INSIDE OKDAHS - IN THE NEWS, OCTOBER 2013

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Mark Beutler: Hello everyone, I'm Mark Beutler from the Office of Communications and itÆs time once again to take a look at what's happening in the news. In just a few weeks, this year's DHS Annual Report will be presented. It's a look back at the previous year and what all we have accomplished on behalf of the citizens of Oklahoma. We also take a look at some of the success stories - people whose lives have been changed as a result of the many services DHS offers. One couple we interviewed worked with DHS, and through our services has become one of this year's greatest success stories. 

No Audio: Melisa Spurgeon 

Melisa Spurgeon: DHS definitely was a part of my success. I couldn't... I fed my kids. That seems like such a simple, basic need. But you just don't know how much that breaks your heart as a parent when you realize, "I don't have money for food." 

No Audio: William Spurgeon  

William Spurgeon: It's such a big stereotype. As soon as you talk to someone who's middle class and up who's doing okay and you mention food stamps, they automatically think somebody living in a small trailer with a hole in the roof and, you know, kids running around in their underwear. But it's not like that. You know, sometimes you just don't have enough to feed your family for whatever reason. 

Mark Beutler: Look for this success story and several others just like it in the near future on the DHS website. 

Our next item is big news for SNAP benefit recipients and workers: the amount individuals and families can expect from SNAP benefits is changing. Each October the USDA adjusts the deduction levels and income thresholds to reflect the changing cost of living. Hence, many recipients are seeing an increase in benefits for October. 

However, back in 2009 the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act used stimulus funds to raise SNAP benefits in order to offset the effects of the recession. You remember this as part of the "Stimulus Package." As of November 1st, this stimulus act will expire, lowering the benefits back to pre-stimulus levels. The result will be a net reduction for most SNAP households. 

A notice is being sent in the mail to clients alerting them of the changes. For all of you DHS employees out there, be prepared for questions to arise as clients become aware of the benefit changes. 

Now let's turn our attention to Oklahoma DHS Region 2 where we're proud to announce Steve Burton has been named Region 2 Child Welfare Deputy Director. Steve has been with DHS since 1994 when he started as a social worker. Since that time he has worked his way up through the ranks serving as a Supervisor, County Director and Regional Director. Steve has served Region 2 well over the years and all of us will benefit greatly from his experience and from his knowledge. 

Now we go to Ardmore where we're looking at the presentation of a $320.00 check to Ardmore's Jefferson Elementary from the winning team of DHS employees in Child Support Services. August was Child Support Awareness Month and as a part of the activities put together by Oklahoma Child Support Services, a scavenger hunt was conducted and the winning team won a cash prize to be awarded to the school of their choice. 

This is the winning team of Amanda Collins, Scot Sampson and Shannon Smith who out-performed teams from all over the state by collecting evidence of community outreach. They are presenting the check to Principal Kristi Jessop and some of the students from Jefferson. This scavenger hunt provided a fun activity for DHS employees while increasing public awareness of the issues of child support collection. 

DHS employees will want to make sure to look for this month's Feature Story that covers the events from Child Support Awareness Month and more information about Child Support Services. 

This year's Waiting Heart Gallery was unveiled at a very special event at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks last month. The gallery is comprised of photos of children in state custody who are available for adoption. Each year, professional photographers spend time with each child to come up with a portrait that captures the child's personality. This very special photo shoot is enjoyed by the kids and raises awareness of the many children who are looking for a forever family. Gay Larson, long-time news anchor at KTUL in Tulsa is the driving force behind this event and it gets better with each passing year. 

No Audio: Gay Larson û Director, Waiting Heart Gallery

Gay Larson: The Waiting Child Heart Gallery is an exhibit that we created as part of the Heart Gallery of America. We were the second one in the country to put together our Heart Gallery. It is children who are up for adoption through DHS. Most of them are older children, sibling groups, harder to adopt children. Our purpose is to make sure that people know that these children are out there waiting for a home and to get people to call in and talk about adoption. 

So, it's near and dear to my heart because I adopted two children from Waiting Child from KTUL's program back in 1993 and they are both doing well. I believe that it's very effective. People call and even if they don't adopt the children that are in the exhibit, they call and ask about adoption and that's the purpose. We want people to know how many children are in the state of Oklahoma that need to be adopted. 

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Mark Beutler: The gallery is a traveling installation and will move all over the state throughout the next year. Please try to make it out to see this beautiful and this moving exhibit. We'll share the schedule with you as soon as it's finalized. 

No Audio: October 29th û Practice and Policy Lecture Series. Domestic Violence: The Hidden Epidemic. Jackie Steyn û Chief Programs and Compliance Officer, YWCA. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Noon to 1pm, Oklahoma History Center.

The Practice and Policy Lecture series continues with an upcoming lecture entitled "Domestic Violence: The Hidden Epidemic." Jackie Steyn, Chief Programs and Compliance Officer for Oklahoma's YWCA will discuss the ever-present epidemic of domestic violence. Her work with the YWCA has made her all too familiar with the lives of battered spouses and children and she offers a unique insight to causes and prevention. This lecture will be held on October 29th at the Oklahoma History Center at noon. 

Last month's Practice and Policy Lecture by Dr. James Conroy from the Center for Outcomes Analysis, entitled, "Oklahoma's Triumph for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities: Influencing the Whole World" was held last month and will be available for viewing, listening or reading very soon. Check out the Practice and Policy Lecture link found at OKDHS.org. All of these fantastic lectures are available at this site so all of us can benefit from the knowledge imparted by our guest lecturers. 

Another upcoming event we want to be sure that you're aware of is the Governor's Disability Employment Awards on October 31st. Each year the State of Oklahoma recognizes private businesses and public workplaces that make it a priority to offer opportunities to people living with disabilities. We will be at this event with our cameras and will bring you highlights in November. 

Finally today we're going to leave you with photos from the 2013 Oklahoma Women's Leadership Conference for Women in Public Service. This year's conference was themed "Women, LLC: Loving Your Job, Living Your Life, Caring for Oklahomans." Leaders from government and business made up the distinguished roster of speakers and the day was spent covering topics that promote leadership and skills for success in public service. Enjoy the photos and we'll see you next time. 

No Audio: Photos from the WomenÆs Leadership Conference.

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