OKDHS Commission votes to approve settlement in Children's Rights lawsuit

Oklahoma City—The Human Services Commission of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services held a special meeting Dec. 20, 2011 to consider a settlement proposal in the DG vs. Yarbrough class action lawsuit. Commission members approved a motion by a vote of 6 to 3 to authorize Chairman Brad Yarbrough to sign a settlement if approved by the Contingency Review Board. 

“While the terms of the settlement remain confidential, I can say that the terms are unique in this kind of litigation,” said Howard Hendrick, Director of OKDHS. “Both sides were willing to entertain a new approach to resolving class action civil rights claims involving child welfare systems. The strength of our defense and the excellent work our child welfare workers do every day changed the conversation about how these kinds of cases should be resolved. The future improvements, the details of which must yet be developed, are outlined in a framework that both sides hope will satisfy our shared desire to meet the needs of vulnerable children and families.”

The Contingency Review Board consists of the Governor, Speaker of the House, and the Senate Pro Tem. The board is expected to meet on Wednesday, December 28th to review the settlement proposal. 

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