Oklahoma Joins National Initiative to Boost Foster Care System

State partners with federal government to increase number of safe, supportive foster homes

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Oklahoma has joined a new national initiative to increase the number of safe, supportive foster homes. The state will be the first to partner with the federal government in this effort, which aims to strengthen and preserve families while preventing more children from entering the foster care system.

Why it matters

Nationally, there is a shortage of foster homes, with only 57 homes available for every 100 children entering the system. This has led to children having to stay in temporary accommodations like Airbnb rentals and government offices. The new initiative aims to address these challenges and ensure every child has a safe, supportive place to call home.

The details

The partnership is between the state of Oklahoma and the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The goal is to recruit more foster families, provide services to support families, and prevent situations where children need to enter the foster care system. Barriers like high child care costs and accessibility have historically made it difficult for families to become foster parents, but the new initiative aims to address these hurdles.

  • Oklahoma is the first state to join the new national initiative.

The players

Michalann Clark

A woman formerly in the foster system.

Alex Adams

Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families.

Sarah Herrian

Executive Director for the Foster Care and Adoptive Association of Oklahoma.

Chris Campbell

Executive Director for the 111 Project, an adoption advocacy organization.

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What they’re saying

“Every youth needs different things, but one thing remains the same. Everybody deserves a family, and everybody deserves a place to call home, and today we can give that to them.”

— Michalann Clark, Woman formerly in the foster system (KFOR)

“Strengthening families, preserving families, delivering services when the families need them.”

— Alex Adams, Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families (KFOR)

“Historically, some of the hurdles of, you know, joining the foster care movement is just the unknowns.”

— Sarah Herrian, Executive Director for the Foster Care and Adoptive Association of Oklahoma (KFOR)

“It's really important for us as a state to say, you know, this really matters, Kids really matter, family really matters, and it's worth the investment.”

— Chris Campbell, Executive Director for the 111 Project (KFOR)

What’s next

The partnership between Oklahoma and the federal government is a new pilot program, and it remains to be seen how effective the initiative will be in increasing the number of foster homes and preventing children from entering the system.

The takeaway

This initiative highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the foster care system nationwide, with a shortage of available homes and barriers that have historically made it difficult for families to become foster parents. Oklahoma's partnership with the federal government represents a new approach to addressing these issues and ensuring every child has a safe, supportive place to call home.