Lawmakers, Community Partners Highlight New Law Helping Foster Children

Generous Donations Supplement Funding for Duffel Bags, Personal Care Items for Kids

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chairman Chuck Hall and House Appropriations Vice Chairman John Kane hosted Walmart leaders, community partners and guests at the state Capitol today to celebrate efforts to provide greater support for Oklahoma foster children in alignment with Senate Bill 1377.

The newly enacted law authored by Hall, R-Perry, and Kane, R-Bartlesville, makes the transition for foster kids easier by directing the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to provide a duffel bag or suitcase with personal care items for each child, ensuring they have the necessities to feel at home in any setting.

The bill’s authors thanked Walmart and other generous community partners for donating duffel bags, personal hygiene products and books for foster children as part of this effort to make them feel comfortable in new homes.

Walmart is contributing approximately 18,000 personal care items — including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes — for the duffel bags, at an estimated retail cost of over $35,000.

“Over the years, my wife and I have welcomed foster children into our home, and it broke my heart every time a child arrived carrying all of their belongings in a black trash bag,” Hall said. “Foster children deserve the same dignity and respect as any other child, and that’s exactly what this new law is about. I’m grateful to the many community partners who share my passion for this cause. For anyone considering fostering, I encourage you to reach out to DHS because it was, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.”

Oklahoma has approximately 5,895 children in foster care and needs 30% more foster families to provide safe, loving homes for kids in need.

“Oklahoma is home to tens of thousands of Walmart associates who care deeply about the communities they serve,” said Rissa Pittman, Walmart Oklahoma Regional Vice President. “We are proud to support Senator Hall and Representative Kane’s initiative with practical supplies for children in foster care, while Walmart also supports the individualized care that local nonprofits provide to families across the state.”

Walmart has also provided a $50,000 grant to support an Oklahoma City nonprofit that serves children and families in the foster care system and raises awareness about fostering across Oklahoma.

"Every child deserves to enter a new home with the basic items they need and the reassurance that people care about them, especially during what is a very scary time in their lives," Kane said. "Senate Bill 1377 helps provide a sense of stability, and I appreciate all the lawmakers, business leaders and community organizations that are making a meaningful difference for Oklahoma's foster children."

Hall and Kane also thanked Oklahoma Complete Health for donating hundreds of pre-stuffed duffel bags, and the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness and local FCCLA chapters for donating thousands of age-appropriate books to include in the bags. Students from across the state helped collect many of the books to show foster children that their communities care about them and want to support them.

Braum's also donated 2,500 book buddy booklets, which are part of their reading incentive program, to go into the duffel bags.

OKDHS is receiving a $250,000 annual state appropriation to purchase duffel bags and essential items to carry out SB 1377.

Oklahomans who are interested in learning more about fostering can call the Foster Care and Adoption Support Center at 1-800-376-9729 or visit okfosters.org.