OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Oklahoma Department of Human Services set another adoption record in the last fiscal year, with 1,696 children finding a permanent family in the 12-month period, an OKDHS official said.

“We are pleased to report a record number of children finding a permanent home through adoption when they were unable to be reunified with their biological family,” said Deborah Smith, director of the Children and Family Services Division of OKDHS.

Much of this success can be attributed to the Swift Adoption Services program, which was created 11 years ago.

“Prior to Swift Adoptions, we were finalizing several hundred adoptions each year,” Smith said. “In 11 years since Swift adoptions was created, we have finalized more that 13,000 adoptions.”

Shawn McGriff, who recently adopted a 7-year-old boy, said she worked with OKDHS for about two years before the adoption was finalized and he became a permanent part of her family.

“We just recently got his birth certificate in the mail. That was exciting,” McGriff said. “It said mother, Shawn McGriff, and it said father and it said Craig McGriff. Even though they tell you that you just comprehend that they really are yours.”

McGriff made an appearance via video at the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services meeting to personally thank the agency for its help in adopting her 7-year-old son. 

About 87 percent of the children adopted in the past fiscal year were adopted by a relative or a foster parent, which is consistent with OKDHS policy to maintain a child’s permanent connection to kin, culture and community. 

Many children waiting to be adopted through OKDHS are older or are part of a sibling group.

“Swift Adoptions focuses on finding a home for every waiting child while strengthening and supporting families who adopt the children who cannot be reunified with their biological parents,” Smith said.

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