Oklahoma City -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services and the Human Services Commission responded to the House of Representatives announcements today regarding proposed legislation affecting the agency. 

“The leadership and staff of OKDHS have been working closely with House Speaker Kris Steele, Representative Jason Nelson and the entire DHS work group throughout the past year on these critical issues affecting our agency,” said Sheree Powell, Communications Coordinator for OKDHS.

“We are already in the process of vertically integrating the structure of Child Welfare services as well as making other organizational changes within the agency.  We will continue working with the Governor and the legislature on all of these issues moving ahead.”

“It is vitally important to Oklahomans that the DHS be overseen with the best possible governance structure,” said Brad Yarbrough, Chairman of the Human Services Commission. “Commissioners have been cooperating with the Legislature to provide input as the House and Senate grappled with possible changes that would affect the future makeup and duties of the Human Services Commission.  Until a change is implemented, Commissioners will continue to lead the agency towards its mission of excellence while the current structure is in place.”

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