The social workers who serve within their local communities are an essential support system for children and families, and OKDHS is proud of the many social workers who serve within our agency. The agency is also thankful that the Foster Care and Adoptive Association of Oklahoma (FCAO) has chosen our 2,400 frontline Child Welfare heroes as beneficiaries of their Love is Essential #buy1give1 campaign.

During National Social Work Month, FCAO is selling Essential t-shirts to celebrate the many women and men who are essential in keeping children safe. Teachers, police officers, nurses, foster parents, adoptive parents, counselors, judges, lawyers, CASA volunteers, child care providers, and Child Welfare specialists are all working together to ensure children's safety and well-being. You can help raise awareness by purchasing a shirt for yourself and those who are essential in your life.

FCAO’s mission is to improve the lives of Oklahoma foster and adoptive children by empowering child advocates through support, training, and communication, and they work with OKDHS to encourage and uplift foster and adoptive families. FCAO Board Secretary, Child Welfare Supervisor and foster and adoptive parent, KC Koonce, proposed the campaign out of a passion to encourage and acknowledge the often thankless jobs of frontline workers.

“FCAO's goal is to show love to all 2,400 of our frontline Child Welfare heroes who are essential to the Oklahomans they serve,” said Sarah Herrian, FCAO Executive Director and foster and adoptive parent. “We know it takes a village to raise children and each individual, with their unique strengths and abilities, serves together to ensure the safety and well-being of all. We are proud to serve alongside OKDHS and all of the wonderful foster and adoptive families across the state whose love is essential for Oklahoma’s children in care.”

Essential shirts are available in long and short sleeves and four different colors. With your help, this #loveisessential #buy1give1 campaign will provide t-shirts for Oklahoma Human Services Child Welfare frontline staff. For every shirt purchased, one will be gifted. Order your shirts today at https://www.fcao.org/.

Essential shirts are available for purchase in long and short sleeves and four different colors by visiting https://www.fcao.org/. For each shirt purchased, one will be gifted to a Child Welfare frontline staff member.

FCAO Board members (Back R-L) Kayla Tur, Treasurer; KC Koonce, Secretary; Sarah Herrian, Executive Director; Joy Tisdale, Vice-President; Rochelle Sims; (Front R-L) Mandy Graham; Amanda Morstad and Crystal Young, President recently participated in a board retreat.

SarahHerrianHOPEHero.png - Sarah Herrian, FCAO Executive Director and foster and adoptive parent is proud to serve alongside OKDHS and the many wonderful foster and adoptive families across the state.