[Wakyco]

I'm not actually wanting you to give me a job (unless you really want to)

What I'm actually looking for are connections to potential employers.

A little about me and what I am hoping to find.

I hold a bachelors degree in sociology and have many years of experience in human services working directly with individuals of all ages and disabilities.

Ideally, what I am hoping to find is a position as a program director for an agency that provides support services to individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism, down's syndrome, mild mental retardation, etc.

As I am familar with programs such as Special Olympics and am familiar with residential, vocational and recreational services I feel like I would be excellent at prioritizing needs based upon each individual.

Why choose Oklahoma?

I love the cultural diversity, the lakes, the cities, the whole general atmosphere. I lean towards Tulsa but am not opposed to other parts of the state if I could find my ideal job.

One of the biggest concerns I have is this: The industry itself is relatively low pay especially for Direct Service providers. Since that is most of my experience I don't have a lot of money available to move with so, I would need a job soon after I arrive. Most, if not all jobs in the human service/social service sector require a background check to be done. I have nothing on my record to be concerned with (I'm so clean I squeak which is almost embarrasing ) but as I will be moving from out of state it would take time for my background check to be completed as my potential employer would have to wait until they receive the information from my current state which may or may not take a long time. That is why I'm trying to find agencies to make contact with before I move instead of after I arrive. Hopefully, that is where some of you on the C-D forum can come in. Thanks.

[Elias Graves]

Check these places...
The childrens' center in bethany
Jd McCarty Center in Norman.

If nothing else, maybe they can hook you up with more contacts.

EG

[Wakyco]

Thanks. That's a start.

Any other leads?

I'm sure Oklahoma, like all states have a state office that assists people with employment issues. In Washington State it is called "Washington Worksource." They are the state agency that assists people with finding jobs, filing unemployment claims etc.

What is it in Oklahoma? Do they have a website? Thanks again

[Elias Graves]

You might try the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center.
I bet they have links to every agancy uin the state that deals with these issues.
Don't know if they are looking for anyone, but the people there are well connected.

EG

[justusjnd]

Try Family Services, to even Family counsling services, to even St. Francis Hospital Children Department.~ Tulsa. You might even check into Homeless family services.

[Talisman09]

Try this: Office of Personnel Management - OPM Home Page

But I think you will need to be a resident of Oklahoma first before applying for many of the jobs, maybe not though. Someone who knows jump in here please.