Secretary Brown

22/01/2024

It really is humbling to read kind words about your work. Leading OKDHS was the greatest professional role of my life and I am proud to say that I gave it everything I had. The truth is that there are thousands of people who have committed their lives to this reform that will never get public credit for their heroism. There is still much to do, but I am honored to have played a role in something so meaningful alongside some of the greatest people I have ever known.

How former DHS Director Justin Brown helped transform foster care in Oklahoma.

How former DHS Director Justin Brown helped transform foster care in Oklahoma

It’s possible that the Department of Human Services may ask a court to be released from a foster care improvement plan due to meeting all its goals.

23/10/2023

Thankful for my friend John Bobb-Semple’s invitation to come speak to the Shawnee, OK Rotary about the importance of addressing poverty and an outline for a potential framework for making meaningful progress on this deep issue. Not only is making headway on poverty the right thing to do for people, but it is also the single most powerful economic opportunity we have in our communities.

I have been on a bit of a Rotary speaking circuit over the last few months. It has been great to meet new people and discuss this hard topic with folks who are committed servants in their communities.

20/10/2023

It is possible that the single most impactful project that I have worked on in my career is building and implementing the strategy for the elimination of Oklahoma's 13-year long developmental disabilities waiting list. The strongest champion for that work in Oklahoma, and possibly the nation, Samantha Galloway and I authored an article for Barrett and Greene Inc. Thankful for so many partners inside government and outside of government that are required for transformative strategies to develop.

By Justin Brown, Former secretary of the Department of Human Services Oklahoma and Samantha Galloway, Owner, Strategic Abilities Consulting

18/08/2023

Stan Booker, Mayor of Lawton, OK invited me to speak to the The Greater Lawton Rotary Club - GLRC about a framework for addressing poverty. Stepping down as Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services is allowing me to spend time supporting the health and human services system nationally and to dig in deeper locally to understand concerns in our communities. Thankful for the warm welcome and great conversations on a difficult topic.

12/08/2023

Health & Human Services leaders are battle tested and ready to aggressively pursue transformation in the most important system in the nation. Thank you to Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia for sharing her vision for a modern HHS system that achieves outcomes that matter to those who the agency serves!

‎Show Thousand Stories, Ep 3.1 | A Vision that Matters | Kelly Garcia - Aug 12, 2023

26/07/2023

Excited to release a new episode of the Thousand Stories Podcast. The Science of Hope is a powerful ‘Framework for Action’ and the nation, in fact many nations, are learning more and utilizing the research to empower employees and serve communities. Thankful for Dr. Chan Hellman’s work in this space and his candor in sharing his passion and motivation… and results of Science of Hope implementation in organizations across the country!

Hope is much more than wishful thinking. Science tells us that it is the most predictive indicator of well-being in a person’s life. Hope is measurable. It is malleable. And it changes lives. In Hope Rising, Casey Gwinn and Chan Hellman reveal the latest science of hope using nearly 2,000 publishe...

26/07/2023

Excited to release a new episode of the Thousand Stories Podcast. The Science of Hope is a powerful ‘Framework for Action’ and the nation, in fact many nations, are learning more and utilizing the research to empower employees and serve communities. Thankful for Dr. Chan Hellman’s work in this space and his candor in sharing his passion and motivation… and results of Science of Hope implementation in organizations across the country!

‎Show Thousand Stories, Ep Hope as a 'Framework for Action' - Jul 26, 2023

21/01/2023

The '45 Years' newsletter | Addressing Trauma in Human Services

Our futures are not defined by the trauma of our past, however there is a high correlation between the two without an intervening force. Without a deep and consistent commitment by human services systems across the nation to understanding trauma, we will continue to see the same crushing outcomes in our communities and workforce. The tools and the expertise are right in front of us. We must become that intervening force.

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04/12/2021

26/11/2021

If you are a listener, you will likely notice new theme music kicking off episode 11! Special thanks (and music credit) to Tayvon Lewis, an incredibly talented guy who created the new intro beats.

26/11/2021

Episode 11 of just launched on all podcast platforms! Take a listen to learn how Oklahoma Human Services & NorthCare are working with Oklahoma City Police Department to build social work teams to walk alongside of officers when they meet people in need.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1-11-building-law-enforcement-alternatives-through/id1567746025?i=1000543146001

‎Show Thousand Stories, Ep Ep 1.11 - Building Law Enforcement Alternatives through Partnership - Nov 26, 2021

13/11/2021

The video of episode 1.10 of is now available on YouTube! Thanks for your grace on the strange angles and imperfect sightlines! The conversation will have impact for years as the agency builds a 'World Class Customer Experience.'
https://youtu.be/zuQdDPLsMuo

Episode 1.10 - Human Centered DesignTrending globally in the private sector is the concept of building new products and technology primarily informed by the ...

27/10/2021

LAUNCHING SOON: Episode 10 of the - Transforming large systems through Human Centered Design. It was a unique and fulfilling experience working with such terrific community partners. Thank you to our Oklahoma Human Services team that joined alongside partners like Nikki Nice, Representative Ajay Pittman Clarence Hill. It was a great conversation that will help OKDHS build a 'World Class Customer Experience.'

03/09/2021

Heroes work at OKDHS! Congratulations Matthew!

embedded worker Matthew Brenchley has won the 2021 NextGen Under 30 award for Policy and Public Service.

We are proud of the accomplishments Matthew has already reached in his two years with Oklahoma Human Services, and look forward to his contributions in the future!

For more information on this year's winners, visit https://nextgenunder30.com/.

25/08/2021

Trailer Alert! Episode 9 of the is launching tomorrow! The social and economic fallout from the pandemic will have community impact years beyond the end of the public health emergency. Please engage to understand the resources that are available to help support families who are at risk of losing their homes as a result of the pandemic.

https://youtu.be/GKUJHDhi5oI

Among the countless short-term and structural social impacts of the economic fallout of the COVID 19 pandemic includes an increase in housing insecurity. A ...

02/08/2021

Full episode now available. In episode 8 of the , Secretary of Education, discusses local and global examples of success and innovation in education. Defining Success in Education, is now available on all podcast platforms and on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/eCeSGJd4J4s

Episode 8 – Defining Success in EducationOklahoma Secretary of Education, Ryan Walters Achieving successful system outcomes carries a deep and complex set of...

01/08/2021

'A child is more than a test score.' In this intro to episode 8 of (full episode launches tomorrow - 8.2.2021), Ryan Walters, Secretary of Education, discusses serving the needs of the whole child and their family as essential to successful education outcomes.https://youtu.be/svGiessZoxw

Intro Trailer for Episode 8 (launches 8.2.2021) - In episode 8 of the Thousand Stories podcast, Oklahoma Secretary of Education, Ryan Walters and Secretary B...

31/07/2021

In the upcoming podcast with Secretary of Education Ryan Walters, I referenced this powerful press conference that caused me to immediately reach out to Ryan to ask him to join the podcast. The full show will launch in a couple of days!

https://twitter.com/govstitt/status/1397311879085760515?s=21

“You won't find anyone with more passion for students and teaching than . I am proud to have him serving Oklahoma as our Secretary of Education. Listen to him speak directly to students at today's press conference. https://t.co/W33YlyPpwK”

31/07/2021

I am a ‘sold out’ believer on the idea that real success in systems, including the education system, requires us to recognize and address that none of these systems exist in a vacuum, and that real and sustainable outcomes requires huge organizations to communicate and coordinate services as interconnected systems designed around the person that they are jointly serving.

Kids can’t be reasonably expected to achieve long-term academic success when they show up to school hungry, tired from sleeping on the floor or in a home in which domestic violence is a nightly occurrence. All of these systems must be thoughtfully and humbly designed to address the social determinants of poor outcomes we see in our communities.

In this episode of the Thousand Stories podcast, Oklahoma Secretary of Education, Ryan Walters and Secretary Brown discuss local and global examples of success and innovation in education. Further, the Secretaries align on the importance of collaboration between education and human services systems as critical to serving the needs of the whole child and their family as essential to successful education outcomes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-WQbKuLBws

Trailer - Full Episode Launching SoonAchieving successful system outcomes carries a deep and complex set of requirements. There are a variety of examples of...

22/07/2021

Governor Stitt’s traveling cabinet meeting visited the City of Altus. Had a terrific opportunity to visit Altus Air Force Base, BarSFoods, Quartz Mountain Lodge and Western Oklahoma State, listening to successes and opportunities from citizens and these wonderful community anchors.

30/06/2021

I was proud to have the opportunity to honor my friend Derrick Scobey and Ebenezer Baptist Church on the Thousand Stories podcast for their ‘Yes’ being on the table to serve their community during the pandemic. Their’s is a great story of service!

https://youtu.be/cqRS06qCz7k

During the deepest moments of the COVI-19 pandemic, our nation was riveted by the heroism of healthcare workers and first responders. Images and narratives o...

30/06/2021

Episode 1.7 of shares the story of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, which is a perfect example of a story of a specific leader and his committed team identifying that there was unprecedented need resulting from the sudden removal of core systems that had been developed over the decades to support at-risk communities. Immediate and unexpected unemployment swelled in this community, disproportionately impacting women and people of color, resulting in surging hunger, expanding homelessness and the loss of hope for many who had never experienced issues before. Poverty was striking quickly and with force in more families than ever, and communities across the state had to respond or risk generations of economic progress lost in a moment.

Pastor Derrick Scobey, with the support of the deacons and trustees of Ebenezer Baptist Church immediately put their ‘Yes on the table,’ and began to open their doors and parking lots to anyone who needed help.

https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/aSChCL9RLyuJJzynhB16Vu?domain=podcasts.apple.com

‎Show Thousand Stories, Ep My 'Yes' is Always on the Table - Ep. 1.7 - Pastor Derrick Scobey - Jun 30, 2021

27/06/2021

I love the podcast format as it allows for deeper engagement on important topics. I continue to be asked where to find additional information (photos, links, etc) about the people featured on , so I built a site with a 'deep dive' feature. I hope you enjoy. Suggestions welcome!
www.secretarybrown.com

Justin Wren (aka ‘The Big Pygmy’) has committed his life to defeating hate with love.  As an MMA heavy weight champion with UFC and Belator and a two time national wrestling champion, Justin fought in the ring against people, but his heart was calling him to fight for people.  In this episode,...

21/06/2021

I have been wrestling with, and beginning to talk about, the development of a new vision around a rebuilt social safety net to help families lift themselves out of poverty. This video from the podcast helps explain this customized and empowering vision.
https://youtu.be/tzu8BXvih7w

The opportunity is to impact poverty by changing the distribution model of human services by meeting those in poverty where they are. In this segment from #...

17/06/2021

Video now on YouTube of episode 6 of the Thousand Stories podcast in which Turns the Tables - Ep.1.6. https://youtu.be/MFWkIjtnGp0 via

‘’ Turns the TablesJustin Wren (aka ‘The Big Pygmy’) has committed his life to defeating hate with love. As an MMA heavy weight champion with UF...

17/06/2021

For Apple Podcast listeners, episode 6, in which Justin Eféosa-Wren turns the table and interviewed me launched on all platforms today. The link to the Apple platform episode is below. Apple had an issue with the launch so have created a new stream, so you may have to re-subscribe. Enjoy!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thousand-stories/id1567746025?i=1000525864503

‎Show Thousand Stories, Ep Turns the Tables - Episode 1.6. - Jun 17, 2021

10/06/2021

The full video of MMA Champion and Global Humanitarian () Justin Eféosa-Wren (episode 5) on the Thousand Stories podcast is now posted to YouTube. Thankful for his friendship and story.

MMA Champion & Global Humanitarian, Justin Wren aka ‘The Big Pygmy’Justin Wren (aka ‘The Big Pygmy’) has committed his life to defeating hate with love. As ...

05/06/2021

I’m so thankful for organizations that have become true partners in our work. I always appreciate the opportunity to joint vision with the George Kaiser Family Foundation as we look to move our communities forward together!

02/06/2021

The full video of the episode with Clarence Hill, founder of the Stronger Together Movement is now on YouTube.

The Stronger Together movement centers around four core beliefs:DIGNITY - To respect the inherent worth of all people by seeking what is best for everyone re...

02/06/2021

Welcome my friend, Clarence Hill, to the podcast to talk about bridge building and his 'Dream Clock' as tangible concepts towards achieving racial equity. Our conversation just published as Episode 4 of the 'Thousand Stories' podcast.

The Stronger Together movement centers around four core beliefs: DIGNITY - To respect the inherent worth of all people by seeking what is best for everyone regardless of ethnicity or wealth status. IDENTITY - To identify with those who are outside of our familiar worlds but share our values and with...