November 10, 2021 Issue, Page 3 of 18

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News/Agriculture November 10, 2021 Oklahoma Human Services expands investments to support children and youth Collaborative, community-based partnerships funded by American Rescue Plan Act OKLAHOMA CITY - Okla- nate duplicate efforts. transportation and other ba- reports of child abuse and ne- homa Human Services (OK- “OKDHS is dedicated to sic expenses. Moreover, the glect experienced nationwide Pumpkin painting held at DHS) announced today more strengthening Oklahoma agency has been working with during the pandemic. Staff of Western Oklahoma Family Care than $325,000 in funding is families with the support and youth providers to expand Oklahoma CACs portrayed being provided to child abuse shared investment of collabor- housing and case management a heroic effort to keep their Center fundraiser options throughout the pan- prevention and treatment ative, community-based part- doors open to vulnerable chil- partners across the state, in- nerships like MDTs and CACs,” demic for youth exiting foster dren in need and keep hope care at 18. cluding freestanding multidis- said Dr. Deborah Shropshire, "Children’s Advocacy Cen- flowing. Thanks to this criti- ciplinary teams (MDTs) in each OKDHS Child Welfare Direc- ters of Oklahoma is accredited cal ARPA funding, Centers can county, child advocacy centers tor. “These prevention strate- by the National Children’s Al- continue this essential work." (CACs) in each district attor- gies help the agency reach chil- liance to provide training and ney’s district, and one hospital dren and families before they technical support to Children’s The work done by MDTs MISDEMEANORS and CACs begins with a report State of Okla vs Randy L Weaver Assault & battery team. This funding is provided are in crisis and potentially Advocacy Centers and Multi- State of Okla vs Yolanda Linder DUI by the American Rescue Plan mitigate unnecessary trauma disciplinary Teams all across of abuse or neglect. Anyone State of Okla vs Kylan D Plaster Possession of CS & parapher- ‘Act (ARPA) through supple- and generational cycles of child Oklahoma,” said Carrie Little, who believes a child is being nalia mental federal funds directed welfare interventions. With Executive Director of Chil- abused or neglected has a le- State of Okla vs John W Standingwater Possession of CS & paraphernalia to the Child Abuse Prevention these services and treatments, dren's Advocacy Centers of gal responsibility to report State of Okla vs Shelby N Hamilton Conspiracy. Forgery and Treatment Act (CAPTA) families can be equipped and Oklahoma. “We are proud of it to the OKDHS Abuse and State of Okla vs Brian J Stazenski Conspiracy. Forgery grant to bolster services and empowered to provide a safe our partnership with OKDHS, Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522- State of Okla vs Christine E Blystone Conspiracy. Forgery and were thrilled that OKDHS 3511. The hotline is available supports that address the pan- home for their children.” FELONIES Child Welfare executive lead- demic’s continued impact and In addition to these strate- ership was able to quickly re- 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. NONE stressors on Oklahoma's fami- gies, pandemic relief for youth spond to our needs at this criti- Families interested in lies. currently in foster care as well cal time in history by providing learning more about how they MDTs and CACs provide a as foster care alumni is also be- CAPTA ARPA funding to all our can become a certified foster coordinated, comprehensive ing provided with ARPA fund- accredited Centers.” family in their local communi- MARRIAGES € DIVORCES and timely response to child ing. OKDHS has provided vol- “The pandemic disrupted ty can visit https://okfosters. abuse and neglect investiga~ untary foster care services to the traditional ways in which org/ or call 1-800-376-9729. MARRIAGE LICENSES tions. Their culturally com- over 30 youth who wished to CAC teams serve communities, Interested Oklahomans Shawn Waters, Elk City - Alesha Blakney, Elk City petent work ensures children remain in care past their 18th and leadership quickly mobi- may also visit https://www. Gavin Spencer, Elk City - Breanna Stubbs, Elk City birthdays, or who had exited Bradley George, Elk City — Sicily McAbee, Elk City are not further traumatized care but requested to volun- lized utilizing CACO as a cen- ourokdhs.org/s/ to raise their Steven Myers, Elk City ~ Diana Walker, Elk City during the investigative pro- tarily return. tral hub of communication,” hand and join the agency's ef- DIVORCES cess and supports the delivery continued Little. “CAC staff forts to better serve the com- Kelly Haney vs Buddy Haney Since March 2021, OKDHS Jevon Taliaferro vs Sarah Taliaferro of services and treatments has also provided more than and multi-disciplinary child munity through innovation Trevin Wolfe vs Alejandra Wolfe provided to children and their abuse teams adapted quickly $500,000 in direct financial and collaborative partnerships. Marion Lampshire vs Carol Lampshire families. These critical commu- support through a needs- to identify barriers to access nity partnerships also allow for based process to youth exiting of service. This included imple- a seamless flow of information foster care including funds for menting creative solutions to during case reviews that elimi- laptops, cell phones, utilities, address the steep decline of Turkey tension? Keep supply chain disruption from ruining holiday Oklahoma State University Institute for Biosecurity and Microbial Forensics Director Kitty Cardwell has been chosen as an International Plant Health Champion by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services OSU researcher named USDA plant health champion ByAlisa Boswell-Gore organisms. The way we trade, “We've had two major die- what happens when people offs in our history in which STILLWATER, Okla. - travel, tourism — all of these we lost all our chestnuts and Oklahoma State University’s things can move pests and dis- Institute for Biosecurity and eases around, The idea of the elm trees. If something gets Microbial Forensics Director plant health champion is to into oak, we're not going to Kitty Cardwell has been cho- educate the public that these have many trees left. All the sen as a plant health cham- things happen and that they tree death events have been pion by the federal Animal can help.” because of human movement. Tips from OSU Extension specialists can help ensure the focus of holiday meals is on and Plant Health Inspection Before OSU, Cardwell positive, shared experiences instead of what’s on the plate. Service. worked in biosecurity for the ‘We just have to be so careful, APHIS is a U.S. Depart- USDA National Institute of but once something gets in, ment of Agriculture organiza- Food and Agriculture. When then it’s up to those of us on By Brian Brus everyone to contribute and let embrace adaptation rather tion focused on biosecurity, a the ground to be aware and she joined NIFA in 2001, she them know this year will be a than dread disappointment. system of infrastructure and and a colleague recommended not move it further.” STILLWATER, Okla. — The little different, said Romano Good memories come from people that develops strate- land-grant university clin- The spread of pathogens pandemic has thrown off mar- in the Community Nutrition overcoming challenges togeth- gies and tactical sciences to ics form a network to create ket supply chains, often leav- Education Program. er. prevent the spread of patho- a deeper system of detection can involve activity as simple ingholes in consumers’ grocery Budget now - Every dish So, instead of parents sum- gens and pests. for new problems within the as cutting up a dead tree to sell shopping lists. Family cooks on the table is expected to moning children to the table Cardwell is one of five na- agricultural industry. These as firewood or buying plants are justified to worry about cost more this year, according tional plant health champions clinics are now located across online from outside the coun- at the last minute, Klufa said, selected by APHIS to highlight the nation and supported by try. holiday menus, said Courtney to economists and major food their experience should start plant health as part of a larger USDA funds. OSU is home to Bir, an Oklahoma State Uni- companies, Be frank about in the grocery store and con- campaign developed by the two sites: the Plant and Insect “It’s virtually impossible versity Extension specialist what's most important to the tinue in the kitchen. Food and Agriculture Organi- Disease Diagnostics Laborato- to prevent, so it’s a big prob- and assistant professor in thefamily. “Even the youngest enjoy zation of the United Nations. ry and the Oklahoma Animal lem, It will help us if we have Department of Agricultural Shop early - Reduce stress ‘They declared 2020 the Inter- Disease Diagnostic Labora- community scientists - people Economics. by avoiding grocery store being asked to pick carrots or national Year of Plant Health, tory. green beans. They’re also more who pay attention. If you see Thanksgiving is not crowds. and the campaign was extend- Inher role as a plant health a tree dying, contact your lo- doomed, however - “The Mind portion sizes - Con- likely to eat healthy foods if ed through 2021 due to set- champion, Cardwell created cal Extension educator. If you shelves aren't bare. You just sumerism can drive people they take ownership,” Klufa backs caused by the COVID-19 a promotional video for the said. “And older kids will love pandemic. campaign to be distributed by have a plant in your yard that need to consider your options,” to forget about their health. Bir said. Fruits and vegetables help to be given credit, even if it's “Outreach for biosecurity USDA and OSU social media. gets sick and starts dying, find Options are just what OSU stretch the “protein budget” if just washing vegetables or stir- is building awareness that “There is a pathogen in the diagnostic lab at the clos- plants, trees and agriculture Oklahoma right now that’s a Extension assistant specialists the turkey is smaller than usu- ring the pot.” are vulnerable to the invasion tree killer that the USDA has est university.” such as Jenni Klufa and Diana al, said Klufa, who focuses on More holiday food ideas are of exotic insects and patho- been chasing for 15 years, and Cardwell’s plant health Romano suggested: youth in CNEP, available from OSU Extension gens,” Cardwell said. “People it has been evading our eradi- champion video is available Sharing is caring - Invite Most importantly, try to online. are the main movers of these cation efforts,” Cardwell said. online.