Families, legislative supporters protest Oklahoma DHS policies
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - On Tuesday, Oklahomans united for justice reform. Crowds spoke out at the Capitol, Oklahoma Department of Human Services (DHS) headquarters and the Oklahoma State Supreme Court calling for a change, accusing the child welfare system of failing Oklahoma families.
Protesters, families, lawyers and even legislators were there to share stories and issues they say Oklahoma families are facing with DHS.
“There's lots of times they act quickly with no evidence, but they can make a lot of decisions with no due process, with no appeals, no court involved. It is just a supervisor... They are taking away people's rights and making decisions without the courts there,” said Kelly Lynn, attorney and judge in Oklahoma.
Many protestors were accusing DHS officials of misusing power, taking rights away from guardians and taking children away from families with little to no evidence.
“Focus on protecting the rights of the people, not just on protecting your own power, your own money, your own budgets. Unfortunately, that’s what we've seen happen with these bureaucracies, with the judiciary, is they're focusing inward on themselves... It doesn't seem like the focus is on making sure that the family is together, that it's a good and a safe environment for the children, the best environment possible for those children, even in bad and terrible situations,” said Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow.
One Oklahoma mother who happens to be a child welfare specialist for DHS says if she could lose her children, anyone can.
“It's a catch-22 where I supervise parents for the State of Oklahoma, but yet I have to be supervised myself with my children. I have never been found unfit. It was a default guardianship... We need reform that focuses on children, not just physical safety, but mental safety,” said Rosario Chico, protest organizer and DHS child welfare specialist.
Protesters want the agency to help families rather than tear them apart unless necessary.
“Don't get me wrong, sometimes they need to be taken, but majority of the time they don't need to be taken... Stop taking people's kids. Try to help the families first. Don't just take our kids away from them. A lot of these families need guidance and help, you know, the economy is bad. People don't have food. They're losing our housing. Help them,” said Emily Barnes, director and founder of Hooked on Justice.
While DHS told KFOR they cannot comment on many accusations publicly due to confidentiality, a spokeswoman with the agency sent the following statement.
Oklahoma Human Services is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of Oklahoma’s children. Every child welfare case is different and the specific details in those cases impact decisions made by the agency, courts, District Attorneys and others who participate in any case. Additionally, child welfare cases are confidential by state and federal statutes, so we are unable to discuss the facts or circumstances of any child welfare case with anyone who is not authorized by statute or permitted by an order of the court.
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
DHS also provided the following additional information about the child welfare process: