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OKLAHOMA CITY -- Governor Mary Fallin has partnered with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) to encourage more Oklahomans to become foster and adoptive parents.

Fallin issued a proclamation recognizing May as Foster Care Awareness Month in Oklahoma and she is serving as spokesperson for the statewide OKDHS public service announcement (PSA) campaign. Fallin appears in a PSA urging Oklahomans to get involved and "change a child's lifetime."

More than 8,000 children and youth are currently in foster care and there is an urgent need for foster and adoptive families, especially for teenagers, sibling groups and children who have special medical or physical needs. For those who may not be able to foster children, there are other ways to get involved such as volunteering at a local children's shelter, hosting a toy drive, or becoming a trained volunteer to assist with home studies.

The PSA will be broadcast on commercial television and radio stations across the state beginning in May at no cost to OKDHS. The stations donate free air time for all of the agency's public service announcements.

To learn more about OKDHS foster care and adoption, or how to become a volunteer, visit the OKDHS website, OKDHS Facebook page, or the Oklahoma Bridge Resource Families website. You can also call 1-800-376-9729.

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