How to Become a Foster Parent in Oklahoma

Description

Oklahoma's foster care system provides temporary, safe, and nurturing homes for children who cannot safely remain with their families because of abuse, neglect, or other circumstances. Foster families partner with Oklahoma Human Services, private agencies, courts, schools, healthcare providers, and birth families while supporting reunification whenever it can safely occur.

Agency

Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS), Child Welfare Services administers the state's foster care program, establishes approval standards, licenses foster homes, and oversees child placements throughout Oklahoma.

Who Can Apply

Qualified adults who are at least 21 years old may apply. Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or partnered and may rent or own their residence. Foster parents must demonstrate emotional stability, financial responsibility, and the ability to provide a safe, nurturing, and stable home for children.

Average Time To License

Most applicants complete the foster home approval process within approximately four to six months depending upon training availability, background check processing, home assessment completion, and agency workload.

Website

Visit the official agency website

Minimum Age

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old to become approved foster parents in Oklahoma.

Residency

Applicants must reside in Oklahoma and complete the approval process through Oklahoma Human Services or an authorized child placing agency.

Marital Status

Applicants may be single, married, divorced, widowed, or in another qualifying household arrangement. All adults living in the home participate in the approval process.

Income Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to support their household without relying upon foster care reimbursement payments.

Home Ownership

Applicants do not need to own their residence. Houses, apartments, duplexes, condominiums, manufactured homes, and rental properties may qualify if they meet Oklahoma foster home standards.

Bedroom Requirements

Children must have appropriate sleeping arrangements, their own bed, adequate bedroom space, and bedroom assignments that comply with Oklahoma safety and privacy requirements regarding age, gender, and supervision.

Transportation

Applicants must maintain reliable transportation. Drivers must possess a valid driver's license, maintain current automobile insurance, and use appropriate child restraint systems while transporting foster children.

Health Requirements

Applicants must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of providing safe care for children. Medical documentation may be required during the approval process.

Pet Policy

Pets are permitted provided they are properly cared for, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not pose a danger to children placed in the home.

Firearm Policy

Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to Oklahoma law and foster home approval standards. Agencies inspect firearm storage during the home assessment.

Contact Agency

Begin by contacting Oklahoma Human Services or an authorized child placing agency to express interest in becoming a foster parent.

Attend Orientation

Prospective foster parents attend an informational meeting or orientation covering Oklahoma's foster care system, approval requirements, trauma-informed care, reunification, foster parent responsibilities, and the approval process.

Choose Agency

Applicants may work directly with Oklahoma Human Services or an authorized private child placing agency that will guide them through training, home assessment, approval, placement, and ongoing support.

Documents Needed

• Completed foster parent application
• Government-issued photo identification
• Social Security numbers
• Birth certificates when requested
• Marriage certificate if applicable
• Divorce documentation if applicable
• Employment verification
• Income verification
• Medical forms
• Background check authorization forms
• Fingerprinting documentation
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Proof of automobile insurance
• Vehicle registration
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance
• Emergency contact information
• Pet vaccination records when applicable
• Additional documentation requested by Oklahoma Human Services

Required

Yes

Description

Oklahoma requires prospective foster parents to participate in orientation before beginning pre-service training. Orientation explains the child welfare system, foster parent expectations, trauma-informed parenting, reunification, permanency planning, available support services, and the approval process.

How To Register

Applicants register through Oklahoma Human Services or their selected authorized child placing agency after making an initial inquiry.

Duration

Orientation is generally completed in a single session before applicants begin pre-service training.

Application Process

Following orientation, applicants complete the foster parent application, participate in the home assessment, complete pre-service training, submit fingerprints and required documentation, provide references, complete background screenings, and satisfy all home safety requirements before receiving foster home approval.

Required Documents

• Completed foster parent application
• Government-issued identification
• Fingerprint cards
• Background screening authorization forms
• Medical documentation
• Income verification
• Personal references
• Driver's license
• Vehicle insurance
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance
• Emergency plans
• Pet records if applicable
• Additional documentation requested by Oklahoma Human Services

References Required

Applicants generally provide multiple personal references from individuals who can speak to their character, parenting abilities, stability, and readiness to become foster parents.

Interview Process

The assigned resource specialist interviews applicants and household members during the home assessment. Topics include family relationships, parenting philosophy, discipline practices, trauma-informed care, finances, support systems, motivation for fostering, cultural competency, and willingness to partner with birth families.

Required

Yes

Curriculum

Oklahoma requires prospective foster parents to complete the Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanency Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (TIPS-MAPP) or another Oklahoma Human Services-approved pre-service curriculum. Training prepares families to care for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, separation, and loss while supporting reunification and permanency planning.

Required Hours

Most applicants complete approximately 27 hours of pre-service training before receiving foster home approval. Additional specialized training may be required depending on the types of children a family wishes to serve.

Online Available

Training availability varies throughout Oklahoma. Oklahoma Human Services and authorized child placing agencies may offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid training depending on local scheduling and program availability.

Certification

Completion of pre-service training alone does not result in foster home approval. Applicants must also successfully complete the home assessment, interviews, background checks, references, safety inspections, and all Oklahoma Human Services approval requirements.

Required

Yes

Interviews

An Oklahoma Human Services resource specialist or approved agency assessor conducts a comprehensive home assessment that includes interviews with each applicant and all household members. The assessment evaluates parenting abilities, motivation to foster, family relationships, emotional readiness, support systems, communication skills, and the family's ability to meet the needs of children entering foster care.

Home Visits

Multiple home visits are conducted to evaluate the home's safety, cleanliness, sleeping arrangements, emergency planning, supervision, family interactions, and compliance with Oklahoma foster home standards.

Topics Covered

• Motivation for becoming a foster parent
• Understanding foster care as temporary care
• Commitment to reunification and permanency
• Working with birth families
• Family history and relationships
• Childhood experiences of applicants
• Parenting philosophy
• Discipline practices
• Trauma-informed parenting
• Child development
• Attachment, grief, and loss
• Behavior management
• Ability to care for children with special needs
• Physical and mental health
• Substance use history
• Criminal and child welfare history
• Financial stability
• Employment schedules
• Transportation
• Support systems
• Cultural competency
• Religious practices
• Confidentiality
• Mandated reporting responsibilities
• Educational advocacy
• Medical advocacy
• Household safety
• Fire prevention and emergency planning
• Pets and animals
• Firearms and weapons
• Bedroom arrangements
• Placement preferences
• Family strengths and areas needing additional support

Timeline

The home assessment is completed alongside pre-service training, background screenings, documentation, references, and home safety inspections. Most applicants complete the overall approval process within approximately four to six months.

Bedroom Rules

Each foster child must have an individual bed with appropriate bedding and sufficient personal space. Bedroom arrangements must comply with Oklahoma standards regarding age, gender, privacy, supervision, and safety.

Smoke Detectors

Homes must have functioning smoke detectors installed and maintained in locations required by state and local fire codes. Smoke detectors are verified during the home assessment.

Fire Extinguisher

Homes must maintain appropriate fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers when required by Oklahoma Human Services or local fire authorities. Families must also develop and practice an emergency evacuation plan.

Medications

Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, controlled substances, and medical supplies must be securely stored and inaccessible to children whenever appropriate based upon their age and developmental level.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning products, chemicals, poisons, pesticides, fuels, alcohol, sharp objects, and other hazardous materials must be securely stored where children cannot access them.

Firearms

Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to Oklahoma law and Oklahoma Human Services requirements. Agencies verify safe firearm storage during the home assessment.

Pools

Swimming pools, hot tubs, ponds, and other water hazards must be properly secured with barriers or other approved safety measures. Agencies evaluate each property individually and may require additional safeguards.

Pets

Pets and other animals must be healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and must not pose a danger to foster children.

Vehicle Requirements

Vehicles used to transport foster children must be properly registered, insured, maintained in safe operating condition, and operated by licensed drivers using age-appropriate child restraint systems and seat belts.

Fingerprinting

All applicants and every adult household member must complete fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background checks before foster home approval.

Child Abuse Registry

Applicants and adult household members are screened through Oklahoma's child abuse and neglect records. Additional child welfare record checks may be required for states where applicants previously lived.

Criminal History

Background reviews include Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation records, FBI records, child welfare history, sex offender registry information, and other records required by Oklahoma law.

Disqualifying Offenses

Certain criminal convictions, substantiated child abuse findings, or placement on a sex offender registry permanently disqualify applicants under Oklahoma law. Other offenses may be reviewed individually according to state policy.

Additional Checks

Additional reviews may include driving records, employment verification, financial documentation, medical information, personal references, and interviews completed during the home assessment.

Steps

• Contact Oklahoma Human Services or an authorized child placing agency.
• Attend the required orientation.
• Submit the foster parent application.
• Complete TIPS-MAPP or another approved pre-service training curriculum.
• Participate in the comprehensive home assessment.
• Complete interviews with household members.
• Provide medical documentation.
• Submit personal references.
• Complete fingerprint-based state and federal background checks.
• Complete child abuse and neglect screenings.
• Pass the home safety inspection.
• Correct any identified safety concerns.
• Receive approval recommendation from Oklahoma Human Services.
• Obtain foster home approval.
• Discuss placement preferences and approved capacity.
• Complete ongoing training and renewal requirements.

Average Timeline

Most Oklahoma foster home approvals are completed within approximately four to six months depending upon training schedules, documentation, background check processing, and agency workload.

Renewal Requirements

Oklahoma foster homes are generally renewed every year. Renewal includes an updated home assessment, continued compliance with foster home standards, required documentation, and completion of ongoing training.

Ongoing Training

Approved foster parents complete annual continuing education to maintain approval. Training topics may include trauma-informed care, child development, behavior management, medication administration, cultural competency, permanency planning, mandatory reporting, and other subjects that strengthen caregiving skills.

How Placements Work

After approval, Oklahoma Human Services or an authorized child placing agency contacts foster families when children require placement. Matching decisions consider the child's age, needs, sibling relationships, medical requirements, school stability, visitation plan, cultural identity, and the foster family's approved capacity, strengths, and preferences.

Can Decline Placements

Yes. Foster parents may decline any placement they do not believe they can safely or successfully support. Families are encouraged to obtain as much information as possible before accepting a placement.

Emergency Placements

Oklahoma utilizes emergency foster placements when children must be removed immediately to ensure their safety. Agencies provide available information before placement and continue sharing additional information as it becomes available.

Sibling Groups

Oklahoma makes every reasonable effort to place siblings together whenever it is safe and in their best interests. When siblings cannot remain together, agencies work to preserve sibling relationships through visitation and ongoing contact.

Age Preferences

Applicants identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical conditions, disabilities, behavioral needs, and placement types they feel prepared to support. These preferences assist Oklahoma Human Services in identifying appropriate placement matches.

Monthly Board Rate

Approved Oklahoma foster parents receive monthly foster care maintenance payments to help cover the ordinary costs of caring for foster children, including food, clothing, shelter, supervision, transportation, and personal expenses. Reimbursement amounts are established by Oklahoma Human Services and vary according to the child's age, level of care, and individual needs. Children with higher medical, behavioral, or developmental needs may qualify for enhanced reimbursement.

Clothing Allowance

Children entering foster care without adequate clothing may qualify for an initial clothing allowance. Additional clothing assistance may be available when justified by the child's individual needs and agency policies.

Daycare Assistance

Childcare assistance may be available when foster parents require childcare because of employment, education, required foster parent training, or other approved circumstances identified in the child's case plan.

Medical Coverage

Children placed in Oklahoma foster care receive healthcare coverage through Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare). Covered services generally include physician visits, hospitalization, emergency care, dental services, vision care, prescription medications, behavioral health treatment, counseling, therapy services, and medically necessary specialty care.

Mileage Reimbursement

Oklahoma Human Services or the supervising child placing agency may reimburse approved transportation expenses related to foster care, including travel for medical appointments, therapy, family visitation, court hearings, educational services, and other case-related activities. Reimbursement policies vary by agency.

Additional Benefits

Additional assistance may include respite care, tutoring, educational support, behavioral health services, independent living services for older youth, transportation assistance, specialized medical equipment, interpreter services, recreation opportunities, and other resources based upon the child's individual needs.

Respite Care

Approved respite providers are available to temporarily care for foster children during emergencies, illness, vacations, or caregiver fatigue. Respite services help strengthen placement stability and reduce caregiver stress.

Support Groups

Oklahoma foster parents have access to local support groups, regional caregiver meetings, statewide conferences, foster parent associations, and peer networking opportunities through Oklahoma Human Services and private child placing agencies.

Mentoring

Many agencies pair newly approved foster parents with experienced foster families who provide guidance regarding placements, documentation, trauma-informed parenting, court proceedings, communication with birth families, and navigating Oklahoma's child welfare system.

Counseling

Children may receive trauma-informed counseling, behavioral health treatment, psychiatric care, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, developmental services, substance use treatment, and other medically necessary services. Foster parents receive assistance coordinating these services.

Crisis Support

Oklahoma Human Services and supervising agencies provide crisis intervention services, emergency placement support, behavioral consultation, after-hours assistance, and emergency contacts to help foster parents respond to urgent situations.

Available

Yes. Oklahoma offers foster-to-adopt opportunities for children whose permanency goal changes from reunification to adoption. Many foster parents ultimately adopt children already placed in their homes after reunification is no longer possible.

Process

Families first become approved foster parents and support reunification efforts while caring for children. If reunification cannot be safely achieved and parental rights are terminated, the foster family may be considered as the adoptive family when adoption is determined to be in the child's best interests. A separate adoption approval process must be completed before the adoption is finalized.

Legal Risk

Yes. Foster care always involves legal risk because reunification remains the primary permanency goal for most children entering foster care. Foster parents should understand that adoption can never be guaranteed.

Adoption Subsidy

Many children adopted from Oklahoma foster care qualify for adoption assistance. Eligible families may receive monthly adoption subsidy payments, SoonerCare (Medicaid) coverage, reimbursement for certain nonrecurring adoption expenses, and post-adoption support services depending upon the child's eligibility and individual needs.

Available

Yes. Oklahoma gives strong priority to placement with appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers whenever doing so is safe and in the child's best interests. Kinship placements help preserve family relationships, culture, identity, and community connections.

Licensing Differences

Relatives may initially care for children through Oklahoma's kinship care program before becoming fully approved foster parents. Kinship caregivers who pursue foster home approval must meet the same approval standards as non-relative foster parents, although Oklahoma Human Services often provides additional assistance throughout the approval process.

Financial Support

Approved kinship foster parents generally receive the same foster care maintenance payments, SoonerCare coverage for children, respite care, training opportunities, and support services available to non-relative foster parents. Other kinship caregivers may qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), child-only benefits, childcare assistance, guardianship assistance, adoption assistance, and additional Oklahoma Human Services support programs depending upon eligibility.

Can I become a foster parent if I am single?

Yes. Oklahoma welcomes qualified single adults, married couples, divorced individuals, widowed individuals, and other qualified family structures. Every applicant is evaluated based on their ability to provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home.

How old do I have to be?

Applicants must generally be at least 21 years old to become approved foster parents in Oklahoma.

Do I have to own my home?

No. Applicants may rent or own their residence provided it meets Oklahoma foster home approval standards.

Can I work outside the home?

Yes. Many approved foster parents work full-time or part-time. Families must demonstrate they can provide appropriate supervision, transportation, and care for children.

Do I need to have children of my own?

No. Many successful foster parents have never had biological or adopted children before fostering.

Is there a minimum income requirement?

There is no specific minimum income. Applicants must demonstrate they are financially stable and able to support their household without depending upon foster care reimbursement payments.

What background checks are required?

Applicants and all adult household members complete fingerprint-based state and federal criminal background checks, child abuse and neglect screenings, and other required background reviews before approval.

Will a criminal conviction automatically disqualify me?

Not necessarily. Certain offenses permanently disqualify applicants under Oklahoma law, while other convictions are reviewed individually according to state policy.

Is pre-service training required?

Yes. Oklahoma requires approximately 27 hours of approved pre-service training through the TIPS-MAPP curriculum or another Oklahoma Human Services-approved program before foster home approval.

Is a home assessment required?

Yes. Every applicant completes a comprehensive home assessment that includes interviews, home visits, safety inspections, and evaluation of the family's readiness to foster.

How long does the approval process take?

Most applicants complete the foster home approval process within approximately four to six months depending upon training schedules, documentation, background checks, and agency workload.

How often do I renew my approval?

Oklahoma foster homes are generally renewed annually following completion of required continuing education, updated documentation, and continued compliance with foster home standards.

Is ongoing training required?

Yes. Approved foster parents complete annual continuing education to maintain their foster home approval.

Can I have pets?

Yes. Pets are permitted provided they are healthy, appropriately vaccinated when required, safely supervised, and do not create a safety risk for foster children.

Can I own firearms?

Yes. Firearms and ammunition must be legally possessed and securely stored according to Oklahoma law and Oklahoma Human Services requirements.

Can foster children share bedrooms?

Yes. Bedroom arrangements must comply with Oklahoma foster home standards regarding age, gender, privacy, supervision, and available space.

Can I choose which children I foster?

Yes. Families identify the ages, number of children, sibling groups, medical needs, behavioral needs, disabilities, and placement types they feel prepared to support.

Can I decline a placement?

Yes. Foster parents may decline placements they do not believe they can safely or successfully support.

Will I know everything about a child before placement?

Agencies provide all available information before placement whenever possible. During emergency removals, complete information may not yet be available.

Does Oklahoma try to keep siblings together?

Yes. Oklahoma makes every reasonable effort to place siblings together whenever it is safe and in their best interests.

Does Oklahoma prioritize relatives?

Yes. Oklahoma gives strong priority to appropriate relatives and kinship caregivers whenever placement with family is safe and in the child's best interests.

Can relatives become approved foster parents?

Yes. Relatives may become approved foster parents and generally receive the same reimbursement and support services available to non-relative foster parents after approval.

Am I expected to support reunification?

Yes. Foster parents are expected to actively support reunification whenever it is safe and appropriate because reunification remains the primary permanency goal for most children entering foster care.

Will I receive financial assistance?

Yes. Approved foster parents receive monthly maintenance payments and may qualify for additional assistance depending upon the child's individual needs.

Do foster children receive medical insurance?

Yes. Children placed in Oklahoma foster care receive healthcare coverage through Oklahoma Medicaid (SoonerCare).

Is respite care available?

Yes. Approved respite care providers are available to assist foster families during emergencies, illness, vacations, or other temporary caregiving needs.

Can I adopt a child placed in my home?

Possibly. If reunification is no longer possible and adoption becomes the child's permanency plan, the foster family may be considered as the adoptive family when adoption is determined to be in the child's best interests.

Does fostering guarantee adoption?

No. Foster care is intended to provide temporary care while families work toward reunification whenever safely possible.

Is adoption assistance available?

Yes. Many children adopted from Oklahoma foster care qualify for adoption assistance, including monthly subsidy payments, SoonerCare coverage, reimbursement for certain adoption expenses, and post-adoption support services.

How do I report suspected child abuse or neglect?

Contact Oklahoma Human Services Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

State Agency

Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS), Child Welfare Services

Phone

1-800-522-3511

Email

[email protected]

Address

2400 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City, OK 73105