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August 9, 2011 marked my 40th anniversary in the social work profession. I walked into the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (though it had a different name at the time) office in downtown Oklahoma City back in 1971 unsure if I would be just passing through or if I would go back to teaching social studies in a public school. The head of the office greeted me by telling me he didn’t think I would last very long and surely would not like doing social services work. As it turns out, he had seen a long line of young college graduates come through his office and many of them did not last long. Still after 40 years, it begins to look like a career. During my time with OKDHS, I saw both the upside and the downside of life and the struggles of people trying to make there way in the world. Through the ups and downs of my professional life I always try to remember the lessons of my first boss, Ms. Margarett Edinger. She always told us to treat people decently and do our job to the best of our abilities. Neither of us knew it at the time, or I did not, but she had a great influence upon me. Could it really have been 40 years ago?
REST IN PEACE
Henry Bellmon passed away last September 29. He was an extraordinary man who served Oklahoma twice as Governor and several terms as United States Senator. He was elected as the state's first Republican governor in 1962. It may seem hard to believe now, but at that time, Oklahoma had almost no Republican party but Mr. Bellmon pulled off the win after a particularly ugly split in the Democratic party. With the legislature controlled by the Democrats, Governor Bellmon commented his term in office was, "Like watching a stump rot." That statement is characteristic Bellmon.
He was direct and honest. At a time when others would lose elections over taking some of the stances he took, he voted in support of school desegreation and bussing, voted to return the Panama Canal to Panama, and supported raising state taxes to support education.
In the early 1980's Mr. Bellmon became the Director of the Department of Human Services while I was working there. Frankly, I was concerned that he would not live up to the lofty expectations I had for him. He did. The former Marine and WWII vet pushed for straight forward and honest programs and eschewed political influence. We called him "Buttermilk Henry" because he neither smoked or drank. Of course, we never called him Buttermilk Henry to his face. Mr. Bellmon was a giant in Oklahoma history and I'm proud to have had the opportunity to sometimes spend time with him. The photo of Governor Bellmon is from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.
Congratulations to my good friend Paul DeMuro on the publication of two articles in the Journal for Juvenile Justice Services. Paul has been an outstanding advocate for progressive programs for children, teenagers, and their families for many years. The articles are titled "Boot Camps Revisited" and "Why Child Welfare Agencies Should Limit the Role of Residential Care." The Journal for Juvenile Justice Services is published by the National Partnership for Juvenile Services which can be reached at (859) 622-6259.
UPDATE---JUNE 9, 2011 Oklahoma City news reports indicate that Mrs. Clara Looper has passed away. She was a great lady in every sense of the word and she will be missed by those of us who knew her. She will long be remembered for her unselfish work to forward equal rights. My condolences and prayers go out to her family.
Oklahoma City recently observed the 50th anniversary of the Katz Drug Store lunch counter sit-ins which led to the desegregation of much of the stores and restaurants in town. Among the leaders of the first sit-ins in Oklahoma was Mrs. Clara Luper. Mrs. Luper was honored at a ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center. When Mrs. Luper was a teacher at John Marshall High School she invited me to speak to her class on two occasions. She was a gracious host and I imagine an excellent teacher. I am honored to have had the opportunity to spend some time with her those years ago. This photo is from The Daily Oklahoman.
Well, gosh. I'm flattered to be included on the "Heavy Metal Kids" website but what is attributed to me wasn't really about the band "Heavy Metal Kids." It was a rhetorical question taken from an article I wrote in the early 1990's. Still, its nice that someone found the article and that I am listed with people like Keith Richards, Jack Black, Alice Cooper and the redoubtable Rat Scabies! I understand the band is back together with a couple of it's original members. I wish them the best of luck and hope that if they ever play in the Oklahoma City area, they'll look me up.
National Partnership for Juvenile Services Position Statements http://NPJS.org./
Congratulations to the National Partnership for Juvenile Services (which includes the National Juvenile Detention Association) on their re-issuing of several important "position statements" concerning juvenile justice operations. The position statements include:
Unit and Facility Sizes Minimum Direct Care Staff Ratios in Juvenile Detention Centers Privatization Co-Location of Juvenile and Adult Facilities Juvenile Detention as a Disposition Holding Juveniles Under Criminal Court Jurisdiction in Juvenile Detention Overcrowding Recruitment, Selection, and Retention of Juvenile Detention Professionals Gender-Specific Programming in Juvenile Detention and Corrections Facilities and Programs Health Care in Juvenile Detention Use of Juvenile Detention Facilities for Youth with Severe Mental Health Issues.
It is encouraging to see an organization take such progressive positions on some of the most important issues regarding the manner that young people are treated in America's juvenile facilities. The Partnership and NJDA are to be commended for having the courage to publish their positions and encourage public discourse.
Contact NJDA for a copy of the position statements. They are worth a close look.
NOTE: NJDA's website is NJDA.com. However, I have noticed that at times this address (and the links I have included) results in the user visiting the New Jersey Dental Association's websight. I apologize for any inconvenience. The positions statements are worth the hunt.
On one of my recent trips to Los Angeles I was given a copy of this recently published book. The book is a collection of writings by residents inside the three juvenile halls in L.A. and is well worth the read especially for those who would like to know more about what life can be like for kids who have been in trouble and what's on their minds.
Congratulations to the young writers who's work is included and to the folks who make InsideOUT Writers go. If interested, you can use the link I have included or contact them at:
InsideOUT Writers 1171 S. Roberston Blvd. #134 Los Angeles, CA 90035
Lindsay Hayes has completed a report on the first national survey on juvenile suicide in confinement. The survey was the result of a grant awarded by the USDOJ's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to the National Center on Institutions and Alternatives. For a copy of the full 80 page report click on the link. The report has far reaching implications for those involved in facility operations.
Henry Bellmon passed away last September 29. He was an extraordinary man who served Oklahoma twice as Governor and several terms as United States Senator. He was elected as the state's first Republican governor in 1962. It may seem hard to believe now, but at that time, Oklahoma had almost no Republican party but Mr. Bellmon pulled off the win after a particularly ugly split in the Democratic party. With the legislature controlled by the Democrats, Governor Bellmon commented his term in office was, "Like watching a stump rot." That statement is characteristic Bellmon.
Congratulations to my good friend Paul DeMuro on the publication of two articles in the Journal for Juvenile Justice Services. Paul has been an outstanding advocate for progressive programs for children, teenagers, and their families for many years. The articles are titled "Boot Camps Revisited" and "Why Child Welfare Agencies Should Limit the Role of Residential Care." The Journal for Juvenile Justice Services is published by the National Partnership for Juvenile Services which can be reached at (859) 622-6259.
Oklahoma City recently observed the 50th anniversary of the Katz Drug Store lunch counter sit-ins which led to the desegregation of much of the stores and restaurants in town. Among the leaders of the first sit-ins in Oklahoma was Mrs. Clara Luper. Mrs. Luper was honored at a ceremony at the Oklahoma History Center. When Mrs. Luper was a teacher at John Marshall High School she invited me to speak to her class on two occasions. She was a gracious host and I imagine an excellent teacher. I am honored to have had the opportunity to spend some time with her those years ago. This photo is from The Daily Oklahoman.
