Library: Policy
340:75-1-32. Transporting children and families
Issued 9-17-18
(a) The child welfare (CW) specialist is authorized to transport a child(ren) and family, when:
(1) the transportation is part of the specialist's duties related to the child's safety, permanency, and well-being; and
(b) The assigned CW specialist is responsible for coordinating transportation for court hearings, treatment planning, discharge planning, and placement arrangements while a child in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services is in either an acute or residential treatment center or an inpatient behavioral health facility.
(1) When the court requests that a child who is in an inpatient health facility be present at proceedings and, the child requires transportation by law enforcement officials, transportation is arranged by the sheriff's office in county of jurisdiction or the county of placement.
(2) The court may issue an order, per Section 1-8-107 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, directing the county sheriff or designee, in the county where the court is located, to provide transportation for a child, who is the subject of a deprived proceeding, regardless of where the child is placed within the state. • 2
(c) The CW specialist ensures the child has transportation to and from school following a placement change, per Oklahoma Administrative Code 340:75-6-50.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-1-32
Issued 9-17-18
1. An example of the child welfare (CW) specialist transporting a child and family may include, but is not limited to, transporting:
(1) the child for a foster home pre-placement visit or placement upon receiving notice that an appropriate foster home is available;
(2) the child for admission to a new placement with adequate clothing or an emergency clothing authorization, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-13-45;
(3) the child to and from school for appropriate purposes, per OAC 340:75-6-50; and
(4) a child back to the parent in cases where the court releases a child from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) custody to the parent, per a court order.
2. The CW specialist works with the county sheriff's office to arrange for the transfer of the child in DHS custody of from:
(1) his or her current placement to a designated inpatient treatment facility;
(2) the inpatient facility to a court hearing;
(3) an out-of-county placement to court for hearing and returning the child to the out-of-county placement; and
(4) any location to placement when requested by DHS for the purpose of ensuring the safekeeping of the child and the DHS employee. The assigned CW specialist:
(A) provides the sheriff's office with the mailing address to Child Welfare Services (CWS) Specialized Placements and Partnerships Unit (SPPU) administration to file the claim for mileage, meals, and hourly wage when the sheriff's staff transports the child to inpatient care; and
(B) submits Form 23CO106E, Authority to Purchase, to the CWS SPPU administration with all necessary identifying information for reimbursement to the sheriff's office for transportation services.
3. (a) The CW specialist may transport:
(1) a family who receives family-centered services (FCS);
(2) a child who is not in DHS custody; or
(3) a child who is receives court-ordered DHS supervision.
(b) Initially, the CW specialist may assist with the transportation needs of the family receiving FCS. The CW specialist explores other means of transportation with the family that allows for independence once services are completed. When the person responsible for the child's (PRFC) health, safety, and welfare cannot accompany the child, the CW specialist may transport a child who is not in DHS custody with the PRFC's written authorization.
