Contract Foster Care

Christian Services of Oklahoma was awarded a state contract with the Department of Human Services in 2008. The contract allows Christian Services to license and maintain foster homes through our agency. Our CFC program serves children ages 6 and under, with priority being given to infants ages 0-11 months.

We believe that by providing loving, Christian foster homes to infants in state custody we can be the hands and feet of the Lord in this world, to the most vulnerable of children.

Purpose

Christian Services of Oklahoma will provide foster care for children ages 0 to 6 years, with priority given to infants ages 0 to 11 months, who are in the custody of the State of Oklahoma due to child abuse or neglect. The staff of Christian Services of Oklahoma and the foster parents will form a team to provide a Christ centered environment to the children placed in the foster homes as well their family members and to serve them in any way possible.

Bridge Foster Home Concept

CSO’s Contract Foster Care program certifies homes utilizing the Bridge Concept. A Bridge Foster family is a family who may be asked to provide temporary care, love and nurturance to the child, and serve as a mentor actively helping the parent improve their ability to safely care for their children. A Bridge Foster Home will stay connected to the child and assist in the transition to reunification, legal guardianship or adoption to another family. A Bridge Foster Home may also serve as a legal guardian for the child while maintaining a child’s connection to kin, culture and community. A Bridge Foster Home may adopt the child while maintaining a child’s connection to kin, culture and community.

Becoming a CSO Foster Parent

The process for becoming a certified foster home is intensive; it is our belief that serving these vulnerable children is worth the time and effort that may be invested. If you are interested in becoming a foster home for infants in state custody through our agency, please contact us at 405-216-5240 or by email at info@christian-adoption.org. We hold various informational meetings and orientations around Oklahoma City throughout the year. We would love it if you joined us as we serve the Lord by serving these children!

Our Model of Service

Christian Services of Oklahoma’s foster care program is centered on the idea that Christian families make strong and stable foster families. They receive their purpose and calling through their relationship with the Lord. Their church families create a natural support system around them as they walk through the emotional journey of being foster parents. The wrap around supportive services of Christian Services of Oklahoma help ensure that our foster families are prepared and equipped for long term foster parenting.

Christian Services recruits foster parents out of local church communities. We work with them to help educate their friends and family about the foster care process. Together with the Spero Project, we provide individuated education to each foster family’s natural support system. We provide all of the state mandated training through our certified trainers, with the unique perspective of a faith based organization. From the beginning, our families view their role as foster parents as a ministry. Our families are eager to serve not only foster children, but their biological families and the OKDHS caseworkers who are working with those biological families.

Christian Services of Oklahoma provides the comprehensive services needed to become a certified foster family. From training to home studies and foster home supervision, our agency guides families through each step of the journey.

After families are certified, we work closely with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to ensure that our families are able to take placement of and care for the specific children who have the greatest need for placement, and are the best fit for the individual family’s circumstances.

We provide the following support services once a family has placement:

• Meals during the first few days following a new placement
• Weekly phone calls with a Christian Services of Oklahoma caseworker
• Monthly in-home visitation with a Christian Services of Oklahoma caseworker
• Referrals and support for any needed services
• Liaison services between the foster family and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services
• Ongoing education and training
• Additional funding and support for items needed for foster children placed in the foster home

Program Success

Christian Services of Oklahoma has seen great success as we equip and support foster families. Our families are prepared for the difficulties that come along with their role as foster parents, leading to very few moves for children who are placed in our care. Our program is designed to keep children in a stable foster home until they are able to move into their permanent home through family reunification or adoption.