OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's new Department of
Human Services Director Ed Lake says the department has an opportunity
to remake itself after years of controversy and lawsuits.
Lake laid out his plans for the department's future
in a talk Monday at the Oklahoma History Center. Dozens of social
workers, DHS partners and other Oklahomans attended.
Lake says the department is undergoing a massive
self-examination and reorganization in the aftermath of a lawsuit over
several high-profile deaths of children in state custody during the past
several years.
Lake accepted the director post in November as part of the department leadership's restructuring approved by Oklahoma voters.
Lake says reorganizing efforts will focus on
increasing the number of social workers and improving communication
within the department and between other state agencies and private
partners.
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