OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- The Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will be hosting a Faith-Based Initiative Project meeting at 10 a.m., May 10 at the Blaine County OKDHS Human Services Center, located at 410 W. Main, Watonga.

The Faith-Based County Initiative Program is designed to build a stronger association between local congregations and the state’s social services agencies, like OKDHS and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. During this meeting, unmet community needs will be identified and solutions using shared resources will be discussed.

This project began in 2003 and has been successful in 11 counties across the state. Subsequent meetings are planned for Hughes County and Washington County in May.

“The goal of this project is to bring everyone to the table and find ways to serve those in our communities who are facing life’s toughest issues,” said Brad Yarbrough, director, Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. “It also gives faith leaders an opportunity to get acquainted with state social services agencies and allows them to plant the seeds of a mutually beneficial relationship.”

Along with local faith leaders, representatives from OKDHS, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative will be present.

For more information on the Oklahoma Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, call (405) 522-0606, or, click on www.faithlinksok.org.

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