OKLAHOMA CITY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 - During a Special Board Meeting, the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) Board appointed Laura Talbert as OJA Interim Director. Talbert first joined OJA in March 2024 as Chief Legal Officer. A graduate of the OU College of Law in 2012, she previously worked as a prosecutor and served in the General Counsel's Office for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
In addition to state service, Talbert generously gives much of her personal time to the legal profession. Governor Stitt appointed her to the Uniform Law Commission as an Oklahoma delegate in April 2021. Additionally, she currently sits as Chair of the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division (YLD) and she serves as the YLD liaison to the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Board of Governors.
Talbert’s proven dedication to public service and passion for helping others make her an excellent choice to now lead OJA. She is excited to continue serving the state and looks forward to making a positive impact on the lives of Oklahoma's youth and families.
This leadership change comes after OJA’s Director, Jeffrey Cartmell, was selected by Governor Stitt to lead the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, beginning Monday, September 16, 2024.
Assisting Talbert in her new role as Interim Director will be Shel Millington, who was appointed as Deputy Director of the agency. Millington, the former Director of Behavioral Health at OJA, has been an invaluable member of the OJA leadership team for the past four years. With her extensive experience and enthusiasm, Millington will promote alignment and collaboration between OJA programs and initiatives, as well as oversee the Office of Standards for Prevention and System Improvement, and the Office of Strategic Planning and Engagement. Her leadership will ensure the highest standards are achieved in all areas of the agency, particularly within behavioral health.
Additionally, Constanzia Nizza, the agency's former Chief of Staff, will transition to the role of Chief of Operational Excellence. Nizza's exceptional project management skills and her ability to foster collaboration will be instrumental in supporting agency initiatives moving forward. She will continue to work closely with OJA leadership and key stakeholders to ensure major actions and initiatives align with the agency's mission, vision, and core values. Nizza will also continue to support the agency’s government affairs and communications strategies.
In line with these leadership changes, OJA has created a new position focused on a critical phase of the juvenile justice continuum, Reentry. Alison Humphrey has been selected to serve as OJA’s Director of Reentry. In this role, she will lead the design and implementation of a standardized, statewide reentry model for youth returning to the community. With over 23 years of comprehensive experience within OJA, Humphrey's expertise and dedication will be instrumental to ensuring successful reintegration for these young people.
These leadership changes will further enhance the agency's ability to provide effective services and support to Oklahoma's youth. OJA remains committed to its mission of collaborating with youth, families, and community partners to create pathways for success through prevention and treatment for all Oklahoma youth.
