Practice and Policy Lecture on Oklahoma’s Improvement Plan for Child Welfare

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FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012, NOON TO 1 P.M.
OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER, CHESAPEAKE ROOM

DEBORAH G. SMITH,
DIRECTOR, OKDHS CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION
OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER

THE OKLAHOMA PINNACLE PLAN: AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR CHILD WELFARE SERVICES
Click here to pre-register.
Oklahoma’s plan to improve child welfare services will be presented by Deborah Smith, Director of OKDHS Children and Family Services. The plan is a key component in settling a federal class action lawsuit. . This lecture will summarize the efforts planned to improve outcomes for Oklahoma’s 8,000 children in foster care including improving safety, increasing the number of foster homes, and decreasing the length of stay.
OKDHS is committed to:
ü equity, where all children, youth and families have access to and receive unbiased
treatment and services.
ü keeping children safe with their families through prevention services, kinship
placements and timely reunification whenever possible.
ü ensuring every child is safe while in out-of-home care and custody by matching them
with an appropriate, supportive family who can provide for their safety and wellbeing.
ü recruiting, retaining, and supporting the best child welfare staff and ensuring they
have manageable caseloads and workloads.
ü engaging local communities in improving child welfare outcomes. We can’t do it alone.

Deborah G. Smith, M.S.W., was appointed the Director of OKDHS Children and Family Services Division in 2010 and has worked in child welfare services since 1998. She has expertise in child protective services, permanency planning, foster care, the CFSR process, program improvement plans, supervisor case reviews, and the use of data to inform practice and policy. She helped develop and lead the implementation of Oklahoma’s Child Welfare Practice Model. She has a strong network of professional relationships and is skilled in continuous quality improvement. Smith’s combination of direct practice experience in rural and metro Oklahoma counties and has working knowledge of all six geographic areas of the state.

Lecture attendees will receive 10% off purchase at the Winnie Mae Cafe. Please arrive early if you plan to purchase lunch.

The Practice and Policy Lecture Series has been developed to provide thought-provoking presentations on Oklahoma’s emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. The series is sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Office of Planning, Research and Statistics and the University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management with the goal of providing the best educational opportunities available in a forum that offers participants an opportunity to question, share and learn from each other.

All lectures are free and open to the public. OKDHS staff can receive training credit for this event. CEUs are available for social workers. For more information contact the Office of Planning, Research and Statistics at 405-521-3552. View the complete lecture series lineup at: Practice and Policy Lecture Series website (Link opens in new window)
Connie Schlittler, LCSW, MPA
Chief Information Officer
OK Department of Human Services
PO Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352
405-521-2907
Connie.schlittler@okdhs.org