August 2004

Employee’s Bright Idea Pays Off With PEP Award By Kevan Goff-Parker Inside OKDHS Editor Muskogee County OKDHS’ Randall Woods admits that $2,500 and statewide recognition is a “pretty good hourly rate of pay” for two to three hours of work. “I’m looking for another mil- lion-dollar idea already!” Woods said, laughing. Woods, a social services special- ist IV, Family Support Services Divi- sion, was recently recognized by Gov. Brad Henry with a “Productivi- ty Enhancement Program Award.” Through PEP, the state presents cash and non-cash incentive awards to state employees for ideas, programs and projects that result in increased Randall Woods, social services specialist IV, Muskogee County OKDHS (sec- productivity, cost savings, revenue ond from left), accepts a check for $2,500, a Productivity Enhancement Program generation, or improved safety, effi- (PEP) award and a hearty congratulations from Gov. Brad Henry (third from left) ciency, morale or improved services. for his money-saving idea to replace the “NADA Official Used Car Guide” in county offices with free Internet car appraisal Web sites when appraising the Woods began his career 27 years worth of a client’s car. His idea may eventually save the state $12,000 a year. ago with OKDHS when he was 23. His daughter, Annalea, is far left and his wife, Janice, is holding their grandson, PEP continued on page 16 Aidan Rogers, on far right. Spotlight On OKDHS’ ‘Admins’ Editor’s Note: Our “Spotlight By Kevan Goff-Parker jobs and what memories come to on OKDHS’ ‘Admins’ ” feature is Inside OKDHS Editor mind when they reflect on their Inside OKDHS’ third installment OKDHS is blessed to have many years of service. Here are their focusing on Oklahoma human servic- many long-time employees, includ- answers … es’ history. By highlighting some of ing many administrative assistants, Name: “Claudzetta Warren.” the memories recently shared by secretaries and administrative techni- Length of service: “Thirty-two seven administrative assistants and cians who have spent 30 years or years for the state of Oklahoma (five others who have served the state and more keeping things humming at years Department of Education, 27 OKDHS for more 30 years, we hope county offices across the state. years OKDHS).” to illuminate future generations of Inside OKDHS recently reached Current job: “Secretary V, Field employees as to the rich history and out to dozens of such individuals to Operations, Area VI Executive” culture held by our Agency. see what they like best about their ADMINS continued on page 9 The Chaplain’s Corner Child Support Enforcement Month: Remember The Children By Don Venable, have to be changed. ble result. A child’s welfare may get Social Services Specialist IV This event might come to an lost in the ensuing chaos. Pontotoc County unwed couple or to a couple of Then there is the word, divorce. OKDHS Chaplain teenagers. Now, what are they to do Divorce brings another family change “I’m pregnant.” This phrase has that affects the welfare of the house- various effects on those who hear it. hold’s children. Again, anger and fear The person who speaks this phrase has are involved. Children are often the already begun an emotional roller forgotten victims of the family coaster ride. For the couple, the breakup. moment may be filled with tears, There is plenty of work to be expressions of fear or a warm done to create loving families, but embrace. Who knows? The response until then we must remember that the is created by the preconceived notions children of these fragmented relation- each person has of this event. ships need financial support. We would like to think that every August is Child Support couple that comes to this life-changing Enforcement month. The children of a Don Venable event would do so with joyous antici- family breakup need our attention. pation. Sadly, the event may be met with their lives? Money doesn’t answer everything in a with anger. The pregnancy may mean If the couple has planned for the child’s life, but parental responsibility that there is just another responsibility pregnancy, no joy can compare to requires us to provide for those whom added to a household that is already their expectation. But a couple’s fear we bring into this world. Remember overburdened. Goals and plans may for their own future may have a terri- the children. Heidi Mitchell Now Leading OKDHS’ Budget Unit By George Johnson Jr. ship challenge ahead, and we are Heidi Mitchell has been named pleased to have her.” director of the Oklahoma Department In her new position Mitchell will of Human Services’ Finance Budget oversee operations for the OKDHS Unit. Mitchell replaces Adam Barber $1.4 billion annual budget. who left OKDHS in May to become “This is a very positive career chief financial officer for the Okla- move, and I am grateful that Phil homa Department of Commerce. Motley and the OKDHS leadership In naming Mitchell to the posi- have offered me this tremendous tion, OKDHS Chief Financial Officer opportunity,” Mitchell said. “This is Phil Motley said, “I am pleased that one of the busiest times of the year in Mitchell is willing to take on this a state government budget office, and important responsibility in our organ- I know the team that’s in place and ization. She is extremely qualified to together, I have faith that we can han- assume all duties of the Budget Unit. dle the budget challenges that come “Our organization is currently at our way.” the crossroads where getting the Before joining the OKDHS OKDHS fiscal 2005 work plan in Finance team in 2002, Mitchell place is crucial as we close out fiscal worked for a year at Fleming Foods ’04 business. And we are already on in Oklahoma City. Before moving to the heels of forecasting the prelimi- Oklahoma in 2001, Mitchell was sen- nary numbers for fiscal year 2006. ior accountant for the Alabama divi- The experience she brings to the posi- sion of Sysco Foods. tion tells me she is up to the leader- BUDGET continued on page 19 Heidi Mitchell

2 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 Adult Protective Services Closer Than You Want To Believe By George Earl Johnson Jr. I asked the media representative on a starvation diet for a few kind Many times when we think we to have their reporting source call the words, a smile, a little love and any are doing a lot to make a difference in Adult Protective Services hotline amount of affection. You see, they are the world, something sneaks in under immediately and the reporting source not getting any, and a little bit goes a our closely watched radar screens did. I took the information given to long way. with an alarming wakeup call. Sept. me to APS State Office and collec- The people who bring these 11, 2001, has proved to be the largest challenges to us daily are living the wake-up call America has had since trials and tribulations of these events, Dec. 7, 1941, when the Japanese whether it’s a need for services, relief bombed Pearl Harbor. from the pressures of a crisis or abuse After both events, we found and neglect Ð self imposed or not. Americans putting their Best Foot While I thought about all the Forward to reach out to those in need blessings that my family and I share and reaching out to checkmate those tively the two sources went into daily, I had a person I called a friend who caused the harm. That’s all well action to initiate a referral. The phone and neighbor living up the street that and good, but when it’s personal, the reports seemed mild-mannered in was allegedly hurting and in pain. pain is no less and may be closer than comparison to the television video- From the street, everything looked one wants to believe. tapes viewed several hours later. okay. Now I’m thinking that being a We receive large numbers of The way we individually and better friend and neighbor may media inquiries each week in the collectively work to serve the needs require a little more from me than OKDHS Office of Communications. of vulnerable citizens should have us looking at the front yard of life. We do our very best with each call to on our toes all the time, but every now Maybe, in keeping my Best Foot communicate a clear vision of the and then our actions become routine. Forward, I may just have to not be so works of this organization. Your best That’s something we must all guard busy from time-to-time. Stopping, efforts in your areas of responsibili- against Ð letting our actions become visiting, asking a few questions, shar- ties have also been a tremendous help routine. ing a few moments and offering a few toward that end. Putting our Best Foot Forward more smiles and kind words may be This summer one call left me requires a higher level of diligence in order. I’m sure at some and nearly speechless when a well-known that is character-driven. There are time I will need to be the recipient of media representative called and asked people in our neighborhoods that are these kindnesses. How ‘bout you? me if I knew a certain person. With glee in my voice my answer was, “Yes! Of course I know that person. It’s a neighbor of mine.” Not only was it a neighbor, but also a person I had called a good friend for more than three decades. In fact, the home was the first family home I was invited into in early 1970, right after I was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. Now in this phone conversation I was all ears; however, the rest of the conversation became somewhat of a growing nightmare. In my gut, I knew an alleged case of serious adult abuse was being reported to me, and the information and actions couldn’t come fast enough. INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 3 4 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 Employees Urged To Take A Closer Look Before You Print By Stephanie Bond, the state of Oklahoma, and us, the tax- Publications Editor payers, money. The Department Do Your Part To Office Support Services Division spends more than $500,000 on paper Reduce Paper Usage If you believe the InfoNet, e-mail annually.”  Set the copier and printer and imaging have led OKDHS to Reducing paper consumption to duplex (two-sided copying) being a paperless agency, think again. also saves trees. According to Fenton whenever possible. Contact Printing out an e-mail, making a quick Rood, director of Waste Systems Plan- Debby Guthrie, OSSD, for copy or printing a report may seem ning, Oklahoma Department of Envi- instructions about how. insignificant, but, on average, each  Save e-mails on your OKDHS employee prints out 77 computer rather than printing pieces of paper a day or 16,667 pieces them out. of paper each year. This equates to 28  Use e-mail instead of semi-truckloads of office paper or memos and faxes. nearly 125 million sheets.  Use PowerPoint presen- “It may seem like that short tations rather than printing report you are copying doesn’t amount hard copies.  to much, but there are nearly 7,500 of Print fewer copies.  us, and it adds up to 25,000 cases of In a few months, staff will flip the Print single-spaced. “Take A Closer Look Before You  Make “scratch” pads out Print” posters to the purple side. For of single-sided paper. additional copies of the poster,  Resist the urge to make please call Publications, (405) 962- just a few extra copies for 1733. meetings.  Contact OSSD-DSU if ronmental Quality, 17 trees make one you are receiving too many ton of paper or about 40 boxes of copies or an unneeded paper. Using these numbers, OKDHS report. uses more than 10,000 trees per year.  Use the blank sides of Offices statewide have received “Duplexing (two-sided copying) unneeded single-sided copies these “Take A Closer Look Before offers the most opportunity for direct for printing drafts. You Print” posters developed by waste-reduction on both the state’s  Use routing slips rather OSSD-DSU managers and Tammy financial resources, as well as the than making individual Ratliff, Publications. Offices are environment,” Rood said. copies. asked to place the poster by their The Ricoh multi-function copiers  Have several people edit copiers to remind staff to print on and desktop and network printers gob- the same copy of a document both sides when making copies. ble up the most paper. using different colored inks, paper per year,” said Tommy White, “Multiple copies of reports pre- or edit computer documents Office Support Services Division pared for meetings are big culprits,” onscreen using different Departmental Services Unit programs Hearn said. “Armloads of these get fonts.  manager. sent to security destruction as soon as Send and receive faxes OSSD-DSU has initiated a cam- the meeting is over. Also, copies of from your computer instead of paign to increase employees’ aware- PowerPoint presentations are often using printouts.  Use fax stick-on labels ness about paper usage. White said the handed out at meetings and discarded instead of cover sheets. campaign’s goal is to encourage as soon as the meeting ends. Most of  Program your fax to elimi- employees to use both sides of the these have been printed one-sided.” nate confirmation sheets. paper when making copies and think Office paper, according to Rood,  Review distribution lists twice before sending a report to the comprises nearly 40 percent of all frequently. printer or hitting the copy button. trash.  Eliminate outdated or “Ultimately our goal is to reduce Of those 28 semi-truckloads of unnecessary destinations. consumption,” said Paula Hearn, paper used by OKDHS, 18 semi-  Reduce font size and OSSD director. “This saves OKDHS, LOOK continued on page 19 margins.

INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 5 Flag Day Fun Unites OKDHS

OKDHS Director Howard H. Hendrick addresses a greater than expected crowd during the Agency’s Flag Day Celebration. He and other American favorites were in attendance, except for apple pie, as OKDHS employees and other state agency workers participated in a celebration in honor of Flag Day on June 14 on the State Capitol Plaza out- side of the Sequoyah Building. Anne Roberts, executive director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, sang the National Anthem. Hendrick later reminded staff of the importance of the honoring the flag and the people in the military who are protecting our country’s freedoms on a daily basis. Attendees were treated to hot dogs, sausages with all the fixings and sodas. The event was sponsored by Credit Union One and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. – DD

(R-L) OKDHS’ Imelda Rivera and members of her family including her nephew Emilio, her son Estevan, her daughter Trinity and niece Cierra enjoyed a sunny OKDHS Flag Day Celebration held June 14 outside of the Sequoyah Building in Oklahoma City. Emilio (photo, left) chows down on a hot dog during the day’s festivities. – KGP

6 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 Smitherman Wins May 2004 Food Stamp Quiz By Kevan Goff-Parker Inside OKDHS Editor Each month, Family Support Services workers, supervisors and OKDHS county directors are encouraged to participate in the Food Stamps Best Practices Quiz. Such participation recently paid off for Pittsburg County OKDHS’ Marilyn Smitherman. She’s the winner of the May 2004 quiz and was awarded a $50 savings bond, colorful balloons and was featured in a SATTRN broadcast on June 16. Kathie Wright, programs man- ager, Food Stamps/LIHEAP, Fami- ly Support Services Division, said she believes the Food Stamp Best Practices Quiz is a great initiative because it offers an opportunity for field staff to have fun while focus- ing on Food Stamp program policy and processes. “As always, we are ‘under the gun’ in the Food Stamp program to perform well as a state within the federal requirements for payment (L-R) Kathie Wright, programs manager, Food Stamps/LIHEAP, Family Support Ser- accuracy and timeliness,” Wright vices Division, presents Pittsburg County OKDHS’ Marilyn Smitherman with bal- said. “This is a continuing chal- loons and an oversized $50 savings bond during a SATTRN broadcast on June 16. lenge for everyone who helps ment System site that also features particular Food Stamp Program other training opportunities. Each element of eligibility each month,” “We are excited about monthly quiz features five ques- Wright said. “It really does take this initiative and tions that if answered 100 percent only about five minutes to answer encourage field staff to correctly the first time, the partici- five multiple choice questions and pant will be automatically entered you may just win the big prize of a take advantage of this into a drawing. $50 savings bond! We are excited opportunity to improve One fortunate winner each about this initiative and encourage month will be drawn from the pool field staff to take advantage of this knowledge in the Food of 100 percent successful quiz tak- opportunity to improve knowledge Stamp program.” ers and will win a $50 savings in the Food Stamp program.” bond. Simply open the quiz and Wright said everyone is invit- - Kathie Wright select from the answers. Correct ed to take the quiz and test their administer the Food Stamp pro- answers allow participants to go on knowledge, but the prizewinner gram.” to the next question. An incorrect pool is limited to just Family Sup- A new quiz each month is answer brings up the policy item in port Services workers and supervi- placed on the Food Stamp Web site question for review and then sors. If you have questions about located at http://s99web01/fssd returns participants to the quiz to the quiz or drawing, please send _foodstamps/. There, a link will answer the question correctly. your questions to http://s99web01/ send you to the Learning Manage- “This quiz is designed to be a fssd_foodstamps/. They’ll be fun interactive way to focus on a happy to you. INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 7 Caught Working

There was plenty of razzing going on when an Inside OKDHS photographer showed up recently in McClain County OKDHS. Employees teased each other and the photographer, who noticed certain employ- ees shared colorful nicknames as they joked back and forth. From top and clock- wise (L-R) are McClain County OKDHS’ Patrice Ashley, Child Welfare specialist III and Valerie Spiegel, Child Welfare special- ist II; Barbara Gunter, administrative tech III; Freda Pease, administrative tech IV; Carla Fisher, social services specialist II, Family Support Services Division; Rona “The Instigator” Stout, Child Welfare spe- cialist II; Jill Arnold, social services special- ist II, FSSD; Kerri “Problem Child” Riley, Child Welfare specialist II and (in center, L-R) Elaine “Trouble Maker” Mackey, Child Welfare specialist III and Jim Williams, social services specialist II, FSSD. – GEJ

8 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 Spotlight On OKDHS’ ‘Admins’ continued from page 1 Job duties: “Secretary to the Assistant I, Creek County OKDHS.” Name: “Janice Wardrop.” Area VI director and supervisor of Job duties: “Supervise four Length of Service: “Thirty-two Area Office Support Staff.” administrative technician IIIs, pro- years.” Most interesting part of my job: cess all Human Resource transac- Current job: “Administrative “The most interesting or satisfying tions, order all supplies and equip- Assistant II, Field Operations, part of my job is the contact with ment for office, maintain personnel Woods, Alfalfa and Grant counties.” staff at all levels of the Agency and folders, administrative assistant to Job duties: “I am currently the being able to help them in some way County Director, EBT specialist, administrative assistant for the coun- get their immediate needs met, process Time/Leave, call in all prob- ty director and provide supervision whether by answering a question, lems with building and see that and training for the administrative providing a phone number, address maintenance has been performed and unit for three counties. I complete or directing them to where they may process incoming and outgoing personnel transactions for a four- get the answers they need. I also mail.” county area (including Major Coun- enjoy the diversity of my assign- Most interesting part of my job: ty), budget transactions, payroll ments Ð from typing to payroll to the “Observing all the different person- input, serve as volunteer coordinator, area budget to the area’s Employee alities that come and go.” insurance coordinator, Data Services Recognition Committee and from My favorite memory of working Division mentor, SATTRN facilita- supervision to removing paper jams at OKDHS: “When I was hired to tor, provide trouble-shooting for the from the copier Ð the variety makes work for OKDHS (known then as FACS and KIDS system, assist cus- for not too many dull moments.” Department of Institutions Social & tomers in completing forms and pro- My favorite memory of working Rehabilitative Services), our office vide a variety of services to Agency at OKDHS: “After working for was located in an old building in customers and contractors.” another agency where secretaries downtown Sapulpa. Our office was Most interesting part of my job: used correcting electric typewriters housed on the fourth floor. The ele- “I started my career with OKDHS in and copy machines and work units vator got stuck between floors daily, Comanche County in 1969 and were separated by walls and doors, I and someone was always having to moved on to the State Office in 1971. transferred to OKDHS. My first day be rescued. Our typewriters were old I left the agency in 1976 and returned on the job, after the county director Adler manuals and we had dictating to the Woods County office in 1978. visited with me (for) a while, she machines that used magnetic tapes Ð I feel like I have been involved in took me to the third floor of the Tulsa no computers at all. Everything was almost every aspect of the clerical office where all employees, except done manually. In the wintertime, we operations of OKDHS. Probably the supervisors, were lined up in a huge had to go to the lumberyard, buy a most interesting part of my job is that open area. I was taken to a desk with sheet of sheetrock and nail over the I never have a ‘routine’ day and that an old manual typewriter and windows. The windows would shut, each day comes with lots of joy, remember wondering, ‘What have I but when the north wind blew, the some sadness, sometimes madness gotten myself into?’ I went home and windows would rise up. The and all kinds of humor. I must say cried that night. One favorite remem- sheetrock provided a shield from the that I don’t think I have ever been brance was when new memory type- wind. When spring came, we bored while working for this writers were purchased for all secre- removed the sheetrock. There was Agency.” taries. We watched a demonstration hardly a day in the winter that we My favorite memory of working in a conference room and were each didn’t have to sit and work in our at OKDHS: “It seems that I have given a new machine. The picture of coats and gloves, and few of us even gone through OKDHS moving from some of us carrying our new type- got pretty good at typing with our the age of manual equipment to now writers in our arms, some rolling gloves on. We had roaches the size of not being able to function without a them in their chairs and some using small mice, and we even had mice, computer. However, my fondest carts to get them to our desks while and then, of course, we had bats to go memories would be of co-workers feeling like we are now equipped to along with the mice. The women had that I have met throughout the years. tackle anything still comes to mind to walk a flight of stairs to use the One incident that is still vivid in my whenever new high-tech equipment restroom or take a chance and ride memory is when the staff had a prac- is distributed. We certainly have the elevator. That may not sound tice fire drill, and we went out a win- come a long way!” like what would be a favorite mem- dow onto the rooftop. Now being Name: “Beverly Hutton.” ory, but it is to me. I cannot believe state employees, we did not actually Length of service: “Thirty we worked without complaining, judge how high the window really years.” but we really did. We were happy was. When we got out we could just Current job: “Administrative employees.” ADMINS continued on page 10 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 9 Ann Howard Vanieda Vaughn Spotlight On OKDHS’ ‘Admins’ continued from page 9 Editor’s Note: Our “Spotlight on OKDHS’ ‘Admins’ ” feature is Inside OKDHS’ third install- ment focusing on Oklahoma human services’ history. By highlighting some of the memories recent- ly shared by seven administrative assistants and others who have served the state and OKDHS for more 30 years, we hope to illuminate future generations of employees as to the rich history and cul- ture held by our Agency.

By Kevan Goff-Parker Inside OKDHS Editor OKDHS is blessed to have many long-time employees, including many administrative assis- tants, secretaries and administrative technicians who have spent 30 years or more keeping things humming at county offices across the state. Inside OKDHS recently reached out to dozens of such individuals to see what they like best about their jobs and what memories come to mind when they reflect on their many years of serv- Beverly Hutton ice. Here are their answers … Name: “Claudzetta Warren.” Length of service: “Thirty-two years for the state of Oklahoma (five years Department of Edu- cation, 27 years OKDHS).” Current job: “Secretary V, Field Operations, Area VI Executive” Job duties: “Secretary to the Area VI director and supervisor of Area Office Support Staff.” Most interesting part of my job: “The most interesting or satisfying part of my job is the con- tact with staff at all levels of the Agency and being able to help them in some way get their imme- diate needs met, whether by answering a question, providing a phone number, address or directing them to where they may get the answers they need. I also enjoy the diversity of my assignments Ð from typing to payroll to the area budget to the area’s Employee Recognition Committee and from supervision to removing paper jams from the copier Ð the variety makes for not too many dull moments.” My favorite memory of working at OKDHS: “After working for another agency where secre- taries used correcting electric typewriters and copy machines and work units were separated by walls and doors, I transferred to OKDHS. My first day on the job, after the county director visited with me (for) a while, she took me to the third floor of the Tulsa office where all employees, except supervisors, were lined up in a huge open area. I was taken to a desk with an old manual typewriter Janice Wardrop Patricia Smith and remember wondering, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’ I went home and cried that night. One

favorite remembrance was when new memory typewriters were purchased for all secretaries. We Arlene Unruh ADMINS continued on page 12 Claudzetta Warren

10 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 11 Spotlight On OKDHS’ ‘Admins’ continued from page 10 ents and children. Each year, Tulsa on all return quarterly vouchers placed a legal size paper (travel County has a Christmas party for the when children are moved and the claim) on the phone and walked foster children and foster parents. foster parent has not been able to away from my desk. I heard some- This is enjoyable to attend. Tulsa purchase clothing, type letters for thing, turned around and there were County also has an appreciation tea some social workers who need help flames coming up over the partition. for foster parents in the spring of and have helped Child Welfare work- One of my co-workers (Marvin each year. I enjoy the time at Christ- ers by transporting foster children.” Smith) was jumping from foot-to- mas when we pass out Christmas Most interesting part of my job: foot saying someone needed to get a presents to the foster children.” “Being able to help others when they fire extinguisher. Another co-worker My favorite memory of working cannot help themselves.” (Sondra) had to run around two par- at OKDHS: “The memories over 30 My favorite memory of working titions to get to my desk and poured years are many. I’ve met many inter- at OKDHS: “One year, each unit my Diet Coke on the flames to put it esting people and worked with some dressed up for Halloween and the out. Best Diet Coke I had had in a wonderful supervisors. The technol- Child Welfare unit borrowed the long time. The replacement didn’t ogy is impressive compared to where orange jumpsuits from the Custer taste near as good! Needless to say OKDHS was 30 years ago. I remem- County Jail. Then, each one of us the only damage was to the phone, ber and was part of entering Child added our own personal touch (i.e. which had melted, but was still Welfare Services cases into the ‘new’ patch over eye, black tooth, band- workable. This had been about the computer system in 1975 while aged hand). For years during Christ- third fire that had been started in the assigned in Creek County. The other mas we have been doing dirty Santa, office. One was District Supervisor day I really felt old when I asked the which is really a lot of fun. Just Zoe Ivestor that had dumped some supply person if she could get some working with a lot of great and won- cigarette ashes in a trashcan and carbon paper and she asked what that derful people. Here, in Custer Coun- started a little fire. After my fire, was! I remember the old Dicta- ty each unit seems to work together when we had new employees start, phones when we had vinyl belts really well. We all are always help- they would want to bring candles to instead of cassette tapes. I even ing someone that is in need (offering burn, but would be advised that we remember in Creek County when we support where it is needed). I really could no longer burn them here, got push-button telephones to re- enjoy the stories Child Welfare thanks to me. Oh well, there always place the rotary-dial ones. OKDHS workers tell that happen to them has to be someone who spoils all the has definitely improved in some sometimes when transporting chil- fun!” areas. I doubt many clerical employ- dren. I remember one where a male Name: “Ann Howard.” ees remember the old mimeograph worker who is about 5 feet 5 inches Length of service: “Thirty-four machines or actually using typewrit- (tall), transporting a youth who was years.” ers that weren’t even electric!” built like a football player and over 6 Current job: “Administrative feet tall. The law officers did not Technician IV for LeFlore County Name: “Vanieda Vaughn.” want to really remove the shackles Length of service: “Seven years OKDHS.” they had on him, but they had to if Job duties: “Payroll, timekeep- and six months for Mental Health at Child Welfare was to transport him. Fort Supply Hospital in Fort Supply, er, supervise four clerical staff and They stopped for a something to work reception desk at noon.” Okla., 26 years and three months drink at a quick shop and the youth with Custer County OKDHS in Clin- Most interesting part of my job: ran from him. He went in and started “When Oklahoma experienced the ton, Okla. running after him, wondering what Current job: “Administrative ‘ice storm,’ the volume of people we he was going to do when he caught served was amazing. Seeing people Technician III for Child Welfare unit him? He finally decided to stop and in Custer County OKDHS.” who said they got to the office at 5 let the law officers take care of him.” a.m. We were here most nights until Job duties: “I approve foster Another favorite memory of home payments (monthly), clothing 9 p.m. just getting some type of working at OKDHS: There is noth- organization set up Ð to see so many authorizations for foster children, ing like trying or attempting to burn contingency funds and filing and people was amazing.” your office down when one gets My favorite memory of working maintaining file folders. I copy cases bored … This happened quite a few for adoption workers and to be sent at OKDHS: “Hearing some of the years ago when we were still able to humorous stories of some very inter- to other counties, run down for ven- burn candles here at work. I had lit dors as to why charged purchases esting people over the 34 years I’ve one of the small candles and had it been here.” have not been paid and back-up close to the phone on my desk. The answering the phone. I write memos mail came, I was stamping it in,

12 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 Executive Leadership Institute Workshop Focuses On Helping Substance Abuse Agencies

(L-R) Luncheon keynote speaker John Lucas II, a former head coach and past player for the , gives a hug to renowned speaker Rev. Leo Booth, an internationally acclaimed (L-R) Carol Wilkinson Troy, president and CEO of the Center for Nonprofits; Zane author, lecturer and trainer on all Fleming, a local businessman in recovery; Kyle McGraw, director, Substance aspects of spirituality and recovery. Abuse Programs, OKDHS; John Lucas II, former head basketball coach and ath- During the two-day OKDHS Execu- lete, and OKDHS Director Howard H. Hendrick all contributed to the success of the tive Leadership Institute held May OKDHS Executive Leadership Institute. McGraw said the institute’s goal was to 26-27 at the Reed Center in Midwest improve treatment outcomes by focusing on training specifically designed for treat- City, both speakers shared their own ment center executives and board members. “If we are wanting outstanding treat- personal journeys with addiction and ment centers in Oklahoma that are producing quality results, we must start at the spirituality while challenging the top with our executives and directors of our treatment facilities,” McGraw said. executive directors and board mem- “Improving their skills will produce better results.” – KGP bers of various Oklahoma substance abuse agencies to use spiritual power and creativity when helping clients. OKDHS’ Substance Abuse Services teamed up with the Center for Nonprofits and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Manage- ment to host the conference. – KGP

(L-R) Sallie Van Krevelen, director of Van’s House in Enid, a substance abuse treatment center and half-way house for adolescents and adults; Belia Baker, an Oklahoma City advocate for recovery and volunteer at the conference, McGraw and Brenda Stevens, conference services manager, Reed Center. The OKDHS Executive Leadership Institute offered sessions in strategic planning, leadership, grant writing, financial management and board roles and responsibilities. – KGP

INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 13 Accessible Web Pages Benefit Everyone

By Rodney Davidson, agencies to make their electronic and see an image will still be able to hear Application Specialist IV information technology accessible to the alt text read aloud by a screen Data Services Division people with disabilities. Below are a reader. The alt text should be mean- Inaccessible technology can few of the 16 accessibility check- ingful, such as “OKDHS Oklahoma hinder a disabled person’s ability to points, known as the Section 508 Excellence,” rather than just receive and use information easily Standards: “image.” and quickly. Accessibility laws were All images on a Web page must Web pages must be designed so enacted to eliminate barriers in infor- have a text equivalent “alt” descrip- that information conveyed with color mation technology and to make new tion in the HTML. For example, if a is also available without color. Imag- opportunities available for people Web-site user hovers their mouse ine a visually impaired or colorblind with disabilities. over an image on a Web page, the alt user being confronted with the fol- In 1998, Congress amended the text will be displayed to the user. A lowing: “Click the green button to Rehabilitation Act to require federal visually impaired person who cannot continue, the yellow button if you need help or the red button if you want to quit.” Congratulations And Best Wishes To Our Retirees! Multimedia presentations must have equivalent alternatives for per- June 2004 Tulsa 72-C (Field Operations) sons with disabilities synchronized Larry F. Sorrels, 18 yrs with the presentation. A person with Carter County  a hearing impairment may not be Patsy E. Keck, 16 years Woods County  able to hear the state song as it is Sandra J. Harmon, 29 years played from a Web page, but could Choctaw County  read the text equivalent if it were Sherre L. Wolfe, 29 years Children and Family Services made available on the Web page.  Division Web pages must be designed to Grady County Betty Lou Mason, 14 years avoid causing the screen to flicker Anita Marie Wampler, 23 years Joseph James Murray, 6 years with a frequency greater than two   Hertz and lower than 55 Hertz. An Greer County Developmental Disability Services animated image that flickers at those Lynda Jean Ramsey, 11 years Division (Area III) frequencies can cause a person with  Patricia Ann Burkett, 7 years epilepsy to have a seizure. LeFlore County  Web pages that use scripting William David Davies, 28 years Division of Child Care languages such as JavaScript or Marilyn Jean Johnston, 25 years Elizabeth Ann Summers, 26 years Dynamic HTML also provide the   information in a way that can be read Mayes County Division of Child Care (Area III) by assistive technology such as Lana Jean Reed, 25 years Linda Helen Suchak, 32 years screen readers and by those who can-   not use a mouse. Okfuskee County Office of the Inspector General As you can see, with a little Theodoll C. Magness, 25 years James Ray Golden, 22 years effort and knowledge, Web pages can   be made accessible to persons with disabilities. OKDHS employees who Oklahoma County 55-H SORC/Garvin County Pauline Lillian Armstrong, 18 years work on Web pages are encouraged Cathy Jane Bartlett, 28 years to incorporate these changes into  Dana Faye Ayers, 14 years Lela Jennette Hurley, 9 years their Web sites. For more informa- Pawnee County Donald W. Morgan, 40 years tion about accessibility, please go to Patricia A. Hull, 21 years http://s99web01/accessibility/.

14 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 August 2004 OKDHS Calendar Of Events Editor’s Note: Details about these events may be found on the OKDHS InfoNet Calendar of Events. Dates are subject to change. August 2 Executive Team Meeting a.m. FOD Area Director Meeting p.m. August 3 Oklahoma Task Force On Minority Aging August 5 Long-term Care Ombudsman Program Advisory Committee Oklahoma State Council On Aging August 6 OKDHS’ 68th Birthday Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council August 9-27 FSSD New Worker Academy August 10 Advisory Committee On Services To Persons With Developmental Disabilities August 10-13 Experienced Supervisor Academy G August 12 Field Operations Division/County Administrators’ Association Executive Board Meeting August 17 Court Appointed Advocates For Vulnerable Adults August 19 NAPIS Task Force Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness August 24 Safetown August 25 APS Field Liaison Meeting FSSD Field Liaison Meeting August 26 Area V County Director and Field Liaison Meetings August 26-27 FSSD Supervisor Conference

INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 15 PEP cotinued from page 1

He’s now 50. Although he knew several issues of ‘NADA’s Used Car “With the build up of the Inter- about the PEP Award opportunities Guide’ in county offices,” Woods net, I noticed that many Web sites and had several ideas, he said he had said. “We use them to determine how featured used car guide information never applied for one. That was until much a client’s resources are worth. for free. I saw a stack of them on my one day last year while he was work- For example, through the Food bookcase just building up, so I asked ing, an everyday thing in the office Stamps program, a family is able to myself, ‘Why are we still using it?’ ” caught his eye. exempt one car for every working He said he spent about two or “Traditionally, supervisors keep adult. three hours researching the used-car guide’s use within OKDHS. He soon Safety Tips Served Up During Eighth discovered that OKDHS orders 250 guides annually and that they cost Annual Risk And Safety Conference $45 a book. To Woods, the used-car guides seemed like a waste of pre- cious resources for the state. “When you do a PEP award, you have to build a case for your idea and state what the value is,” he said. “This was an easy concept to grasp and they liked it. There was a consensus that we didn’t need the used-car guides. This process change could save OKDHS $12,000 a year.” Woods submitted his idea for a PEP Award in March 2003. OKDHS HRMD Programs Manager Joe Kirk verified the savings on Aug. 6, 2003, and sent it to OKDHS Director (L-R) John Coleman, programs administrator, Risk, Safety and Emergency Man- Howard H. Hendrick. In March 2004, agement, Office Support Services Division; David Shafer, chief administrative offi- cer, Office of Administration; Paula Hearn, director, OSSD, and Peggy Moulden, Woods took his daughter, wife and social service inspector II, Risk, Safety and Emergency Management, OSSD, grandson to the State Capitol to pause between attending the general session of the OKDHS Eighth Annual Safe- accept his PEP Award and an over- ty Conference held June 17 at the Reed Center in Midwest City. Two hundred sized check. sixty-eight attended. During the general session, Director Howard H. Hendrick praised the good work being done in the Agency and the importance of providing He said he encourages other services to clients in a safe and timely manner. Hendrick then presented safety OKDHS employees to consider awards to various groups including the NORCE safety committee for reducing applying for the PEP Award. injuries, Rogers County OKDHS for their employee safety handbook, Al “Gil” “It was great!” Woods said. Gilreath for his weekly safety tips, Shirley Beavers and Brenda Hunt of SORC for their enthusiastic support of returning injured workers to light duty and Sandy “Sure, there’s some paper work and Simpson of Cotton County OKDHS for years of dedication to safety. (Tammy effort, but most of it was done over Krieger of Johnston County OKDHS was unable to be present to receive her the Internet Ð three hours work for award for having a perfect Orange Book – a book that is used at OKDHS to doc- $2,500! I’ve already had co-workers ument safety procedures). The opening session was dedicated to an overview of the Risk Management Unit’s functions. Participants later enjoyed breakout ses- approach me with ideas. The idea that sions on subjects ranging from ergonomics for life to sleep deprivation. Luncheon does it will get the payoff.” speaker Mark Woodward’s entertained with the humorous topic “God Must Love Narcs.” The conference closed with a presentation by keynote speaker John Irvin about the benefits of humor in a stressful world. Ð Peggy Moulden

16 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 News Briefs

Waiting Child food for the state’s is available for children. OKDHS short narrative to Exhibit Returns hungry and awareness OKDHS full-time takes this opportunity accompany the art in OKDHS is once during a time of year employees (limited to honor the special an effort to give the again joining with its when donations are at spaces available!). Fol- contributions of those grandparents the long-time partner, their lowest. low these three easy grandparents who are opportunity to share KTUL-TV, Tulsa, the According to the steps to enroll: raising their grandchil- with others their expe- Waterworks Photogra- Regional Food Bank Call (405) 232- dren by sponsoring a riences and needs aris- phy Association and of Oklahoma, one in 1190 x131 (toll free 1- statewide conference ing out of this experi- Wendy’s Restaurants five children in Okla- 800-219-8115) or e- focusing on the needs ence,” Dowers said. to bring back the Wait- homa risk going to bed mail okhealth@ of these families. AARP Oklahoma ing Child Photography hungry and 88 percent ebc.state.ok.us. Through a special is providing savings Exhibit. of the pantries, Discuss the excit- competition called bonds that will be Fifty of Okla- kitchens and shelters ing benefits of the OK “My Family Portrait awarded in several cat- homa’s premier pho- that are served by the Health program with a … An Ever-Changing egories based on the tographers have donat- food bank would cease knowledgeable OK Picture,” children are children’s ages. Com- ed their time and talent to exist if it weren’t for Health staff mentor. being invited to use an pleted artwork and nar- to create beautiful por- the help of the food Complete a free artistic medium to ratives must be submit- traits of some of the bank and its donors. cardiovascular risk depict what makes ted by Aug. 15, 2004. hundreds of children in The Regional assessment and receive their family special, Entries should be sent our state waiting for a Food Bank of Okla- a letter explaining your said Claire Dowers, to OKDHS Aging Ser- loving adoptive home. homa serves nearly risk factors of cardio- programs field repre- vices, Attention: Claire The exhibit will 500 charitable feeding vascular disease. sentative, Aging Ser- Dowers, 2401 N.W.23, debut on Sept. 22 at programs in 53 central If you have ques- vices Division, Suite 40, Oklahoma the Reynolds Center and western Oklahoma tions about the pro- OKDHS, who is coor- City, 73107-2413. on the University of counties. During the gram, contact Joe Kirk, dinating the competi- Entries must Tulsa Campus. After past two years, the HR programs, Human tion. include the name and that the exhibit will food bank has distrib- Resources Manage- “Grandparents phone number of the travel the state until its uted 42.2 million ment Division, at (405) are asked to write a continued on page 18 final showing in Sep- pounds of food to help 522-2088 or by e-mail tember 2005. After the the charitable commu- at Joe.Kirk@ final showing, the pho- nity feed people in okdhs.org. tos will be given to need. — DP each child featured for Statewide Art them to keep. OK Health Contest Opens Check out the Program Entries are being next issue of Inside Re-Opens sought for a statewide OKDHS to see if the Enrollment art contest for children Waiting Child Photo Have you thought being raised by grand- Exhibit is coming to a about starting an exer- parents or other rela- town near you. — DP cise program, improv- tives. The competition, ing your eating habits, sponsored by the Okla- OKDHS Pitches managing your weight, homa Department of In On Food and reducing the stress Human Services’ Drive in your life? If so, the Aging Services Divi- sion and AARP Okla- Comanche County OKDHS OKDHS donated OK Health Program may be for you. homa, is part of the Collects 2,021 Pounds Of Food hundreds of pounds of state’s annual celebra- It’s not a wonder Hats off to Comanche County OKDHS for food for its part in the tion of Grandparents’ drug or overnight cure. collecting 2,021 pounds of food during a recent Regional Food Bank Week in Oklahoma. Instead, it focuses on food drive. The food was then given to the Law- of Oklahoma’s Feed- Each September, achieving long-term ton Food Bank. Here, (L-R) the Lawton Food ing Hope Community grandparents are hon- success through practi- Bank’s Henry Montgomery and Timothy Rankin Food Drive. The food ored for the important cal strategies designed and Jodi Anderson, Comanche County OKDHS drive, which was role they play in the specifically for each food drive coordinator, fill up the food bank’s active from May 3 to lives of their grand- June 3, aimed to raise participant. Enrollment truck. Ð Jodi Anderson

INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 17 News Briefs

continued from page 17 services professionals grandparents, as well CSED Collects and researchers from as the first name and Millions across the nation can age of the child. Confi- share ideas and experi- Each year, some dentially will be main- ences. This year’s district OKDHS offices tained. Artwork and theme is “Welfare receive a key to the “1 narratives will be on Reform Reauthoriza- Million Dollar Club.” display Sept. 8, 2004, tion: The Sooner the This happens when an at the State Capitol Better.” The agenda office collects more during a statewide rally includes presentations than $1 million in one to heighten awareness from prominent schol- month. This year six of the growing needs ars and policy experts, offices have accom- of grandfamilies (fami- networking opportuni- Oklahoma County 55-B plished the feat, includ- lies headed by grand- ties and a special event Celebrates New Location ing North Oklahoma parents) in Oklahoma, at the National Cow- (L-R) Shirley Bomar, administrative City, South Oklahoma as well as throughout boy Hall of Fame and assistant II, Oklahoma County OKDHS 55-B; City, Midwest City, the nation. Western Heritage Debbie Sexton, Area III director; Vicki Tulsa East, Tulsa West For more infor- Museum. Williams, Oklahoma County OKDHS 55-B and Lawton. All col- mation, contact Dowers Additional infor- director and OKDHS Director Howard H. lected more than $1 at (405) 522-3074 or mation about the con- Hendrick joined more than 300 guests and million in March 2004. via e-mail at ference can be found at staff for an open house on June 23 celebrating Lawton, Oklahoma Claire.Dowers@okdhs. http://www. nawrs.org the completion of the new Oklahoma County City South and Mid- org — Judy Leitner, or by calling (405) OKDHS 55-B neighborhood Human Services west City repeated the Aging Services Division 521-4551. — DD Center located at 9901 S.E. 29th Street in $1 million collection in Midwest City. Ð KGP OKDHS’ Kirk April. Creek County Graduates From Phone Number for this office is: Aging career with OKDHS in Services Division, Children and Family Leadership OKDHS Hosts Changed Oklahoma City The telephone 2401 NW 23rd, Ste 40, Services working in the 44th Annual Oklahoma City, OK. Child Welfare Unit in Kaye Kirk, manag- number for the Creek 73107-2413. Their tele- Okmulgee County. She ing attorney from the Workshop County OKDHS office phone numbers remain transferred to McIntosh Midwest City Child The National has changed (Child the same. County Child Welfare, Support Enforcement Association for Welfare Welfare is included in and that was where she Division office, com- Research and Statistics this change). Effective was employed as a Per- pleted the Leadership will hold its 44th immediately, please Arnold Named manency Planning Oklahoma City program Annual Workshop on Child Welfare call (918) 746-3300. worker before accept- and graduated on May Aug. 22-25 at the The fax numbers have Supervisor Renaissance Oklahoma ing her new position. 19, 2004. also changed. They are OKDHS Area V City Convention Cen- Arnold has been a Leadership Okla- as follows: Child Wel- recently announced the ter Hotel and Cox lifelong resident of homa City is an intense fare Fax: (918) 746- selection of Jenny Business Services Con- McIntosh County process that targets lead- 3396, Main Fax: (918) Arnold as the new vention Center. Con- where she lives with ers and future leaders in 746-3397 — Beverly Y. Child Welfare Supervi- nected by a skywalk in her husband, John. She the community. The sor in Okmulgee Coun- Oklahoma City, the Hutton has three adult chil- class participates in vari- ty. Arnold graduated hotel is located at 10 dren, Jonni Belinda ous activities that famil- from Northeastern North Broadway and Aging Services Hall, 27; Michael iarize them with many State University with a the Cox Business Ser- Division Moves Arnold, 21, and Jen- of the programs and bachelor’s degree in vices Convention Cen- nifer Arnold, 20. — functions of Oklahoma OKDHS’ Aging social work. She ter is located at One Judy Ann Wyatt, Area V City. Graduates are Services Division’s received her master’s Myriad Gardens. director expected to continue and state offices moved to degree in social work at The workshop, expand their leadership their new location in Oklahoma University. hosted by OKDHS, is a roles in the future. Con- Shepard Mall in late Arnold began her grats, Kaye! — KGP forum where human June. The new address

18 INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 Look continued from page 5 OKDHS Honored By U.S.D.A. truckloads of paper are picked up annually from OKDHS offices and hauled out for security destruction and recycling. The state of Oklahoma con- tracts with Georgia Pacific to handle this. The company pays the Depart- ment of Central Services for all paper that comes from State offices. “It’s not a lot of money, but it is certainly better than having to pay someone to recycle it for us,” said White. “With this system, only OKDHS hands touch OKDHS docu- ments. When we make the semi-truck delivery, all of the boxes of paper are palletized, shrink-wrapped and dropped into a vat for processing.” White offers tips for preparing boxes for pick up. Fill every box to the top with sheets of paper. Place shredded paper in bags or separate boxes and mark as such. Do not include floppy discs, other magnetic media or plas- tic folders. “Georgia Pacific has told us that if they continue to find magnetic media, plastic folders and such in with paper documents they will no longer take our paper,” White said. Hearn and White encourage employees to think locally about reducing paper usage. “It doesn’t really take more time to follow these simple suggestions,” Hearn said, “and a good conservation habit is being built.” OKDHS Finance Administrator Russell Graves holds a proclamation award received recently by Oklahoma from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Budget Washington, D.C. The citation was presented to Oklahoma for its completion and rollout of the Access Oklahoma Food Stamps electronic benefits transfer continued from page 2 program. USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services The Memphis native started her Eric Bost said in presenting the award that Oklahoma has contributed greatly to undergraduate work at the University the nation’s efforts in making the distribution of food value transactions com- pletely electronic, which has improved the program’s overall distribution system of Memphis. She earned a bachelor’s and eliminated the need for paper food stamps. OKDHS Finance Division degree in accounting from the Uni- staffers destroyed the last of the $178,000 in paper food stamps that were in versity of Alabama at Birmingham inventory in Oklahoma on May 25 during the Oklahoma Commission for Human and is a Certified Public Accountant. Services monthly meeting in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma distributes approxi- Mitchell and her husband, Keith, mately $33 million monthly through the Access Oklahoma food stamp value pro- who’s an executive for a local insur- gram that helps feed more than 400,000 Oklahomans. Bost said some 10 mil- ance company, live in Edmond, and lion persons participate in the food stamp program nationally, receiving more have one daughter, Madison, 8. than $2 billion in food stamp values each month. – GEJ INSIDE OKDHS — August 2004 19 Inside OKDHS is published for employees and retirees of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as a joint effort of the Office of Communications, the Publications Section and the Print Shop. Howard H. Hendrick, Director Department of Human Services George Earl Johnson Jr. Director of Communications Alice Carrillo Publications Section and Print Shop Supervisor

Editorial Team: Kevan Goff-Parker, Editor Dustin Pyeatt, Associate Editor Douglas Doe, Associate Editor Stephanie Bond, Publications Editor Carla Garrett, Office Manager Casey Harvey, Asst. Office Manager Jim Gumm, Photographer

OKDHS S04128 Issued 07/2004 Publication of Inside OKDHS is authorized by the Okla- homa Commission for Human Services in accordance with state and federal regulations and printed by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services at a cost of $4,033.00 for 4,033 copies. Copies have been deposit- ed with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Publica- tions Clearinghouse. Contents are not copyrighted and may be freely quoted unless otherwise noted.

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