INSIDE OKDHS - IN THE NEWS, JUNE 2012

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

May was a very busy month across the Agency with a lot to celebrate. The OKDHS Best of the Best Quality Awards and the Governor's Quality Awards were presented in May and, as usual, the employees of OKDHS were honored for some truly amazing projects and programs. 

Needless to say, everyone who serves the citizens of Oklahoma as an OKDHS employee deserves to be honored. It is challenging work to say the least. But it's important to reward the extra effort that breaks new ground and develops a template for future programs. 

You will notice a special video presentation in this space commemorating the recipients. It's this month's Feature Story and we know you'll enjoy taking a few minutes to check out the work your colleagues have been doing. 

While we're on the topic of successful programs within our Agency, check out this amazing story. A few months back we told you about the Waiting Child Heart Gallery. This gallery of beautiful portraits taken of children in OKDHS custody who are available for adoption has been very successful. 

Professional photographers from across the state work with each child to create a likeness that captures the essence of each person. The gallery travels across the state to public places in order to get the word out about these children and their desire for a loving adoptive family. 

So far, the gallery has been on display for about five months in locations all over Oklahoma. It is currently in Tulsa and will be moving to the State Capitol in June. So what's the good news? Twenty-eight children featured in the gallery have become members of adoptive families. These permanent placements are cause for celebration. 

The children, ages 6-18, now know the love a family can offer. Their lives are turning around and it's all because of OKDHS employees, volunteer photographers and the staff at KTUL television in Tulsa.

No Audio: Oklahoma Waiting Child Heart Gallery. June 6 û July 3, 2012: Oklahoma State Capitol. July 6 û July 30, 2012: Sooner Mall, Norman.  July 31 û August 31, 2012: Mountain View Mall, Ardmore. 

Mark Beutler: The gallery continues making its way across Oklahoma over the coming year. As I mentioned, the gallery will be moving to the State Capitol for the month of June. It will then be set up in Sooner Mall in Norman for the month of July and will spend August in Ardmore's Mountain View Mall. If you haven't seen this moving set of portraits, please make plans to visit. It is a testament to the good things that can happen when people pull together to help children. 

Speaking of helping children, these fun pictures are from a recent fundraiser for Area Three Independent Living program. When children in state custody turn 18 they are no longer wards of the state. The good people in Independent Living work with these children to better prepare them for going out into the world and making their own way. 

It's designed to be a support system for children who don't have families equipped to offer guidance and advice during those difficult first years on their own. This car wash and dunk tank raised over $1,000 for the program to be used for a trip to float the Illinois River. 

Independent Living funds don't allow for special events like trips, so that's why Brett Hayes from the Area Three Office decided to put on this fundraiser. That wet person hugging Brett is Debbie Clour, the Area Three Director, who is a very good sport. She raised a good deal of the money by allowing employees to knock her into that cold water. 

Moving on, the Oklahoma Human Services Commission held their May meeting on the 22nd and it marked the third meeting attended by Interim Director Preston Doerflinger. As is the custom, the Director gives a short report on the status of the Agency to the Commissioners. He began by spelling out the terms of the budget agreement recently reached by the Legislature. 

Interim Dir. Doerflinger: I do think given that last night at 7:00pm, myself, Senator Jolley, representing the Senate as their Appropriations Chair and Representative Earl Sears from the House, the Appropriations Chair there, did announce a budget agreement. 

And I said in that meeting and I'll say it today - for me, probably the most significant thing that came out of that is the money for this agency.  

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Interim Dir. Doerflinger (continues): And I would commend both the Governor's Office and both chambers of the Legislature for demonstrating that there is commitment to providing resources to this agency. 

I'd like to just run through how it ultimately broke down: $25 million for the Pinnacle Plan, $17 million for our maintenance of effort, $4 million for legal fees, and an additional $4 million divided as follows: $1.5 million for ADvantage rate increases, $1.5 million for DDSD rate increases, and $1 million for the DDSD waiting list. 

Again, it was... the entire process as you can imagine was very long and tedious but I can say, really from very early on, there was a commitment to get this agency those resources and so I'm proud that's where we end up. 

Mark Beutler: Director Doerflinger went on to discuss the parent-guardian group and the trials they've endured in working toward the coming changes at SORC and NORCE. He also laid the groundwork for the move to vertical integration as part of the Pinnacle Plan. 

You can view the Director's comments in their entirety by visiting OKDHS.org. Check the bottom left portion of the page and you'll find a video link there with his entire presentation. 

No Audio: LIHEAP Cooling Assistance. Preauthorization letters will be sent out the week of June 4, 2012. 

Mark Beutler: Next up, a quick reminder concerning the upcoming summer heat. The LIHEAP Cooling Assistance Program is about to kick off. The pre-authorizations letters will be sent out in early June and the program begins on July 9th. Keep these dates in mind as you work with clients who might be a part of that program. 

That's about all we have for you this month but we want to be sure to cover the recent Oklahoma Conference on Aging. Held in mid-May at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Norman, this year's conference broke all attendance records. In fact, there's discussion of having to move next year's conference because this one was almost too big for the space.

No Audio: Photos of guests and presenters at the Oklahoma Conference on Aging. 

Mark Beutler: The first day was for seniors and the turn-out was fantastic. Improving quality of life for older adults was the order of the day. Health screenings were offered, instructions on exercise and health issues kept the crowd interested and smiling throughout the day. 

The following two days were set up for professionals who work with seniors. Discussions, experts, special guests and activities made the event a positive learning experience for these professionals. The Aging Services Division staff is to be commended for a job well done. 

Former OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick was honored for his work with the Division and for being an advocate for the vulnerable citizens of Oklahoma. Our own Caroline Miller and Kyle Chaufty provided these beautiful pictures and we want to leave you today with these smiling faces. We'll see you next time. 

No Audio: Photos of guests and presenters at the Oklahoma Conference on Aging.

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