On October 19, 2011 House Speaker Kris Steele named a bipartisan group of representatives to engage in a strategic review of DHS and to make recommendations on restructuring the agency for consideration during the 2012 legislative session.
Since then, the goal of the working group has been to improve DHS through significant study and recommendations of potential reforms to the governance structure, agency structure, personnel policy and resource allocation. The plan is in response to a shared desire between House members, agency officials and other stakeholders to improve delivery of services by DHS, particularly for children in state custody.
Leading the group has been Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City. Other members of the group are Reps. Pam Peterson, R-Tulsa, Pat Ownbey, R-Ardmore, and Wade Rousselot, D-Okay.
The group operates in a unique manner, with much of its work occurring in small meetings with DHS workers in the field, where the group observes how policies are implemented and analyzes organizational strengths and needs. The group also meets with other agency officials and leaders, DHS commissioners and many other stakeholders.
The group’s meetings with workers have been private to allow for candid conversations and disclosure of sensitive information. The group is also engaged in an in-depth study of the agency’s structure and resource allocation to determine if better results could be achieved through reorganization and reprioritizing resources. The group is currently working to produce a public report in addition to the legislation passed during the 2012 Legislative Session.
(Updated July 12, 2012)
Links to related stories and information:
STATEMENT on DHS Director Ed Lake Decision to Cancel Contracts for Recruitment, Retention of Bridge Resource Families (April 12, 2013)
OKDHS Cancels Bridge Resource Family Contracts, Plans New Approach (April 12, 2013)
OKDHS Gets Final Approval of Pinnacle Plan (March 6, 2013)
Pinnacle Plan page on OKDHS website (Maintained and updated by OKDHS)
Ed Lake accepts OKDHS Director Position, Governor Comments (Oct. 15, 2012)
Fallin Appoints two Members to the DHS Commission (Aug. 17, 2012)
OKDHS Chair Wes Lane discusses progress on reform (July 29, 2012)
Historic Child Welfare Reform Plan Approved by Co-Neutrals (July 25, 2012)
Nelson Statement on Approval of the Pinnacle Plan (July 25, 2012)
Fallin Statement on Approval of DHS Pinnacle Plan (July 25, 2012)
Lowry of Children's Rights Complements Pinnacle Plan (July 25, 2012)
Fallin Names Clabes, Pope to the DHS Commission (July 19, 2012)
Fallin Names Wes Lane New Chairman of DHS Commission (July 11, 2012)
DHS Commissioner Dies (July 2, 2012)
In a tumultuous week for DHS, revised Pinnacle Plan unveiled (June 15, 2012)
Child Advocacy Group Praises DHS Reform Efforts (May 31, 2012)
Speaker comments on House passage of DHS governance reforms (May 22, 2012)
OKDHS Releases First Draft of Historic Reform Plan (March 30, 2012)
"Co-Neutrals" Comment on OKDHS Draft Pinnacle Plan (March 30, 2012)
OKDHS Pinnacle Plan Topic of April Lecture Series (March 30, 2012)
DHS Commission Names Doerflinger as New Interim Director (March 22, 2012)
House Approves Greater Safeguards for Drug-Endangered Children (March 6, 2012)
White named as OKDHS Interim Director (Feb. 3, 2012)
Final Settlement Approved by DHS Commission Tonight (Jan. 4, 2012)
Settlement Agreement (Jan. 4, 2012)
Links to key documents and information:
(Updated April 12, 2013)
Links to related stories and information:
STATEMENT on DHS Director Ed Lake Decision to Cancel Contracts for Recruitment, Retention of Bridge Resource Families (April 12, 2013)
OKDHS Cancels Bridge Resource Family Contracts, Plans New Approach (April 12, 2013)
OKDHS Gets Final Approval of Pinnacle Plan (March 6, 2013)
Pinnacle Plan page on OKDHS website (Maintained and updated by OKDHS)
Ed Lake accepts OKDHS Director Position, Governor Comments (Oct. 15, 2012)
Fallin Appoints two Members to the DHS Commission (Aug. 17, 2012)
OKDHS Chair Wes Lane discusses progress on reform (July 29, 2012)
Historic Child Welfare Reform Plan Approved by Co-Neutrals (July 25, 2012)
Nelson Statement on Approval of the Pinnacle Plan (July 25, 2012)
Fallin Statement on Approval of DHS Pinnacle Plan (July 25, 2012)
Lowry of Children's Rights Complements Pinnacle Plan (July 25, 2012)
Fallin Names Clabes, Pope to the DHS Commission (July 19, 2012)
Fallin Names Wes Lane New Chairman of DHS Commission (July 11, 2012)
DHS Commissioner Dies (July 2, 2012)
In a tumultuous week for DHS, revised Pinnacle Plan unveiled (June 15, 2012)
Child Advocacy Group Praises DHS Reform Efforts (May 31, 2012)
Speaker comments on House passage of DHS governance reforms (May 22, 2012)
OKDHS Releases First Draft of Historic Reform Plan (March 30, 2012)
"Co-Neutrals" Comment on OKDHS Draft Pinnacle Plan (March 30, 2012)
OKDHS Pinnacle Plan Topic of April Lecture Series (March 30, 2012)
DHS Commission Names Doerflinger as New Interim Director (March 22, 2012)
House Approves Greater Safeguards for Drug-Endangered Children (March 6, 2012)
White named as OKDHS Interim Director (Feb. 3, 2012)
Final Settlement Approved by DHS Commission Tonight (Jan. 4, 2012)
Settlement Agreement (Jan. 4, 2012)
Links to key documents and information:
(Updated April 12, 2013)
Rep. Nelson discussing historic reforms at the Department of Human Services that were passed during the 2012 Legislative Session
Steven Dow, former Commissioner, on eliminating the DHS Commission (Source: Oklahoma Watchdog)
Child Abuse Public Service Announcement
