OKDHS Foster Care

OKDHS Foster Care recruits and supports families willing to open their homes to Oklahoma children in state custody, from newborns to older teens. The agency offers traditional, specialized, and therapeutic foster care to match children with the right level of support.

What it offers

• Placement of children from birth to age 18 who need a temporary home
• Traditional foster care for children with everyday needs
• Specialized and therapeutic options for children who need more intensive support
• Ongoing training and support for approved foster families
• A structured assessment that prepares adults before a child is placed

Who it is for

Foster parenting is open to adults who complete the state Resource Family Assessment and meet its qualifications. Prospective foster parents come from many backgrounds; what matters most is a stable home and a willingness to care for a child during a difficult season. Single adults, couples, and families with children of their own may all be considered. The different levels of foster care mean the agency can match a family strengths to a child particular needs. Full requirements are described on the official site.

Getting started

The process begins with the Resource Family Assessment Application, or a call to the Foster Care and Adoption Support Center for those who want to talk it through first. From there, applicants complete training and an assessment before being approved to foster. Staff guide families through each step so no one has to navigate the process alone, and questions are welcome at any point along the way.

The road from inquiry to approval

The path to fostering is a series of steps rather than a single decision, and staff guide families through each one. It usually begins with the Resource Family Assessment Application, or a call to the Foster Care and Adoption Support Center for those who want to talk it through first, followed by training and an assessment before approval.

Prospective foster parents come from many backgrounds, and single adults, couples, and families with children of their own may all be considered. Because the agency offers traditional, specialized, and therapeutic care, the process also helps match a family’s strengths to the level of support a child needs. Full requirements are on the official site.

The assessment and training take time, so families do well to begin the conversation before they feel fully ready, knowing questions are welcome at every stage. Once approved, foster families receive ongoing training and support, and those who later consider adoption can ask staff how the two paths connect through the same support center that handles both. Prospective families sometimes worry they are not ready, but staff treat the early conversation as a chance to learn, so there is no need to have every question answered before making that first call.

To recap, foster parenting is open to adults who complete the state Resource Family Assessment and meet its qualifications, and single adults, couples, and families with children of their own may all be considered. The process begins with the Resource Family Assessment Application, or a call to the Foster Care and Adoption Support Center at 1-800-376-9729 for those who want to talk it through first, followed by training and an assessment before approval. Full requirements are described on the official site. The support center is the place to reach staff during regular business hours listed on the site, and questions are welcome at every stage, so a family need not have everything settled before that first call.

Frequently asked questions

How do I begin?

Start the Resource Family Assessment Application, or call the Foster Care and Adoption Support Center to talk it through first. Staff guide families through each step.

Can single people foster?

Adults from many backgrounds may be considered, including single adults, couples, and families with children of their own, once they meet the state’s qualifications.

What ages of children need homes?

Children from birth to age 18 in state custody need temporary homes at different levels of care. The agency matches families to a child’s needs.

Are there different types of foster care?

Yes. Traditional, specialized, and therapeutic options match children with the right level of support. Full requirements are on the official site.