OKDHS Special Review Committee will meet Today

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Special Review Committee of the OKDHS Human Services Commission will hold its first organizational meeting this afternoon, Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the First Floor Conference Room on the south end of the Sequoyah Building.

The Oklahoma Constitution states that the OKDHS Commission "shall formulate policies and adopt rules and regulations for the effective administration of the duties of the department."

"In executing its role, it is incumbent upon the Commission to ensure that such policies, rules or regulations are effective in protecting the lives of children or adults in its custodial care," said Wes Lane, Chair of the Commission's Special Review Committee.

The Special Review Committee will have four primary purposes, said Lane. First, to define those situations, events, or occurrences concerning which it wishes to make a special review, including, but not limited to, the deaths of children or adults in its care. Second, the committee will establish a process in which all agencies and authorities having investigative or other insight on the subject matter can provide such reports or insight to the Committee. Third, the committee will review such information and present findings to the Commission for any necessary action. Fourth, obtain the aid of members of the community in order to expedite such reviews.

The nature of today's meeting is organization, but some matters of confidentiality will also be discussed. While the meeting will be closed to the public, commission members will be available for media interviews at the conclusion of the meeting. Members of the media may setup inside the main lobby on the first floor of the Sequoyah Building.

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