Oklahoma Human Services expands investments to support children and youth

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (DATE) – Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) announced today more than $325,000 in funding is being provided to child abuse prevention and treatment partners across the state, including freestanding multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) in each county, child advocacy centers (CACs) in each district attorney’s district, and one hospital team. This funding is provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) through supplemental federal funds directed to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) grant to bolster services and supports that address the pandemic’s continued impact and stressors on Oklahoma’s families.

MDTs and CACs provide a coordinated, comprehensive and timely response to child abuse and neglect investigations. Their culturally competent work ensures children are not further traumatized during the investigative process and supports the delivery of services and treatments provided to children and their families. These critical community partnerships also allow for a seamless flow of information during case reviews that eliminate duplicate efforts.

“OKDHS is dedicated to strengthening Oklahoma families with the support and shared investment of collaborative, community-based partnerships like MDTs and CACs,” said Dr. Deborah Shropshire, OKDHS Child Welfare Director. “These prevention strategies help the agency reach children and families before they are in crisis and potentially mitigate unnecessary trauma and generational cycles of child welfare interventions. With these services and treatments, families can be equipped and empowered to provide a safe home for their children.”

In addition to these strategies, pandemic relief for youth currently in foster care as well as foster care alumni is also being provided with ARPA funding. OKDHS has provided voluntary foster care services to over 30 youth who wished to remain in care past their 18^th birthdays, or who had exited care but requested to voluntarily return.

Since March 2021, OKDHS has also provided more than $500,000 in direct financial support through a needs-based process to youth exiting foster care including funds for laptops, cell phones, utilities, transportation and other basic expenses. Moreover, the agency has been working with youth providers to expand housing and case management options throughout the pandemic for youth exiting foster care at 18.

“Children’s Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance to provide training and technical support to Children’s Advocacy Centers and Multidisciplinary Teams all across Oklahoma,” said Carrie Little, Executive Director of Children’s Advocacy Centers of Oklahoma. “We are proud of our partnership with OKDHS, and were thrilled that OKDHS Child Welfare executive leadership was able to quickly respond to our needs at this critical time in history by providing CAPTA ARPA funding to all our accredited Centers.”

“The pandemic disrupted the traditional ways in which CAC teams serve communities, and leadership quickly mobilized utilizing CACO as a central hub of communication,” continued Little. “CAC staff and multi-disciplinary child abuse teams adapted quickly to identify barriers to access of service. This included implementing creative solutions to address the steep decline of reports of child abuse and neglect experienced nationwide during the pandemic. Staff of Oklahoma CACs portrayed a heroic effort to keep their doors open to vulnerable children in need and keep hope flowing. Thanks to this critical ARPA funding, Centers can continue this essential work.”

The work done by MDTs and CACs begins with a report of abuse or neglect. Anyone who believes a child is being abused or neglected has a legal responsibility to report it to the OKDHS Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-522-3511. The hotline is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.

Families interested in learning more about how they can become a certified foster family in their local community can visit https://okfosters.org/ or call 1-800-376-9729.

Interested Oklahomans may also visit https://www.ourokdhs.org/s/ to raise their hand and join the agency’s efforts to better serve the community through innovation and collaborative partnerships.