OKDHS promotes the most qualified and experienced persons to lead its Child Welfare operations.

• The current director of the Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) has a Masters Degree in Social Work, 13 years of child welfare experience in OKDHS, and served two years as a consultant to the National Resource Center in Washington, D.C. She has been the division director since July, 2010.
• The three previous directors of CFSD:
• One served more than 20 years as an associate district judge with vast experience in juvenile matters and operated substantial services in his county of jurisdiction.
• Another is now a professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Social Work.
• Another has been a national leader in data systems for the Child Welfare League of America.
• The CFSD Program Administrator of Permanency Planning, Independent Living and Continuous Quality Improvement holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and 26 years of child welfare experience with OKDHS.
• The CFSD Program Administrator of the Adoption and Post Adoption Services holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and has 23 years of social services and child welfare experience with OKDHS.
• The CFSD Program Administrator for Protection and Prevention Services has a Bachelors Degree in Sociology with a social work concentrate and 21 years of child welfare experience with OKDHS. 
• The CFSD Program Division Information Systems Administrator has a Masters Degree in Social Work, 22 years experience in child welfare, and 17 years experience in information technology and governance with OKDHS.
• The CFSD Program Administrator of the Resource Unit holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, a Masters Degree in Education/Community Counseling, and has 33 years of experience in social services and child welfare in Oklahoma and Mississippi.
• A CFSD Program Manager has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and 22 years of child welfare experience with OKDHS.
• A CFSD Program Administrator holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and has 23 years of social work and child welfare experience with OKDHS.
• The Director of the Laura Dester Center Emergency Shelter in Tulsa has a Bachelors of Science Degree and 32 years of child welfare experience in Oklahoma and Texas.