'Oklahoma Lawyers For Children' Helps Future Foster Parents With Paperwork

Karl Torp, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thousands of Oklahoma children are in need of foster families, but a backlog at the Department of Human Services has the process at a standstill.

Many who have already opened their doors aren't being paid by the state. Now, help could be on the way.

Oklahoma Lawyers for Children says it's ready help with all that paperwork. Meanwhile, foster parents try to make ends meet without much support from the state.

Aryn Balfour cares for five children at her home- three of them are foster kids

"It's work. I'd be lying if I told you otherwise," Balfour said. It's work that Balfour hasn't been fully paid for.

Right now, around 110 local parents have been caring for foster kids for at least three months without cashing a check from the state.

"On multiple occasions I've been ready to throw up my hands. I've called supervisors. It's difficult to know where to begin," Balfour said.

Oklahoma lawyers for children has stepped forward with a plan it help with the paperwork.

It's offering to train volunteers who will go into the homes of potential foster parents.

The hope is more people will be able to open their doors to county's more than 8000 foster child and will a full house- parents like Balfour will finally get financial help.

If you want to become a volunteer and help foster parents, you can call the Oklahoma Lawyers for Children at 405-232-4453. They are having a training session this Wednesday.

Those reimbursement checks can total between $360 and nearly $500 per child.