OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 18, 2023) – Oklahoma Human Services Director, Dr. Deborah Shropshire, has named Tricia Howell as Director of Child Welfare Services.

“I am honored to serve alongside the leadership team at Oklahoma Human Services in this role as we work to equip families with the tools and services they need to be successful,” said Howell. “We have an incredibly strong, passionate leadership team in place who are all dedicated to working together to carry the agency’s mission forward in service to Oklahoma’s families. We are also fortunate to have the support of countless community partners and foster families who step forward to serve our agency’s families, and I am so excited to see what the future holds for our work together.”

Howell is a child welfare veteran with more than 29 years of service with Oklahoma Human Services and eight years at a Therapeutic Foster Care agency. She has held progressively challenging roles, most recently serving as the Assistant Director of Child Welfare Operations, providing oversight of child welfare related-policy and training, Pinnacle Plan Strategies and many key teams within the division.

“Tricia’s depth and breadth of knowledge in child welfare is incredible, but what is even more impressive is her heart,” said Shropshire. “She is invested in our families and children and deeply passionate about their success. Tricia treats every person she meets as if they are one of her own family and always seeks to remove barriers so they can achieve their dreams and realize a better future for their own families. She will bring that same heart and dedication to her new role and I am excited to see what the future holds for our staff and the families we serve.”

Howell holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a Masters in Human Resources from East Central Oklahoma State University and was licensed as a professional counselor (LPC) in 2004.

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