Board Approves Plan To Protect Children From Abuse

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A state board has approved a new plan designed to protect Oklahoma children from abuse and neglect by identifying programs available for at-risk parents.

Officials hope the plan approved yesterday by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth will get more communities involved in nurturing families.

Department of Human Services Director Howard Hendrick says reports of child abuse and neglect have dropped in the past few years due to record child support collections and more participation in state programs.

But he says that has obscured a larger problem: poor relationships among parents and children.

One of the strategies in the new plan is more training for people in agencies that typically aren't involved in child welfare, like substance abuse counselors and similar professionals.

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