Okla. Stat. tit. 10A, § 10A-1-9-105: Program planning and monitoring

A. The Department of Human Services shall carefully define the

children and youth programs of the Department as to their purpose,

the population served, and performance expectations. Planning for

new programs and services and major modifications to existing ones

shall include evaluation of their effect on other programs and

services and communication and coordination with other public and

private children and youth service providers in order to assure

successful and cost-effective implementation of the program. An

evaluation component that includes monitoring and evaluation of

client outcomes shall be incorporated into all of the Department's

programs and services to children and youth, whether provided

directly by the agency or through a contract.

1. All programs and services shall be designed to ensure the

accessibility of the program to the persons served. Provision for

transportation, child care and similar services necessary in order

to assist persons to access the services shall be made. If the

service is provided in an office setting, the service shall be

available during the evening.

2. Programs and services shall be targeted to the areas of the

state having the greatest need for them. The programs and services

shall be designed to meet the needs of the area in which they are

located. Programs and services intended for statewide

implementation shall be implemented first in those areas that have

the greatest need for them.

3. As a part of the Department's program planning and

monitoring processes, the Department shall examine its programs and

services to children and youth to ensure that the practices within

them do not operate to detriment of minority children and youth.

4. All child care services and facilities operated by the

Department shall be accredited by the National Council on

Accreditation, when applicable.

B. The Department shall develop a five-year plan for children

and youth services provided by the agency. The plan shall be

reviewed annually and modified as necessary. Agency budget

recommendations of the Department for services to children and youth

shall be based upon documented needs, and the development of budget

recommendations and priorities shall be closely integrated with

agency and interagency program planning and management.

C. The Department shall annually review its programs and

services and submit a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the

House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate,

and the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, analyzing and

evaluating the effectiveness of the programs and services being

carried out by the Department. Such report shall include, but not

be limited to:

1. An analysis and evaluation of programs and services

continued, established and discontinued during the period covered by

the report;

2. A description of programs and services which should be

implemented;

3. Statutory changes necessary;

4. Relevant information concerning the number of children in

the Department's custody during the period covered by the report;

and

5. Such other information as will enable a user of the report

to ascertain the effectiveness of the Department's programs and

services.

D. The Department shall, on or before January 31 of each year,

submit a report to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the

Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Oklahoma

Supreme Court which shall include:

1. Information concerning the number of children in the

Department's custody that are placed in nonfamily settings,

including but not limited to the types of settings utilized and the

duration of the children's stays in such settings;

2. A census of approved foster homes and the number of children

placed in those homes and a comparative review of foster home room-

and-board rates; and

lude:

1. Information concerning the number of children in the

Department's custody that are placed in nonfamily settings,

including but not limited to the types of settings utilized and the

duration of the children's stays in such settings;

2. A census of approved foster homes and the number of children

placed in those homes and a comparative review of foster home room-

and-board rates; and

3. Information concerning child welfare staff workloads and

comparative salaries for such staff.