Oklahoma foster parents may arrange temporary care with state notice rules

Foster parents may use approved alternate caregivers, approved foster families for respite care, or informal caregivers for occasional care. The arrangements are for children in Department of Human Services custody. Alternate caregivers may be used only in traditional, contracted, or kinship foster care; informal care is occasional and may be provided by friends, neighbors, or relatives. Foster parents must notify the Department of Human Services before using any of these arrangements. Care lasting more than 72 consecutive hours must be provided by an approved alternate caregiver or an approved foster family providing respite care. Alternate caregivers may provide care for no more than 14 consecutive days. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Foster parents must identify at least one and no more than two alternate caregivers. The identified caregiver must be able to take over the foster parent's role during a family emergency or an extended break of up to 14 consecutive days. The Department must approve each caregiver, who must complete required checks and meet qualifications set by rule. The caregiver and every adult in the caregiver's home must complete background and registry checks, and the Department must evaluate the home. A caregiver may provide care only for foster families for which the Department has approved that caregiver.

Foster parents must use the reasonable and prudent parent standard when choosing an informal caregiver and may not use someone the Department has found unsafe. Informal care is occasional care by a friend, neighbor, or relative for no more than 72 hours. The caregiver must have the maturity and skills to address the child's needs.