Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs

PROJECT PURPOSE

14 bed Group Home for COVID-19 Positive Youth

EVIDENCE

Over the past several months there have been several instances when OJA experienced situations where a group home had to shut down temporarily, or take several beds off-line, due to COVID-19 creating staffing difficulties..

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Kids in group homes would be at risk of contracting COVID-19 due to exposure from youth who test positive and have no alternative placement. With this alternative, the 11 current group homes can be more readily available when needed and provide a proper treatment environment. The 160 youth that are placed in group homes will benefit from having a safer environment. Treatment will be more effective and visitation may continue as normal.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by monitoring the total number of beds that are taken off-line due to COVID-19 issues in the 11 contracted group homes. This will also improving the treatment environment by avoiding shortages in staff and restriction of visitation. That aspect will be measured by average length of stay of youth in the group home system. This will be measured by analysis of billing.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding