OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Rita Hart, an 11-year veteran of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, has been named the new Director of the OKDHS Human Services Center in Bryan County.

“Rita is a quality person with a wealth of experience and we’re very happy to have her joining the Area IV management team,” said Area IV Director Bill Wilson. “She’s an inspiring person who will fit right in with the great people we have in Bryan County.”

Hart began her OKDHS career as a child welfare specialist in Atoka County before serving as a child welfare supervisor in Johnston and Marshall counties concurrently. She later served as a child welfare supervisor in the OKDHS State Office at the State Capitol before resuming her fieldwork as a child welfare supervisor in Pontotoc County.

“I’m very excited about this opportunity and I’m looking forward to working with the OKDHS staff and community partners in Bryan County,” said Hart. “From my experience, I’ve found that it takes all community partners working together to meet the needs of our customers. By working together, we can provide the best quality services to the people of Oklahoma.”

Hart attended McLish High School, Fittstown, and earned an associate’s degree in Business from Murray State College, Tishomingo. She earned her bachelor’s in Social Work from East Central University, Ada, and later her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. Hart is a member of the Choctaw and the Jicarilla Apache Nation.

Hart and her husband Gerald, a rancher, reside near Bromide. They have two children, Levi, who is attending the Pontotoc County Technology Center, and Ashley, who’s a junior at ECU.

When not at the office, Hart enjoys spending time with her two year-old granddaughter, Jazlyn.

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