Oklahoma Foster Care Reimbursement Rates Have Stagnated
Current rates have not increased since 2018, leaving foster families to cover the rising costs of child care.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Child Care
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Should states automatically adjust foster care reimbursement rates to keep pace with inflation?
Advocates recently testified at the state Capitol regarding the financial challenges faced by Oklahoma foster families. Daily reimbursement rates for the state's 5,900 foster children have remained unchanged since 2018 despite inflationary pressures on household budgets.
Why it matters
The real cost of raising a child in Oklahoma is estimated at approximately $19,500 annually, while state daily reimbursements cap out at $8,200 per year. This funding gap has contributed to a trend where 40% of foster families quit within their first year of certification.
Current daily rates provide $17.71 for children ages 0-5, $20.42 for ages 6-12, and $22.62 for ages 13 and older. A 2025 legislative measure to increase these daily rates by $5 failed to pass, missing an opportunity to utilize $22.5 million in federal matching funds.
The players
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
The state agency responsible for managing foster care placements and coordinating system reforms.
The details
Legislative action is required annually to determine and adjust these reimbursement rates. Without an increase, the current payments are forced to cover the cost of child-rearing in a market where inflation has consistently outpaced state assistance. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services oversees the system and has managed to reduce the number of children in care by 1,600 since 2020 through various agency initiatives.
Timeline
2018: Oklahoma last adjusted state foster care reimbursement rates.
2020: The agency reduced the foster system child count by 1,600.
2025: A legislative bill to increase daily rates failed to become law.
September 29, 2026: Foster advocates testified at an interim Capitol study.
The Home Front
The failure to adjust reimbursement rates sits at the intersection of state-funded family welfare and the rising costs of basic household maintenance. This funding shortfall creates a market-wide trend where the financial burden of state-mandated care is shifted onto individual foster families.
Foster families should review their household budgets and track all expenses related to a foster child to ensure they have clear documentation for tax purposes or future legislative advocacy. Those considering opening their home should contact the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to understand the current financial expectations before certification.
The takeaway
The gap between state reimbursements and the actual cost of raising a child remains a significant barrier to maintaining stable, long-term foster homes in Oklahoma. Families should keep detailed records of all child-related expenditures to help advocates present accurate data to lawmakers.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's family support resources in our Child Care section.
Live Poll
Should states automatically adjust foster care reimbursement rates to keep pace with inflation?
