INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-6-85.6
Revised 3-26-10
1. Voluntary placement by youth in custody. When a youth in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody gives birth to a child, the youth is allowed to make the decision regarding placement of the child. If the youth in custody who is the parent is unable or unwilling to participate in appropriate planning for the child, legal custody of the child is sought through the district attorney's office to give OKDHS authority to care and plan for the child.
(1) Decision-making. If a youth in custody requests voluntary placement of his or her child, the Child Welfare (CW) worker considers (A) through (D) to assess the appropriateness of voluntary long-term placement.
(A) Do issues of safety, protection, and well-being exist?
(B) Is there an available placement who will accept the youth and child?
(C) Does the placement provider agree to assist the youth by teaching and modeling parenting skills and assist the mother with independent living skills?
(D) Is the youth willing to work on a an individualized service plan that outlines the steps to assist the youth in caring for the child?
(2) Procedures. If voluntary placement has been determined appropriate, the CW worker:
(A) sends a written request to the CW supervisor setting out the plan and length of care. The CW supervisor approves or denies the request in writing. These documents are filed in the paper case record;
(B) provides the youth with Form 04FC007E, Authorization from Parent or Guardian for Voluntary Foster Family Home Placement and Medical Care of Child, for the youth's signature;
(C) opens a voluntary foster care case in KIDS. The youth in custody is designated the parent. The placement episode for the child is entered in the voluntary foster care case, not the permanency planning case of the youth in custody; and
(D) develops an individualized service plan that addresses:
(i) safety and protection of the child without court intervention;
(ii) the role and responsibility of the placement provider;
(iii) appropriate child care plans while the youth is attending school, working, or involved in extracurricular activities; and
(iv) measures for ensuring the child's basic needs are met.