OPEA

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 12, 2009) – The Oklahoma Public Employees Association today filed an amicus curiae brief in U.S. District Court in relation to a lawsuit filed by a child advocacy group seeking an overhaul of Oklahoma’s child welfare system.

The filing does not mean OPEA is joining in the lawsuit, but that the organization will share vital information the court needs to make the best decisions for the long-term benefit of child welfare workers and the children they serve to protect.

“We offer a different perspective from all parties currently involved in this action,” said Sterling Zearley, OPEA Executive Director.  “Our hope is that we can help the court further understand issues pertaining to this case, which we believe can serve as a catalyst for positive change in working conditions for all DHS employees.”

OPEA’s Child Welfare membership has worked for years under many burdens, including an excessive caseload, staff shortages and the inability of the agency to attract and retain an adequate number of foster homes that will protect children from further harm.

As a result of these deficiencies and the consequent risks of harm posed to children in OKDHS custody, OPEA’s Child Welfare membership has suffered extraordinary levels of stress, excessive burn-out, high rates of turnover and exposure to personal liability.

“We need this lawsuit and the kids need to win it,” said a Child Welfare supervisor and OPEA member.  “If that doesn’t happen, nothing will ever change.  We know what to do and we’ve told administration what it needs to do; they just won’t do it.”

OPEA believes the following solutions would be beneficial to children in OKDHS custody, as well as those in the OPEA Child Welfare membership: 

• Reduce foster care caseloads to be in accordance with national standards.

• Establish a comprehensive pre-service and in-service training program for caseworkers and supervisors that meets national standards.

• Conduct a statewide needs assessment and takes steps to ensure the safe placement of children, including the development of a sufficient number of qualified foster homes to meet the assessed need.

Oklahoma Public Employees Association (www.opea.org) is a non-profit labor organization that has represented the interests of state employees at the capitol in Oklahoma since 1975.

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