Commissioners present: Richard DeVaughn, chairman, Ron Mercer, vice-chairman, Jay Dee Chase, Mike Peck, Bob Rawlings, Gerri Webb, Aneta Wilkinson and the Rev. George Young.

Present for the Department: Director Howard H. Hendrick; Margaret Hall, commission secretary

1. CALL TO ORDER—Chairman DeVaughn
Chairman DeVaughn called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES—June 16, 2009
Commissioners voted to approve the minutes from the June 16, 2009 meeting.

3. DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS—Howard Hendrick
The Director made a presentation on site visits and other good news. Site visits and meetings included the social services resource fair for Area III, the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, the Child Support Services Junteenth Celebration, the Child Welfare monthly case reviews, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, the Council on Aging Services, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Assessment Presentation, the Vulnerable Adults Summit and the Certified Public Managers quarterly review, just to name a few.

For the third consecutive year, fewer children were the victims of abuse and neglect. More than 3,000 fewer children were confirmed to be victims of abuse and neglect in SFY 2009 than in SFY 2008.

The drop can be attributed to the rise in adoptions, poverty being addressed through programs such as child support, Medicaid and SNAP, more prevention services and the improved child welfare practice model.

The Director recognized Robin Gibson, child welfare/adoption worker in Pottawatomie County, who was named June 2009 Caseworker of the Month by Adopt US Kids. Gibson was selected from a national pool of nominees and was nominated for the award by the adoptive families she serves.

The agency achieved a new all time high record number of finalized adoptions at 1,482 for SFY 2009.

The Director also provided an update on SNAP participation. There was also a new all time high record of SNAP recipients in June 2009 with 491,914. The error rate for food stamp cases is 5.66 percent, the lowest ever for FFY 2008 and the lowest in the Southwest region for the USDA. The error rate for FFY 2009 as of May 24 was only 3.8 percent.
Director Hendrick gave an update on new construction projects in Tulsa and Creek County.

Director Hendrick also discussed the budget, with state appropriations for all other state agencies compared to OKDHS appropriations, a 15-year gross budget analysis, a five-year gross budget analysis, a five-year appropriation analysis adjusted for mandated employee health and retirement costs. The Director also discussed five-year appropriations analysis for federally mandated FMAP adjustments, quality child care initiatives, ADvantage Waiver services, and cumulative program participation mandated cost increases.

The Director thanked all OKDHS staff across the state for their continued hard work and dedication to providing services to the people of Oklahoma.

4. CONSIDERATION OF FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR MAY AND JUNE—Phil Motley
The buying power has increased slightly but not enough to balance the inflationary needs. The department is committed to continuing to maintain the buying power of the agency. The ARRA or stimulus funds have helped but are only a one time event. The agency needs to proactively project its needs to 2010 and beyond.

• Foster care placements decreased by 233 Foster care placements
• SNAP caseloads increased by 11,762
• Child only TANF cases decreased by four
• Adult only TANF cases increased by 286

The financial report was approved.

5. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULES—Commissioner Aneta Wilkinson
Commissioner Wilkinson reviewed the proposed administrative rules. There were questions regarding the rules. Wilkinson moved for approval.

The administrative rules were approved.

6. REPORT FROM DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES—DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL ANNUAL AWARDS—Jim Nicholson, Sheree Powell (Mike Chambers, Judith Goodwin, Teresa Flannery)
Sheree Powell spoke about the Direct Support Professional Awards that are held during the Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities. The DDSD provider agencies and service recipients nominate more than 100 people each year. Twenty-five recipients are selected as finalists and from those, the best of the best are chosen and included in a video. The service provider tells why they do the work they do and service recipients and their families tell how the DDSD service provider has impacted their lives.

7. REPORT ON HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS—Marq Youngblood (Area II, Cleveland County: Marie McCormick, Sue Durrett, Jennifer Boyer, Jeremy Baker, Jeffery Kuhns, Sarah Walkup, Allen Edson, Kristen Johnson.)

The Child Welfare referrals report indicated:

• The number of total referrals pending greater than 60 days was 170. This number is down 29 from May
• There were zero priority one no contacts
• There were 43 priority two no contacts, a record low
  
  The APS report stated:
  
  
•  The number of total past due investigations was 55 in June, up 38 from May. This is the second highest total in the last 12 months, but 37 of the 55 are in Area IV and due to two vacancies

Staff from Independent Living brought a presentation about the IL program’s activities. Concentration is in education, life skills and other areas. A float trip was instituted as a way to make the training fun for the youth and allow opportunities for bonding. The youth said the trip is a place where they can feel free and have support from others who have similar life experiences.

8. DATE OF NEXT MEETING—Sept. 29, 2009
Commissioners set the date of the next meeting for Sept. 29, 2009

9. 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.

10. RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION
Commissioners voted to return to regular session.

11. NEW BUSINESS
There were no items of new business.

12. RECESS FOR LUNCH
Commissioners voted to recess for lunch at 11:05 a.m.

RETREAT

13. NOON—LUNCH—OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

14. 1 P.M.—COMMUNITY SERVICE TOUR BEGINS
 

A. EASTER SEALS—CHILD CARE AND ADULT DAY CARE
 701 N.E. 13th, Oklahoma City

B. PAULINE MAYER SHELTER ANNEX
 Oklahoma City

C. ADVANTAGE WAIVER RECIPIENT, GENE THREATT
 Oklahoma City

D. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES CLIENT, MICHELLE DETERMAN AND CHRIS CASADY
Oklahoma City

15. 4 P.M.—PUBLIC STRATEGIES, 301 NW 63rd, room 110, Oklahoma City

16. FAMILY EXPECTATIONS: PANEL OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS

17. 6 P.M.—DINNER

18. 7:30 P.M.—ADJOURN

 

RETREAT AGENDA CONTINUED

9 a.m., July 28, 2009
Public Strategies, Harvey Parkway Building, 301 N.W. 63rd St.
Room 110, Family Expectations
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

1. CALL TO ORDER—Chairman Richard DeVaughn

2. WHAT’S NEW IN CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES—Gary Dart

3. CHILD WELFARE EMERGING ISSUES: THE ROAD AHEAD—Marq Youngblood

A. PRACTICE MODEL—Deborah Smith, Larry Johnson

B. PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PLAN—Gary Miller

4. 15 MINUTE BREAK

5. ADVANTAGE SERVICES—Lance Robertson, Tom Dunning

6. CURRENT STATUS OF COMMUNITY AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES—Jim Nicholson

7. MODERNIZATION OF OKDHS—Sarjoo Shah, James Conway

8. ADJOURN