Former Director of OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services receives award for excellence

OKLAHOMA CITY -- James M. (Jim) Nicholson, former Director of the Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), is the recipient of the prestigious 2013 Ben Censoni Excellence in Public Service Award. The award was presented by the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services (NASDDDS).

Nicholson served as Director of OKDHS DDSD from 1991 until February 2013. He is currently the Chair of a blue ribbon panel formed by Governor Mary Fallin to address the long list of Oklahomans with developmental disabilities waiting for services. 

Nicholson is a champion for Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens and his leadership at OKDHS helped develop a level of inclusive community services that made the state a national leader in serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Oklahoma is currently ranked among the top states in the nation for employing people with disabilities in its community-based Medicaid waiver programs.  

Nicholson was an early supporter of the “Oklahoma People First” (OPF) movement and he ensured DDSD funding through contracts with advocacy organizations that helped the movement grow and thrive. 

Nicholson engrains his philosophy of “people first” into every program, policy and service provided to citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Because of his efforts, Oklahoma’s community service system has a robust network of community provider agencies and advocacy groups that work together with OKDHS to serve vulnerable Oklahomans. 

To see a video of Nicholson accepting the Censori award, visit the OKDHS Facebook page.

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