The Office of Planning and Coordination (P&C) at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth dedicates itself to serving and improving the lives of Oklahoma’s youth and families through partnerships, joint planning and service coordination among stakeholders.
Danielle Dill, MPH
Program Manager
Danielle M. Dill, MPH, is the Program Manager for the Office of Planning and Coordination at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. In this position, she leads joint planning and service coordination efforts to improve the safety and well-being of children and youth throughout Oklahoma.
Danielle has worked in non-profit, higher education, and public health for over 26 years. Before joining OCCY, Danielle served as the Program Manager for the Office of Partner Engagement at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, building community partnerships and mobilizing resources to improve health outcomes at the local and state level. She also served as the Director of Health and Fitness at the Wellness Center and adjunct instructor for the Department of Kinesiology & Health Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Danielle received her Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Danielle is a Leadership Edmond Class XXVII graduate, Oklahoma Educators Leadership Academy and Oklahoma Public Health Leadership Institute.
An advocate at heart, Danielle is guided by her core values of authenticity, creativity, teamwork, equipping others, and building legacies defined by voices heard and lives saved. Danielle’s professional interests and efforts center on leadership development, community organization and planning, public policy and advocacy, and health and wellness. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching group fitness, outdoor recreational activities, sports, music, and spending time with family.
(405) 606-4902
danielle.dill@occy.ok.gov
Vacant
Community Planner
Isabel Rodriguez, M. Ed.
Community Planner
Isabel Rodriguez is the Community Development Planner for the Parent Leadership Programs at OCCY. In 2006, she moved from Mexico to Oklahoma to pursue her Master’s degree in Education. In 2008, she obtained her degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
She has more than 12 years of experience in child abuse prevention programs, parenting programs and support groups, and Latino youth education programs. She believes utilizing educational tools is the best way for parents and families to improve their lives. Throughout her career, helping those who are considered the most vulnerable have been some of her proudest moments.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, road trips, and the majesty of nature. She looks for ways to learn more about other cultures and loves to try new things.
(405) 606-4902
isabel.rodriguez@occy.ok.gov
Caitlin Merritt
Community Planner
Caitlin Merritt is the community planner for the Preschool Development Grant. Working closely with other stakeholders, she facilitates community capacity building by encouraging family voices to be heard and valued throughout strategic planning and implementation processes to improve early childhood education and outcomes.
Before coming to OCCY, Caitlin was a public educator for four years at the elementary level. As an educator, she focused on equitable reading instruction. She utilized parent partnerships to empower the next generation of Oklahomans with the necessary knowledge and tools to create generational change. She is passionate about collaborating and coordinating efforts to serve Oklahoma's children through a family-centered approach.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma, and is a first-generation high school and college graduate. Her passion for serving single-parent households and neurodivergent families stems from her lived experience and belief that knowledge is transformative.
(405) 606-4907
caitlin.merritt@occy.ok.gov
Margaret Butler
Cross Systems Coordinator
Before coming to OCCY, Margaret was at the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council as their Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT) Specialist, where she worked with community partners to better their response to domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Before that, Margaret was an Advocacy Supervisor with CASA of Oklahoma County. She engaged with child welfare by contracting foster care home studies for families across Oklahoma. She is passionate about serving communities to better the lives of children, youth, and caregivers.
Margaret received her bachelor’s degree in human development and family science from Oklahoma State University. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, volunteering, and lounging around the house.
(405) 606-4904
margaret.butler@occy.ok.gov
Ellen J. Hardy
Administrative Assistant
Ellen J. Hardy is the administrative assistant for the Office of Planning and Coordination for the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. She joined the agency in 2020. Before her position with OCCY, she was employed by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections as an administrative assistant for the Records Department, Continental Resources, Incorporated in the Treasury Department as an Accountant I, and lastly, at Emmanuel Baptist Church as an office assistant.
In her spare time, Ellen enjoys outdoor activities, including gardening, hiking, exercise, reading, expressing herself through fiber arts, painting, refurbishing furniture, hanging out with her family and friends, and traveling.
(405) 606-4907
ellen.lohrenz@occy.ok.gov