Oklahoma

Vision for Supporting Families and the CoP in OK:

We envision a state where families and communities are equipped to keep people with disabilities supported, empowered, and on a journey towards a good life.

Innovation/Focus Areas:

  • Introducing LifeCourse principles to education and educators
  • Introducing LifeCourse principles to support transitions
  • Bridging gaps between the school system, DHS-DDS, Aging, Child Welfare in using LifeCourse principles in supporting persons and families
  • Using LifeCourse principles in supporting persons and families while waiting on waiver services.
  • Expanding and building capacity of LifeCourse Ambassadors in Developmental Disabilities Services
  • Expanding and building capacity of LifeCourse Ambassadors in Community Living, Aging, and Protective Services
  • Expanding and building capacity in the understanding, use, and create a culture change of the LifeCourse principles in Oklahoma Human Services
  • Partnering with Oklahoma Deaf-Blind Technical Assistance Project to provide training to educators, family members, and students in the LifeCourse principles.

Success Stories:

  • Oklahoma Is seeing a culture shift from the medical model (focusing on health and safety) to a person-centered culture shift (focusing on what’s Important to a person and for a person and how to support them) for persons with developmental disabilities and their families
  • 7 DDS staff are LifeCourse Ambassadors (+ 1 in training)
  • 1 DD Council LifeCourse Ambassadors
  • 600 Oklahomans trained in LifeCourse principles and tools July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023
  • LifeCourse principles and tools embedded Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), Partners In Policymaking (PIP), Leadership Education and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy (OAALA) programs

Resources and Highlights:

Supporting Links:

OK CoP Lead Partners:

OK CoP for Supporting Families Facilitator(s):

Jenifer Randle
Facilitator
Developmental Disabilities Council
Jenifer.randle@okdhs.org

Wanda Felty
Facilitator
Center for Learning and Leadership at University of Oklahoma (UCEDD)
wanda-felty@ouhsc.edu

Darrin Thompson
Facilitator
Developmental Disabilities Services

Ed Lawson
Facilitator
Developmental Disabilities Services
edward.lawson@okdhs.org

Kimberly Kraft
Facilitator
Oklahoma Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Services
Kimberly.kraft@okdhs.org

Miranda Kieffer
Facilitator
Oklahoma Human Services, Community Living, Aging and Protective Services
miranda.kieffer@okdhs.org