Commissioners present: Richard DeVaughn, chairman, Ron Mercer, vice-chairman, Aneta Wilkinson, Jay Dee Chase, Bob Rawlings, Gerri Webb, Mike Peck, Patrice Douglas and the Rev. George Young.
Present for the Department: Director Howard H. Hendrick, Margaret Hall, commission secretary
1. CALL TO ORDER—Chairman Richard DeVaughn
Chairman DeVaughn called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—March 24, 2009
Commissioners voted to approve the minutes from the March 24, 2009 meeting.
3. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS—Chairman Richard DeVaughn
Chairman DeVaughn introduced a representative from the Oklahoma chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. The organization has selected Director Hendrick as the 2009 Administrator of the Year. This award is given annually to an individual whose career exhibits excellence and dedication to public service. The award will be presented on May 4 in Oklahoma City.
Chairman DeVaughn also recognized Patrice Douglas, who was recently elected mayor of Edmond. Commissioner Douglas has served for six and a half years on the Human Services Commission. She was appointed by then-Gov. Frank Keating. Douglas has resigned from the Commission to focus on her mayoral duties. Chairman DeVaughn thanked Douglas on behalf of the Commission.
4. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS—Howard Hendrick
Director Hendrick made a presentation on site visits and other good news. The director attended events at OKDHS Human Services Centers in Creek, Woods, Alfalfa and Grant counties. He also attended the Continuous Quality Improvement Initiative for Child Welfare services in Oklahoma County, Practice and Policy lecture series featuring Dr. Tony Campolo, a planning meeting for Tulsa and Oklahoma counties child welfare services with Tom Morton, the director of human services in Nevada, the SORC and NORCE long term planning meetings, the Aging Services Division academy graduation and the County Administrators Association meeting, just to name a few.
Director Hendrick announced key bits of good news for the Department. For the first time ever, Child Support collections were over $300 million over a rolling 12 month basis. This more than three times the amount collected 10 years ago. Foster Care will be hosting the “What Does Family Mean to Me?” art contest at City Arts Center on May 1. Desmond Mason of the Oklahoma City Thunder will deliver the keynote address. The Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program error rate is 5.66 percent, the lowest error rate in the southwest region of the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service.
Hendrick also gave program and budget updates. The SNAP program participants rose by 5,000 people over last month. Overall, participation is up 9.7 percent over a year ago. The state unemployment rate went up again and is double over the previous year. As a result of the continuing increase in unemployment, SNAP participant numbers will probably continue to increase.
The Department has been able to revise some projected budget numbers. The agency will need $19 million to stay even. This is less than anticipated due to stimulus funds and law changes related to the stimulus bill. The state budget work plan is about $630 million. However, other costs anticipated in 2010 will need to be examined closely during the next series of budget meetings. The Department will attempt to close any budget gaps will with stimulus funds but will keep in mind these are one time only sources.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves presented a special recognition. Office of Inspector General Special Agent Mike Fairless was nominated by OIG Agent Sean Gilpin for the “My Boss is a Patriot” award for supporting Gilpin during his military deployment to Iraq. In the nomination, Gilpin said Fairless went above and beyond to support him during his transition back to civilian life. ESGR also recognized OKDHS for the agency’s continuing support of civilian soldiers.
5. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL REPORT FOR MARCH—Phil Motley
Phil Motley presented the financial report for March. The financial position for the Department year to date for 2009 is $10.1 million. This number has been consistent since February. The normal trend would be slight growth, but the Finance Division is monitoring it closely. New data will be included in the monthly report to the Commission to show stimulus funds received or intended to be received.
• There were 138 new placements in adoption
• The number of children in foster care home placement rose by 86
• The SNAP caseload increased by 2,059 in March
• TANF cases (child only) declined by 58
• TANF (adult only) declined by 21
6. REPORT ON HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS—Marq Youngblood (Area V, Craig County SSI-DCP Program Expansion: Sam Westfall, Jonnie Morse and Suzanne Marler)
The Child Welfare referrals report indicated:
• Total referrals pending greater than 60 days was 127; up 14 from the record low of February 2009
• Total referrals pending less than 60 days increased in March but is still the 5th lowest total
• There were zero priority one no contacts
• Prior two no contacts were up 11 from February 2009 from the record low of 53
The Adult Protective Services report indicated:
• The total past due investigations for March was 13; one less than in February and tying the record low of December 2008
• The percent of investigations initiated timely slightly decreased but was still consistent w the previous month
• The percent of investigations completed timely was a one percent increase over the previous month; an 11 percent increase since July 2008
• Areas 3 and 6 both reported 100 percent of investigations initiated timely
• Areas 2, 3, 6, all reported 100 percent of investigations completed timely
Judy Wyatt, Area 5 director, introduced a presentation from Sam Westfall, county director for Craig and Nowata counties; Johnnie Morris, FSSD; and Suzanne Marler, a rehabilitation therapist.
Morris and Marler have organized a camp that provides services for children with developmental disabilities. The camp is held annually in a rural area where it is difficult to find rehabilitation providers and caregivers face many other challenges. The purpose of the camp is to draw community resources in, provide early intervention and prevent child abuse and neglect. The camp started with 40 children attending, but has seen a three-digit percent increase in the past eight and a half years. It is completely supported by community donors. Marler said many parents have stepped up and they are seeing wonderful improvements in their children. One child not expected to walk is now walking with assistance and one of the parents is back in school and studying physical therapy. A monthly parental support group has also resulted from the camp. Organizers are applying for grants which would allow them to expand the next camp and offer it to more children.
7. REPORT FROM THE OFFICE OF FAITH BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES—Robin Jones
Robin Jones spoke about the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives, its purpose and their current and planned initiatives.
8. LEGISLATIVE REPORT—Sandra Harrison
Sandra Harrison presented her report on legislative activity impacting OKDHS.
• SB 339, passed house; will go to the Governor
• SB 1076, assigned to house committee
• SB 321, will go to the governor
• HB 1742, passed senate, in conference committee
• SB 292, in conference committee
• SB 390, assigned to committee
• HB 2027, assigned to committee
• HB 2028, passed senate
• SB 980, assigned to house
• HB 1704, assigned to senate
• HB 1032, passed senate appropriations
• HB 1734, assigned to senate
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING—May 21, 2009
Commissioners set the date of the next meeting for May 21, 2009.
10. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION AS RECOMMENDED BY GENERAL COUNSEL AND AUTHORIZED BY OPEN MEETING ACT, 25 O.S. 1991, SECTION 307, (1), (4) AND (7)
A. STATUS REPORT ON PENDING LEGAL CLAIMS OR ACTIONS INCLUDING FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS, DISALLOWANCE AND PROVIDER CASES—Charles Waters
B. STATUS REPORT ON INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO CLIENT MISTREATMENT AND EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT—Mark Jones
Commissioners voted to go into executive session.
11. RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION
Commissioners voted to return to regular session.
12. NEW BUSINESS
There were no items of new business.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioners voted to adjourn at 11:25 a.m.