OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- State social service agencies are teaming with the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in launching an initiative in four Oklahoma counties to help foster relationships between state agencies and local congregations.

The initiative will focus on the faith-based communities in Carter, Cleveland, Love and Major counties. Staff from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Oklahoma Department of Health will be working to build new relationships while bolstering existing partnerships within the faith community.

In leading this effort, the State’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is making contact with the faith leaders and ministerial alliances in each county.

“We will be planting the seeds for future collaborative efforts,” said Brad Yarbrough, director, Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. “The goal is to foster relationships that will allow OKDHS, the State Department of Heath and faith leaders to address unmet community needs.”

In the past, the state has worked with faith-based organizations to help provide assistance to those persons who are facing life’s toughest problems. Today; however, government officials recognize the importance of increased collaboration to adequately meet client needs, Yarbrough said

“The church has a heart to help, but sometimes needs direction to know how to express its desire when working with a state agency,” he said. “The success of any collaboration depends on the strength of the relationship.”

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