OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has named Lesli D. Blazer director of the Oklahoma Child Care Services Division.

Blazer will manage the division’s $181 million budget and 177 administrative and field office staff. Oklahoma Child Care Services licenses more than 4,700 Oklahoma child care facilities, residential child care facilities and child placing agencies, as well as establishes quality initiatives for child care.

“I am proud to be a part of a team that impacts so many Oklahoma families’ lives every day in such a positive way,” Blazer said. “I look forward to carrying out the division’s mission of ensuring that all of Oklahoma’s children have access to licensed, affordable, quality child care.”

Blazer began her career with OKDHS in 1994 in Seminole County as a child care licensing specialist. She most recently served as the assistant state licensing coordinator and was responsible for management and program oversight of child care licensing in 31 counties.

“Oklahoma’s child care program is nationally known and respected for its strong licensing requirements and monitoring activities and for our commitment and progress in establishing a program of high quality,” said Chief Coordinating Officer Raymond Haddock. “Under Lesli Blazer’s leadership, we will continue these efforts and maintain Oklahoma’s status as a nationally recognized leader in child care.”

Blazer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark., and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Oklahoma State University.

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