DHS names new deputy director of child welfare for southern Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Steve Burton has been named Region 2 child welfare deputy director for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS). Burton will oversee child welfare in the following counties: Harmon, Jackson, Greer, Kiowa, Tillman, Comanche, Caddo, Cotton, Grady, Stephens, Jefferson, Carter, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, Murray, Lincoln, Love, Johnston and Marshall.

"I'm really looking forward to working with the child welfare staff in this region--they are the best," says Burton. "We are committed to the implementation of the Pinnacle Plan and making further improvements to child welfare in Oklahoma."

The Oklahoma Pinnacle Plan is the improvement plan for child welfare services. DHS settled a class action, civil rights lawsuit against its foster care system by agreeing to make improvements in targeted areas of its child welfare system.

Burton began his career at DHS in 1994 as a social worker and has since served as a supervisor, county director and regional director. A native of Gotebo, Oklahoma, Burton attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology.

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