DHS to speed up adoptions with agency attorneys

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is hoping to speed up the adoption process for children in foster care.

The department announced Monday, Dec. 12 a new initiative with DHS Legal Services. The 'Adoption Unit' will have one purpose: to assist prospective adoptive parents as they manage and finalize the adoption process for children in state custody.

“When we first considered this concept, we recognized there was an opportunity for an attorney to get directly involved as soon as the child became available for adoption,” says DHS General Counsel, Ron Baze. “By utilizing attorneys directly employed by DHS, prospective adoptive parents are provided assistance from counsel much earlier than they would get with most privately-retained attorneys.”

The new unit allows the attorney to no only ensure each step of the adoption process is completed in a timely manner, but also be available to act as an intermediary between the adoptive parents, DHS workers and the courts.

“Another added benefit is DHS Adoption Attorneys have timely and complete access to records and DHS personnel that are otherwise not available to an attorney in the private sector,” said Baze.

Prospective parents still have the option to use a private attorney if they chose.

“This Adoption Unit is an opportunity to get children out of foster care and into permanent and loving homes as soon as is absolutely practical,” said Baze. “And if we can get kids into their new homes sooner than they would get there without our help then this will be a worthwhile effort.”