OKLAHOMA CITY (July 17, 2025) – Oklahoma Human Services and NorthCare are proud to continue providing Parent Partnersto support families who are navigating the child welfare system. The program, which launched in 2019, pairs biological parents whose children are in state custody, with mentor parents who have been involved in the child welfare system but who have since reunified with their children.

Maghan Ruark, a programs administrator with Oklahoma Human Services, said the inspiration behind the program was to provide biological parents with additional support.

“There is immeasurable value in parents receiving support from someone who has personally experienced the removal of their own children and successfully navigated the child welfare system,” she said.

Oklahoma Human Services offers biological parents support and pathways to enhance parental capacities through an assigned family child welfare specialist. This individual assists them in accessing services, advocates on behalf of the child and family, and ensures family time occurs between the children, parents, and siblings. Through collaboration with community partners like NorthCare, the agency is also able to offer biological parents tailored services that support the safety and well-being of their children and help provide their children a safe and stable home.

NorthCare offers families a variety of services including crisis intervention, group and individual therapy, medication management, and peer support programs like Parent Partners. The Parent Partners program is designed to offer hope, guidance, and advocacy to parents through one-on-one sessions with an assigned mentor and monthly group meetings. 

“For nearly 50 years, NorthCare has served as a leading provider of integrated behavioral health services for Oklahoma’s children, adults, and families,” said Dwan McDonald, Senior Director of Family Preservations Services at NorthCare. “We are a proud partner of Oklahoma Human Services and are thrilled to be able to offer Parent Partners to our clients who have children in the child welfare system so that they are all the more equipped and empowered to successfully reunify with their children.”

“So many people are hesitant to seek help,” said Amber Johnson, Parent Partner mentor. “They fear Oklahoma Human Services and believe the agency removes children from their homes and offers biological parents little to no guidance or support on how to reunify with them. That couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Johnson’s son was placed in state custody in 2021 due to safety issues that stemmed from her substance abuse. Johnson reunified with her son after successfully completing her individualized service plan.

“I was not the best person or parent I could be,” Johnson said. “Not by a long shot. I was terrified that I would never see my son again. But, I was offered support, and I took it, and it made all the difference.”

As a Parent Partner mentor Johnson encourages the biological parents she’s paired with to do the same.

Participation is available to any biological parent involved in the child welfare system in Oklahoma County who is working towards reunification with their children. Referrals to participate in the program can be made by anyone through the Parent Partner referral form.

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