Partnerships Plus Prevention Equal Fewer Youth Entering Child Welfare System

Oklahoma Human Services continues to seek foster families 

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Feb. 11, 2025) – Oklahoma Human Services has experienced a steady decline of children entering its Child Welfare System throughout the past decade. This marked change is due in part to increased collaboration with community partners and other state agencies and an emphasis placed on preventative, in-home services that allow for families to remain intact, when possible, while making necessary progress towards safety. 

“Over the last several years our agency has continued to develop partnerships within the community to come together and support families to meet their individual needs and prevent the removal of children from their homes. Some of these partners include the 111 Project, Care Portal, Safe Families, Youth Villages, and NorthCare, all of which create a strong network of support that’s both proactive and family centered,” said Maghan Ruark, Oklahoma Human Services Child Welfare Programs Administrator.  

As a valued partner of Oklahoma Human Services, NorthCare provided prevention-focused services to 1,083 families in 2024.   

“We believe, as Oklahoma Human Services does, that children belong with their families, and one of the goals we work on with the agency is to strengthen families before removal of children from their homes is even a possibility,” said Dwan McDonald, Senior Director of Family Preservations Services at NorthCare.  

While the number of children currently in state custody is approximately 5,738, representing a 49 percent decrease since Oct. 2014, Oklahoma Human Services continues to face a foster home shortage and is currently in need of more than 500 homes across the state. 

“While we have seen this wonderful decline in the number of children entering state custody, we still need more foster parents who are willing and able to take in teenagers, children with special needs, and those who are part of sibling sets,” said Haley Thomas, Oklahoma Human Services Foster Care Programs Representative.  

Learn more about becoming a foster family on our agency’s YouTube channel or at Oklahoma Fosters - Oklahoma Fosters.  

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