Senate committee forwards Brenda Hafer for director of Office of Disability Concerns

An Oklahoma Senate committee voted 10-0 to forward the nomination of Brenda Penner Hafer to serve as director of the Office of Disability Concerns, sending the nomination to the full Senate.

Senator Hicks introduced Hafer’s nomination and said Hafer had been serving in an interim capacity for three years following the previous director’s death. Members asked Hafer to describe the office’s functions and her priorities before the committee voted.

Brenda Penner Hafer told the committee the Office of Disability Concerns advocates and educates on behalf of Oklahomans with disabilities. She said the office works directly with callers and community partners to connect people to resources, help with job applications and provide referrals to food banks or other supports. Hafer said her staff aims to answer every call and to connect callers to appropriate services when they cannot resolve issues directly.

Members praised Hafer’s work leading the office through a difficult transition and noted she moved the office under the Department of Human Services for financial support. Senator Hicks said Hafer requested a flat budget and has managed the office within existing resources; Hafer confirmed she has sought only modest additional help while in the interim role.

The committee recorded a unanimous favorable recommendation. The clerk reported "10 ayes and 0 nays," and the chair declared the nomination passed and forwarded to the full Senate for consideration.

The nomination advances to the full Senate for final confirmation; no date for that vote was specified in the committee transcript.