OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, and Rick West, R-Heavener, on Thursday sent letters to the governor and Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) Commissioner Joshua Anderson expressing concern over a fill-in-the-blank resignation email state employees said they received from the department. "As legislators representing constituents who are employees being impacted by the recent privatization of four state Behavioral Health Clinics, we write to share the concerns that have been brought to our attention by the employees," the lawmakers wrote. "These employees have already faced a significant amount of uncertainty as they navigate this transition and make important decisions regarding their employment, benefits, and their families' futures. Many have relied upon assurances regarding continued employment and the manner in which the transition would be handled." Grego and West said they received copies of a recent "resignation email" sent to employees who live in their House districts. The email contains ODMHSAS letterhead the commissioner's name, but then leaves the date and the recipient information lines blank. It reads, "Please accept this letter as formal notification that I am resigning from my position as ____ at _____. My last day of employment will be ____. Sincerely ____." Grego and West said they are concerned that employees across the state have received similar emails, which they have created considerable confusion and concern. "Employees are questioning whether they are now being required to resign from state employment as part of this transition and, if so, what effect a resignation could have on any compensation, benefits, leave balances, retirement considerations or other transition package they were previously told they would receive," they wrote. Grego and West said this letter comes after the privatization of community mental health facilities, including one in McAlester, OK, which serves 10 counties in Southeast Oklahoma. There are other areas of the state impacted by this as well. Grego and West said they are concerned by reports from employees who feel the language of the communication is inconsistent with what they previously understood regarding the transition. Some are concerned they are effectively being subjected to a reduction in force, despite having previously been assured this would not be the case. "The employees deserve clear and accurate information before being asked to sign, acknowledge, or submit anything that could potentially affect their employment status or benefits," they wrote. They asked the commissioner for clarification regarding the intent and effect of the recent resignation communication. Specifically, they want him to clarify whether affected employees are being required to resign from ODMHSAS; whether doing so changes their eligibility for benefits, compensation, leave, retirement considerations, or transition assistance previously communicated to them; and whether any aspect of the employment transition has changed from what employees were originally told. "These individuals have dedicated themselves to serving some of Oklahoma's most vulnerable citizens," Grego and West wrote. "Their lives and livelihoods are understandably in a period of considerable upheaval, and uncertainty surrounding their employment status only adds to that burden." A copy of their full letter can be read here .
Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, has been reappointed to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women (OCSW) by Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "I am grateful for the chance to continue serving on the Commission on the Status of Women to help support women and families across Oklahoma," West said. "This commission provides an important opportunity to bring people together, highlight the contributions of Oklahoma women and help ensure their voices are part of conversations that affect our state." The 30-member commission was established by the Legislature in 1994 to strengthen and empower women across Oklahoma through education, collaboration and celebration. Members serve staggered terms and are appointed in equal thirds by the Governor, the Senate President Pro Tempore and the Speaker of the House. The commission reports annually to state leaders and hosts community conversations and the biennial Oklahoma Women’s Summit. OCSW also recognizes female leaders through the Guardian Award, Kate Barnard Award and induction into the Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame. West was initially appointed as Commissioner in 2017, and she received the Guardian Award from OCSW in 2024. Her current term ends June 30, 2031.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, recently presented Interim Study 26-110 , Developing Oklahoma Workforce Through Registered Apprenticeships: Expanding CareerTech Partnerships for the Aerospace and Construction Industries, before the House Postsecondary Education Committee. The Sept. 8 study examined how Oklahoma can expand CareerTech apprenticeship programs to address workforce shortages and better prepare students for high-demand careers in the aerospace and construction industries. Rep. Norwood opened the interim study by discussing Malcolm Gladwell’s 2008 book "Outliers," which examines how early opportunities contributed to the success of various individuals. "The Beatles played in Germany two shows a night for four months before they came to America, and it set them up for this moment of success as they rolled in, was the experience they had," Rep. Norwood said. "Bill Gates was given time on a computer, a supercomputer, before it was ever an opportunity for other students to do that. So, today's study really is looking at how we can create opportunities for outliers within these two spaces of aerospace and construction." CareerTech officials outlined several legislative and funding changes intended to expand apprenticeship opportunities for high school students and remove barriers for participating employers to increase access to workforce training. Oklahoma CareerTech State Director and CEO Brent Haken and CareerTech Apprenticeship Manager Tonja Norwood discussed these recommendations and explained how the state’s existing apprenticeship programs operate. Tonja Norwood explained the differences between Registered Apprenticeship Programs and CareerTech Apprenticeship Programs. Registered programs require at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning and 144 hours of related instruction. They follow an employer-led plan approved through the U.S. Department of Labor and result in a nationally recognized certificate. CareerTech programs require at least 510 hours of on-the-job learning and 90 hours of related instruction. Each participant is assigned a mentor and receives a state-recognized certificate. Both models are designed for W-2 employees whom businesses intend to develop over the long term. "It's not just an experience like an internship or a job shadowing," Tonja Norwood said. "It is a long-term employee that you as a company are developing." CareerTech leaders stated that it helps businesses establish apprenticeship programs at no cost, with one recent program moving from request to implementation within 72 hours. Haken said CareerTech currently serves about 151,000 students through K-12 programs to introduce young people to career opportunities. However, he said demand for technology center programs has increased 40% since the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving many students on waiting lists. "We have every sector of industry that is asking for more workers, and so that's what we're up against," Haken said. Haken asked lawmakers to consider legislation allowing high school students to spend up to half of the school day in approved apprenticeship settings. He stated that current law generally limits internship hours to two hours per school day, which can make participation difficult for employers. He also discussed allowing schools to use 9,000-level course codes for apprenticeships and permitting qualified workplace mentors to supervise students in coordination with an education provider. "Currently, we can give 9,000-level course codes to attend a technology center," Haken said. "We are wanting the same to be available for apprenticeship opportunities for students [but] we're never going to fill the full need if we have to bring every one of them to the technology center." Other potential improvements discussed during the study included funding regional apprenticeship coordinators, expanding technology center capacity, providing career-focused curriculum and increasing access to aerospace training licenses. The study also allowed industry representatives to discuss their experiences with apprenticeship programs. "It is very important for the state of Oklahoma to recognize that if we align ourselves as a state with the space force, there's going to be a lot of really good things that come from that over time," said Jim Bridenstine, CEO of Quantum Space. Aerospace and Construction industry presenters at the study included Bridenstine; Joel Dougherty, NORDAM vice president of human resources; Bailey Perkins-Wright, senior community investor for Boeing; Bobby Stem, executive director of AOGC; Whitney Hill, owner of Central Staffing Solutions; and Scot McAdoo. Rep. Norwood said the information gathered through the study will help lawmakers understand how the state can connect more students with meaningful career opportunities. "Any opportunities we can give students to figure out where they're headed earlier, I think that's a positive thing," Rep. Norwood said. "Because kids that already have a path and a plan, they get on that and get moving and that gives them a future for a whole lot of things. So, we want to give those opportunities." The study can be watched on the Oklahoma House website under News & Media, live proceedings, then search by date for Sept. 8, Interim Study 26-110 Developing Oklahoma Workforce Through Registered Apprenticeships: Expanding CareerTech Partnerships for the Aerospace and Construction Industries .