Oklahoma Hosts First National Automated Child Care Conference

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Representatives from 30 states and four territories will learn about Oklahoma’s premiere child care time and attendance system March 11-13. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) hosts the nation’s first Automated Child Care Conference at the historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel.
“We’re proud of Oklahoma’s automated child care system,” said Lisa Henley, project manager, OKDHS. “And we’re very happy to be sharing the information we have gathered as we developed and implemented our system."

Parents receiving financial help through OKDHS to pay for child care while they work or attend school use the Access Oklahoma card to check their children in and out of child care. The system provides real-time data to OKDHS and accelerated payment to child care providers.

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (ACS), a global Fortune 500 company, collaborated with OKDHS to develop and launch the system. ACS will participate in a panel discussion to share best practices about this innovative program.

Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to implement the electronic child care time and attendance system that has won numerous awards, including the prestigious ComputerWorld Honors 21st Century Achievement Award and the American Public Human Services Association Award for Innovation. Oklahoma has also been invited to testify at the subcommittee for Heath and Human Services of the House Ways and Means.

The conference includes break-out sessions designed to help those states considering automated child care gather information. Session presenters include OKDHS experts and representatives from other states that have implemented automated child care.

“We realize that our goals and needs may differ from those of other states, so we have invited colleagues to share their stories,” said Henley. “We appreciate their participation in making this an exciting and informative agenda.”

Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, Director of Human Services Howard H. Hendrick and OKDHS Chief Financial Officer Phil Motley kick off the conference at 8:30 a.m. March 12.

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