INSIDE OKDHS - IN THE NEWS, MARCH 2013

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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 In The News for March. Last month we told you about OKDHS Director Ed Lake's statewide listening sessions. One of Director Lake's goals is to be responsive to the employees of the agency and members of the community. 

One way he started fulfilling this goal was to travel across the state and meet with interested parties in a series of listening sessions. This way he could hear from employees and service providers about what is happening at all levels in Oklahoma. The listening session held in Oklahoma City has been recorded and posted online. You can connect to that video from the OKDHS website. 

Director Lake also presented one of the Practice and Policy Lectures. The topic was "The New Beginnings for OKDHS." This lecture is also posted online. YouÆll find the link to this, and all of the Practice and Policy Lectures, on the OKDHS Website. Once the videos are processed and delivered to the web, they are available for viewing, listening or reading. 

No Audio: Practice and Policy Lectures recently prepared for internet: ôDrug Recognition-Drug Identificationö with Captain David Huff.

February saw an additional lecture presented at the end of the month by Captain David Huff of the Midwest City Police Department. He shared his expertise in identifying drugs by sight and effect. Be watching for this video online as well. 

No Audio: Practice and Policy Lecture Series ôSystems Integration: An Approach to Improving Well-Being Outcomes for Children and Familiesö Charisse Johnson.

The March Practice and Policy Lecture is set for March 27 and will feature Charisse Johnson the Branch Chief in the Office of Family Assistance Administration on Children and Families for the US Department of Health and Human Services. She will explain a broad-view approach for assessing effective systems integration. 

If you can attend, the lecture will be held at the Oklahoma History Center beginning at noon. As we mentioned, all of the Practice and Policy Lectures are posted online for viewing, listening or reading. 

On February 25 the State Capitol was bustling with hundreds of Oklahoma's Senior Citizens attending the 2013 Senior Day at the Capitol. Our own Aging Services Division was one of the sponsoring agencies. Attendees were able to visit with state representatives and senators and also be a part of a special program in the House Chamber. There was a resource fair with information geared toward older Oklahomans and an interactive Tai Chi demonstration. 

The issues of seniors are becoming more pressing each day as our population ages. Lance Robertson and the employees in Aging Services are running a cutting-edge program and our state is leading the way in many areas of service for older citizens. 

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Recently we told you about the Polar Plunge fund raising events for the Special Olympics. These events took place all across the state and OKDHS was well represented in many towns. We really hope you had a chance to sponsor a participant or maybe even take the plunge yourself. You're looking at the Bartlesville Plunge. Here's one of OKDHS's bravest employees, Cathy Bickford, hopping into some really cold water for this good cause. 

No Audio: Cathy Bickford, Area II DDSD

Cathy Bickford: I was... When I got to the thing, I looked at it and I thought, "Can I back out now?" But then I thought, "I'm hitting that water." And I never realized it would be so cold. I can't swim so therefore I'm thinking, "I'm glad it's shallow." But the best part's that hot tub. I'd do it again to get in the hot tub. 

Mark Beutler: OKDHS co-sponsored the Black Heritage Celebration in Oklahoma City last month. This annual celebration is held with the goal of promoting mutual respect for different experiences, beliefs and perspectives. This year traditional African drummers and modern swing dancers provided the entertainment.

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Honors were bestowed on three Oklahomans who have distinguished themselves with service to others. Receiving the Meritorious Service Award was our own Inspector General Tony Bryan. 

No Audio: Dr. lester V. LeSure, Oklahoma Broadcaster. 2013 Trailblazer Award Recipient. Accepted by daughter, Sonja Howell

The 2013 Trailblazer Award was given to Dr. Lester V. LeSure, who has been in the television, radio and public relations fields for decades. Graduates of Langston University will remember his journalism classes and the Langston radio station he managed for years. 

Loretta Y. Jackson has been awarded the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of dedicated volunteerism and her renown as an advocate for women, minorities and the elderly in Oklahoma. Ms. Jackson is no stranger to accolades as she's received the OKDHS Lifetime Volunteer Service Award and the Kate Barnard Social Activist Award in the past. 

As in previous years, the Black Heritage Celebration was inspiring and a lot of fun. That's about all we have for you this month. But we do want to remind you about the 2013 Governor's Conference on Developmental Disabilities. 

No Audio: GovernorÆs Conference on Developmental Disabilities. Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, Norman.  www.okgovconfdd.com

It's happening on March 5th and 6th, so depending when you're watching this, you still have time to go. If you didn't make it to the conference this year, we'll have a recap here next month. 

No Audio: 38th Oklahoma Conference on Aging û ôThe Road to Aging: Enjoy Your Tripö. Norman Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center. okagingconference@okdhs.org

The 38th Annual Oklahoma Conference on Aging is coming up as well. This year's theme is "The Road to Aging: Enjoy Your Trip." ItÆll be held in Norman, May 21st, 22nd and 23rd. The conference is designed for seniors, professionals, students, advocates and anyone interested in older adult issues. To find out more, contact the conference coordinator by emailing okagingconference@okdhs.org. 

Finally, be sure to look for this month's Feature Story on JoAnne Goin who has just begun serving in the position of the Director in the Developmental Disabilities Services Division. If you don't know her, this video is a great introduction. If you do know her, you'll enjoy finding out a little bit more about her plans for the division. Let's take a quick look. 

No Audio: JoAnne Goin, Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Division Director.

JoAnne Goin: Change is who we are at DHS. I think we're always seeking ways to improve our service system and to be more responsive to our customers. 

Mark Beutler: You'll find that video by clicking the Feature Story link. That's all we have for you this month. We'll see you next time.