Oklahoma congressional delegation comments on SNAP funding, Be A Neighbor program

Oklahoma Delegation Statement Regarding SNAP Funding and Be a Neighbor Support Services 

Oklahoma (Oct. 30th) – On Saturday, November 1st, 2025, approximately 700,000 Oklahomans will not receive their SNAP benefits. Despite falling into the category of mandatory funding, due to the government shutdown, SNAP contingency funds are not legally available to cover SNAP costs.

We understand that this abrupt pause to SNAP funding may impact many of our constituents, and we wish to assist you during this time. To this end, we recommend that anyone struggling with food scarcity utilize the Oklahoma Human Services’ Be a Neighbor program. Be a Neighbor was started by Governor Stitt in 2018 to help Oklahomans with their food, clothing, and housing needs by providing a comprehensive database of local organizations equipped to support families. 

Rep. Woolley files bill for DHS accountability, protecting families and upholding due process

New Bill Calls for DHS Accountability to Protect Families and Uphold Due Process

OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 13th) — Rep. Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow, has introduced House Bill 1100, a legislative measure aimed at ensuring accountability within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). The bill would require clear and convincing evidence to keep a child away from their parent or guardian. HB1100 would also impose felony kidnapping charges on the DHS employee who is responsible for approving the continued holding or release of a child for noncompliance.

“Due process appears to be an idea that has gone out the window in many cases here in Oklahoma,” said Woolley. “House Bill 1100 ensures the government is not above the law and requires concrete evidence of a crime or misconduct before the Department of Human Services can keep a child away from their family.”

Gov. Stitt appoints Jeffrey Cartmell as Director of OK DHS

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCES JEFFREY CARTMELL AS DIRECTOR OF OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 28, 2024) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt announced Jeffrey Cartmell will serve as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Katie DeMuth, the interim director of Oklahoma Management and Enterprise Services, will join Cartmell at DHS as part of the executive team.

Small: Two OK House bills are an attack on parents

An attack on parents

By Jonathan Small

Opponents of deference to parents often believe parents cannot be trusted to raise their own children.

The latest proof comes in two bills filed at the Oklahoma Legislature.

House Bill 4130, by state Rep. Amanda Swope, D-Tulsa, would require any homeschooling parents to notify the state Department of Human Services and undergo a background check. The bill would also impose registration and background-check requirements on parents who “change school districts, whether a result of a move or otherwise.”

Basically, Swope’s default assumption is that any parent who educates their child anywhere other than a local, geographically assigned school should be treated as a likely child predator.

This is complete nonsense. Research shows a child’s educational setting – whether homeschool, public school or private school – has no significant correlation with child abuse.

Gov. Stitt appoints Dr. Deborah Shropshire to serve as Director of OKDHS

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS DR. DEBORAH SHROPSHIRE TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF HUMAN SERVICES

DR. SHROPSHIRE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS DHS DIRECTOR IN STATE HISTORY

OKLAHOMA CITY (January 10, 2022) – On the first day of his second term, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Dr. Deborah Shropshire, M.D., to serve as the Director of Human Services. Dr. Shropshire previously served as the Director of the Child Welfare Services at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). She will be the first woman to serve as Director of DHS in Oklahoma history.

$15M in COVID funds designated to launch 30 Community HOPE Centers to serve vulnerable children

Governor and First Lady Stitt, Secretary Brown announce CARES Act Investment, targeting 30 Community HOPE Centers by year end

$15 million in Coronavirus Relief Funds to be dedicated to serving Oklahoma children and families

OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 3, 2020) – Governor Kevin Stitt and First Lady Sarah Stitt, along with Secretary of Human Services and Early Childhood Initiatives Justin Brown, today announced the launch of 30 Community HOPE Centers to be stood up by the end of 2020 that will serve approximately 4,200 children and their adult caregivers. Gov. Stitt and the CARES Forward Team have approved an initial $15 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) to support this statewide effort.

“The First Lady and I have put a stake in the ground to address and reverse the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences in our state,” said Gov. Stitt. “This important, transformative work will develop pathways for children and families to overcome this difficult time. Strengthening Oklahoma’s families has generational impacts and will help us continue our forward momentum toward Top Ten status.”

State Superintendent announces free online tool for schools to mitigate learning loss

Hofmeister invests in online tool to mitigate learning loss at no costs to schools

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 16, 2020) – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister announced today that an online tool is being offered to all Oklahoma school districts for free to help students catch up after potential learning loss because of COVID-19. Exact Path creates a personalized learning plan that aligns with the Oklahoma Academic Standards and features intuitive training for teachers.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) is using a portion of the agency's Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to provide the digital platform at no costs to districts. The ESSER funds are part of the federal Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

“As they plan for next school year, teachers are confronting a twofold learning loss – the familiar ‘summer slide’ and losses resulting from school closures due to the coronavirus pandemic,” said Hofmeister. “Exact Path will help teachers address learning gaps for each student on an individual basis.”

The online tool from Edmentum combines adaptive diagnostics with individualized instruction and learning paths for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Once Exact Path determines a student’s level of knowledge, a personalized pathway is created to ensure the student reaches academic growth goals in English language arts, math and reading.

Jamie Candee, chief executive officer of Edmentum, said the company has worked for decades to support teaching and learning programs in Oklahoma. 

“It’s an honor to partner alongside the exceptional educational leadership at the Oklahoma State Department of Education to provide individualized learning tools for every student across the state,” she said. “As schools and districts navigate through traditional, distance and blended learning options that put student and educator safety first, we're focused on ensuring Oklahoma educators can efficiently mitigate learning gaps and accelerate growth for all, no matter which learning model they choose.”

Exact Path may be used in any learning environment, whether in the classroom, a blended learning scenario or during distance learning. Almost 60 Oklahoma districts already use Exact Path, including Bartlesville Public Schools.

“We originally intended to use Exact Path to help students fill in learning gaps, but we’ve discovered that it also works really well for students who are ahead of the curriculum,” said Jason Langham, executive director of secondary schools and special services for Bartlesville Public Schools. 

A district may begin implementation as soon as it decides to opt in, Hofmeister said.

“We hope educators will consider using Exact Path this summer to get a jump start on reclaiming lost ground,” she said. “It will provide an invaluable return to learning before schools open their doors in the fall.”

In addition, OSDE has also partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) to reach students with Exact Path. OKDHS will work with qualifying childcare providers through technology grants to implement Exact Path in facilities throughout the remaining months of summer and into the school year, ensuring that students don't fall behind in spite of the pandemic. 

“Partnering with OSDE on this initiative is a great example of teamwork on the state level that benefits Oklahoma children,” said OKDHS Director Justin Brown. “But what’s even more important is that kids continue to get the education they deserve, even when they are away from school due to unexpected circumstances. This platform will help lift up our state's children and give them an opportunity to thrive.”

Technology grant applications are available at ourOKDHS.org.

Exact Path is available to districts at no cost beginning now through June 2021. To learn more about Exact Path, visit edmentum.com/products/exact-path. Schools and districts can sign up for the 2020-21 school year by visiting info.edmentum.com/Oklahoma.html.

Gov. Stitt replaces Director of OKDHS

Photo credit: @NonDocMedia

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Oklahoma City (June 4, 2019)—Governor Kevin Stitt today announced the appointment of Justin Brown as Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS).

“Justin is a fellow Oklahoman who has a strong record of helping healthcare and human-service oriented businesses become great success stories in their delivery of compassionate care,” said Gov. Stitt. “His time working at the Villagio Senior Living is just one example of this, where they have 7 communities in 3 states serving individuals with memory loss. Justin is a strong organizational leader and a proven problem solver. He has a passion and desire to help the state deliver better services to those who depend on DHS. Justin shares my administration’s vision to help strengthen Oklahoma’s families, provide customer-centered services, and improve the quality of life for all engaging with DHS. I look forward to working with him as we move our state forward.”

Justin B. Brown has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Choice Capital Partners since 2008. Brown joined Choice Capital Partners, the ownership entity for Villagio Senior Living, following an eight year career in healthcare finance. During his banking career, Brown was involved in financing a range of healthcare entities across all industry segments, including seniors housing. For Choice Capital Partners, Brown directly manages all capital needs, acquisition and development strategies, investor relations, and directs the company’s core business strategy. Additionally, Brown plays a role in programming and resident satisfaction, community design and development, and improved quality of life. Brown also serves on the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer’s Association, the Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City. He and his wife, Kelly, have been married for 18 years and have two children, Hannah and Ford.

“I look forward to working with the amazing staff at the Department of Human Services and the communities they serve,” said Brown. “The work the staff does every day is vital to vulnerable Oklahomans and our state as a whole. It is a challenge, but I believe the staff and I are up to the challenge.”

Brown has stepped down from his role at Choice Capital Partners and will continue to serve in an advisory role on the Board of Directors. The assisted living and Alzheimer’s centers managed by Brown during his time as CEO neither currently receive nor have they ever received money from the state of Oklahoma or the federal government.

The Department of Human services is the largest state agency in Oklahoma. DHS provides a wide range of assistance programs to help Oklahomans in need including: food benefits (SNAP); temporary cash assistance (TANF); services for persons with developmental disabilities and persons who are aging; adult protective services; child welfare programs; child support services; and child care assistance, licensing and monitoring. DHS also handles applications and eligibility for Sooner Care, the state’s Medicaid program offering health care to families with low incomes.

Ed Lake announces departure as Governor appoints new DHS Director

Oklahoma City—Ed Lake, current director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, announces his departure from the agency June 14 following Governor Kevin Stitt's appointment of a new DHS Director.

"Serving at the will of the Governor, I have always understood the nature of this appointment.  I support a Governor's authority to select his or her own team and I am so grateful for the opportunity to have served in this vital role." said Lake.  "While I am disappointed about not being able to finish some important work, I am extremely proud of many accomplishments and the solid framework created at DHS which leaves the agency in excellent condition for the next administration. I will do all that I can to help ensure a smooth transition for the new director."

During Lake's leadership, he employed proven business process improvement methods to achieve more than $13 million in efficiencies and cost savings at the agency.  Despite the worst state budget crisis the agency has ever faced, Lake redirected more than $170 million internally to support Child Welfare Services and Pinnacle Plan goals, while avoiding service cuts to other core programs across the agency.

In the most recent progress report from monitors overseeing the agency's foster care reforms and the Pinnacle Plan, DHS achieved "good faith" ratings in 29 of 31 performance areas.  This was the most positive report to date since the agency began reform efforts in 2012.

Under Lake's leadership, DHS changed its operations dramatically by closing the two state-operated institutions for people with intellectual disabilities as well as the two large state-run emergency children's shelters, focusing resources on community-based services and home-like settings.

Lake highly valued community partnerships and was known for continually saying, "DHS cannot do this work alone."  He actively sought support from multiple community foundations to fund innovative service programs the agency could not otherwise afford to create.  Lake increased alliances with churches and faith organizations in support of foster care and adoption goals, privatized portions of foster care recruitment, and created a Tribal Affairs liaison position.  Internally, he implemented the first-ever, agency-wide supervisory and management training programs.

Lake was notably the last DHS director hired by the Commission for Human Services and the first director to be appointed by a governor.   The Commission hired Lake on November 1, 2012, following two nationwide searches and was the first DHS director to hold a Master's Degree in Social Work. Within days, Oklahomans voted to pass a state question which changed the state constitution and put the agency and the appointment of the director under the authority of the governor.  Governor Mary Fallin then reappointed Lake with Senate confirmation.

Fallin comments on Doerflinger's resignation

Following a major story by investigative journalists at TheFrontier that uncovered a 2012 domestic violence incident and interrupted 911 call that had been covered up, Preston Doerflinger (Gov. Fallin's "jack of all trades" appointee) has now resigned as interim commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health and as Cabinet secretary of finance, administration and information technology.

Doerflinger's wife called he choked her during an argument, after which she called 911. Doerflinger took the phone from her, ended the call, and choked her again before police arrived. His wife did not press charges because she "she did not want him to lose his job [as interim Department of Human Services commissioner]."

The Frontier articles are must-reads as they are full of additional details:

• Prior spousal assault allegations surface against Gov. Fallin cabinet member
• Following accusations of domestic violence, interim OSDH director resigns

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on Resignation of Preston Doerflinger

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today issued the following statement following the resignation of Preston Doerflinger as interim commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health and as Cabinet secretary of finance, administration and information technology.


“The board of the Oklahoma State Department of Health has accepted the resignation of Preston Doerflinger as interim commissioner. He has also resigned as secretary of finance, administration and information technology.

“Preston has played a critical role in state government, serving as director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, and Cabinet secretary of finance, administration and information technology. During the past seven years, his efforts saved tax dollars by implementing cost-saving reforms and consolidating state agencies. He also helped guide the Department of Human Services during a critical time when key reforms, such as the Pinnacle Plan, were implemented. I appreciate his service to the state.

“I was unaware of the personal situation involving Preston and his ex-wife almost six years ago. Mrs. Doerflinger did not contact my office about this matter. I take domestic violence very seriously, but I will take Mrs. Doerflinger at her word that this matter was not a case of domestic violence. I respect Preston’s decision to move on from his government service, and wish him and his family the best.”

This week's schedule for the Second Special Session

Here is the [current] schedule this week for the Second, Very Special, Extra-Extraordinary Session the Legislature is currently in.

Two #okleg #specialsessionPartII have now been publically posted:
SB1: Appropriating $32M from the general fund to OHCA
SB2: Appropriating $11M from the general fund to DHS

— Trevor Brown (@tbrownOKC) December 18, 2017

Plan is for #okleg House & Senate budget and appropriations committees to take these on Tuesday, second reading in Senate also Tuesday, floor vote in Senate on Wednesday, second reading in House Thursday, floor vote in House on Friday https://t.co/Vjz1HJKwFD

— Trevor Brown (@tbrownOKC) December 18, 2017

OCPA President comments on TSET Providing Funds to DHS and ODMHSAS

Statement from OCPA President Jonathan Small on TSET Providing Funds to DHS and ODMHSAS

After the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) Board of Directors voted Tuesday to provide funds for senior nutrition services at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and mobile mental health crisis teams for children through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), OCPA president Jonathan Small released the following statement:

“It’s encouraging to see TSET making healthier fiscal choices by shifting some spending back to its core mission of supporting the health of our most vulnerable citizens. I certainly hope this is a trend that continues. With more than $1 billion in the bank, investment earnings of about $40 million per year, and additional income of $50 million per year from the sale of cigarettes, it’s obvious TSET offers an opportunity to shore up core services.”

Blogger's note: TSET's board voted  today to give a $1.81 million grant to DHS for senior nutrition centers and $1.27 million to ODMHSAS mobile mental health crisis teams for children.

Turner's 'Conservative View': A Dollar Store Calculator

A DOLLAR STORE CALCULATOR

I have found that one of the handiest things a person can own is a thing that many of us take for granted; a simple hand held calculator can prevent anyone from making a mistake on one’s checkbook when deducting the amounts when we pay our bills. I can remember when calculators first came out they were very expensive, years ago a simple one would set you back $50.00 or more. Now you can go to the local Dollar Tree store and buy a very good one for one dollar. With all of the talk about the special session of the legislature, I think it would be a good idea for all of our legislators and our governor to make a trip to the local Dollar Tree and purchase one. For less than $200.00 each lawmaker could have his or her very own calculator to check the math on the bills they will be voting on. I recently read an article about a fee that will be placed on child support payments in our state, in the next paragraph I will share what has been told to the citizens and I will use my little one dollar calculator to check their math.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is ready to begin assessing a 3 percent fee on child support payments, which they say is expected to generate about $1 million to balance its budget. These collections are handled by Child Support Services, a division of DHS. According to the article the fee will begin October 1st and be capped at $10 per month; this fee is in addition to an annual $25 fee once $500 in support is collected and issued to the custodial person. For example, if a custodial person receives $300 a month, after the fee that person now will receive $291 a month.  It needs to be noted that Gov. Mary Fallin approved the new fee at the end of the latest legislative session. According to the agency the money goes toward offsetting the cost of the collection program. It is also claimed that projections show that the average cost will be $4.31 per month and 78,000 cases are subject to the fee. While that all sounds good, get your calculators out and check the math.

We are told that $1 Million will be raised to support the program. If 78,000 cases are subject to the fee multiply 78,000 by $4.31 average cost by 12 months. The answer is $4,034,160 in my book that is just a little over the $1 million we were told it would generate. If it is a $10 fee then 78,000 X $10 X 12 = $9,360,000. The people of Oklahoma are being led to believe that the cost will only be 1 million dollars; in reality at least 4 million dollars will come out of the economy.  This is just one example how government grows into the monster it has become. Once any agency has a revenue stream it will never go down and they will scream to the high heavens to maintain it. During the last session of the legislature far too many of our elected officials spent all of their time coming up with schemes to raise more money. The passing of fees in our state has become nothing short of a plague upon society. It has gotten to the point where I just hate to see the legislature convene, for I know all of us who pay taxes are going to be hit. Instead of just rubber stamping fees like the one I just illustrated, those little Dollar Tree calculators might be a good thing to have in the future.

Russell Turner is a businessman, farmer, and conservative Republican activist from Adair County, where he served one term as county commissioner. Russell has written his weekly column, 'The Conservative View', for many years. If you wish to contact him or subscribe to his weekly email list, he can be reached at rdrepublican@windstream.net.

Fallin will call special session to adjust appropriations

Governor Mary Fallin Says Special Legislative Session Necessary to Adjust State Appropriations 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today said the Legislature must return in special session to deal with the $215 million shortfall caused by a proposed smoking cessation fee being struck down.

“No money can be spent from any state fund unless the Legislature specifically appropriates it,” said Fallin. "Let's be clear. The director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) does not have the authority to transfer monies to the affected agencies from different sources without legislation directing him to do so.”

Article 5, Section 55 of the Oklahoma Constitution states that no money shall be paid out of the state treasury, except through an appropriation by law.

Fallin said state law (Title 62, Section 34.55) allows the director of OMES to borrow money from treasury funds to satisfy monthly allocations of appropriations made from the General Revenue Fund, but the appropriation has to be made by the Legislature.

The three agencies that received the bulk of the money from the proposed cessation fee are the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS), and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA).

DMHSAS would have received $75 million (about 23 percent of its total appropriation), OHCA would have received $70 million (about 7 percent of its total appropriation), and DHS would have received $69 million (about 10 percent of its total appropriation).

Without legislative intervention, DMHSAS said it would run out of state appropriations in November. OHCA said it would run out of state funds in January and DHS said it would out of state funds in May.

The funding shortfall is the result of the Oklahoma Supreme Court last week striking down a smoking cessation fee approved this past legislative session.

Fallin said she and her staff have been discussing options with legislative leaders of both parties.

“A special session is the best option,” the governor said. “Failure to meet in special session would mean $215 million would be cut mostly from these three state agencies. These agencies and the people they serve cannot sustain the kind of cuts that will occur if we do not find a solution.”

OKDHS Director responds to newborn death story

Two days ago, I posted an article by blogger/activist Steve Dickson about the death of a newborn in DHS custody. This evening, OKDHS Director Ed Lake issued a statement from detailing the story from OKDHS' perspective, which I am posting in full below.

 Ed Lake, OKDHS Director

"Recent outrageous blog posts circulating on social media are falsely and recklessly claiming that the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) removed a baby from life support against the mother's wishes. This is absolutely untrue and is an example of extremist bloggers not bothering to obtain factual information and twisting the misinformation for some political agenda. We have determined, in the interest of public faith and trust, to respond to these absurd claims in a manner that protects the identities of those involved."

"The situation in which these blogs are referencing was that of an infant in OKDHS custody who was born with extremely serious physical abnormalities and who had surgery to try to correct the conditions. The child was subsequently placed on life support and doctors did not expect the child to survive. A conference was held with the presiding judge, the district attorney, the child's biological mother and her attorney, the child's foster mother, two physicians treating the child, and an OKDHS supervisor."

"The judge and the child's mother both agreed to a "Do Not Resuscitate Order" (DNR) for the child if the action was determined medically necessary. OKDHS remained silent during this conference and made no recommendation, following the agency's DNR policy. The Judge also authorized the physician treating the child to do whatever was medically necessary and in the best interest of the child. The actions of OKDHS employees and hospital staff in this case complied with Oklahoma and federal laws, as well as the judge's decisions and orders. All of these actions were recorded by a court reporter who was present at the hearing in the judge's chambers."

"The child's physician later determined the child needed to be taken off life support due to ongoing uncontrolled internal bleeding. The child's biological mother was taken to the hospital, signed the DNR order along with the attending physician, and personally consented to her child being taken off life support. The mother remained with her child until the child passed away."

"We were all extremely saddened by this child's death and worked to support the child's mother and foster mother throughout this emotional decision."

"The individual who posted the despicable blog should be ashamed of himself."

# # #

If there are any more updates to the story, I will post them.

Tragic: OKDHS takes custody of newborn, pulls life support

A Choice of Life or Death

by Steve Dickson

This is a true story.

My wife has spent many years volunteering in various causes, most of them related to the Pro-Life movement. One of the organizations she volunteers for operates a group home for women in crisis pregnancy situations. This home specifically helps pregnant homeless women get through pregnancy in a stable and safe environment. They are able to have their babies, and given the time and resources to get back on their feet. This includes staying in the home for several months after their baby is born.

Yesterday, a tragedy beyond the comprehension of most parents occurred. One of the women my wife has been helping gave birth to a baby boy last week. He was full term, and was full size, but he had some heart issues. As a result, he needed surgery. After he had his surgery he made it through the weekend. His poor little body was battered by the trauma of such an event, but alive and improving. His mother was hopeful – until the state stepped in.

Previously the mother of this new boy had lost custody of her other child. In Oklahoma domestic violence can be grounds for removal of children, even from the custody of the victim. Since the mother in this case had not regained custody of her two year old – that is due to happen later this summer – someone with the Department of Human Services decided to take custody of the baby while he was in neonatal intensive care. This was done despite the child being in a secured environment both in the hospital and in the group home he where mother and child would recover. By doing so, medical decisions were removed from the mother and given to bureaucrats.

In the afternoon of April 22nd, a worker with DHS decided to intervene, consulted a “judge” and instigated an emergency hearing to decide the fate of this little baby boy. The mother was forced to plead her case in the administrative judges’ chambers, with the hospital on speaker phone. Upon his decision, and over her objections, the baby was taken off of life support, drugs, ventilator, and pacemaker. This began while the mother was away from the hospital, and before she could even hold her child. She arrived back at the hospital shortly before the end. Her baby died at 5:38 pm.

If this story does not rip at your heart, nothing will. This is someone who was relying on private charity, attempting to rebuild her life, and life and death decisions about her child were taken from her by the state. There was no trial. There was no chance of appeal. Our government has taken it upon itself to “protect” the children, even when that means stripping parents of their rights, and making decisions that may kill those very children. In this case, it did.

I don’t know the answer to all of this. I know a tragedy has occurred. I know the state should not have the power to strip parental rights without a jury being involved. I know people are victimized by their government in the name of safety and protection, all the way down to a newborn in the hospital.

I know my heart is heavy for this mother and her children, and I will hold my family close tonight and pray for her.

Steve Dickson is a conservative activist in the Oklahoma City area, and writes a blog at this link.


* UPDATE *

The Director of OKDHS has issued a statement about this incident, which is posted here.