I
Oklahoma County

Jorjann Plumlee
Social Services Specialist I
Tulsa County

Chris Rabold
Social Services Specialist II
Tulsa County

Laree Reidenbaugh
HR Programs Field Coordinator
Oklahoma County

Lisa Reuter
Nursing Programs Assistant Administrator
Tulsa County

Eva Rohlman
Social Services Specialist I
Oklahoma County

Zach Root
Administrative Programs Officer III
Oklahoma County

Melissa Shaw
Social Services Specialist II
Coal County

Darrin Sheffield
Social Services Specialist II
Pontotoc County

Tammy Shirley
Social Services Specialist IV
Coal County

Jeanetta Smith
Customer Service Representative II
Oklahoma County

Jeri Stott
Administrative Assistant I
Rogers County

Nancy Strother
Administrative Technician IV
Rogers County

Chris Summers
Administrative Technician III
Okmulgee County

Katie Thomas
Administrative Technician III
Rogers County

Liz Vick
Social Services Specialist II
Coal County

Jennifer Walker
Social Services Specialist II
Comanche County

Angie Wilson
Social Services Specialist II
Oklahoma County

Randi Woods
Social Services Specialist II
Pontotoc County