OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Health Department will close 17 of its 33 child guidance centers in an effort to save money.
Guidance services director Debra Anderson says 18 jobs will be eliminated and plans are to close the centers by July 1. She says the changes will save an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million a year.
The staff at the centers work with child care centers, Head Start programs and schools to diagnose and treat children with speech, hearing, behavioral and developmental problems. Andersen says services were provided to more than 7,000 people last year.
Those being closed are in Texas, Kingfisher, Logan, McClain, Garvin, Stephens, Seminole, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, McIntosh, Creek, Pawnee, Washington, Mayes, Wagoner, Cherokee and Adair counties.
---
Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
