What DHS knew ... but didn't act on until a foster child reported sexual abuse

By Nolan Clay and Randy Ellis

Published: April 15, 2007
Modified: May 25, 2007 at 12:43 pm

©Copyright, The Oklahoman, 2007

A secret report shows state Department of Human Services workers knew about serious problems at an Oklahoma City foster home where four boys were staying, but didn't shut it down until one boy revealed he had been sexually abused there.

More Info

Former foster parent Paul Stephen Hull walks to court Tuesday in Norman to plead guilty to sex and drug crimes. By CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDITOR'S NOTE

This is one in a continuing series of reports by The Oklahoman concerning the state Department of Human Services. The agency has more than 7,500 employees and manages a $1.6 billion budget. It is responsible for caring for children, the elderly and underprivileged.

Because of state privacy laws, many of the agency's records are confidential. The Oklahoman has asked for those records — some of which would show whether employees are convicted criminals — and has been denied access.

WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you have a DHS issue you would like to share, email us at city@oklahoman.com.

Foster children

Almost 10,000 children are in foster care in Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services reported having 8,345 children in normal foster care homes last month.

Another 1,064 children with special medical, psychological or emotional needs were in therapeutic foster care homes.

DHS says it pays a normal foster parent $12.17 a day for a child under 6, $14.33 a day for a child 6 to 12, and $16.61 a day for a child 13 or older.

The state says it pays $70.51 a day for a child needing therapeutic foster care. Those payments for therapeutic care are shared by the foster parents and the agencies that recruit and train foster parents and provide clinical services to the children.

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