Raise Awareness

Not everyone can become a foster parent, but everyone can do something! Access these tools to raise awareness for foster care and encourage involvement in your community. Whether you have a few minutes, hours, weeks or more, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved!

1. Learn the facts

Learn the facts about the foster care system in Oklahoma and gain a better understanding of the needs of those touched by this issue. Talk to co-workers, family, friends, and neighbors about the need for foster homes in your community!

• On any given day, more than 6,000 children in the State of Oklahoma are in Oklahoma Human Services custody.

• The primary goal of foster care is to provide a nurturing home for children until it is safe for them to return to their birth families.

• All ages of children are represented in the foster care system – newborns, toddlers, school-aged children and teenagers. These children and youth come from every race, religion and socio-economic group.

• We need more foster parents, and specifically need people who are open-minded and are motivated to care for teens, kids with special needs and sibling groups. These are the children who are hardest to place and who need special families willing to meet them where they are.

2. Become a respite care provider

Become a respite care provider to support foster families in your community! Respite care providers are fully-approved foster families who are designated to take short-term placement of children in foster care to provide a break to their foster families.

Call 1-800-376-9729, visit okfosters.org | Apply Now, or find an agency near you to get started!

3. Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

Become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) – CASA volunteers are trained citizens appointed by judges to represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Learn more at oklahomacasa.org.

4. Spread the word

Spread the word about the need for more foster families. If you’re interested in partnering with us, call 1-800-376-9729 or fill out the inquiry form on the bottom of this page ↓.

Share information on your personal or organizational websites and social media. Re-share from our social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or use our sample posts and captions below!

Place posters or brochures in your faith organization, school, place of work and other places you visit like salons, doctor’s offices, gyms, etc. Get copies from the Promotional Materials section of this site or contact your local recruiter by calling 1-800-376-9729.

Encourage your civic group, PTA, faith-based congregation or other local organization to host a foster care informational meeting! Arrange a speaking engagement with your local foster care recruiter to encourage community involvement and find families and resources that help young people in foster care thrive. Find your local recruiter by calling 1-800-376-9729.

Co-host an in-person or virtual “Recruitment Party” with a local foster care recruiter. These events help friends, family, neighbors and others understand the needs of those touched by foster care and ways to help.

5. Volunteer with a local program

Volunteer with a local program that serves children in Oklahoma’s foster care system! Your local foster care recruiter can assist you in determining the organizations in your area. Find your local recruiter by calling 1-800-376-9729 or fill out the inquiry form on the bottom of this page ↓.

6. Encourage business leaders in your community

Encourage business leaders in your community to join the Foster Parent Exclusive Benefit Program! This program allows our foster families to connect with supportive community partners, businesses and non-profits who offer discounts or benefits. Those interested in signing up to provide a discount can do so on our website!

7. Become a child care provider who serves children experiencing foster care

Become a child care provider who serves children experiencing foster care. Over 50% of the children in foster care are under age 6 and need a safe, enriching early childhood learning environment while their foster parents work. You can help by becoming a licensed child care provider for a foster parent living nearby. Learn more at oklahoma.gov | Child Care Licensing.

8. Support a local foster/adoptive parent support group

Support a local foster/adoptive parent support group by providing a location, snacks or helping with child care! If you are interested, please fill out the inquiry form on the bottom of this page ↓.

9. Meet the needs of children and families

Meet the needs of children and families in your community through CarePortal!

10. Become a foster parent!

Become a foster parent! Oklahoma needs more families to step forward to foster local children in state custody, particularly those in large sibling groups, teens and children with behavioral health needs. Say YES to fostering today! Call 1-800-376-9729, visit okfosters.org | Apply Now, or find an agency near you to get started!

Additional Information

Promotional Materials

Help raise awareness by placing these promotional materials in your faith organization, school, place of work, and other places you visit like salons, doctor’s offices, gyms, etc. You can print your own from here or get in contact with your local recruiter for copies by calling 1-800-376-9729.

View Promotional Materials