INSIDE OKDHS IN THE NEWS, JUNE 2013 (MUSIC PLAYS) No Audio: Mark Beutler, Office of Communications Mark Beutler: Hello everybody, I’m Mark Beutler from the Office of Communications and it's time to find out what's happening In The News. This spring has been volatile with the devastating weather, the loss of life and the many families losing everything across the state. I know many members of the OKDHS family have been directly affected and many, many more of you have worked extra hard to lend assistance to those in need. We want you to know we're thinking about you and appreciate all of your efforts to help your fellow citizens return to some sense of normalcy. As you well know, the recovery will take a long time and we take great pride in your ability to show compassion and perseverance on the job and outside the workplace. We've come to expect the best from all OKDHS employees. In that light, once a year, the Governor of Oklahoma and our Agency come together to recognize the very best we have to offer. Through co-worker and supervisor nominations, employees and programs with proven positive performance are honored for their efforts to help Oklahomans. Let's take a moment to pay tribute to this year's Governor's Quality Award winners and the OKDHS Best of the Best Award winners. (MUSIC PLAYS) No Audio: Best of the Best Award Winners: Chandra L. Hudson - Child Welfare Specialist II, Adair County; Alice L. Sanders - Social Services Specialist II, Atoka County; Kert L. Chastain - Social Services Specialist II, Beckham County; Deanna R. Pierson - Child Welfare Specialist III, Blaine County; Maricel Lopez - Social Services Specialist II, Bryan County; Bonnie M. Brewster - Social Services Specialist II, Caddo County; Judy K. Barrett - Social Services Specialist IV, Canadian County; Regina Washington - Case Manager II, Carter County; Angela D. Lewandowski - Social Services Specialist II, Cherokee County; Kimberly B. Scott - Social Services Specialist II, Choctaw County; Linda K. Saffle - Social Services Specialist II, Cleveland County A; Rhonda E. Fisher - Social Services Specialist IV, Cleveland County C; Mary C. Holt - Social Services Specialist II, Coal County; Debbie K. Triche - Administrative Assistant II, Comanche County; Shelly H. Kerr - Social Services Specialist II, Cotton County; Beverly J. Burton - Social Services Specialist II, Creek County; Floyd L. Sanders - Social Services Specialist II, Custer County; Jo D. Sykes - Adult Protective Services Specialist IV, Delaware County; Robbin L. McKinzie - Social Services Specialist II, Garfield County; Amber D. England - Social Services Specialist II, Garvin County; Jennifer J. Case - Child Welfare Specialist II, Grady County; Ginger K. Norton - Social Services Specialist II, Greer County; Andrea L. Walker - Social Services Specialist II, Haskell County; Deborah K. Carter - Administrative Assistant II, Hughes County; John B. Henry - Social Services Specialist II, Jackson County; Martha R. McHale - Administrative Assistant II, Jefferson County; Lea A. Gertson - Social Services Specialist II, Johnston County; Annette L. Hunt - Child Welfare Specialist II, Kay County A; Timothy J. Denning - Social Services Specialist II, Kay County C; Marci L. Dean - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Kingfisher County; Gaylinda L. Frost - Child Welfare Specialist II, Leflore County; Deborah A. McFarlin - Administrative Assistant II, Lincoln County; Janie M. McCaslin - Administrative Assistant II, Logan County; Lauren B. Burks - Social Services Specialist I, Love County; Stacy L. Showalter - Social Services Specialist II, Marshall County; Nancy D. Hinkel - Administrative Technician III, Mayes County; Jennifer C. Ashbridge - Social Services Specialist II, McClain County; Diana K. Miller - Social Services Specialist II, McCurtain County; Travis J. McClellan - Social Services Specialist II, McIntosh County; Jackie L. Britt - Social Services Specialist II, Murray County; Tammy R. Spencer - Administrative Assistant II, Muskogee County; Connie Adaire - Social Services Specialist II, Noble County; Janet M. Bates - Administrative Assistant II, Nowata County; Sondra R. Shelby - Social Services Specialist II, Oklahoma County A; Brandon B. Hagain - Social Services Specialist II, Oklahoma County B; Ivan Powell - Administrative Technician III, Oklahoma County C; Lora K. Adams - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Oklahoma County D; Jennifer R. Postlewait - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Oklahoma County D; Vonetta D. Richardson - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Oklahoma County D; Thomas D. Burgess - Social Services Specialist II, Oklahoma County H; Thomas J. Pennington - Social Services Specialist IV, Oklahoma County J; Tina J. Martin - Administrative Technician III - Okmulgee County C; Amy D. Allsup - Social Services Specialist IV, Osage County; Nicholas G. Brown - Child Welfare Specialist II, Ottawa County; Teresa G. Smith - Social Services Specialist IV, Pawnee County; Meeghan G. Smith - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Payne County; Samuel D. McClendon - Social Services Specialist IV, Pittsburg County; Mary E. Bennett - Social Services Specialist IV, Pontotoc County; Timothy W. McMullan - Social Services Specialist IV, Pottawatomie County; Patrick K. Stearns - Social Services Specialist II, Pushmataha County; Rebecca M. Clemons - Social Services Specialist II, Rogers County; Anthony N. Harjo - Social Services Specialist II, Seminole County; Melissa K. Carrigan - Social Services Specialist II, Sequoyah County; Abilgail A. Wilson - Child Welfare Specialist III, Stephens County; Cher D. Jones - Social Services Specialist II, Tillman County; Patricia R. Padgett - Social Services Specialist II, Tulsa County C; Randall W. Cody - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Tulsa County D; Tia S. Morgan - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Tulsa County G; Elaine M. Hall - Administrative Assistant II, Wagoner County; Laurel A. Ely - Social Services Specialist II, Washington County; Joyce A. Terry - Child Welfare Specialist I, Washita County; Tom A. Marcum - Child Welfare Specialist IV, Woodward County; Sheree L. Powell - Coordinator of Communications Administrative Services; Sherwana J. Gathers - County Director Adult and Family Services, Region 1; Linda S. Hall - County Director Adult and Family Services, Region 2; Terry J. Martin - County Director Adult and Family Services, Region 4; Andrew D. Huff - County Director Adult and Family Services, Region 5; Pamela S. Tefertiller - Financial Manager/Comptroller II, Adult and Family Services, STO; Arianne M. Leisher - Adult Protective Services Specialist II, Adult and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, District 1; Hugh B. Brady - Adult Protective Services Specialist IV, Adult and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, District 2; Audrey E. Powell - Adult Protective Services Specialist III, Adult and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, District 3; Jerry D. Hines - Programs Field Representative I, Adult and Family Services, Adult Protective Services, STO; Lori A. Angus - Social Services Specialist II, Adult and Family Services, OKDHS Live, Eastern Oklahoma Support Center; Becky L. Laipple - IS Applications Specialist IV, Aging Services, ADvantage Administration; Robin L. Springer - Health Care Management Nurse II, Aging Services, Region 1; Lisa A. Rose - Health Care Management Nurse II, Aging Services, Region 2; Sharon C. Norris - Health Care Management Nurse II, Aging Services, Region 3; Brenda S. Shackleford - Health Care Management Nurse II, Aging Services, Region 4; Claudia N. Perryman - Health Care Management Nurse II, Aging Services, Region 6; Kay P. Anthony - Programs Field Representative, Aging Services, STO; Patsy A. Cloud - Child Welfare Specialist II, Child Welfare Services, Bridge/Adoption; Susan M. McClarty - Direct Care Specialist II, Child Welfare Services, Laura Dester Shelter; Troy Aebi - District Director Child Welfare Services, Region 1; Rick L. Steen - Regional Director Child Welfare Services, Region 2; Tammy L. Willyard - Secretary V Child Welfare Services, Region 4; Natalie R. Clark - District Director Child Welfare Services, Region 5; Glessnell S. Staley - Case Manager IV, Developmental Disabilities Services, Area I Office, Enid; Dawn A. Harmon - Programs Field Representative I, Developmental Disabilities Services, Area I Office, OKC; Patti S. Aukerman - Case Manager IV, Developmental Disabilities Services, Area II Office; Karla B. Branam - Case Manager IV, Developmental Disabilities Services, Area III Field Staff; Dana L. Drake - Case Manager II, Developmental Disabilities Services, Area III Field Staff; Tina A. Mainord - HR Assistant I, Developmental Disabilities Services, Area III Office; Juradean Neal - Direct Care Specialist II, Developmental Disabilities Services, Northern Oklahoma Resource Center; Debbie D. Pumphrey - Programs Administrator, Developmental Disabilities Services, STO; Vonnetta J. Allenbaugh - Finance Comptroller III, Financial Services; Leanne Saunders - HR Manager III, Human Resources Management; Robin L. Hodges - Administrative Hearing Officer II, Legal Services; Brenda A. Sparks - Child Care Licensing Specialist III, Child Care Services, Region 1; Pamela S. Broden - Child Care Licensing Specialist IV, Child Care Services, Region 2; Jackie A. Moore - Child Care Licensing Specialist IV, Child Care Services, Region 3; Gabriella Evans - Child Care Licensing Specialist IV, Child Care Services, Region 4; Andrea R. Vadnais - Child Care Licensing Specialist II, Child Care Services, Region 5; Katherine C. Treiner - Child Care Licensing Specialist III, Child Care Services, Region 6; Veronica J. Franks - Programs Manager I, Child Care Services, STO; Herbert Hill - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Bethany District Office; Ann E. Murray - Child Support Enforcement Attorney IV, Child Support Services, Chickasha District Office; Margaret L. Shadrick - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Claremore District Office; Deborah J. Holt - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, El Reno District Office; Elizabeth R. Longacre - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Idabel District Office; Carlela L. Brooks - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Midwest City District Office; Shirley J. Reeder - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Muskogee District Office; Melissa N. Kronenbitter - Child Support Specialist III, Child Support Services, OK County Juvenile Court District Office; Richard R. Honaker - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, OKC North District Office; Megan L. Fitzwilliam - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, OKC South District Office; Dana L. Parker - Child Support Specialist IV, Child Support Services, Poteau District Office; Rita J. Bilby - Child Support Specialist IV, Child Support Services, Sapulpa District Office; Jennifer L. Fanning - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Tahlequah District Office; Mindy D. Smith - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Tulsa East District Office; John R. Peterson - Child Support Specialist II, Child Support Services, Tulsa West District Office; Tracy L. Carmack - Secretary IV Office of Business Quality; Casey L. White - Communications Manager I, Office of Communications; Lisa Foster - Programs Manager II, Office of Inspector General; Laura J. Giblin - Senior Researcher Office of Planning, Research and Statistics; Lisa D. Ellington - Programs Manager II, Child Support Services, STO; Kelly C. Kappelman - Financial Manager/Comptroller II, Support Services Division; Gwen K. McClain - Division Programs Director, Vertically Integrated Services; Trecia Franklin - Child Support Services, Great Plains Improvement Foundation, Lawton; Mechelle Bumgarner - Litigation Worker, Office of the District Attorney for the 21st District of Oklahoma, Norman; Carlissa Parker - Child Support Specialist of the District Attorney for the 21st District of Oklahoma, Pauls Valley; Lesley Hess - Establishment Caseworker, Office of the District Attorney for the 21st District of Oklahoma, Ada; Theresa Boston - Locate/Case Initiation Specialist, Young Williams Child Support Services, Durant; Jennifer Moody - Case Specialist, Young Williams Child Support Services, McAlester. No Audio: Quality Awards award winners: IRS Fraud Detection - Oklahoma Child Support Services, Center for Finance and Budget, Center for Coordinated Programs; Northrup Grumman; University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management; Dynamic and Fluid: HRMD’s Role in Reorganization - Human Resources management Division; Adult Day Services Program - Finance Division, Aging Services Division, Business Transformation Office; Honorable Mentions: Bridge to the Future: Customer Service - Child Welfare Services, Office of Planning Research and Statistics, Office of Volunteerism/Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, National Resource Center for Youth Services, University of Oklahoma Center for Public management; State Disbursement Unit Transition to Success - Oklahoma Child Support Services Center for Finance and Budget, Center for Systems Information and Technology, Center for Administrative Services, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Information Services Division; ôBridges Out of Povertyö Training Series - Adult and Family Services, Oklahoma Child care Services, University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management, Aha! Process, Inc.; C.L.E.A.N. Up Employers Project - Oklahoma Child Support Services Center for Finance and Budget and Center for Coordinated Programs; Licensing Records Office System - Oklahoma Child Care Services, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Information Services Division, Jump Technology; AAA Phase II - Aging Service Division, Finance Division, Office of Management and Enterprise Services, Information Services Division; OKDHS Foster Care and Adoption Awareness campaign - Child Welfare Services, Design Services, Office of Communications, University of Oklahoma Center for Public management, University of Oklahoma Video and Media Services, State of Oklahoma - Office of the Governor. Mark Beutler: While we're on the topic of recognition, Jim Nicholson, the former Director of the Developmental Disabilities Services Division, was named the 2013 recipient of the Ben Censoni Excellence in Public Service Award. The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services presents this award to one person in the nation who exemplifies the qualities to lead in this challenging field. Jim Nicholson is the very best. As we mentioned, he recently retired from DDSD. While we'll all miss Jim, his leadership has positioned Developmental Disabilities Services for a bright future. Besides the help and advocacy offered by our DDSD, many people with developmental disabilities and their families find that self-advocacy is an important part of navigating services and resources. The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council recently celebrated the graduation of the Partners in Policymaking participants. The students in this intensive course learn how to partner with policy makers to achieve positive outcomes for people with developmental disabilities. This class, like all of the classes, is made up of family members of this population and people wanting to take an active role in the policies concerned with their own developmental disabilities. (MUSIC PLAYS) Mark Beutler: Let's move on now to more awards. Last month up in Grove a special celebration was held to honor Nelson and Ivy Pendergrass, a couple who have opened their home to foster children over the past 34 years. More than 200 children have found refuge in the Pendergrass home over the years. The love and understanding offered by this generous couple has made a huge difference in the lives of many children across the state. While we're on the topic of the foster family program, I want to remind you about this month's feature story. You'll find the monthly story link in this web space. This month we'll meet a support group of foster and adoptive mothers who meet to share ideas and common bonds. No Audio: Staci Swales - Support Group Member Staci Swales: We get together every week, for co-op. Our kids get to play. They get to learn. They get to be involved with each other; and then the ladies and myself, we get to talk, we get to pray. We get to just hear about how each other's weeks went and... Mark Beutler: We also have a reminder from our friends in SNAP. Now that school is out, children who receive free or reduced cost breakfast and lunch may not be getting regular, nutritious meals. The Summer Food Service Program is in place to provide meals to children in low-income neighborhoods even when school meals aren't being served. Please visit the USDA website to learn more about this program. You'll find a lot of really helpful information there including how to find existing programs in your area. It also has information for local groups interested in setting up programs of their own. You'll find everything you need to know by going to the USDA website and clicking on the Summer Food Service link. It's important for children to have access to good nutrition all year-round. No Audio: www.fns.usda.gov We're going to leave you today with some of the sights and sounds from the 38th Annual Oklahoma Conference on Aging. This year's theme was "The Road To Aging: Enjoy Your Trip." Even though the weather events of the preceding days tempered the mood, professionals gathered from around the state to share information about access to services for our seniors. Let's take a look at this great event. We'll see you next time. No Audio: Lance Robertson - Director, OKDHS Aging Services Division Lance Robertson: Again folks, just I know it's a challenging moment for all of us following last night's, just again, indescribable tragedy. Having driven down I-35, like most of you to get here and seeing what is there. It's just such a humbling moment and certainly one that is going to weigh heavily on all of us for many days and weeks and months to come. As Katherine alluded to, you know, there are going to be a number of ways that we're going to continue to share with you that you can contribute or help in some way to that relief effort. Like all of us, I think, that is obviously foremost on our minds, which I know makes it difficult to be here and focus on other issues which are important to Oklahomans but ultimately, of course, that's why we're here and I welcome you. (MUSIC PLAYS) No Audio: Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr. Mike Lester, Retired OKDHS Home and Community Based Services Manager.