The latest report on the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) concerning the reforms of the foster care system indicate the agency is making progress. The report shows DHS achieved good faith efforts in 29 of 31 performance areas.
Governor Kevin Stitt praised DHS for its work toward fulfilling the Oklahoma Pinnacle Plan which was created when the class action lawsuit against the foster care system was settled in 2012.
“As Governor, family impact is at the forefront of every decision and I believe we must be committed to strengthening the families of Oklahoma,” said Stitt. “I applaud the continued efforts of DHS staff and partners who are working every day to improve our state’s foster care system as outlined by the Pinnacle Plan. I am pleased with the agency’s progress and believe they are very close to fulfilling those commitments to the children and families they serve.”
The two areas which DHS still has to address deal with therapeutic foster care. The agency doesn’t have enough foster homes which qualify for this special kind of care. Children who have a mental health diagnosis are usually sent to therapeutic care foster homes.
To address the issue, DHS Child Welfare Services is working with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to create a system of care for those children.
“We are working with the co-neutrals and our partner state agencies on an innovative concept for expanding therapeutic services for children in foster care,” said DHS Director Ed Lake. “This will result in a more comprehensive continuum of care for children with complex medical, emotional and behavioral needs.”
Co-neutrals are the three independent child welfare experts who are monitoring DHS’ work on the Pinnacle Plan and providing a report every six months. This report shows the best progress DHS has made so far since the settlement.
Part of the progress DHS has made includes increasing and retaining qualified case workers and supervisors, enhancing safety standards, recruiting new foster families, reducing the use of emergency shelters, investing in home based services for the children, increasing placement of children with approved relatives, increasing adoption rates, and building public-private partnerships to support the effort.
