The Oklahoma Pinnacle Plan - Oklahoma Department of Human ...

The Oklahoma Pinnacle Plan:
An Improvement Plan for Child Welfare Services
March 2012
THE PROBLEM
The challenges of implementing the new practice model and other constraints as described in
the Pinnacle Plan have directed attention to internal operational factors in OKDHS. There is
now a need for aggressive, structured efforts to purposefully engage community partners
across the state in building the supportive base necessary to accomplish the objectives of this
plan and begin supporting children and families in a more effective way.
INITIATIVES FOR PINNACLE POINT 7:
Year One (SFY 2013)
1. In collaboration with the OKDHS Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and
other external partners, CFSD will finalize the three-year strategic plan focused on
recruitment and support of resource families. This existing group includes OKDHS staff
and faith-based leaders, which has continued to grow and gain momentum in
supporting children in care and the families who care for them.
2. OKDHS will create an online survey that can be sent to child welfare staff at all levels to
assess possible service gaps for particular counties and regions. This will ensure
information is collected annually in a systematic way for planning. From the collected
information, the highest priorities and strategies to address the service gaps will be
determined. Strategies to address service gaps may include improving existing
partnerships, creating new partnerships, requesting additional funding, or adjusting
current budget expenditures to meet the needs.
3. On an annual basis, OKDHS will assess the need to expand Comprehensive Home-
Based Services (CHBS). These services are currently available statewide; however, as
more families are referred to prevent removal of children, stabilize families for
reunification, and support resource parents in caring for children, an assessment of the
need to expand services should be completed.
4. OKDHS will partner with the Oklahoma Child Welfare Stakeholder Collaboration State
Advisory Board for Improving Services, a statewide advisory board focused on building
local community partnerships to improve outcomes and services available for children
and families involved in the child welfare program. During the first year, two
communities of focus will conduct a study to determine the service gaps that exist.
District directors have a critical role in supporting this effort, and OKDHS has also
dedicated a full-time staff person to support the state advisory board efforts.
5. OKDHS will request the Oklahoma House of Representatives conduct an interim study
exploring the agency representation model (OKDHS attorneys) and the prosecutorial
model (District Attorneys) currently in place in Oklahoma.
6. By June 30, 2013, OKDHS will review and update the Joint Response Protocols with law
enforcement to ensure continued emphasis on working together as a team for the
purpose of ensuring children’s safety. This will be critical after the organizational shift
from county to district directors.
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