DEBORAH G. SMITH
Newcastle
Summary
Experienced social services professional with a strong track record of executing impactful programs; building and leading high-performing teams; and fostering collaboration across multiple systems. Adept at driving strategic initiatives that enhance service delivery and improve outcomes.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Child Care Services Director
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
08.2024 - Current
- Leading the child care team through budget challenges, policy changes, and focus on communication with external stakeholders
Agency Deputy Director
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
04.2024 - Current
- Oversee senior management of three program divisions ensuring alignment with program requirements and operational goals
- Teams include child care, child support, and adult and family services
- Foster a culture of performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Work closely with OKDHS leadership on all operational matters
Chair, Children’s Statewide Advisory Workgroup
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
03.2023 - Current
- The vision of CSAW is to increase hope in children and families by creating early and easy access to effective behavioral health support, resources, and services to remain safely and successfully in their own home and community with hope for the future
- The group includes all state agencies serving children and families
- Our goals focus on trauma-informed practices and strategies that focus on including customer voice and collective impact
Adult and Family Services Director
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
08.2021 - Current
- Leads a team of over 1300 in supporting Oklahomans through safety net programs including Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP), energy assistance programs, Aged to the Blind and Disabled, Long-Term Care and TEFRA
- Shifted the state to a strategy of On-Demand Interviews and Statewide Workload Sharing
- Built a TANF Investment Strategy to support economic mobility and family strengthening
- Shifted to primarily remote service model and remote work teams
Deputy Chief of Innovation
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
10.2019 - 08.2021
- Led a team of 24 business process engineers and researchers in supporting agency-wide innovative strategies to improve social services to Oklahomans
- Served as a member of the Oklahoma Human Services Senior Executive Team
Regional Program Manager, GS-14
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN’S BUREAU
12.2014 - 10.2019
- Provided oversight, monitoring, and technical assistance at the federal level to the child welfare programs in the region (KS, IA, MO, NE) including state and tribal programs
- Collaborated with SAMSHA, CMS, and other ACF programs at the Regional Level to provide support across program areas
Director, Child Welfare Services
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
01.2010 - 11.2014
- Plan, organize, coordinate, and direct the Department’s programs including Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations, Prevention, Adoptions, Foster Care, Interstate Compact, Residential Care, Abuse Reporting Hotline and Public Emergency Shelters
- Accountable for a $360 million annual budget, and over 2,400 employees
- Responsible for full scope of personnel activities including hiring, terminations, promotions, and demotions of program and field staff
Programs Director, Children & Family Services Division
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Served as the deputy to Division Director Judge Gary Miller with direction over five Program Administrators and the Comptroller
- Direct supervision of Program Manager for Kinship Navigator grant
- Served as the Chair of the CW Practice Model Steering Committee and Child Welfare representative for the statewide Oklahoma Judicial Oversight Committee
Field Operations Division
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
01.1998 - 01.2009
- Began career in rural McIntosh and McClain Counties as a Child Welfare Specialist and worked up to Assistant County Director, Oklahoma County in fewer than 9 years
- Served as Assistant to the County Director in Oklahoma County with primary responsibility for child welfare
- As Child Welfare Field Liaison, Area III, Oklahoma, and Canadian County acted as Area Director designee for the child welfare program in two counties including review of complex cases and facilitated decision making and recommendations with staff
- Served in Continuous Quality Improvement Unit as Program Field Representative, Children and Family Services Division as team lead on federal child welfare case reviews and tracking of data resulting from reviews
- Led three community boards in McIntosh County each with goal of improving services to children and families while employed as a Child Welfare Supervisor
- Conducted child welfare investigations and worked closely with families towards permanency for their children
Education
Master of Social Work -
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
01.1998
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Social Work/Sociology
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
01.1997
Skills
- Safety Net Programs
- TANF Funding
- Child Welfare Practice
- Family Strengthening Programs
- Critical Decision-Making
- Executive Coaching
- Strategic Planning
- Verbal and written communication
- People Management
- Operations Management
Recognitionsprofessionalaffiliations
- Governor’s Child Welfare Task Force, 2023
- Adjunct Faculty and Practicum Supervisor for Social Work undergraduate and graduate students, University of Oklahoma, 1999 - current
- OU School of Social Work Hall of Fame Award, Professional Development State Leader, 2015
- Executive Board Member, Southwest Region, Natl. Assoc. of Public Child Welfare Administrators, 2012 - 2014
- Board of Visitors, University of Oklahoma School of Social Work, 2013 - 2014
- DHS Excellence Award for leadership role in the successful reorganization of Child Welfare Services, 2013
- Spero Award Recipient, 2012
- Participated in the Oklahoma Work Group that developed Oklahoma’s Practice Models, 2008
- Nadine Roach Advocacy Award presented by University of Oklahoma, 1998
Timeline
Interim Child Care Services Director
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
08.2024 - Current
Agency Deputy Director
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
04.2024 - Current
Chair, Children’s Statewide Advisory Workgroup
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
03.2023 - Current
Adult and Family Services Director
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
08.2021 - Current
Deputy Chief of Innovation
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
10.2019 - 08.2021
Regional Program Manager, GS-14
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN’S BUREAU
12.2014 - 10.2019
Director, Child Welfare Services
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
01.2010 - 11.2014
Programs Director, Children & Family Services Division
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
01.2009 - 01.2010
Field Operations Division
OKLAHOMA HUMAN SERVICES
01.1998 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Arts Degree - Social Work/Sociology
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
Master of Social Work -
UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
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