The state of Oklahoma has gone beyond its target recruitment for foster families, according to an announcement last week. This is said to be the first time that the Department of Human Services (DHS) has met its target foster family recruitment goal since the launch of the Pinnacle Plan back in 2012.
According to a report from Tulsa World, Oklahoma's goal was to have 1,054 new foster families for fiscal year 2016 which ended last June 30. The latest information available showed that there are more than 1,070 new foster families certified by the government during the year.
State meets goal for foster care recruitment https://t.co/hYIbXU3pV2
— Cara Cowan Watts (@caracowanwatts) July 8, 2016
Oklahoma Cooperation Led To More Foster Families
"Oklahomans have again responded to a crucial need in our state," Gov. Mary Fallin said, as per a report in The Oklahoman. "I'm pleased that so many Oklahomans came together to help us recruit foster and adoptive families so we can improve the lives of these children in state custody," Fallin added.
"I often say that DHS cannot do this work alone," Oklahoma DHS Director Ed Lake was also quoted in the report as saying. Lake added it was not only government, but a number of sectors who worked together in the different communities of Oklahoma in order to meet their foster family recruitment goal.
Oklahoma Children In State Custody Decreases
News9 reported that the Oklahoma DHS also reached another milestone besides exceeding its target recruitment of foster families. The DHS has reportedly said that there are now less than 10,000 children in state custody. This is the first time this has happened in a span of three years.
According to the report, Lake cited two reasons for the dip in children in Oklahoman state custody. One is investing more resources in order to help the children stay in their families safely, avoiding their removal from their families when possible. The DHS also reportedly helped children in state custody leave the system by bringing them back to their families safely or making them stay with adoptive families or guardians.
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