OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Cleveland County ministers and state social service agencies will meet on May 18 to discuss increased collaboration between the faith-based community and state government.

Ministers will have the opportunity to meet with Oklahoma Department of Human Services Cleveland County Director Marie Wiles and Oklahoma Department of Health County Administrator Shari Kinney. Wiles and Kinney will provide an overview of their services and discuss client needs.

The meeting begins 9:30 a.m. and will be held at the Marriott Hotel at the National Center for Employee Development, 281 E. State Highway 9, Meeting Room G, in Norman, Oklahoma.

In leading this effort, the State’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives hopes to uncover further opportunities for ministries in Cleveland 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.”

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