By DeAnna Voeks, Foster Care & Adoption Specialist
There is something special about community and knowing that when one of our own needs support, we can come together and take care of each other. That’s something Native people have always done, and it’s something we can continue to do for children.
With National Foster Care Month here, it feels like the right time to talk about a need we’re seeing more and more. Our children need safe, loving homes within our own community. We are looking for families here in Oklahoma who are willing to open their hearts and their homes, even for a little while, to a child who needs support. Becoming a tribal foster home is one of the most meaningful ways to help care for our children while keeping them connected to their culture, their traditions and their sense of who they are.
In 2025, 23% of children in out-of-home placement were Native — that’s nearly 1 in 4 children being separated from their families. That’s a hard reality, and it reminds us how important it is to have strong, supportive homes within our community. Every home that steps forward creates another chance for a child to stay close to their roots and surrounded by people who understand them.
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, even just a little, it might be worth learning more. You don’t have to be perfect or have everything figured out. What matters most is being willing to provide care, patience and a safe place during a time when a child needs it most. And you won’t be doing it alone. Our foster care program offers training, guidance and ongoing support every step of the way. Many families who have fostered say it’s one of the most meaningful things they’ve ever done, not just for the child, but for their own family as well.
There are many ways to help. Some families open their homes for long-term placements, while others provide short-term, respite or emergency care. However you’re able to help, it truly makes a difference.
If you’d like to learn more about becoming a tribal foster home, please reach out to DeAnna Voeks at [email protected] or 405-878-4831.
At the end of the day, our children are our responsibility and our greatest blessing. When we come together to care for them, we are strengthening not just their future, but our entire community. Let’s continue to show up for our children and for each other.