Library: Policy
340:75-6-92. Services to youth who are in OKDHS custody and pregnant
Revised 7-1-13
(a) Specialized services provided for the pregnant youth. Specialized services are provided to youth in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody who are pregnant.
(b) Parenting assistance. When the pregnant youth decides to keep the child, services, including parenting skills training and assistance with accessing community resources are arranged.
(c) Relinquishment of parental rights. When a minor parent decides to relinquish her parental rights, the child's attorney is contacted.
(d) Termination of the pregnancy. OKDHS does not:
(1) consent to or sign any type of form related to a procedure to terminate the pregnancy of the youth who is in OKDHS custody;
(2) provide payment assistance for a procedure to terminate the youth's pregnancy; or
(3) prohibit or assist the pregnant youth with an action to terminate the youth's pregnancy when the youth has a method of payment and a resource with which to pursue the procedure.
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF OAC 340:75-6-92
Issued 9-16-21
1. Planning for the pregnant youth in Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) custody.
(1) Specialized services provided to the pregnant youth are designed to assist the youth make and implement decisions regarding the youth's pregnancy and are in addition to the permanency planning services the youth receives.
(2) The youth has the same rights as an adult and is legally and socially responsible for her decisions and her child.
(3) When the youth is in emergency or temporary OKDHS custody, the child welfare (CW) specialist, when appropriate, involves the youth's parent, other relatives, and the child's father, who has a right to a relationship and shared parenting responsibilities in the planning and decision-making process.
(4) When the child's father is a minor, the CW specialist also involves the minor father's parents in the process.
2. Counseling and medical services for the pregnant youth.
(1) Counseling is provided for the pregnant youth for the purpose of examining the available options regarding the pregnancy.
(2) A CW specialist with experience or in-service training in pregnancy counseling assists the youth make decisions during the pregnancy.
(3) The youth may be referred to a qualified professional in the community for counseling.
(4) Prenatal and postpartum care, diagnosis, nutrition, treatment of health problems, and other services are arranged for the pregnant youth.
3. Parenting assistance provided to the pregnant youth. When the pregnant youth decides to keep the child, services, including parent skill-based services and assistance with accessing community resources are arranged.
(1) Services address the youth's abilities to ensure that she is prepared to be a parent and directly related to the child's safety, permanency, or well-being or to prevent the child from entering foster care.
(2) An assessment is conducted with the youth's cooperation and participation.
(3) Needs, performance criteria, services, and achievement dates are included in the treatment and service plan.
(4) When Title IV-E prevention services are determined necessary, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-1-9 Instructions to Staff (ITS), 340:75-6-31, 340:75-6-40.1, and 340:75-6-85.6, the CW specialist:
(i) makes a referral to Oklahoma Children's Services, per OAC 340:75-1-151;
(ii) documents eligibility in the youth's prevention plan, Form 04KI005E, Child's Individualized Service Plan (ISP) per OAC 340:75-6-40.1 ITS; and
(iii) continues to evaluate the child's safety and monitor service provision, per OAC 340:75-6-31 and 340:75-6-48.
4. Living arrangement options for the minor parent and infant. Living arrangement options for the minor parent and infant include:
(1) foster home or relative home for both the minor parent and her child that allows the minor parent to complete her education and learn parenting skills while in a nurturing environment; or
(2) foster home or relative placement for the infant while the minor parent temporarily lives separately.
5. Termination of the pregnancy. When a youth in temporary OKDHS custody considers terminating her pregnancy, the youth, parent, or adult relative when the parent is not available, is included in the discussion.
(1) Pregnancy counseling is provided and documented in the CW case record.
(2) When the youth decides to terminate her pregnancy, the CW specialist consults with the Permanency Planning Program Unit who documents the consultation in KIDS contacts.
(3) OKDHS does not:
(1) consent to or sign any type of form related to a procedure or notification of a procedure to terminate the youth's pregnancy;
(2) provide payment assistance for a procedure to terminate the youth's pregnancy; or
(3) prohibit or assist the pregnant youth with an action to terminate the youth's pregnancy when the youth has a method of payment and a resource with which to pursue the procedure.
