How to Be a Foster Parent in Oklahoma
Becoming a foster parent in Oklahoma is a time consuming process and involves paperwork, background checks and home visits to ensure that your family is ready to welcome a child in need. Though the process is extensive, once approved to foster Oklahoma's children, you are able to make a positive difference in children's lives by providing them with a welcoming home to stay in for as long as they need.
Instructions
Meet all pre-qualifications. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) requires that all interested foster parents be at least 21 years of age, have a healthy relationship, have a working vehicle, be in good health, able to handle financial needs without assistance and be able to provide references. In addition, families must agree to provide adequate sleeping arrangements for a foster child, to not smoke in the house or vehicle with the foster child present, work with the biological family and OKDHS, and to adhere to OKDHS foster parent regulations. Contact a local OKDHS office to begin the process of becoming an Oklahoma foster parent. The local agency will discuss any questions you may have, explain the procedure of becoming a foster parent and help ensure that you meet all of the state's foster parent requirements. Attend pre-service training. All foster parent applicants and other adult household members must attend 27 hours of training before becoming approved to foster. The training program addresses issues such as how to help children who have been abused or mistreated, how to support relationships between foster children and their birth families and how to work with OKDHS. Complete an background check. The OKDHS requires that all adults complete a background check, including an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation criminal records search, a FBI national criminal records search, a search of court action involvement, a search of all OKDHS records and a search of child abuse and neglect registries if you have not lived in Oklahoma for the past five years. In addition, a background check of the Juvenile Justice Information System is completed for all children in the house over 13 years of age. Take part in a family assessment. The family assessment consists of a house assessment, personal and work references, and a verification of income. After the assessment is completed, the OKDHS reviews your foster parent application and makes a decision about eligibility within 90 days. Upon approval, foster children may be placed in the home.
