Oklahoma's mental health chief to be Department of Human Services' interim director

Terri White, 38, takes over at the DHS on March 1, the day after longtime Director Howard Hendrick leaves behind his day-to-day responsibilities.

“I will give it my 110 percent,” she said.

White said Friday she will continue in her current position as commissioner of the state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She said she will work out of offices at both agencies.

“Some days, I may be back and forth six times,” she said.

DHS commissioners hope to choose a new director before July 1 after conducting a national search.

White said she would not accept the DHS position permanently.

“I am happy to help in any way I can to help them find the best person to have this job permanently,” she said.

DHS commissioners voted Friday without opposition to have White be their interim director.

The commission's chairman, Brad Yarbrough, called her “a perfect fit to move into this position during the short term and continue moving the agency forward in a positive direction.”