Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) maintains a foster parent and adoptive parent support center to provide information related to foster care and adoptive services. The support center is accessed by calling 1-800-376-9729, emailing fcasupportcenter@okdhs.org, or by visiting www.okfosters.org.

1. (1) Foster care general information or concerns. The support center may be contacted when:

   1. (A) a person needs general information regarding foster care or adoption;
   2. (B) the foster parent or adoptive parent does not feel his or her specific concerns were addressed by OKDHS staff; or
   3. (C) a person needs contact information for his or her child welfare specialist.

2. (2) Reports.

   1. (A) Per Section 1-9-117 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes (10A O.S. § 1-9-117), the support center call is directed to the OKDHS Office of Client Advocacy where an investigation or inquiry may be initiated regarding allegations that an OKDHS employee or a child-placing agency:

      1. (i) threatened the foster parent with removal of a child in the foster parent's care;
      2. (ii) harassed the foster parent;
      3. (iii) refused to place a child in the approved foster home; or

      4. (iv) disrupted a child placement as a result of retaliation or discrimination against the foster parent who:

         1. (I) filed a grievance with OKDHS Child Welfare Services;
         2. (II) provided information to any state official or OKDHS employee; or
         3. (III) testified, assisted, or otherwise participated in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing against OKDHS or a child-placing agency.
   2. (B) Allegations of foster parent rights violations are reported to the foster care ombudsman at the OKDHS Office of Client Advocacy, per 10A O.S. § 1-9-120. The foster care ombudsman may be contacted at 1-866-335-9288 or www.okfosterparentvoices.org.

Added at 28 Ok Reg 894, eff 7-1-11

Amended at 30 Ok Reg 839, eff 7-1-13

Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1695, eff 9-17-18

Amended at 39 Ok Reg 1803, eff 9-15-22