Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) is an agency
of the government of Oklahoma
responsible for providing help to individuals and families in need through public assistance programs and managing services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Department is governed by the Commission on Human Services, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
. The Commission, in turn, appoints the Director of Human Services to serve as the chief executive officer of the Department.
The 14th and current Director of Human Services is Howard Hendrick
, who was appointed by the Commission on July 1, 1998. Director Hendrick was appointed by Governor Frank Keating
to serve concurrently as the Secretary of Human Services
and Governor Brad Henry
kept him on during his administration. Terry Cline
, commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, was named by Governor Mary Fallin
to succeed Hendrick as Cabinet secretary on Feb. 1, 2011.
The Department was established in 1936 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma E. W. Marland
by an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution
. By a two-to-one margin, voters approved Article XXV, a state constitutional amendment, “to provide … for the relief and care of needy aged … and other needy persons.“ The Department was established under the name of the Department of Public Welfare. In the 1950s, the Department’s responsibilities were expanded, and, in 1980, the Oklahoma Legislature
changed the name to the Department of Human Services. DHS currently has county human service departments in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties.
, the Chair of the Human Services Commission, and the Director of Human Services. Under Governor of Oklahoma
Mary Fallin
, the Chair of the Commission is Richard L. DeVaughn, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
is Terry Cline, and Howard Hendrick
is serving as the Director of Human Services.
. All members of the Commission serve nine year terms.
As of 2011, the current members of the Board are as follows:
Government agency
A government or state agency is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, such as an intelligence agency. There is a notable variety of agency types...
of the government of Oklahoma
Government of Oklahoma
The government of the US State of Oklahoma, established by the Oklahoma Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, legislative, and judicial...
responsible for providing help to individuals and families in need through public assistance programs and managing services for seniors and people with disabilities. The Department is governed by the Commission on Human Services, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. The Commission, in turn, appoints the Director of Human Services to serve as the chief executive officer of the Department.
The 14th and current Director of Human Services is Howard Hendrick
Howard Hendrick
Howard Hendrick is a Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Hendrick was serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services, having been appointed by Democratic Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2003....
, who was appointed by the Commission on July 1, 1998. Director Hendrick was appointed by Governor Frank Keating
Frank Keating
Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999...
to serve concurrently as the Secretary of Human Services
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
and Governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
kept him on during his administration. Terry Cline
Terry Cline
Dr. Terry L. Cline, Ph. D., is an American psychologist and public health policy specialist from Oklahoma. Cline is currently serving in the dual position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services and Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health...
, commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, was named by Governor Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
to succeed Hendrick as Cabinet secretary on Feb. 1, 2011.
The Department was established in 1936 during the term of Governor of Oklahoma E. W. Marland
E. W. Marland
Ernest Whitworth Marland was an American lawyer, oil businessman, and politician who served as the tenth Governor of Oklahoma.-Career as an Oilman:...
History
The Department of Human Services was established in 1936 by the voters of Oklahoma the Great DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
by an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution
Oklahoma Constitution
The Constitution of the State of Oklahoma is the governing document of the U.S. State of Oklahoma. Adopted in 1907, Oklahoma ratified the United States Constitution on November 16, 1907, as the 46th US State. At its ratification, the Oklahoma Constitution was the longest governing document of any...
. By a two-to-one margin, voters approved Article XXV, a state constitutional amendment, “to provide … for the relief and care of needy aged … and other needy persons.“ The Department was established under the name of the Department of Public Welfare. In the 1950s, the Department’s responsibilities were expanded, and, in 1980, the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
changed the name to the Department of Human Services. DHS currently has county human service departments in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties.
Leadership
The Department is led by the Secretary of Human ServicesOklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
, the Chair of the Human Services Commission, and the Director of Human Services. Under Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, the Chair of the Commission is Richard L. DeVaughn, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
is Terry Cline, and Howard Hendrick
Howard Hendrick
Howard Hendrick is a Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Hendrick was serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services, having been appointed by Democratic Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2003....
is serving as the Director of Human Services.
Commission on Human Services
The Human Services Commission is the governing board of the Department. The Commission is composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of OklahomaGovernor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. All members of the Commission serve nine year terms.
As of 2011, the current members of the Board are as follows:
- Richard L. DeVaughn, D.D.S. - Chairman
- Jay Dee Chase
- Steven Dow
- Linda English Weeks
- Michael L. Peck, O.D.
- Robert D. Rawlings
- Anne Roberts
- Aneta F. Wilkinson
- Rev. George E. Young Sr.
Organization
- Executive Office - led by the Director of Human Services, immediate staff of the Director and provides policy direction for the Department and supports the functions the Commission on Human Services
- Office of Client Advocacy
- Office of Inspector General
- Office for Civil Rights
- Administrative Services - led by the Chief Administrative Officer, provides services to support Department programs and promote improved administration and management of resources
- Human Resources Management Division
- Office of Communications
- Office of Information and Referral
- Office of Intergovernmental Relations and Policy
- Support Services Division
- Office of Volunteerism
- Office of General Counsel - led by the General Counsel, provides legal advice and representation for Department administrative and program activities
- Human Services Centers - led by the Chief Operating Officer, provides public assistance to individuals and families in need help themselves lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives
- Children and Family Services Division
- Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
- Family Support Services Division
- Field Operations Division
- County Human Services Centers
- Area Offices
- Substance Abuse Services
- Information Services Divisions - led by the Chief Information Officer, improves business processes and Department outcomes through collecting, securing, and disseminating information
- Office of Planning, Research and Statistics
- Information Security Office
- Data Services Division
- Project Management Office
- Enterprise Program Management Office
- Finance Division - led by the Chief Financial Officer, measures Department program financial performance
- Vertically Integrated Services Divisions - led by the Chief Coordinating Officer, provides a wide spectrum of quality services to support agency programs and responsible management of Department resources
- Aging Services Division
- Developmental Disabilities Services Division
- Oklahoma Child Care Services
- Oklahoma Child Support Services
Budget
The Department of Human Services is the third largest state agency by annual appropriation. Expenditures made by the department are divided into two major areas: an annual operating budget used to run the Department ($700 million or 33%) and a Medical and Assistance Fund used to fund the assistance programs provided by the department ($1.4 billion or 67%).Staffing
The Human Services Department, with an annual operating budget of $2.1 billion, is the largest employer of the State. As of February 2011, the staffing is as follows:| Program | Number of Employees |
|---|---|
| Executive | 5 |
| Office of Client Advocacy | 55 |
| Office of Inspector General | 75 |
| Office for Civil Rights | 5 |
| Administrative Services | 305 |
| Office of General Counsel | 38 |
Human Services Centers
|
4825
|
| Vertically Integrated Services Divisions |
2153 |
| Information Services | 263 |
| Finance Division | 90 |
| Total | 7,814 |