A. A pilot program to serve children at high risk of abuse and neglect shall be established by the Department of Human Services in consultation with an evaluation team created pursuant to this section if funds are available.

B. The pilot program shall:

1. Identify the populations of children at high risk of abuse and neglect and the characteristics of those children including, but not limited to, populations in which parental drug and/or alcohol abuse, mental illness, mental and/or physical disability, and domestic abuse are an issue;

2. Develop and design programs to provide services to children at high risk of abuse and neglect;

3. Develop methods for coordinating state and local services to assist high risk children and their families;

4. Allow and provide for participation of both urban and rural concerns in developing and designing such programs;

5. Monitor, evaluate, and review the programs implemented to serve populations of children at high risk of abuse and neglect; and

6. Include such other areas, programs, services, and information deemed necessary by the Department to provide a comprehensive assessment of the needs and programs necessary to provide assistance to children at high risk of abuse and neglect.

C. An evaluation team shall determine the effectiveness of the pilot program, and make a report to the Legislature and to the Department annually for as long as the program is funded. Such report shall cover:

1. Effective programs that will serve children that are at high risk of abuse and neglect;

2. Statewide expansion of programs;

3. Funding sources;

4. Training of professionals to serve such populations;

5. Monitoring, evaluating and reviewing continued effectiveness of such programs;

6. Special needs of children at risk of abuse and neglect from parental addiction to drugs and alcohol and parental mental illness and mental and/or physical disability and from domestic abuse; and

7. Recommendations regarding the issuance of grants and contracts for serving such high-risk populations.

D. The evaluation team shall consist of not more than two representatives from the following entities who have expertise in child abuse prevention or a related field and who have an understanding of program evaluation techniques:

1. The Department of Human Services;

2. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;

3. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth;

4. The Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission;

5. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy;

6. The Oklahoma Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association;

7. The University of Oklahoma; and

8. Oklahoma State University.

E. 1. Upon receipt of recommendations from the evaluation team established pursuant to this section, which indicate that the expansion of the pilot project on a statewide basis would be economically feasible and practical, the Commission for Human Services shall promulgate rules for developing a statewide program serving populations of children at high risk of abuse and neglect, provided funding is available for such expansion.

2. Upon promulgation of rules by the Commission, the provisions of this section shall become effective statewide.

F. The Department may:

1. Contract for services necessary to carry out the duties of the Department pursuant to the provisions of this section; and

2. Accept the services of volunteer workers or consultants and reimburse them for their necessary expenses pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 356, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 2001. Amended by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 64, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009. Renumbered from § 7004-1.7 of Title 10 by Laws 2009, c. 233, § 300, emerg. eff. May 21, 2009.