Oklahoma DHS disputes report on foster care reform efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is taking issue with the latest report on its efforts to improve the foster care program for children.

DHS Director Ed Lake said Thursday that DHS “strongly” objects to a number of portions of the report that says the agency has not made good faith efforts to improve foster care in some areas, notably the number of children who are abused or neglected.

DHS says the number of foster children reported as maltreated is inflated because state law requires it to investigate the threat of abuse or neglect before it happens.

DHS noted that previous reports said it was making a good faith effort to prevent maltreatment.

Foster care improvements are required under a 2012 settlement of a class-action alleging foster children were victimized.