Present were Chairman Richard DeVaughn, Ronald Mercer, Michael Peck, Wayne Cunningham, Aneta Wilkinson, Jay Dee Chase and George Young.

Chairman DeVaughn called the meeting to order.

Before his comments, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard H. Hendrick presented several Directors’ Awards in gratitude for selfless dedication and service to the citizens of Oklahoma in response to the ice storm of 2007.  The recipients included: Support Services Division Facilities Management Unit, McAlester Commodity Warehouse, Commodity Distribution Unit, Pittsburg County Human Services Center, Latimer County Human Services Center, Haskell County Human Services Center, McIntosh County Human Services Center, Okmulgee County Human Services Center, Muskogee County Human Services Center, Wagoner County Human Services Center, Cherokee County Human Services Center, Mayes County Human Services Center and the Delaware County Human Services Center.

Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director Howard H. Hendrick began his formal comments by listing some recent site visits that included meeting with various House and Senate members, Whiz Kids Tutoring Appreciation event, HHS-Administration for Children and Families site visit from Office of Family Assistance, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, Variety Health Clinic Celebration, DMHSAS to analyze Medicaid eligibility process for mental health services, planning session for Transportation Needs for Seniors through the United Way Ride grant, HIPAA Interagency Task Force, Facilities Management Quarterly meeting, various 90 day reviews, OU Center for Public Management Showcase, OU College of Public Health Advisory Council, Human Services Agencies Cabinet meeting, Governor’s Cabinet, Workforce Oklahoma Board meeting, National Indian Child Welfare Conference in OKC, United Way of Central Oklahoma Advisory Board meeting, Supreme Court Subcommittee meeting on Court Cost collections, Statewide Volunteer Awards celebration, DDSD Partners in Policy Graduation Ceremony in the Blue Room, Sharefest 2007 Celebration, Military Foster and Adoptive Families Appreciation event, ADvantage Waiver Providers meeting, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness planning meeting and TANF Success Stories with Higher Ed and Career Tech.

Director Hendrick next shared some good news. OKDHS is a top 10 finalist with USDA for the timely processing of food stamp applications.  Dozens of volunteers have been honored in recognition celebrations. The “Making It Work” Celebration honored many. There was a very successful Second Annual Military Foster and Adoptive Parent Appreciation Event at the Oklahoma City Zoo.  Sarjoo Shah has been selected as the new administrator of the OKDHS Data Services Division. And Kelly Johnson has been named the new director of the Tulsa County 72G office.

The Director presented an overview of Child Protective Services before delivering a brief update on the Food Stamp program.

Director Hendrick concluded his remarks by outlining some major outstanding legislative issues that include Immigration Legislation and the FY 08 Budget.

Chief Financial Officer Phil Motley presented the financial report for the period ending March 31, 2007. Budget adjustments in March were limited to routine maintenance of program accounts. All adjustments involved either transfer between companion programs or adjustments of federal revenue expectations.  Operations receipts and receivables for the current year were 5.0 percent less than budgeted through March. Expenditures and encumbrances for FY07 operations ended the month at 5.1 percent less than budgeted. 

Both relationships relative to budget expectations are typical for this time of year.  The current year position through March is $7.4 million.  Unobligated cash from prior years, after reservation of all known obligations as of March 31, was $13.3 million.  The prior year cash plus the current year projected under utilization of state funds produces a projected carry over into FY08 of approximately $20.7 million.

The Aging Services Division continues over budget at 3.5 percent through March. Only two major program accounts are expending at a year-to-date rate greater than budget.  Both are in Aging Services.  Supportive Services is over budget by 0.2 percent. This is due to a one time event. The ADvantage Program is 14.6 percent over budget through last month.  This program is projected to be $7.3 million over budget by fiscal year-end.

There were 166 new Adoptive placements during last month. The number of children in Foster Care increased by 74 from the previous month. Food Stamp Cases declined by 853 compared to February. TANF Child Only Cases declined by 39 from the previous month. Cases with Adults continued to decrease by 152 fewer cases in March compared to February.

Motley next delivered a brief overview of the new OKDHS Electronic Payment Services program that is scheduled to go live at 6 p.m., April 27, 2007.

OKDHS Chief Operating Officer for Human Services Center Marq Youngblood gave a brief update to the Commission before introducing Dana Johnston, director of the NEO A&M College Allied Jobs Program.

Sharon Neuwald, coordinator, Office of Legislative Relations and Policy gave a brief legislative overview.

The date of the next meeting of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services is May 22, 2007.