By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – Cities question DHS child care licensing process
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An investigation by The Oklahoman is revealing that the state Department of Human Services has issued licenses to more than 230 child care operators without requiring them to obtain city permits or letting the cities know that the licenses have been granted.
Municipal officials say that means hundreds of child care businesses in Oklahoma have not undergone local fire, health and building inspections. Mark Edwards, Del City's city manager, says local officials often "don't have a clue" about who is operating child care businesses in their cities.
A DHS spokeswoman, Sheree Powell, denies that the state agency is uncooperative with cities. She says DHS does not require child care home applicants to obtain city permits before receiving a state license because city codes vary across Oklahoma.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com