Inside OKDHS, In the News – April 2015

Mark Beutler: Hello, everyone.
I’m Mark Beutler from the Office of Communications.
Let’s take a look at what’s happening in the news.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month,
an issue that everyone at DHS takes seriously and personally.
April 14 is Child Abuse Prevention or CAP day at the State Capitol.
Organizations and agencies including DHS will display information
about the responsibility we all have to help prevent
and identify abuse and neglect.
A large turn out is expected to show the importance of prevention.
A field of blue memory flags, blue pinwheels and blue ribbon trees
will send a clear message that all children
deserve a safe and healthy life.
Throughout the month you can wear royal blue clothing or a ribbon
to increase awareness or create your own blue ribbon tree.
This year’s theme is “Picture a Brighter Future.”
Children can participate in the CAP coloring
challenge by drawing a picture of their happiest day and
parents or guardians can share it on social media
using the hashtag “Picture a Brighter Future.”
Details are available at brighterfutureforkids.com.
There’s another important event at the Capitol
coming up this month--
“People with Disabilities Awareness Day”, April 20.
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
will host an event called “Disable the Label”
at the State Capitol from noon to 4:30 pm.
It’s an opportunity for citizens to come to meet with lawmakers
and share their views on public policy.
It’s also a welcome occasion for self-advocates
to address their own concerns directly with elected officials.
The agenda lists legislative visits, an awards ceremony and
networking opportunities with service and resource providers
including DHS Developmental Disability Services and Aging Services.
Organizers are hoping to top last years total of 901 participants
to make an even stronger showing.
Find out more at okdrs.org and remember to wear green April 20
to show unity and support.
Next, we’ll share some images from the Governor’s Conference
on Developmental Disabilities in March.
The theme was “Journey to a Good Life” with workshops and
speaker topics divided into life categories to guide attendees
to the best messages for them.
The Expressions gallery displaying work by artists with disabilities
contributed to the open, relaxed environment.
DDS Division Director JoAnne Goin
presented Awards of Excellence in direct support services.
A direct support service professional is someone who works as a
direct care worker for individuals with developmental
and/or intellectual disabilities.
These workers can include habilitation training specialists,
job coaches and group home staff, as well as habilitation aides,
workshop staff, agency companions, and specialized foster parents.
An Award of Excellence focuses on one’s tenure, experience, and
relationship to the individuals and families they support.
The award highlights leadership, advocacy and
work toward community inclusion.
We want to thank all of these award winners and their co-workers
who make a difference in the lives of so many people every day.
And, we thank DHS photographer, Caroline Miller
for these great images.
April starts the season for
The Oklahoma Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program.
From April 1 to September 30, low-income older citizens may qualify
to purchase locally-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs at select
farmers’ markets in participating counties across the state.
DHS Aging Services processes applications and participants
use EBT cards to buy nutritious produce.
The colorful sights and fresh smells at the farmers’ market
are a treat for the senses,
connecting us to the origins of healthy food
in a way that supports local economies and growers.
SNAP benefits recipients are also welcome to shop
at approved farmers’ markets.
Tulsa, Pryor, Muskogee, Norman, Owasso, Stilwell and Tahlequah
all have markets opening in April.
Visit the SNAP section at okdhs.org to learn more and
to find the opening dates of farmers’ markets across the state
through the spring and summer.
It’s that time of year when we can look forward
to picnics and family reunions.
Unfortunately, for many foster children in Oklahoma placed
in different homes than their siblings,
having fun with their brothers and sisters
can be a difficult thing to accomplish.
Thanks to a collaborative effort with the Citizens Advisory Board,
Cleveland County Child Welfare is changing that.
The 5th annual Spring Sibling Event at the end of March brought kids
great food and most importantly time together.
after the Dr. Seuss favorite.
Local Firefighters, team members from Energy Soccer,
“Thunder Girls” dancers, and players from OU Athletics
came to encourage the kids to have big dreams for the future.
Social Work students from OU in practicum study
at Cleveland County Child Welfare coordinated the event and
secured the help of businesses, churches and many volunteers
in the Moore/Norman area to help these wonderful kids
make some great memories together.
Volunteers and community partners play an important role
in helping organizations achieve their goals and their mission.
Last year in Oklahoma, more than 700-thousand volunteers donated
more than 100-million hours of service
to nonprofit or community organizations.
DHS will pay tribute to those volunteers who give selflessly
of their time and talents with the annual
Volunteer/Partner Recognition Awards Ceremony.
It will be held April 23rd at the Oklahoma History Center
in Oklahoma City from 1 to 3 pm.
This year’s theme is “Volunteers Make a World of Difference”,
and we know they certainly do.
Statistics show if a dollar amount is attributed, volunteer hours
provided to DHS recipients total more than $37 million dollars.
Additionally, nearly 70 percent of all Oklahoma volunteers
say they do favors for their neighbors.
Karen Jacobs, Administrator of the DHS Office of Community and
Faith Engagement is coordinating the ceremony and reception
to offer these caring folks a moment in the spotlight and
our deepest appreciation for all they do
as an extension of their own humanity.
Director Ed Lake will attend the ceremony to present the awards.
Oklahoma City news anchor Paul Folger from Channel 5
will act as the Master of Ceremonies.
on Aging-- April 24--is approaching quickly.
Aging Services will hold the event May 5-7
at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel and Conference Center.
This year’s conference theme,
“Celebrate. Discover. Embrace”,
reflects the topics to be shared at the event--
like celebrating achievements, discovering new ideas and
embracing the future.
Senior Day is May 5 and is free to Oklahomans 60 years and older.
There will be a wellness expo, an exhibit hall, film festival and
awards luncheon featuring the winners
of the statewide Senior Poetry Contest.
The keynote panel will feature inspiring older Oklahomans
led by Jane Jayroe.
Jane is a broadcaster and familiar face in Oklahoma.
She’s an author and Miss America 1967.
The professional days are May 6 and 7 offering training and support
for students, professionals and advocates in the field of aging.
Retirement and personal finance expert, Kerry Hannon
will be the keynote speaker on the 6th.
DHS Director Ed Lake will be one of the keynote speakers on May 7.
Visit okagingconference.com to register and
to learn more about the event.
Here’s another face you may have seen on TV before.
Extreme Clean-up specialist Matt Paxton
from A&E channel’s “Hoarders” is seen here speaking
at the Practice and Policy lecture held on March 12th.
Paxton spoke in-depth at the two-hour event about the complex nature
of Hoarding Disorder and the impact it has on individuals,
their families and the associated health dangers.
Coming up May 14th, the lecture titled
“Church and State: Oklahoma’s Faith Based Partnerships”
will explore the social solutions being
developed through community engagement.
The DHS Office of Community and Faith Engagement is dedicated
to building these connections between organizations and
Oklahomans in need.
These partnerships are bringing an awareness and responsiveness
that would be impossible using only state resources.
Ben Nockles from the innovative 111 Project
will speak at the lecture.
In collaboration with DHS,
the 111 Project has been instrumental in hundreds
of new foster families being developed through church involvement.
Here’s Ben from our interview last July sharing his thoughts
on working with DHS to make sure every child
in Oklahoma has a place to call home.
Ben Nockles: I would be completely remiss
if I didn’t take the opportunity to thank
the Department of Human Services at all of its levels,
from the highest levels of leadership to the brand-new,
frontline worker who is dedicating themselves
to this issue day in and day out.
I have the easy job, and I know that.
And, a lot of times I get made out to be kind of a spokesperson
or the hero, or whatever.
It couldn’t be any further from the truth.
In my mind the men and women of DHS and the men and women
of their private partners, you’re the heroes.
You’re the ones that kind of, break yourself open and
pour yourselves out on behalf of these children and families
day in and day out.
And, you should be commended for it.
So, I want you to know from me that I’ve never thought
of DHS as the problem,
and DHS is not the problem that needs to be fixed.
This issue is not a reflection on how well you do or
do not do your job.
Abuse and neglect in our state are not a reflection of you.
It’s a reflection of the condition of our community.
As one of your partners, we just want to say thank you
for who you are, and what you do, and we just want
to stand over here on the sidelines and cheerlead for you.
Mark Beutler: Again, you can hear Ben speak and discuss
the topic May 14th from noon to 1pm
at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
Register to attend this free event
at the Practice and Policy Link on the DHS homepage.
Now, we’d like to share an accolade with you
that our own Gaila Smalley has achieved.
The ongoing commitment to improving the lives
of people in need tends to go unnoticed,
but Gaila has been recognized in a very big way.
She is this year’s recipient of the Richard May Award
presented by the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund at Red Tie Night.
Red Tie Night is an impressive event that raises funds
for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma.
Not including this year’s total,
OACF has contributed over $11 million to support the community.
Each year they present the Richard May Award
to a dedicated professional or volunteer who goes above and beyond
in the HIV/AIDS care field.
As many of you may know,
Gaila has been a compassionate force for over 20 years and
is one of the 6 Care Coordinators
in the AIDS Coordination and Information Services Unit here at DHS.
Gaila has gotten some great media attention along with the honor,
delivering a positive message to the state.
Here’s a sneak peak at this month’s feature video with Gaila.
Gaila Smalley: I think compassion in this field
has to be overflowing.
I think that everyone that works in this field,
the HIV field, is doing it because of their hearts.
It’s not because of the income,
because nobody gets rich being a Social Worker.
I’m not in it for the money, obviously.
But, compassion--because people are humans,
and we’re all human beings.
We’re all worthwhile.
There’s always--we were put on this earth for a reason,
and we need to figure out what our reason is.
I think that I’ve been lucky enough to find my reason
of the biggest part of my life, of why I need to be here.
I was compassionate as a TANF worker.
I’m compassionate as a Care Coordinator
for people who are living with HIV.
It’s in my heart because I’m compassionate
with people at the grocery store.
I’m not compassionate with people on the highway.
They tick me off when they’re (laughs) driving too slow or too fast,
whichever I’m not in the mood for.
But, the compassion comes from your heart.
If you’re human, if you’re a human being that feels, and loves, and
knows that people are here for a reason, and you can remember that,
it doesn’t matter that their dirty, or homeless, or they’re sick,
or they’re scared, or they’re high.
It doesn’t matter if they stink, or they smell, or
they don’t look as good as you think they should.
Compassion is because they are a human being,
and that heart is beating inside them.
Their life has a story, and we don’t know what their story is.
Every one of us has a chance to be in that person’s life.
We might be the link that they needed for the day to keep on living.
Mark Beutler: Be sure to check out the full interview
on the infonet.
She a great example of the Quality Service Standards in action.
Thank you again for joining us, everybody.
We’ll see you next month.