DHS: in Oklahoma

In 2009, Oklahoma Department of Human Services was ranked first for quality child care centers around the United States. Also, that year over 5,000 children were removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect. From that five thousand, 72% were reunited with their families after services were provided by OKDHS.

Families across the state are trying to get their children back. Those reunited were able to so with the help of DHS but the question is how. How long is the process? How do you begin the process? How quickly can you get your children back?

Majority of those who leave custody of DHS are reunited with their families. Nineteen percent are adopted, while a mere three percent are in custody of another family member.

Those who lose their children are those who gave Medicaid funded birth in Oklahoma, single mothers, or those who gave birth while in poverty. If a child is taken from the home there is a long process of proving you are fit to be a parent. This process takes usually 6 months to a few years.

To begin the process it is best to contact a social worker, an attorney, and a counselor. With the correct skills, and honest tests you can obtain your child within a few months.

Victor Higgins was able to obtain his children within three months. Through a series of trials, tests, and treatment. "I guess through proving I wanted my kids back...I was able to have them within three months."

Higgins does not feel his was the standard DHS case. The statistics prove it is the lower class that normally will lose a child. With Higgins, he has a nice house, a nice job, and nice cars. His problem was the use of drugs and alcohol.

According to www.womenslawproject.org if you get yourself into treatment, attend every visitation, and make it to court you are more likely to obtain your children in a short period of time."It is simply following the rules and proving you are willing to change." Allie Craig, DHS worker says. Believing no change will bring a child back is faulty. Yes, there may be a few ways around the tests but in the end it is in the best interest of the child things been done right.

*This video is the story of Victor Higgins and how he has become a spokesman for DHS through his losing his children and getting them back in a quick manner.

*The U.S. Department of Health and Services conducted a study that showed the number of reports of abuse/neglect investigations to the number of cases per employee in different states:

Living the Dream:Navy

Living with the Navy can come with frustrations. There are many ways to pass the time while the loved ones are away as well as while they are home.

A group of Naval men whom share the love of dirt bikes travel to Blanchard, OK to ride. Motocity Race Park welcomes family and strongly encourages everyone to attend. They even have races for the youth.

The races include pee-wee, expert, beginners, and mid-level. Motocity even offers a Motocross school for those just beginning to ride. Forty dollars an hour will bring the rider to an expert level.

"It's a form of comradery." Timothy Jacobson, petty officer second class, says. He feels it is a way to release the tensions of the day. Jacobson also says he enjoys the time to get away from the idea of work and other duties.

Without outlets like these the men and women serving might reach their limits. So come out and support those racing. Races are Saturday at 7pm $10 gate fee.

Military Marriage

Not only are the men serving important but the women are. Many in the military are weary of marriage. In some reports (marriage.about.com), 30 percent of military spouses believe deployment harms their marriage.

Divorce rates have been soaring but based on a study by Rand Corp. the divorce rate only rose 2% within four years. The Pentagon had a theory that believed the divorce rate would rise during time of war. However, their numbers were alarmingly larger. (http://www.military.com/)

Even with the statistics marriage is still a large part of the military. It takes strong relationships, trust, and partnership. With continuous stats about the divorce rate it takes a very committed person to make it in the military marriage. Human Military Healthcare Services is the leading site to TRICARE. TRICARE provides services to military families such as counseling to family therpy. Just a few ways of keeping the military family together.

Brandi Greer, AWV2 Harstedt (maiden name), just got married this month. One of many who face these statistics. "It takes a lot of communication and trust to make it work..." Greer says, "I returned for a few days and then i was off to deployment so less than a week after the wedding i was gone for another deployment."

Society can only hope that with organizations like TRICARE and counseling services that the divorce rate can go down. That marriage statistics no longer show a high rate of divorce during war. That the military men and women have the strength and love to endure.

Sailor to Aviation

Upon joining the Navy you have the option to choose the carrier or the plane. There are many variables to both. The deployments are varying as well as the duties.

When on a carrier the luxury of land is not avaliable. When on a plane the luxury of land is minimal. Yet, both require skill.

TACAMO has been a part of the Navy since 1989, Naval carriers since 1910. For those serving it becomes a question of sea or land.

Nearly 5,600 men and women are currently serving on a carrier. With a total of ten ships in service. Nearly 1,500 men and women are working TACAMO. With each airline housing 16 crew members per deployment.

Andrew White, AWV2(AW/SW)(E5), began his career in the carrier. After a year of service White decided to transfer to VQ-4 in 2009. "It sounds corny but I wanted to wear a flight suit." White says when asked why he transferred.

According to White; as far as importance, the mission of the E-6B is important if ever there is nuclear war. On the shipboard Navy, its important because daily they defend and controll our sea lanes and coasts.

One with out the other is unlikely. Both serve the country for different reasons and both combine services in order to defend.

Navy in the Air

The Navy serves many purposes in the military. There are Navy Seals, Navy police, Navy pilots, and Navy sailors. The side of the Navy with the least attention is the Navy aviation department stationed at Tinker Air Force Base.

Tinker being the home to VQ-3, VQ-4, VQ-7 squadrons; has some of the most elite pilots and Naval soldiers in the U.S. TACAMO is the role the squadrons play at Tinker. It is the system of communications links that are designed to be used if and when nuclear war were to happen. They are the link to the decision makers.

The year 1963 was the beginning of the new Naval communications. Since the creation of the three sqaudrons they have flown over 28 years and over 400,000 hours. They do this to protect the nation when the time comes.

Tony Avila, PO2/AWV2/E-5, has been with TACAMO Tinker for seven years. When asked what he felt about Tinker and the crews stationed there; Avila says,"As a community,(Tinker Air Force Base), there is none better." "Although with the crews communicating so much they really dont realize but there is the occisional mis-communication."

Tinker has done many things to involve the Navy. What is next relies completely on the idea of nuclear war. These men and women are training for something everyone prays won't happen.

PTS: Perform to Serve

The NAVY has put to use the PTS program for many years. The problem facing those in service is whether they stay in Navy or are forced to return home.

Thirteen months before re-evaluation soldiers are to submit a PTS application. This is to find if they have the mentality and the physical skills to continue serving.

The problem with the PTS program is the soldiers are not allowed to submit the application. It is up to the command unit. Some soldiers under go scrunity because their command forgot.


John Fullmer, E-5, had a unique situation where his command(s) over looked his need for submittal. "I was asked to leave the Navy within a month," Fullmer says, "someone dropped the ball." After working on letters to the government Fullmer finally got word he could stay in the Navy.



Fullmer feels the only way to fix the situation is to allow the soldier to file the PTS application, and to allow their command unit to do the review. Luckily he was not removed from his duties and is currently working at Tinker doing what he loves.

Ina Higgins

At 72, Ina Higgins has been a woman of the cloth and will remain one until she meets the holy one. Higgins is a woman of faith, a self taught musician, and a song writer. While teaching herself to play the guitar she was also writing songs and learning the piano. All for the sake of keeping busy and getting closer to a faith that never wavered.

Run: 1:14

Where to Turn

Oklahoma is home to many military families, many of which are living with their loved ones deployed. With the current number of soldiers over seas the number of those left behind continues to grow. Those left behind wonder where they can turn for support.

Loved ones who continue to aid the home front are becoming stressed by the situations they are in. Most do not live near any family members, or have someone who could assist them while their soldier is away. The problem is no one knows where they can go or who would be willing to help.

However, there are many organizations on-line as well as counseling groups in Oklahoma. Christian Counseling Associates is an organization in Edmond which was set up to help aid families coping with deployment. Home Front Hearts is an online service that "serves families that serve our country". There are many more sites and locations that are easily and readily available on http://www.samhsa.gov/vets/.




Brandi Buckman, wife of Shawn Buckman Master at Arms E-5, says she would love to find places that would have people able to relate with what she will go through with Shawn's deployment. Buckman said, "although not sure how she will cope...I'm hoping to stay busy." The main thing she looks for until he comes back is friends and family being there for her.

After the trial of being separated the return could be amazing, but for the soldier it could be hard. So what sort of places help with the transition of gone one day here the next syndrome? Christian Counseling Associates can help with that as well.

Headed Over Seas

The United States Navy currently has 45,660 men and women deployed. There are 330,327 men and women on active duty. Those on duty are waiting to be called.

Whether on a boat or in the air they are leaving behind a lot. With each deployment the number of enlisted sailors is growing. As well as the number of loved ones left behind. Each deployment is a change in the war.

Of the forces currently deployed in Iraq as of June 1, 2008 around 19,800 were Navy. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, from the dates of 19 Mar 2003 through 6 Feb 2010. 65 Naval men were injured and 633 were killed in action. The fear associated with deployment has to be overwelming.

After eight years of service Shawn Buckman, U.S. Navy: Master At Arms E-5, is set to deploy within the next few months. Buckman says, "I guess dying would be the obvious answer most would give, but I think it would be for me freezing and not properly reacting to something where my actions could get someone else hurt or killed."

Buckman says, "the hardest thing about leaving is saying goodbye to my wife and kids." He will be over seas for more than 10 months. Coming home to hold his family will be the best thing upon return.

In order to maintain the 160,000 U.S. troops the Pentagon ordered growing numbers of Air Force and Navy personnel into combat. Which, in turn, means more of our Navy will be sent over seas. The Tinker Base waits to see what will be seen in the future.

TACAMO: Take Charge and Move Out

Tinker Air Force Base is a well known military base in Oklahoma. Known for it's long standing employees and size. However many do not know Tinker is home to many Navy men and women. In 1989, the United States Military decided in order to better watch over the Navy it should be condensed 6 Naval home ports into one location. Which brought many serving to Oklahoma.

This addition to Tinker brought a reduction of 25 percent in operations and personnel expenses. The bringing in of the Navy allowed for many women and men to remain closer to their families as well as allowing the Navy to have one command center instead of six. Making it easier for operations.

"Take Charge and Move Out!" was used to task the development of naval aviation. It's main goal was to create a communication system between the President and other commands with missile submarines. Today TACAMO is the provider for command and control capability for 3 platforms. Submarines, bombers, and land-based missile sites. The TACAMO branch currently operates with 3 squadrons. These men and women in these squadrons are always on the fly. Being deployed is part of their job.

According to Petty Officer Second Class; Timothy Jacobson, "there actually are a lot of people in the Navy that know nothing about 'my' aircraft or the job we do". When Jacobson was assigned to one of the squadrons he had to Google the aircraft and what he would be doing. He was coming from California. However after years of service he still loves being in Oklahoma. He claims that since the squadrons are not spread out things are a lot easier."It's a great place to live."

Yet, the question remains why do so little people know of this. The month of October was declared Navy month by Gov. Brad Henry. Also, in the month of October the Navy holds an annual Navy Ball at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Which has become one of the largest balls in the Navy. In attendance are all military branches stationed at Tinker. All that is left to know is how the men and women feel while leaving their loved ones at home while they serve our country.

Camera Time

Here is the first assignment. PWOP and SOP. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

I like to call them Gaylord, Love in the Garden, and Tonka. Gaylord happens to be the College of Journalism I am currently attending. Gaylord's beautiful structure is simply amazing, and had to be captured by camera. The statue of the couple embracing was a gift from a wonderful lady at a garage sale. The toys are metal Tonka toys that love to be weathered by the storms.