Library: News Release
Phone: (405) 521-2907, Fax: (405) 522-3146
e-mail: Connie.Schlittler@okdhs.org
Mark K. Beutler, M.Ed. - OKDHS Office of Communications
Phone: (405) 522-3731, Fax: (405) 522-3146
e-mail: Mark.Beutler@OKDHS.org
OKLAHOMA CAPITOL – An official who oversaw the closure of the Hissom Memorial Center and placement of its residents will be the featured guest speaker in the next installment of the OKDHS Lecture Series. Ed Skarnulis, Ph.D, will present “Why the Institutions Died” Wednesday, Feb. 23 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Chesapeake Room of the Oklahoma History Center.
Skarnulis’ has worked with children and adults who are developmentally disabled. From 1990 to 2000 he served as a program administrator, professor and department head at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, and then at Texas A&M from 2000 to 2006. In addition, Skarnulis was Deputy Commissioner of Mental Retardation in Texas, and held similar positions in Kentucky and Minnesota.
Oklahoma’s Hissom Memorial Center was closed in 1993, with Skarnulis overseeing the placement of its residents. He has served as an expert witness for the U.S. Department of Justice, the States of Connecticut, New York, as well as other states involved in appropriate individual and systemic service delivery for people with developmental disabilities.
All lectures are free and open to the public. This year-long series provides thought-provoking presentations by experts in their fields on Oklahoma’s emerging policy issues, trends and best practices. Lunch is available for purchase at the Oklahoma History Center. It is located at 800 Nazih Zudi Drive in northeast Oklahoma City, across the street from the State Capitol.
View the complete lecture series lineup at: Practice and Policy Lecture Series website (Link opens in new window). Phone Millie Carpenter at (405) 521-3552 for additional information.
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