IN THE NEWS, OCTOBER 2014

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No Audio: Mark Beutler, Office of Communications

Hello everybody,  I’m Mark Beutler from the Office of Communications. Let’s have a look at what’s happening in the news. 

First off, November is National Adoption Month. This is the 19th year of celebration, and this year’s nationwide focus is “promoting and supporting sibling connections.” Several big events are coming up in Oklahoma that will shine a spotlight on the importance of adoption. Every child deserves a safe, loving home in which to grow, but so many kids don’t have that. More than 11,000 children are in the foster care system at any one time, and for many of these children reunification with their families will not be possible. DHS makes every effort to find adoptive families for these kids. Last year between October 2013 and September 2014, DHS finalized adoptions for 1,362 children in Oklahoma. November 22 is Adoption Day in Oklahoma so be sure to watch for upcoming news on this important event. 

Next, we’d like to recognize the recipients of the Governor’s Disability Employment Awards of Excellence. These individuals and businesses build relationships that are successful and beneficial for everyone involved. This is the 29th year for the awards co-sponsored by DHS Developmental Disabilities Services, the Governor’s office, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Association of People Supporting Employment First. The ceremony was held last month in the Phillips Pavilion at the Governor’s Mansion in Oklahoma City. KOCO-Channel Five’s Anchor Paul Folger was the emcee for the event, and it featured such state dignitaries as Oklahoma Secretary of State Chris Benge, Oklahoma DHS Director Ed Lake, Developmental Disabilities Services Director JoAnne Goin, Douglas C. Boone the visual services division administrator for the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and Teri Egner, president  of the Oklahoma Association of People Supporting Employment First. These awards highlight the positive impact that quality employment has for individuals with developmental disabilities, their employers and their communities. 

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	Alyssa Johnston
	AMG Cleaning Concepts Inc.
	Carter's Food Center
	De Michael Pittman
	Derreck Beckmann
	Donnie Fry
	Eric Doyle
	Irving Procks
	Jake Whinery
	Jason Koester
	Jumbo Foods West
	Kathy Newton
	Kevin Anderson
	Kevin Parker
	KJRH-TV Channel 2
	Marshall Beckmann
	Nicholas Carter
	Peter Broussard
	The Oklahoman
	Timothy Thomas
	Wal-Mart Super Center Chandler
	Wallace Engineering
	William Fleming


The state of Oklahoma is now offering benefits for same-sex spouses. This comes as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to hear cases from Oklahoma and four other states that previously banned same-sex marriage. Under the new ruling, an employee may elect coverage for his or her spouse and dependents for the remainder of Plan Year 2014 and thereafter by following just a few simple steps. For additional information please see the Infonet or email Human Resources Management at the address on your screen. 

No Audio: Human Resources Management - STO.HRMD.BenefitsGRP@okdhs.org

Next up, we want to share the success of the Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered Conference held October 9th through 12th. Ann Trudgeon, Director of the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council says this about the event, "This was Oklahoma second time to host the international Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered Conference. We are the only state to have hosted twice," she says. "This is largely due to the determination of self-advocates (people with disabilities) in Oklahoma, and the financial and philosophical commitment of systems advocates." Members of Oklahoma People First and the Oklahoma Self-Advocacy Network planned and implemented this conference from beginning to end, and hosted more than 700 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from all across the United States and from several other countries. 

In honor of National Latino Month, October 14th marked the 16th Annual Latino Heritage Celebration. Hosted by DHS at the Oklahoma City Farmers Market Auditorium, the event featured prominent speakers and traditional and contemporary performances from arts and school groups. These colorful images were taken by the talented Caroline Miller of Design Services.

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Adapting to the changing needs of the people we serve is a cornerstone of the new programs created by DHS. With recent federal government approval, DHS is developing new projects to safely reduce the need for foster care services, and to create a new approach to recruiting families for children with special needs waiting the longest for adoption. In the past three years, Oklahoma has experienced a more than 40% increase in the number of children placed in the foster care system. The majority of these kids entered the system due to neglect, not physical or sexual abuse. A recent study of this issue revealed that with more intensive, home-based services, many of these children could have safely stayed in their own homes. 

To address these changes, DHS has developed a program that will allow for the flexible use of existing federal funds marked for foster care services to be used for prevention services to keep children safe and families together. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has also awarded DHS a $500,000 grant to launch the "Adopt OK Kids Network" which will create innovative ways to recruit, retain, and support adoptive families for children and youth with special needs. The project will focus first on 100 children and youth waiting the longest for adoption in Tulsa County. 

Another innovative DHS program, "Kids Cost" begins its second year this fall. Child Support Services created this program to help teach middle and high school students the true financial costs of raising children.

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Cost to raise a child to age 18: $245,340.
Unwed Birthrate in Oklahoma: 41.5%.

With the cost of raising a child to age 18 coming close to $250,000, and a 41% unwed birthrate in Oklahoma, CSS uses this fun, interactive presentation to reach young people before they become the next generation of parents. "Kids Cost" is specifically designed for 11 - 14 year olds using references they understand. Child Support Services has trained presenters all over the state. Email the address on your screen to request "Kids Cost" in your area. 

No Audio: Kids Cost - OCSS.Contact.CCCR@okdhs.org

Innovation at DHS also extends to training programs. "Connections" is a one-day training session in development for new employees. You probably remember your first days at DHS and the steep learning curve. The "Connections" training will give new employees a better understanding of the agency and the clients we serve. Two pilot sessions are being held November 14th and again on December 3rd. This is mandatory training, and all new employees hired between October 16th and November 15th must attend one of these sessions. Look for more information coming soon on the Infonet or contact Ryan Bates in Human Resources. 

No Audio: Human Resources Management - Ryan.Bates@okdhs.org

Also coming up on your calendar, the Practice and Policy Lecture Series features "Services to the Homeless" presented by Tim Knapp on December 11th. Knapp is an Oklahoman who now serves as the Director of Career Training and Education at the Bowery Mission in New York City. His work in their residential recovery program enables people to move back toward meaningful lives by building skills needed for life, relationships and work. The lecture is free and open to the public and will be held at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City from noon to 1 pm. To register to attend, click the Practice and Policy Lecture Series link on the okdhs.org homepage. You’ll also find a video and transcript archive to review past lectures including November’s lecture, "Teen Pregnancy in Oklahoma: Focusing on What Works." 

With Thanksgiving coming up this month we want to take just a moment to thank you all for the work you do to help the people of Oklahoma live safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives. We wish you and your family a great holiday.  

And we close our program today with images from the Domestic Violence Awareness Walk and Wreath of Hope Ceremony from last month at the State Capitol. 

Thank you for joining us and we’ll see you next time.

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