Some headway being made in foster care

THE range of concerns regarding foster care in Oklahoma is considerable. The state has too many kids who need state services, which in turn weighs down case workers. Finding suitable foster families is an ongoing challenge; so too is finding and retaining workers willing to endure the heartache that so many of these child welfare cases present. The list goes on.

Yet there also are indications that the Department of Human Services is making some headway in this crucial area. The latest, semi-annual report from three outof-state experts touches on some of these.

The experts, called “co-neutrals,” have been working with DHS since 2012 to monitor the state’s compliance with a class-action lawsuit settlement. The settlement led to the Legislature’s approval of the Pinnacle Plan, a reform effort aimed at reducing placements, lowering caseloads, eliminating shelter use and making other advances.

The co-neutrals’ comments have run hot and cold. In fall 2015, they said children were being abused and neglected far too often while in state care. A year later, they acknowledged progress in adding foster homes, reducing workers’ caseloads and reducing the number of children in shelters— but said the abuse rate of kids in state care was “unacceptably high.”

In their latest report, measuring progress through June 30, 2017, DHS noted that the co-neutrals said the agency had made “discernable progress” in its reform efforts and is making good-faith efforts to achieve notable and ongoing progress in most areas the agency is working to improve.

For example, DHS approved 431 new foster homes during the first half of fiscal year 2017, which the agency said is the most in the first half of any fiscal year since the Pinnacle Plan was implemented. It has increased the number of children whose first placement was not in a shelter, but instead was in “kinship” homes — those of a relative or someone they know. The agency says 92 percent of children in DHS custody are placed with families. These kinship placements provide more stability and reduce the chances of the child having to endure another move while in foster care.

The co-neutrals also acknowledged the agency’s commitment to reducing the incidents of abuse or neglect of children in DHS care.

DHS Director Ed Lake says the co-neutrals’ guidance, the work of agency employees and the financial support from the Legislature are paying off. Lake even thanked the plaintiffs in the lawsuit for their feedback. “We are all united in our desire to better serve the children and youth in our care,” he said.

The shame is that so many children wind up in DHS custody in the first place. From a peak of 11,298 in October 2014, the census had fallen to 8,677 in December 2017. This is encouraging, but the total remains far too high. The agency’s progress in properly handling those in its care will require not just the ongoing help of the co-neutrals and sustained funding support from the Legislature, but a willingness by more Oklahomans to consider becoming foster parents. Information on how to do so is available at https://okfosters.org or by calling (800) 376-9729.