Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-1-2-111: Pilot program to improve socioeconomic outcomes for

children in state custody.

A. The Department of Human Services may, subject to available

funding and in consultation with an evaluation team created pursuant

to this section, create a pilot program to improve socioeconomic

outcomes for children in state custody.

B. If implemented by the Department, the pilot program shall:

1. Identify the populations of children in state custody and

the characteristics of those children including, but not limited to,

populations in which parental drug and/or alcohol abuse, mental

illness, mental and/or physical disability and domestic abuse are an

issue;

2. Develop and design programs to provide services to children

in state custody;

3. Develop methods for coordinating state and local services to

assist children and their families;

4. Allow and provide for participation of both urban and rural

concerns in developing and designing such programs;

5. Monitor, evaluate and review the programs implemented to

serve populations of children in state custody; and

6. Include such other areas, programs, services and information

deemed necessary by the Department to provide a comprehensive

assessment of the needs and programs necessary to provide assistance

to children in state custody.

C. An evaluation team shall determine the effectiveness of the

pilot program and make a report to the Legislature and to the

Department annually thereafter. Such report shall cover:

1. Effective programs that will serve children in state

custody;

2. The potential for statewide expansion of programs;

3. Funding sources from public and private partnerships;

4. Training of professionals to serve children in state

custody;

5. Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing continued effectiveness

of such programs;

6. Special needs of children in state custody from parental

addiction to drugs and alcohol and parental mental illness and

mental and/or physical disability and from domestic abuse; and

7. Recommendations regarding the issuance of grants and

contracts for serving such populations.

D. The evaluation team shall consist of not more than two (2)

representatives from the following entities who have expertise in

child abuse prevention, juvenile delinquency or a related field and

who have an understanding of program evaluation techniques:

1. The Department of Human Services;

2. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Services;

3. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth;

4. A statewide organization advocating for children's issues;

5. A statewide organization representing children in court;

6. The University of Oklahoma;

7. Oklahoma State University; and

8. The Office of Juvenile Affairs.

E. Upon receipt of recommendations from the evaluation team

established pursuant to this section, which indicate that the

expansion of the pilot project on a statewide basis would be

economically feasible and practical, the Department for Human

Services may promulgate rules for developing a statewide program

based on the findings of the pilot program.

F. The Department may:

1. Contract for services necessary to carry out the duties of

the Department pursuant to the provisions of this section; and

2. Accept the services of volunteer workers or consultants,

provided no compensation be provided for such services.

G. The Department of Human Services may promulgate rules to

implement the provisions of this section.