Youth & Family Services, Inc. (YFS) in partnership with the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services (OAYS) will be replicating its unique model of foster care throughout the state of Oklahoma. The replication is part of a contract between the Department of Human Services and OAYS to subcontract with local community-based youth service agencies to provide local foster family recruitment, support, and retention services.

YFS has developed a continuum model of foster care for children who are homeless, neglected, and abused that allows families to engage in the foster care process in multiple ways based on their comfort level and ability to be involved. The program provides consistency and support for the children while allowing the family in the network to do what works best for them. Since the program’s inception in 2009, YFS foster program has placed 150 children in loving homes with 18 placements resulting in adoptions. The program successfully demonstrates no network disruptions for children until reunified with a family member or adopted. The model has a 98% foster family retention rate.

“Our vision is that children leaving our shelter as well as other local foster children would be matched to a loving community foster family,” says Dee Blose, YFS Executive Director, “and that foster families would feel supported to be successful by receiving needed supports and training.”

Due to the increases in the number of children in out-of-home placement throughout Oklahoma, OAYS in partnership with YFS and designated youth services agencies are ready to help recruit, support, and retain good, quality foster families in rural areas. Currently, 18 agencies are ready to provide foster care as an OAYS subcontractor. These agencies are looking forward to the opportunity to make a real impact on the state’s foster care system.

Youth & Family Services, Inc. (YFS) is a 501(c)3 charity that has been meeting critical community needs for children since 1974. They currently provide over 10 programs to serve youth in Canadian, Blaine, Kingfisher, and Oklahoma Counties. More than 2,600 individuals receive help from YFS annually. If you are interested in learning more about the YFS Foster Care Program, please contact Melissa Larimore or Stephanie Carey at (405) 262-6555 or visit www.yfsok.org.