April 2003

Stracke Gift To Help ’s Independent Living Youth for the kindness and generosity of Independent Living program Robert and Jeanne Stracke. Their coordinator. “When private gift will be valued for years to resources become available, we come as it helps youth succeed in can help them start jobs, set up areas where government funding apartments and start training in is not used.” career technology centers or Each year approximately 170 working toward degrees from col- youth in OKDHS custody gradu- leges or universities. ate from high school, turn 18 and “With more than 2,000 youth can no longer be supported in our program, we are always through the state foster care pro- needing additional financial gram. For many of them, it resources to help in areas where becomes their emancipation into we can’t use state or federal dol- adult life. lars. We are excited to know there “With limited resources, we are families like the Strackes who do what we can across the state to are willing to support a program prepare these youth to meet every- that helps Oklahoma youth Director Howard Hendrick looks on day challenges of being an adult,” become better-educated and pro- as Jeanne and Robert Stracke said Claudia Hunter, OKDHS ductive citizens.” address the Human Services Commission.

Robert and Jeanne Stracke were honored during the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services meeting Feb. 25 for their generous gift to the Independent Living program administered through the OKDHS Children and Family Services Division. The Strackes deeded a valu- able property to the Department to help the program that prepares youth in state custody for adult life. These children have no fami- ly to provide support after they leave custody at age 18. Flutist Angela Monson, who also serves as an Oklahoma State Senator from OKDHS Director Howard H. District 48, is accompanied by Calvin Drake, during the 2003 Black Heritage Hendrick said, “We are thankful Celebration. See related story and photos on pages 6-7. orial Office Building Sequoyah Memorial Office Building Sequoyah P.MemPO..O. Box Box 25352 25352 , OK 73125-0352 Oklahoma City, OK* www.okdhs.org 73125-0352 (405) 521-3646 * www.okdhs.org (405) 521-3646

March 13, 2003

Dear OKDHS Employees:

We continue to balance our commitment to the best service possible against the reality that we are struggling with the worst budget situation in recent memory. We continue to stretch ourselves to find creative solutions to the complex and challenging issues facing our agency without adversely affecting program objectives. Every program is performing at near record levels and our accuracy, timeliness, contacts and case activity is the best it has ever been. I could not be more proud of the incredible job everyone throughout the agency is doing every day.

I have asked the OKDHS Certified Public Managers’ Steering Committee to collect ideas employees may generate to even further improve our per- formance while maximizing our cost effectiveness. These managers posses valuable management and organizational skills and will be working with us to implement ideas employees generate to improve the well-being of the families we serve and increase our fiscal accountability. Once an idea is submitted, reviewed and determined to be viable, you may be contacted by your Division Administrator and a mem- ber of the CPM Steering Committee to determine how you would envision implementing your proposed Every worker has a different view from every other worker. Your improvement. Mailbox with any cost saving Your input and participation is vital! perspective is important. How each of us performs determines whether how all of us appear in the public’s eye. Every smile, every kind word, every encouragement is important. Every idea for improvement is also important. Not all of them can be implemented for one reason or another. However, new ideas are great- ly encouraged. I am urging you to contact the OKDHS.ShareIdeas.CPM measures and process improvement opportunities that would benefit your unit, your division, or our agency as a whole.

I applaud your initiative, dedication and determination exhibited in these difficult times. I know that many of you have ideas and strategies that will improve our agency and our service to the families for whom we work and care. Thank you in advance for your help. Together, we can continue to improve our service and minimize our costs.

Warm Regards,

2 INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 Arroyo Receives Budget Cuts Cancel Full-Time Community MSW Scholarship Program Service Award It was announced in March leave may be approved when that the full-time Master’s of needed for additional classroom Social Work (MSW) scholarship days. program being funded through Mileage, lodging and per- OKDHS for Child Welfare staff diem related to class work will not will be cancelled, effective July 1, be available to employees effec- due to budget cuts. This is one of tive July 1, 2003, as a result of many actions being taken through- budget limitations. out the Department to balance the Employees wishing to partic- OKDHS budget due to state rev- ipate in the CWPEP must submit enue shortfalls. an application to CWPEP at the OKDHS will continue to and partner with the University of request Educational Leave. Staff Oklahoma to support employee are encouraged to remain commit- education through the Child ted to professional growth and Welfare Professional Enhance- development and to consider the ment Program (CWPEP). This Maria Arroyo accepts the UniCare opportunities and support avail- program provides tuition, fees and Community Services Award. required textbooks for partici- able through CWPEP. Maria Arroyo, an Oklahoma pants. Please contact Rebecca County 55-A social services spe- Employees also may request Bogard, Child Welfare Training cialist, received a 2003 authorization for up to 20 days of Section, at (405) 521-4366 or e- Community Services Award from paid Educational Leave per calen- mail her for additional informa- UniCare, Inc., at an awards dinner dar year through OKDHS. Annual tion. in Oklahoma City March 13. Arroyo received the honor for her energy and efforts that went above and beyond the call of duty Excuse of the Month to meet the needs of citizens in Just when you thought you’ve heard it all, Tulsa Child south central and southwest Support gets a new one. A non-custodial parent goes to the Oklahoma City during the last custodial parent’s attorney’s office dressed from head to year. toe in dark ninja-style clothing and hiding his face. He She has made significant con- advises the attorney that he now has a top-secret job with tributions in Oklahoma City’s the government and cannot disclose where he works. He Hispanic community. Many of the says they could no longer take child support payments documents, letters and other com- from his checks. munications used in the He then disappears as quickly as he appeared. He did Department have been translated not identify for whose government he was working… by Arroyo to Spanish. Arroyo is currently out-sta- tioned to the Variety Health If you have heard a really good excuse related to OKDHS business, Center in Oklahoma City, where please share it. Email it to: Excuse of the Month at: she serves as the Kids and [email protected] Families Project coordinator.

INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 3 Remember, You’re Driving for the Other Guy By George Earl Johnson, Jr. ing into my car. The small fender or no effect in our lives an hour, Director of Communications bender made nearly a thousand day, week or year from now. Last August I purchased a dollars in damage on the driver’s My mother, Estelle, used to new car after putting 208,000 side. tell me, “Be careful out there, and miles on the 1994 model vehicle I remember, you’re driving for the was driving. The first week I had other guy.” This saying can apply the car, one of my co-workers was in a lot of ways whether we are in rushing through the state office a car, on the sidelines waiting for parking lot to get an empty park- our children or grandchildren at ing space and tagged my car on sporting events or even at the the rear fender. There was very lit- Both accidents occurred office interacting with co-work- tle damage, but it really gave her a when my friends and co-workers ers, partners or clients. scare. failed to be cautious and attentive. Putting our Best Foot In March, another co-worker I’ve been in that chair once or Forward by being cautious and running late for a meeting quickly twice myself. We are in a rush and attentive the next time we are in a pulled out of a parking space in many times, we are rushing hurry can save us time, money the state office parking lot, back- toward things that will have little and, just maybe, our lives. Debbie Smith Named National President-Elect Debbie J. Smith, Data After completing the Services Division chief technolo- Oklahoma CPM certification in gy officer, has been named 1991, Smith was encouraged and President-Elect of the American went on to complete a bachelor’s Academy of Certified Public and master’s degree in Business Managers. Administration. She openly “I am really excited about states her accreditation as a this new role with the American Certified Public Manager contin- Academy,” Smith said. “My edu- ues to push her onward and cation and experience has pre- upward. pared me for this time and I am Smith began her OKDHS looking forward to the challenge. career 31 years ago at age 16, I will do my very best to repre- working as a tabulation operator sent Oklahoma and the in DSD, which at the time was Department well in these duties.” located on the third floor of the Sequoyah Memorial Office Building. Today she’s DSD’s Deputy Division Administrator and Chief Technology Officer. She is a founding member and past president of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Managers and was hon- ored as Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Manager of the Year in 1997.

4 INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 The Web Slingers.....Making Navigation Easier Applications Specialist IV. “You’ll be able to personal- ize it to your needs, just like many commercial browsers already do. Everything you need to do your job will be at your fingertips.” “We’re also working on ways to make it easier for everyone to maintain their own web sites,” said Arambula. “In the future, we’ll work with you to build your web site and give you a professional look and feel, but also give you the tech- nology to make the updates you’ll need on a daily, week- ly or monthly basis.” “We have a real passion for what we do and how we Data Services Division Web Slingers include (from left) Terry Girton, Clint Hutchison, can make the Internet work Mark Arumbula, Randy McKee, and Rod Davidson. for OKDHS,” said Terry By Dustin Pyeatt listen to our customers, visualize Girton, I.S. Applications Public Information Officer what they need and work with Specialist III. “We’re a small Anyone who’s logged onto them to meet those needs so that enough team that we can react the OKDHS web sites lately has they can better serve the people of quickly to our customers’ needs, noticed some redesigning taking Oklahoma.” and we also build on each other’s place, but behind those web pages, Added Arambula, “If a coun- strengths because we all have a something else is changing. ty office needs a web site, within different expertise.” “We’re redesigning the way we do an hour, we can drop their content “But we’re just part of a larg- things at Data Services,” said into a very professional web er DSD team,” said Arambula. Mark Arambula, Information design and give them a great pres- “This not only gives us the Systems Manager III and head of ence on the Internet. You don’t resources we need to do our best, the DSD Web Team. “We’re more have to worry about graphics or but the positive attitude of the customer oriented. Whatever it mapping or navigation, we’ll take management of DSD allows us the takes to make things happen, we’ll care of everything and make sure freedom and support we need to do it.” you’re happy.” push the OKDHS web presence “Though we operate here at The DSD Web Team has also forward and strive for excellence, Data Services in Oklahoma City, focused their customer-oriented both for ourselves and our cus- behind lots of wires and monitors, approach on the future of OKDHS tomers.” we haven’t lost sight of who we web functions. “In the future, your To find out what the DSD are working for, the folks on the browser will have everything Web Team can do for you, contact front lines in the county offices,” you’ll need, e-mail, news and Mark Arambula at (405) 522- said Clint Hutchison, I.S. applications like OASIS or EBT,” 0728, or e-mail the team at Applications Specialist IV. “We said Rod Davidson, I.S. [email protected].

INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 5 George Earl Johnson, Jr., Church in Oklahoma City where Director of Communications for the he also leads an adult Bible study Oklahoma Department of Human program. Each semester, he does Services, was this year’s recipient pro bono lectures for upper divi- of the Humanitarian Award at the sion and graduate students at Annual Oklahoma Black Heritage several Oklahoma colleges and Celebration in Oklahoma City. universities on public relations The Oklahoma Black Heritage practices, health and human Celebration is the largest state- services issues, leadership devel- sponsored Black History Month opment and business success. event in Oklahoma. Its mission is to He’s most known as the educate everyone on the contribu- voice and spokesperson for tions of Black Oklahomans by shin- OKDHS. Behind the scenes, he ing a light on the unsung heroes and has led the Department’s unrecognized individuals whose OKDHS Quality Awards pro- quiet contributions have had a gram for the last five years. The major impact on our state and our program honors hundreds of shared history. OKDHS employees each year “It is with a full and humble for their exceptional individual heart that I receive this honor,” and team accomplishments to Johnson said. “This would not have improve Oklahoma Human been possible if I had not been Services. allowed to stand on the shoulders of To address internal morale those who went before me. They challenges in the late 1980s, have cleared many fields and laid Johnson developed the OKDHS strong foundations upon which I State Games, a program to pro- could stand. I’m also very thankful mote team building and friendly for my family who gives me the competition among employees freedoms and supports needed to through sporting events and live out my dreams.” game activities. Today, the Johnson was honored for his OKDHS State Games is the charitable and community services largest employee sporting and efforts during much of the last two games event in government. decades. He’s served on the United Past recipients of the Way of Greater Oklahoma City’s Oklahoma Black Heritage allocations board for 14 years and Humanitarian Award include for- been on the Oklahoma Goodwill mer State Secretary of Social Faces of Oklahoma Black Heritage Today Industries, Inc., Executive Board of Services and United Nations Directors for seven years. Johnson Delegate the Honorable Hannah is active in charity and fund-raising Diggs Atkins, as well as the 2003 work at Corpus Christi Catholic Honorable Carolyn Wilson.

6 INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 7 Partner’s Conference for Families A Success Operating under its new Oklahoma State Health Department of Education, name, the 2003 Partner’s Commissioner Leslie Bietsch, Oklahoma Career Technology Conference for Oklahoma MD, thanked the health and Centers, Oklahoma Department Families treated its 424 registered human services professionals for of Corrections, Oklahoma participants to two keynote speak- all the work they have done to Commission on Children and ers and 30 power-packed work- make the state a better placed to Youth, Oklahoma Community shops that brought new life and live. Action, Oklahoma State Regents energy to their audiences in They also challenged partici- for Higher Education and Oklahoma City March 27-28. pants to remain vigilant in the OKDHS. Chuck Jackson, Ph.D., of fight to build community partner- String, Okla., used down-home ships to serve families. humor and a bathroom scale to get More than $2,900 raised from the audience to weigh into his this year’s Partner’s Silent Auction message about what they should was given to the Energy get from the conference. Conservation Assistance Fund to Jackson told the crowd, while help the elderly and people with missing his grandfather’s sage les- disabilities with home weatheriza- sons and thoughts on life, he came tion needs and the Lou Hartpence back to him saying, “Chuck, it’s Scholarship Trust, which helps your turn. It’s your turn to give.” custody youth attending post sec- Jackson said, coming to the con- ondary educational programs. This ference meant it’s now “our turn year’s conference partners includ- Reginald O’Neal, Sequoyah County, to give.” ed: Oklahoma Department of gives Linda Hughes, Family Support Disney’s American Teacher Health, Oklahoma Department of Services Division, a needed shoulder of the Year Ron Clark bounced Mental Health and Substance massage. Kathy Quinn, State Regents from one end of the room to the Abuse Services, Oklahoma for Higher Education, waits her turn. other while the lights kept going on and off during his remarks. He told stories about how he has been privileged to be a change agent in the lives of young children as a teacher, both in North Carolina and New York City. Clark highlighted The Essential 55, a book with 55 expectations he demands of his students and others. Armed with his 55 essentials and a heart for making a difference, he took a 5th grade class of 37 so-called “under- achievers” with discipline prob- lems to levels of much higher self worth and a thirst for learning, where they obtained the highest across the board test scores in the school district. Keynote speaker, teacher and author Ron Clark received attention from Oklahoma Human Services Teresa Bryant-Leffew, Debra Winn, and Teresa Harelson, all of Okfuskee Director Howard Hendrick and County. 8 INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 2003 Community Partners Award Winners Each received a check for $1,000

• Mayes County Truancy Program • Hidden Dangers of Osage County • Cushing One Stop of Payne County • The Ties That Bind… Building a Community Coalition, McIntosh County • It DOES Take a Village: Providing Resources to Benefit Deprived Children, The P.R.I.D.E. Committee of Canadian County

Play on a Winning Team OKDHS State Games May 30-31

Bowling 3-on-3 Basketball Darts Dominoes Golf Skipbo Horseshoes Spades Running Volleyball Softball Trivial Pursuit

McAlester, OK

For registration information contact: Shawna Perry, (918)684-5389 Crystal Johnson, (918) 421-6101 Deana Pilgrim, (918)421-6101

INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 9 Quick Action of 3 Workers Saves Life; Earns Honors Three Choctaw County employees of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services have been honored by the depart- ment for quick action in saving the life of a foster child. Each of the three employees was presented an OKDHS Certificate of Commendation, the department’s highest award, at the March meeting of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services in Oklahoma City. Receiving commendations were Vicki Bell, Child Welfare Specialist IV; Jerri Griffin, Child Children and Family Services Division Director Linda Smith (left) congratulates Welfare Specialist I; and Jessie Choctaw County Child Welfare Specialists Jerri Griffin, Vickie Bell, and Jessie McDaniel. Field Operations Division Director Jean Derry and Deputy Director McDaniel, Child Welfare Judith Atkinson join in the celebration. Specialist I. McDaniel attempted the Heimlich and signs of cyanosis, so the At the OKDHS office in maneuver and did seem to loosen mother carried the child and Hugo last spring, an 18-month-old the obstruction. A call had been McDaniel drove them to the emer- boy aspirated on jelly beans given made to 911, but there was no gency room. to him by his mother. Griffin was sound of an ambulance siren. The mother told the workers with the mother and child and The hospital was a short dis- later that her child is alive because immediately called Bell and tance away, and the child had of them. McDaniel for help. Both Bell and begun to show respiratory stress

Brand new sidewalks outside Director Howard Hendrick’s office at the Sequoyah Building were left under six inches of water following heavy March rains where several passing ducks found a new home.

110 INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 Office for Civil Rights Breaks Down Barriers By Dustin Pyeatt department, the housing authority client’s language challenges. The Public Information Officer or even the hospital, they’ll be one project is also being adopted by In an effort to improve com- step closer to understanding each Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. munication and promote respect other.” For information on the inter- and dignity, the Office for Civil The OKDHS Office for Civil preter cards, a list of interpreters Rights has created a new tool for Rights received a commendation in your area or for any questions county staff. The office created from the Southwest Regional regarding civil rights, contact the business-size cards that can be USDA Civil Rights Conference Office for Civil Rights at 1-800- given to clients to tell service for their pro-active response to 214-3529. providers that the client needs an interpreter. “In the past we’ve seen people come into county offices with notes pinned to their shirts that say, ‘I don’t speak English,’” said Office for Civil Rights Administrator Sherleen Jackson, Ph.D. “This is embarrassing for the client to be treated this way. We were sure there was a more dignified way of helping them. We got the idea from the state of Minnesota at a USDA Civil Rights Conference.” County office staff will also receive a booklet of sheets that allow clients to circle what kind of inter- preter they need, including Arabic, Hmong, Khmer, Lao, Oromiffa, Serbo- Croation, Somali, Spanish, Vietnamese or sign lan- guage. The worker can then include this sheet with the client’s file. “This way clients can also take their cards with them to our community partners when they need I need a services from them as sign language interpreter well,” said Jackson. I need a Sign Language interpreter. “Whether it’s the health

INSIDE OKDHS — April 2003 11 Inside OKDHS is published for the When there is no rule in place, try employees and retirees of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a joint to do something intelligent… effort of the Office of Communications, the Publications Section and the Print Shop. — Ancient Proverb, Howard H. Hendrick, Director That Still Applies Today Department of Human Services George Earl Johnson Jr. Director of Communications Alice Carrillo Publications Section Supervisor Bob Ferguson Print Shop Supervisor Editorial Team: Vacant, Editor Dustin Pyeatt, Associate Editor Stephanie Bond, Publications Editor Carla Garrett, Office Manager Casey Harvey, Asst. Office Manager Tony Hennigh, Graphic Artist Jim Gumm, Photographer

OKDHS S03046 Issued 4/2003 Publication of Inside OKDHS is authorized by the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services in accor- dance with state and federal regulations and printed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services at a cost of $2,000.00 for 5,000 copies. Copies have been deposited with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Publications Clearinghouse. Contents are not copyright- ed and may be freely quoted unless otherwise noted.

Oklahoma Department of Human Services P.O. Box 25352 Oklahoma City, OK 73125