Considering opening your heart and home to a child in need? Becoming a foster or adoptive parent is a profoundly impactful decision. The Oklahoma Foster Care Program offers a pathway to provide stability and love to children and youth in your community. This guide provides essential information about the Oklahoma foster care program, outlining the steps to become a foster or adoptive parent and the resources available to support you on this journey.
Understanding the Oklahoma Foster Care Program
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) oversees the foster care and adoption system in the state. Their primary goal is to ensure the safety and well-being of children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are temporarily or permanently unable to live with their biological families. The Oklahoma foster care program relies on compassionate individuals and families to provide safe, nurturing homes for these children.
Who Can Become a Foster Parent in Oklahoma? (Licensing Requirements)
The requirements to become a foster parent in Oklahoma are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of children in care. The basic criteria include:
- Age: You must be at least 21 years of age.
- Health: You need to be in reasonably good physical and mental health to care for a child.
- Marital Status: You can be single, married, divorced, or widowed. The program welcomes diverse family structures.
- Home Environment: You must have adequate space, including sufficient beds and room for personal belongings, to accommodate additional children in your home.
- Financial Stability: You should be able to manage your finances to meet your family’s needs, demonstrating responsible financial management.
- Personal Qualities: Crucially, you must possess the capacity to understand, love, and accept a child. Your role is to offer protection, nurturing care, and serve as a positive role model.
- Partner Participation: If you have a spouse or partner, they are required to actively participate in the home assessment process and attend the mandatory orientation sessions with you.
Navigating the Home Assessment Process
Becoming a licensed foster parent in Oklahoma involves a comprehensive home assessment to ensure a safe and supportive environment for children. This process includes the following key steps:
- Application and Forms: Completing the official OKDHS application forms is the first step in formalizing your interest.
- Reference Checks: Providing references allows OKDHS to gather insights into your character and suitability as a caregiver.
- Background Checks: Thorough background checks are conducted to ensure the safety of children placed in your care.
- Medical Examination: A medical examination report verifies your good health and ability to care for children.
- Fingerprinting: Fingerprinting is a standard procedure for background verification.
- Family Assessment: This involves interviews with all members of your household to understand your family dynamics and preparedness for foster care.
- 27-Hour Resource Family Orientation: Completing a 27-hour orientation session provides essential training and information about foster care.
- Home Safety Assessment: A thorough assessment of your home ensures it meets safety standards for children.
- Income Verification: Verification of sufficient income demonstrates your ability to meet your family’s financial needs.
- Pet Vaccination Verification: Ensuring pets are vaccinated contributes to a healthy home environment.
- Automobile Insurance Verification: Verifying automobile insurance is part of ensuring responsible care.
Understanding the Costs of Fostering and Adoption
A significant benefit of the Oklahoma foster care program is that it is always free to foster or adopt a child from foster care. This removes financial barriers for families who are willing to open their homes to children in need.
Support and Resources for Oklahoma Foster and Adoptive Families
Oklahoma recognizes the importance of supporting foster and adoptive families. A range of services and resources are available to help families succeed.
Post-Adoption Support Services
Oklahoma offers comprehensive post-adoption and guardianship support services. You can find a detailed list of these services and support groups available to Oklahoma families at AdoptUSKids Support Services. These resources provide ongoing assistance and community for adoptive families.
Key Agencies and Contact Information
In addition to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and their statewide resources, several private agencies offer programs and services for children needing permanent homes. These agencies work with various situations, including private adoptions and adoptions from foster care.
State Contact Information:
- Oklahoma Department of Human Services:
- Phone: 800-376-9729
- Website: Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Private Agencies:
- Child Study Center:
- Phone: 405-271-5700
- Address: 1100 NE 13th, Oklahoma City, OK 73117
- The Children’s Center:
- Phone: 405-440-9866
- Address: 6800 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, OK 73008
- National Resource Center for Youth Services:
- Phone: 800-274-2687
- Address: 4502 E 41st Street, Tulsa, OK 74135-2553
- Website: National Resource Center for Youth Services
- JD McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities:
- Phone: 405-307-2800 or 800-777-1272
- Address: 2002 E Robinson Street, Norman, OK 73071
- Website: JD McCarty Center
- Oklahoma CASA Association:
- Phone: 405-524-8999 or 800-742-2272
- Address: PO Box 54946, Oklahoma City, OK 73154
- Website: Oklahoma CASA Association
- Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy:
- Phone: 405-236-5437
- Address: 2915 N. Classen Blvd, Suite 320, Oklahoma City, OK 73118
- Website: Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy
- Oklahoma Family Network (OFN):
- Phone: 405-271-5072 or 877-871-5072
- Mailing Address: PO Box 21072, Oklahoma City, OK 73156-1072
- Website: Oklahoma Family Network
Private Adoption Agencies:
- Adoption Choices of Oklahoma:
- Phone: 405-794-7500 or 800.898.6028
- Text: 405-310-8790
- Address: 201 N Broadway, Suite 107, Moore, OK 73160
- Website: Adoption Choices of Oklahoma
- Crisis Pregnancy Outreach:
- Phone: 918-296-3377
- Address: PO Box 1113 Jenks, OK 74037
- Website: Crisis Pregnancy Outreach
- Deaconess Adoption Services:
- Phone: 405-949-4200 or 800-567-6631
- Address: 8308 N. May Avenue, Suite 100 Oklahoma City, OK 73120
- Website: Deaconess Adoption Services
- Dillon International, Inc.:
- Phone: 918-749-4600
- Address: 7335 S. Lewis Avenue, Suite 204 Tulsa, OK 74136
- Website: Dillon International, Inc.
- Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services:
- Phone: 918-420-5325
- Address: 2626 S 14th Street, Suite A-20, McAlester, OK 74501
- Website: Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services
- Nightlight Christian Adoptions:
- Phone: 918-491-6767
- Address: 7929 E. 50th, Suite D7, Tulsa, OK 74145
- Website: Nightlight Christian Adoptions
- Lilyfield:
- Phone: 405-216-5240
- Address: 501 E 15th Street, #400A, Edmond, OK 73013
- Website: Lilyfield
- Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children:
- Phone: 405-942-3800
- Address: 3800 N. May Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (corporate office)
- Website: Oklahoma Baptist Home for Children
The Need for Foster and Adoptive Parents in Oklahoma
Currently, there are approximately 9,000 children in out-of-home care within the Oklahoma Department of Human Services system. Among these, around 500 children are waiting for adoptive families. These children enter foster care due to situations of abuse or neglect, and they come from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Many are siblings who need to stay together. While some children are already legally free for adoption, all need safe and loving homes.
Your decision to become a foster or adoptive parent through the Oklahoma foster care program can make a lasting difference in a child’s life, providing them with the stability, support, and love they deserve. Contact the Oklahoma Department of Human Services or one of the listed agencies today to learn more about how you can begin this rewarding journey.
