(a) Pre-service training.  Applicants and adult household members who will be caring for a child in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody complete a prescribed course of training that addresses the values and competencies essential to caring for a child who is a victim of maltreatment.  • 1

• (1) Each adult age 18 years or older in a Bridge resource home identified as a provider for a child completes required training or is determined to possess required competencies as a result of prior foster care training and experience.
• (2) Required pre-service training consists of approximately 27 hours of instruction addressing required competencies, including, but not limited to:
  • (A) protecting and nurturing children who have been abused, emotionally maltreated, or neglected;
  • (B) meeting the medical and developmental needs of these children;
  • (C) supporting relationships between children and their parents, siblings, and kin, as specified by OKDHS;
  • (D) connecting children to safe, nurturing relationships; and
  • (E) collaborating with OKDHS as a team member.
• (3) Applicants may request a waiver of training requirements by submitting to the resource specialist a list of subjects addressed in training as a result of prior service with Oklahoma, another state, or a private agency.  Requests for training waivers are reviewed and acted on by the Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) Foster Care Section programs manager.
  • (A) An applicant with a break in OKDHS service of less than five years meets the training requirements.
  • (B) Supplemental information or confirmation of training may be requested from another state or private agency identified by the applicant to aid in decision‑making.
  • (C) The resource specialist notifies the applicant of the decision within 30 working days of the request for a training waiver.
• (4) Kinship Bridge resource families may be approved as initial placements before the completion of classroom training.
• (5) Bridge resource families may request exception to training based on work schedule or disability.
  • (A) A self-study curriculum addressing the required competencies may be:
    • (i) requested by an adult in the applicant's home when the person's work schedule precludes the completion of training; and
    • (ii) approved by the Foster Care programs manager or designee.  The assigned resource specialist supervises self‑studies.
  • (B) A permanent training waiver may be approved by the Foster Care programs manager or designee for adults in the applicant's home when verification is received that the person has a significant disability that precludes completion of classroom or self‑study curriculums.  Persons who are granted a permanent training waiver may not be considered as a provider for a child.

(b) In-service training.  All Bridge resource parents complete 12 hours of continuing in-service training per calendar year on subjects that promote their skills and interests as providers.  • 2

• (1) OKDHS offices provide free in-service training options to Bridge resource families, including conferences, video and taped instruction, and literature.
• (2) Internet instruction through recognized state and private foster care agencies is accepted as meeting in-service training requirements.  The Bridge resource family provides to the resource specialist the certificate of training, if available, from the training source, listing the completed approved hours.
• (3) Bridge resource families have options in selecting classes, conferences, reading materials, or other learning opportunities that enhance their skills as providers and meet the in‑service training requirement.  Prior approval from the resource specialist is secured to ensure a common understanding of credit for each event.
• (4) Bridge resource families caring for children in OKDHS custody residing in another state must meet the requirements of that state for ongoing training to maintain approval.