State Foster Care System Addresses Secondhand Smoke

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Last year a state law that addressed smoking in public places and the effects of secondhand smoke, Title 63 Sec. 1-1523, went into effect. It has recently been interpreted that this law includes foster homes approved under standards set forth in the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act.
Effective Oct. 1, 2004, smoking will no longer be allowed in foster homes or automobiles that are transporting children in state custody. Notices have been sent to all Oklahoma foster parents working with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services making them aware of this change in policy. New foster parents will be asked about their smoking habits during the home assessment. Current foster homes will be evaluated during their annual reassessment from child welfare specialists.

The new policy works like this:

• If a foster parent smokes in the home and/or automobile, a written plan of compliance will be made to address this issue;
• During the compliance phase, no new children will be placed in the foster home;
• OKDHS will not remove children from a home because of smoking. This would be disruptive to the child and not in their best interest in terms of stability;
• Foster parents may smoke outside of the home and/or automobile;
• Foster parents that are interested will be directed toward resources that will help them quit smoking; and 
• OKDHS employees are also subject to this new policy when transporting custody children or making home visits.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a foster parent, contact the OKDHS Foster Care Hotline at 1-800-376-9729, or click on www.okdhs.org/fostercare/.

###