Early Choices Foster Care

This program is designed to meet the needs of children from birth to age 5 removed from birth parents and placed into child welfare. With this new program, young and vulnerable children will be provided protection and nurturing from specially trained foster families who will care for theses children until they are reunited with family or are adopted into a loving home. 

The need is great ...

1. In 2006, 58.02% of the children who experienced neglect or abuse in the state of Oklahoma were under 6 years of age.
2. 27,172 children experienced severe neglect in 2006.
3. The need for foster parents to intervene during the crucial developmental and attachment focused years of 0-5 is greater than ever.
4. 43% of children removed from their home are aged between 0 to 5 years and needed a more permanent type of placement until they are reunited with their birth families or are adopted.

Support from Choices for Life

1. Choices for Life provides training and certification at no cost.
2. Certified foster families will receive basic reimbursement starting at $365 per month per child, with a limit of 6 children in one household (including children of foster family).
3. No time limits on placements.  With traditional emergency foster homes placement are limited to a maximum of 30 days.
4. Certified foster families will be supported with monthly home visits from Choices for Life staff, case management and parenting tips and a 24-hour crisis service.