SECTION 340:75-7-10. Resource family recruitment and retention

(a)   Resource family recruitment. Resource family recruitment is a crucial component to provide a safe home environment for a child in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) custody requiring out-of-home placement due to child abuse, neglect, or other circumstances. Diligent and targeted recruitment provides the child access to a resource family, who:

(1)   can meet the child's unique needs;

(2)   allows the child to stay with siblings;

(3)   reflects and understands the racial and ethnic diversity of the child in care; and

(4)   lives in close proximity to the child's family.

(b)   Resource family recruitment and retention plan. DHS, in conjunction with resource family partners, impacts the availability and diversity of resource families by implementing recruitment and retention activities defined by each district based on the characteristics and needs of children in DHS custody. Per Section 1-9-114 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes, DHS:

(1)   makes diligent efforts to identify, locate, and engage suitable relatives and kin for the child in DHS custody;

(2)   makes diligent efforts to recruit resource families that reflect the child's ethnic and racial diversity;

(3)   provides individuals the opportunity to become resource parents regardless of race, color, or national origin; or

(4)   does not delay or deny the child's placement based on the race, color, or national origin of the resource or child; and

(5)   uses diligent and targeted efforts to recruit resource families that include, but are not limited to:

(A)   partnering with tribes;

(B)   partnering with community and religious organizations;

(C)   conducting outreach activities; and

(D)   utilizing media and local resources.

[Source: Added at 17 Ok Reg 549, eff 12-1-99 (emergency); Added at 17 Ok Reg 1311, eff 5-11-00; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 666, eff 1-10-01 (emergency); Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2128, eff 6-11-01; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2226, eff 6-27-02; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 2385, eff 6-25-04; Amended at 26 Ok Reg 1282, eff 6-1-09; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 635, eff 6-1-12; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 839, eff 7-1-13; Amended at 35 Ok Reg 1695, eff 9-17-18]