Cristo Rey Student Application deadline set for July 15
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Cristo Rey Oklahoma City Catholic High School – Cristo Rey OKC (https://ift.tt/2Ypxlc3) – is currently accepting applications for the 2020-21 school year, most notably for the incoming freshman class as well as a limited number of transfer applications for grades 10 and 11, until July 15.
A college preparatory private school, Cristo Rey OKC focuses its efforts on offering a faith-based education, sliding scale tuition and an exclusive Corporate Work Study Program.
“Cristo Rey OKC offers a unique, educational opportunity for students who desire college preparatory classes, but could not otherwise afford one,” Cristo Rey OKC President Chip Carter said.
“Our meticulous curriculum paired with our Corporate Work Study Program, where students have the opportunity to earn the majority of their own tuition, sets our students up to succeed today, in college and in their future careers.”
Tuition starts at $50 per month, based on a family’s ability to pay. Interested students can apply online or by printing off an application at CristoReyOKC.org/admissions .
“In addition to our Corporate Work Study Program, Cristo Rey OKC offers free tutoring, college counseling, small class sizes, extracurricular activities including a variety of sports and clubs and more,” Carter continued.
Learn more about Cristo Rey OKC, take a virtual tour and hear from some of Cristo Rey OKC’s current students at CristoReyOKC.org
About Cristo Rey Oklahoma City: Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School is a Catholic learning community that educates young people of limited economic means to become men and women of faith, knowledge, purpose and service. A member of the national Cristo Rey Network of 37 schools, Cristo Rey OKC combines rigorous academics with real-world work experience, seeking to prepare their students for success in college and life. As part of Cristo Rey’s unique Corporate Work Study Program, students work one day a week in professional settings, earning a majority of their own tuition.
Cristo Rey Student Application deadline set for July 15 Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
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Oklahoma business leader and national mental health advocate Cathy Costello has been selected by Donald Trump’s campaign to sing the national anthem at the Tulsa rally on Saturday, June 20.
“It is an honor to perform for the President of the United States and his supporters,” said Costello. “Singing the national anthem in a room filled with such patriotic spirit and enthusiasm will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am so thankful for this opportunity – it will be a night to remember.”
U.S. Representative Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, who helped the Trump campaign select the national anthem performer, said, “Cathy is a talented singer and great supporter of our President. She was the clear choice for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to seeing her perform on Saturday.”
Background Information on Cathy Costello:
Spending many years as an entrepreneur and policy advisor, Cathy and her husband, the late Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, dealt with the challenge of mental illness with their son, who has battled with schizophrenia for fifteen years. In August 2015, their son inexplicably killed Mark during a psychotic episode and Mark died in Cathy’s arms.
In the years since, Cathy has been instrumental in passing landmark state and federal legislation to improve how we address mental health needs in our communities, health care approaches and the workplace.
She is a sought-after speaker, has appeared on local and national radio and television and sits on numerous state and national mental health boards.
Most recently, she has been asked to join the board of the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders American Alliance (SARDAA) and is a committee member of the state planning and advisory council for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).
Cathy Costello to perform national anthem at Trump’s Tulsa rally Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Voters have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 23, to request a mail absentee ballot for the June 30 Primary Election, State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said Friday (June 19).
Voters can apply for absentee ballots online using the OK Voter Portal at https://www.ok.gov/elections/OVP.html.
Applications can also be downloaded from the State Election Board Website at https://ift.tt/2rKNTxQ and mailed to the voter’s County Election Board.
A directory of County Election Boards is available at https://ift.tt/2aQugZ5.
Voted absentee ballots must be received by the county election boards no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day, June 30.
In-person absentee voting, or “early voting,” begins Thursday, June 25. “Early voting” will be available at all 77 county election boards across the state and at additional locations in some counties.
A list of additional “early voting” sites is available on the State Election Board website at elections.ok.gov.
Early voting will be available Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Primary Election allows voters to select nominees for various federal, state, and county offices for November’s General Election. In primary races with more than two candidates where no one receives a majority of the votes, runoffs will be held August 25.
Also on the ballot is State Question 802 (SQ 802), which would expand Medicaid coverage for some Oklahomans. You will find ballot language for SQ 802 at https://www.ok.gov/elections/Election_Info/State_Question_info.html.
Additionally, many elections postponed from April due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be on the ballot, as well.
Oklahoma has closed primaries; however, recognized parties may open up their primaries to Independent voters by notifying the Secretary of the State Election Board.
For the 2020 and 2021 election years, the Democratic Party has elected to open its primaries to Independents.
The Republican and Libertarian parties have chosen to keep their primaries closed.
Voters can view a sample ballot or track their absentee ballot using the OK Voter Portal at https://ift.tt/37I34t0.
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
Absentee Ballot Deadline approaches; Early Voting Scheduled for Primary Election Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
OKLAHOMA CITY –Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, issued a statement Friday (June 19) on Sen. Allison Ikley-Freeman’s continuing recovery. The Tulsa Democrat was seriously injured in a collision on the Turner Turnpike while traveling to the state Capitol for the legislative session on May 22.
“On Wednesday, June 10, Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman was released from Kaiser Rehabilitation Center in Tulsa. She returned to her home but undergoes daily rehabilitation treatment for her many injuries.
“With permission from Allison and her family, I can share that her injuries from the accident included six broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, two vertebrae fractures, and five fractures to her pelvis. She works daily to regain the ability to walk but will use a wheelchair for the time being.
“Although Senator Ikley-Freeman is not available for comment at this time, she and her family continue to extend gratitude to her church, friends, and fellow legislators in the state Senate and House of Representatives for their sustained support.
“She and her family request continued privacy and prayer for Allison and for the family of the other person involved.”
www.CapitolBeatOK.com
Oklahoma Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd gives update on Sen. Allison Ikley-Freeman Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
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CVS announces new Oklahoma site for free COVID-19 testing Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles National Security and Academic Integrity: Scholars focus critical scrutiny on Confucius Institutes6/18/2020
The National Association of Scholars (NAS) recently sponsored, “China, the American Academy and the National Interest: A Virtual Panel Discussion.” Three American scholars and an academic speaking from Europe parsed thorny issues, relating substantive reasons for concerns — which ranged from merely serious to profound — about so-called “Confucius Institutes” on U.S. campuses.
While the NAS panel is likely the most thorough recent treatment readily accessible to non-specialists, the event came in a broader context. Even advocates of continued economic and academic engagement with the mainland now seem to wonder about the significant U.S. campus presence of institutes guided directly by an arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Oklahoma’s U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma City has long worked to counter mainland Chinese “propaganda under the guise of cultural education.” Just days ago, U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern of Tulsa affirmed existing laws requiring financial disclosure of CCP cash, but added there are “currently no laws that require individual professors and departments to disclose [CCP] funding directly to the American public.”
American policy analysts, public officials, academics and scattered journalists are devoting new attention to the role of the Peoples’ Republic of China on U.S. campuses. CCP “United Fronts” influence governments around the world through sheer economic clout via many avenues.
Factors often not clarified in the western media include CCP-financed efforts to steer U.S. academics away from critical looks at the mainland’s leverage through financial gifts funneled into the campus Confucius Institutes still operating.
The NAS focus is outlined this way: “Many American universities and academics have developed alarmingly close ties to the Chinese government and the state arms of the Chinese Communist Party. High-profile arrests of prominent U.S. academics have taken place across the country when information surfaced that they were taking millions of dollars in under-the-table funding from China. This raises urgent questions surrounding higher education and American national security.”
(https://ift.tt/2ADPNG1)
The website of the University of Oklahoma’s Confucius Institute
(https://ift.tt/2Ydq93J)
lays out a benign-sounding presence in Norman, with a branch office in Tulsa: “Established in 2006, the Confucius Institute at the University of Oklahoma (OUCI) seeks to support Oklahoma educators in their efforts to teach the Chinese language, and to assist Oklahoma businesses that wish to do business in the Chinese speaking world.”
Ongoing OU programs have in-person and online aspects, including language instruction, international programs with an emphasis on Asia, and travel to China for selected students and teachers:
“Under the direct leadership of top officials from both universities, and with support from the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the business community, and the Chinese Consulate in Houston, OUCI works closely with the local school districts to provide statewide support for Chinese language instruction at the K-16 level. In addition, OUCI works closely with OU’s College of Continuing Education, as well as organizations which promote the development of the U.S. - China [Relationship] to provide credit and non - credit educational programs for the community.”
An OU spokesman recently said (https://ift.tt/3hIcwRF) the university has been in the process of quietly closing its Confucius Institute since April.
The trio of panelists for the NAS event included Steven Mosher (Population Research Institute), Jonas Parello-Plesner (Alliance of Democracies Foundation; non-resident fellow at the German Marshall Fund), and Sarah Cook (China specialist for Freedom House).
Their 85-minute presentation provided ample time for them and moderator Rachelle Peterson of the NAS to distill the complexities of issues at hand.
Concerning Confucius Institute language programs, Mosher observed, “If you can control language, of course, … you can control how issues are framed, you can control the narrative, you can rewrite history. [Language] is a tool with a thousand uses.”
He stressed that all CIs use simplified language instruction. That is problematic because international scholarship and discourse (even newspapers) remain traditional for Hong Kong and Taiwan universities and for specialists around the world. Simplified Chinese characters do not allow for nuance or precision in translation and understanding.
Cook shared stories of apparent self-censorship, and instances of more direct control over instructors. (All Confucius Institute instructors must be approved by the CCP and the mainland government.)
Parello-Plesner spoke from Paris in notably moderate tones, encouraging U.S. policymakers “to avoid a China Scare.” Yet, he explicitly said new steps are needed to “assure that the CCP does not have inordinate influence” in western institutions of Higher Education.
A somber observation from Moshser came near the end of the virtual discussion, making his point about the proclivities of the communist government. In the decades since the Tiananmen Square massacre, he contends, the mainland government has “become even more corrupt.” He continued, “If the CCP had not suppressed the truth about the virus that began in Wuhan, hundreds of thousands of lives could have been saved around the world” over the past several months.
Soon after the panel, Peterson answered questions and reviewed the status of Confucius Institutes.
"NAS tracks the decline in Confucius Institutes in the United States. We don't have a similar tracker for all Confucius Institutes globally, though certainly many in other countries have closed as well. In April, Sweden closed the last of its Confucius Institutes, for instance,” Peterson said told this reporter.
"Confucius Institutes have gone from being an asset to becoming a liability. Early on, universities advertised their Confucius Institutes as evidence of their global ties and foreign language curriculum. Now, as Confucius Institutes have become known nationwide as a threat, universities have sought to distance themselves or even close them down,” Peterson continued.
“Partly this is due to pressure from the [U.S.] federal government, which has launched investigations, warned against Confucius Institutes, and withheld funding to universities that maintain Confucius Institutes. But it is also due to student protests, faculty efforts, and the common-sense judgment of university administrators who see the dangers that Confucius Institutes pose,” she concluded.
Mosher said that the institutes, financed through cooperative agreements between American universities/colleges and the HanBan (the mainland government’s department of education) operate as an explicit arm of “United Front” activities, guided by the CCP. Government grants from the CCP “are always quid pro quo” – with direct benefit to the government of China.
Lankford, updating his perspective on Confucius Institutes, was even more critical than in the past. He said, “Beijing continues to suppress human rights throughout China, including the recent move to silence the citizens in Hong Kong. For decades, the Communist Party of China has used Confucius Institutes on American university campuses to distribute its propaganda under the guise of cultural education.”
Sen. Lankford told CapitolBeatOK, “Americans of all ages should stand up for the freedom of all people around the world and give a strong response to the misinformation propagated by Confucius Institutes.”
Hern said in a June 12 press release, “Laws exist that require universities to report foreign funding over $250,000 to the Department of Education, but so much can fall under the radar with a requirement that high. … There are currently no laws that require individual professors and departments to disclose funding directly to the American public. Universities and their professors occupy a position of public trust in this country, and public trust comes with an obligation for public transparency.”
Scrutiny has already had an impact: In recent years, Confucius Institutes in America have declined from 120 affiliations to 80.
NOTE: A member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, Pat McGuigan is a certified teacher in 10 subject areas including World History. This report also appeared at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs website, here (https://ift.tt/3dbP4ck). An admirer of the Chinese ethical Philosopher Confucius, McGuigan has often taught Chinese history units to Oklahoma students over the last 18 years. In the 1990s, his journalism focused on Asia was honored with the “International Communication Award” from the government of Taiwan, which he has visited four times.
National Security and Academic Integrity: Scholars focus critical scrutiny on Confucius Institutes Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Oklahoma’s leading free market “think tank” – the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs (OCPA) – has affirmed the focus and purpose of State Question 805, a qualified state constitutional citizen initiative awaiting a place on one of the remaining possible 2020 election ballots
Trent England, executive vice president for OCPA, said in a prepared statement, “Debates about sentencing reform should be backed by data. We found that State Question 805 would reduce Oklahoma’s incarceration rate enough that we could close some of our oldest and most expensive prisons. That means less overcrowding for inmates, safer conditions for guards and lower costs for taxpayers.”
Results of the OCPA study were distributed to news organizations around Oklahoma today (June 17), and highlighted in an online “virtual” press conference with around two dozen participants, including reporters for several of the state’s largest news organizations.
The provided summary of the OCPA study explained:
“Oklahoma criminal statutes typically provide a sentencing range for each offense. A separate law allows even longer sentences — sometimes including life in prison — for persons with prior felony convictions. People convicted of non-violent property and drug offenses are the most likely to receive enhanced penalties under this [current] law and also receive the harshest sentence increases.
“State Question 805 would limit this sentence enhancement to crimes that the legislature considers violent. This should reduce Oklahoma’s prison population by 8.5 percent over the next 10 years. That would reduce state expenses between $45 million and $186 million, with expected savings of at least $142 million.
“Taxpayer savings of up to $27 million per year would continue indefinitely into the future. These funds could be directed to substance abuse and mental health services, victim’s services, reentry programs, or other public safety priorities.”
Joining for unveiling of the OCPA study were England (Executive VP, Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs – OCPA), Jonathan Small (President, OCPA), David Safavian (General Counsel of the American Conservative Union), Dan Little (Attorney, Little, Oliver & Gallagher PLLC) and Estela Hernandez (Board member, Oklahoma State Board of Education).
Responding to the new study in “real time” was former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Kris Steele of Shawnee, who welcomed the enthusiasm of the speakers assembled online.
Steele is presently chairman of Oklahomans for Sentencing Reform. He guided to passage the original Justice Reinvestment Initiative package in 2012
(https://capitolbeatok.worldsecuresystems.com/reports/justice-reinvestment-bill-signed-laying-basis-for-policy-transformations).
In 2016, Steele was instrumental in campaign to secure popular approval of State Questions 780 and 781, measures which helped reignite momentum for substantive reform.
(https://ift.tt/2zKdkoc)
Sarah Edwards, president of Yes on 805, welcomed OCPA’s affirmation, saying, “This analysis backs up what we already know — that eliminating Oklahoma’s excessive sentencing practices puts us on track to become a better state.
“The money saved by safely lowering our prison population can be redirected to rehabilitative services, resources for crime survivors, reentry programs or other public good initiatives.”
Supporters of the constitutional initiative submitted more than 260,000 signatures on June 1, and are awaiting designation of a 2020 ballot. That decision will rest with Governor Kevin Stitt.
BREAKING: State Question 805 gets strong affirmation in new study from OCPA Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Temple Hills, Maryland – The National Capital Baptist Convention (N.B.C.), led by Reverend Charles McNeill, Jr., announced Friday “immediate action to assess, test, track, treat, and potentially contain individuals compromised by the pandemic.”
A private, diverse, conglomerate of both small and large businesses are partnering to tackle the impact of COVID-19 in the African American community, a press release from the denomination said. With the utilization of “health pods” to provide mobile testing options, this initiative will bring together both public and private sectors to deliver community-based access to getting tested for COVID-19 and potential treatment. In the release sent from NewsWire.com to CapitolBeatOK and other news organizations, Melvin Forbes, a consultant who is N.B.C.’s Chief Strategist, stated:
"The history of all solutions and progress made by African Americans has always started in our churches, from civil rights to human rights, voting rights, and economic rights. With the combination of this faith-based business collaborative, we intend to reduce the underlying healthcare disparity gaps in the African American communities that have been highlighted during this pandemic. The unique community-based approach we have in place for COVID-19 is called PIElazation (Portable, Integratable, Expandable), providing mobile resources and implementing Eco-Tech Pro-IV Health Solution Pods locally to help make testing resources more accessible while providing education to reduce the disproportionality of this virus in our community. Testing and treatment are vital to bringing both short and long-term solutions directly to the African American communities that need them most at this critical time.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), while the effects of COVID-19 on the health of racial and ethnic minority groups are still emerging, current data suggest a disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minority groups. CNN has reported recent evidence that more African Americans may be dying from the coronavirus in the United States than whites or other ethnic groups.
Black Americans represent 13.4 percent of the American population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Still, counties with higher Black populations account for more than half of all COVID-19 cases and almost 60 percent of deaths, the study found. The U.S. has reportedly spent $3 trillion on the COVID-19 crisis. To date, the press release maintained, “no substantive testing or resources have been allocated or disbursed in underserved communities that have large Black populations.”
Tony White, president of Special Olympics of North America, commented: "One of the first charges I accepted and wholehearted embraced was the expansion of the Special Olympics of North America into the Faith and African American community. In this unprecedented time, God has answered our prayers; we are honored to join, and, more importantly, take action in all communities in collaboration with the National Baptist Convention. The country has lost millions of jobs, and upon hearing of the job strategy, which could employ not only caregivers but volunteers, parents, and loved ones, affected by COVID-19, I was blown away at the prospects of our athletes being trained in Bethune Academic Curriculum Kit (B.A.C.K.), specialized workforce development curriculum under development.”
N.B.C. has also teamed up with celebrity entertainers and athletes to address this critical issue further, the press release disclosed.
"Regrettably, we have food and health deserts in Prince George's County. The tragic murder of George Floyd has also compounded things, as there are trust issues in our communities. The work we will do, in partnership with the National Baptist Convention, is what we should all rally around," stated All-Pro Defensive Back, DeAngelo Hall in the NewsWire.com press release.
"We are encouraged that DeAngelo and his friends will engage directly into the community, like Prince George's County, along with Brett Favre, Ray Lewis, and athletes from all sports. Sports are a part of the fabric of our community. We are excited to have an impact in the world of sports with our partnerships with former Patriot, Richard Myles, the founder, and Owner of the Minor Football League, as their players will also be tested," stated Reverend McNeill, who in previous years worked in Oklahoma.
In-home assessment (mental health), testing (COVID-19), and utilization of Eco-Tech Pro-IV Health Pods, which will be on all church sites, are vital to bringing short and long term solutions directly to the communities that need them most at this critical time. "Testing and treatment has to be a grassroots level effort to be effective, and the Pods are designed to be that solution," said College Football Hall of Famer and San Francisco 49er's legend, Randy Cross.
Other collaborators joining this initiative include The Naismith International Basketball Foundation. Harlem Globetrotters Legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Bobby "Zorro" Hunter, current NBA and retired players such as Dale Davis, and wrestling icon Bill Goldberg are among what N.B.C. characterized as “the scores of sports legends who have joined the movement.”
Reverend McNeill continued in the Friday, June 12 release, "COVID-19 has brought to light the systematic challenges that exist in the African American community as it relates to having access to healthcare. Recognizing these disparities, we partnered with the private coalition and entertainment and sports celebrities to help make testing resources available and provide education to reduce the disproportionate number of infections and morbidity rates in our community. The church has always been the beacon of light on a hill, and through this effort, we will continue to be devoted to doing God's work."
With more than 9.8 million tithing members and 33,000 plus churches, the National Baptist Convention (N.B.C.) “has dedicated itself to fulfilling the high commission of Jesus Christ through teaching, preaching, and during this critical moment in history, healing,” the recent release said.
N.B.C. is committed to creating jobs and developing faith-driven strategies to improve the quality of life for its members and the communities they serve. The health pods allow for the ability to provide essential healthcare services and create jobs, which is vitally important to the communities in which they serve. With the rollout, there is the anticipation of new employment opportunities across the country. The pods will aide in the speed of the reopening of our nation through this initiative. We are creating jobs for the critical front-line workers and helping to ensure communities and businesses have access to testing to maintain a safe and COVID-19 free workforce.
The N.B.C. release shared the response of Ray Lewis, a citizen backing the denomination’s efforts: "There's nobody angrier and more heart-broken than me over the murder of Brother Floyd, but we have another devil to fight, and his name is Corona. Thousands of our people are still dying daily, and I'm asking, pleading, that every disenfranchised brother and sister of all races would join our movement and help validate the process to test in all communities, beginning with the National Baptist Convention (N.B.C.). I'M IN."
The first pilot health pod was scheduled to be positioned in the Metropolitan Washington Area (DMV). For more information, visit NBCImIn.com.
Sports & Entertainment Celebrities Team Up With National Baptist Convention to Fight COVID-19: Resources for 20 million Americans facing pandemic Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
Imagine these three scenarios …
Your son just turned 18 and you received a call that he slipped and fell while at the market and is in the hospital. You rush to the hospital to see him and ask the staff how he is. … What happens?
Your daughter is 18, still in school, and has an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting this morning. As you approach the counselor’s office, she turns to you and says, “Mom, I want to do this alone.”… What happens?
Your son who has autism just turned 18 and received credit card offers in the mail. He applies for a credit card but you don’t think it’s a good idea. … What happens?
In Oklahoma and most other states, when someone turns 18 they are considered an adult and are expected to make all the right decisions about finances, medical, and life. They can vote, open bank accounts, enter into binding contracts, buy a car, and move out of the house…you may remember the feeling of independence when you turned 18.
However, this may present a dilemma for some caregivers of dependents with special needs.
For some dependents, making day to day decisions can be challenging. Essentially there are two types of decisions that can be made; personal and financial. Some dependents may be able to make both, one or the other, or none at all.
When this happens and help is needed, you may want to consider guardianship.
Guardianship (for adults) is a legal process during which a person (usually a family member) asks the court to find that a person is unable to make important decisions and/or manage their own affairs on a daily basis.
In most states, a guardian is responsible for personal decisions, ranging from day-to-day decisions to medical decisions, housing, food, etc. In Oklahoma, the court can appoint a guardian of the person and a guardian of the property, which can be the same person, but does not have to be. A guardian of the property, is responsible for decisions regarding public benefits, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income, property, income, and financial matters.
Some caregivers feel that a relative or family friend would be best suited as a guardian of the person, as they would know the dependent’s wishes and needs. And maybe an institution, such as a bank, would be better suited to serve as guardian of the property in handling the financial decisions because of their expertise and longevity. It is also possible for the Court to appoint co-guardians.
If the caregiver and dependent feel guardianship is right for their circumstance and the dependent is over 18, then the caregiver must file a petition for guardianship in the district court. But if the dependent is under 18, the caregiver can name a person or persons to serve as guardian of the child upon the death of the caregiver in the caregiver’s will. The Court will have final approval over who will serve as guardian, taking into consideration the best interests of the minor, but the Court will give the caregiver’s choice in the will the highest regard. If a guardian is not named in the caregiver’s will, and the caregiver is deceased, the decision as to who will serve as guardian will be up to the court to decide and it may not be the person the caregiver would have chosen.
Choosing a guardian for minor children is not easy. You want someone you can trust with your life. Make sure the person is willing to serve in this capacity. For parents, should one parent pass away, generally the surviving parent is entitled to custody of their dependent. However, it is customary to still name the other parent as the primary guardian. A successor guardian should also be chosen, in case the first guardian chosen is not willing to serve or dies.
If a caregiver is single, naming a guardian is even more critical because your children depend on the you alone.
Important question: Is a guardianship of your loved one necessary?
If the person is a minor and the child’s parents are unable to care for the child, a guardianship proceeding may be necessary to appoint a guardian of the minor.
If the person is an adult and is unable to make decisions related to daily living, healthcare or finances and is unable to manage his or her own affairs, it may be necessary to have a guardian appointed.
Caregivers may hesitate to initiate a guardianship proceeding because it takes away the dependent’s autonomy. A person under guardianship can lose the authority to make decisions about their personal life, as that authority is now with the guardian.
Are there less restrictive alternatives available?
If the person has the legal capacity to sign, the person may be able to sign estate planning documents, such as a Will, financial and medical powers of attorney and healthcare directives. Generally, an attorney experienced in estate planning would be able to determine whether the individual is able to sign estate planning documents. Sometimes verification from the individual’s physician may be required.
If the person is partially incapacitated, the court may appoint a limited guardian. The court can assign certain limited powers and duties to the limited guardian, but the limited guardian cannot take custody of the person. Under a limited guardianship, the partially incapacitated person can maintain a certain amount of independence. The limited guardianship may be a good option for some families.
A guardianship may be the best option for individuals who are incapacitated. Having a guardianship in place ensures that you can care for your loved one, make medical decisions and manage their finances, including public benefits they may be entitled to receive. Even with a guardianship in place, nothing would prevent the guardian from considering the wishes and input of the person subject to the guardianship, so long as the person’s wishes are in their best interest considering their health and safety.
Obtaining a Guardianship
A person seeking guardianship must file a Petition with the court. The Petition will be set for hearing before a Judge. In Oklahoma, the person subject to the guardianship is referred to as the Ward. The proposed Ward is entitled to their own attorney, which can be appointed by the court. Title 30 of the Oklahoma statutes set forth the procedures that must be followed in a guardianship proceeding. Notice of the hearing must be provided to certain people, including the proposed Ward.
At the hearing on the Petition for guardianship, the court will hear evidence and make a determination as to whether the proposed Ward is incapacitated or partially incapacitated and whether a guardian will be needed. If the guardian is appointed, they will take an oath, swearing to uphold their duties as guardian. The court will outline the duties of a guardian.
Once appointed, the guardian must file a plan for the care and treatment of the ward as well as the management of the assets of the ward. An inventory of the assets of the Ward is also required. Sometimes a guardian will have to ask for special permission from the court, such as for the sale of a piece of property or to change living circumstances. The guardian must file an annual report to verify that the dependent’s needs are met. If finances are involved, records must be kept and reconciled and an annual account must be filed with the court. If the guardian fails to satisfy the court, they may be removed or subject to civil penalties, or both.
Most special needs providers and advocates would recommend the least restrictive form of guardianship, as independence, dignity, and integrity are in the person’s best interest. To the extent possible, it is important to involve the dependent in the decision-making process.
Due to the complexity of guardianship proceedings and state laws, you may need to seek advice from your own legal counsel who can work with your other advisers to help you plan for the future of your dependent with special needs.
Email Jennifer Wright at [email protected] or Ellyn Hefner, Special Care planner at [email protected] with questions about guardianship and planning for your child who has a disability.
NOTE: Patrick B. McGuigan, publisher of The City Sentinel and founder of CapitolBeatOK, compiled this information from a range of sources.
Guardianship and Special Care Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma state Pardon and Parole Board is asking Attorney General Mike Hunter whether or not they have the authority to consider requests for commutation of sentences (https://ift.tt/30ARu1w) imposed on death row inmates in our state.
Those of us convinced that Julius Jones (https://ift.tt/30yfAKf), Richard Glossip (https://ift.tt/1PxZEdg), and perhaps others are actually innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted hoped the P&P Board would move forward in the process, announced in February, of reviewing certain death penalty cases.
That original movement toward hearings came after the state government announced it had prepared protocols to restore lethal injections (http://city-sentinel.com/2020/02/oklahoma-to-resume-state-killings-after-acquiring-same-lethal-injection-drugs-used-in-botched-executions/)
as a means for executions.
Frankly, the P&P Board’s indication of uncertainty (https://ift.tt/2XRuJEK) about its legal authority is worrisome, as it seemed to provide a way to, at the least, save the lives of some of those convicted of a capital crime in the state’s troubled system.
In recent weeks, passion to save Jones’ life – and, for many, to clear his name – has grown. Three National Basketball Association stars (https://ift.tt/3gPKVxw) with ties to Oklahoma sent state officials letters weeks ago – long before the death of George Floyd triggered despair for many, and before the looting and rioting that ripped the nation’s cities apart.
After attorneys filed a clemency application (https://ift.tt/3fh6oOy) last October on behalf Jones’ with the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole board, an urgent letter writing (https://ift.tt/32ZFIv1) and social media campaign drew great support from the public as well as from notables such as attorney Bryan Stevenson (https://ift.tt/2SPTrCN), Kim Karshashian West ( https://twitter.com/KimKardashian/status/1184592666668912640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1184592666668912640&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fkfor.com%2F2019%2F10%2F17%2Fok-death-row-inmate-julius-joness-family-speaks-on-support-for-clemency-petition%2F) and U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn, D-Oklahoma City (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5d4df5acea4f970001e70135/t/5db2e2e78a62df0bc1327ab2/1572004587580/Cong+Kendra+Horn+Letter+to+Gov+Stitt+.pdf).
In recent days, a online petition from Change.org (a group with which I am not customarily affiliated, but they are doing the right thing, here) is nearing 6 million signatures (https://ift.tt/2B2uLjW) in support of Jones.
A.G. Hunter is an unlikely suspect, pardon the expression, to play a role in saving the life of Julius Jones. Yet, he found his way to authorizing a strong (and effective) argument to the U.S. Supreme Court in a completely unrelated matter after initially advancing a weak legal position in defending state authority in one of the most important issues touching Indian Country (https://ift.tt/36b4yeG) in recent decades. Perhaps he can revisit this entire matter in light of the P&P Board’s request for guidance – and find a new way forward.
Regardless of Hunter’s disposition, Gov. Kevin Stitt should indicate his support for substantive review of the most troubled capital punishment cases. This chief executive has done more for criminal justice reform, in a pro-active way, than any governor in my life time. He supported meaningful reforms that could have been implemented 12 years ago, and gone even further than the original template.
Stitt and his wife Sarah hosted a meaningful conversation on the searing issues that are dividing Americans and Oklahomans over the past few weeks. I have absolutely no doubt about their sincerity in that and other matters.
Jones’ only hope right now is for a substantive, meaningful review (https://ift.tt/2Su5sNU) of the multiple holes in the process that led to his conviction for a 1999 murder. The person described in eye-witness testimony in that case had long curly hair that was sticking out from under a red bandanna identified as covering the head of the shooter. Trouble is, Jones’ hair was short (almost shaved) at the time (https://ift.tt/2UxO23B)
And his family said he was at home at the time of the crime.
And the case file that Jones’ attorneys were promised (https://ift.tt/2zqczk3) they could review has never been released.
The record for broken promises in this and certain other cases helps to make the argument against the death penalty – but especially in this one. No one in their right mind could possibly want process defense (to coin a term, perhaps) alone to be the reason that Oklahoma has another name added to the lengthening list of death row exonerations (https://ift.tt/2HUPqGN) across America.
Attorney General Hunter: Allow a full and meaningful review of the Jones case, from beginning to recent days. Encourage the local D.A. to keep his promise to open the case files.
Pardon and Parole Board: Withdraw your request for a Hunter opinion and continue on the path to justice.
Governor Stitt: Lend your voice to those seeking the full story, and do your part to commute the Jones sentence.
Oklahomans: Practical considerations aside, the events of these past few years should be viewed as a call to something better. It is time for an end to one era, and for the start of another. No more executions in Oklahoma. Now and forever more.
NOTE: Pat McGuigan is publisher of The City Sentinel newspaper in Oklahoma City, and founder of CapitolBeatOK.com, an online news website. A member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, he is the author of thousands of commentaries, news stories and analyses of criminal justice issues. McGuigan also is editor of seven books, including Crime and Punishment in Modern America (University Press of America), and the author of three books.
COMMENTARY -- Saving Julius Jones: A time for truth, and a time for wisdom Click on the headline to read the full article at Site Articles |
Pat McGuiganThe dean of all Oklahoma Journalism, Mr Patrick McGuigan; has a rich history of service in many aspects of both covering the news and producing the information that the public needs to know. Archives
September 2021
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