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Last Updated: October 6, 2009

Oklahoma

State Coordinator(s)

Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Cathy Connelly
Independent Living Coordinator
2400 North Lincoln Boulevard
Sequoyah Building
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 521-6671
Fax: (405) 521-4373
Email: cathy.connelly@okdhs.org
Website: http://www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/il/

Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Clay Zahn
Independent Living Coordinator
2400 North Lincoln Boulevard
Sequoyah Building
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Phone: (405) 521-4077
Fax: (405) 521-4373
Email: clay.zahn@okdhs.org
Website: http://www.okdhs.org/programsandservices/il/

2009 Chafee Allocation

$3,174,760

2009 ETV Allocation

$1,067,575

Number of youth 16-21 (most current AFCARS data -2006)

1087

State's Chafee Mission Statement

Information is currently unavailable.

Who is Eligible for Chafee Services?

OKDHS and tribal custody youth 16-18 years of age who are in out-of-home placement or who exit to adoption or guardianship after age 16, youth who elect to remain “in care” for voluntary services until they obtain their high school diploma or G.E.D. or reach age 21 years, and former foster youth ages 18-21 who were in care any nine months between ages 16 and 18.

What is the State's Definition of Room and Board?

Information is currently unavailable.

Maximum Age that Youth may Remain in Care

21

No additional information is available.

Under what Conditions Can a Youth Remain in Care Beyond 18?

If have not finished HS or GED.

Is the Extended Medicaid Option Available for Youth Until 21?

Yes

Youth have to reapply annually but they can complete the application by mail if they are at the same address and get the renewal application.

Can Youth in Care Get Driver’s Licenses?

Yes

• Issue checks to Vital Records to obtain certified copies of birth certificates needed for Driver's License;
• Pay for Driver's Education classes either at the youth's high school or at a private driving school;
• Pay for the cost of obtaining a driver's license ($19 in this state);
• Pay up to $500 towards purchase of a car (for youth ages 18 to 21 if they saved a matching amount) and,
• Pay up to $500 annually towards car insurance (for youth ages 18 to 21years)

The above costs are all paid using Chafee funds.

Does the State Offer Tuition Waivers for Foster Youth?

Yes

State House Bill No. 2452, effective July 1, 2000, provides tuition waivers for many youth in custody of the State of Oklahoma. The tuition waivers are for undergraduate resident tuition at institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, and, resident tuition for enrollment in post secondary programs of the area vocation-technical districts. Students will be eligible until they earn a baccalaureate degree of program certificate or until age 26, whichever comes first.

Does the State Have a Youth Leadership Program?

Yes

The Youth Advisory Boards were created to be a voice for the youth to the State Adult Advisory Board and to promote positive youth development by providing activities and experiences that help the youth’s transition to a successful adulthood.