Circle of Care Welcomes Foster Families and Staff Following Agency Transition
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — Circle of Care, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit serving children and families for more than a century, is welcoming approximately 27 foster families and four experienced child welfare professionals following the recent closure of the Oklahoma operations of Saint Francis Ministries, a Kansas-based foster care agency.
The transition includes foster families in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas who chose to continue their foster care journey with Circle of Care, helping provide stability and continuity for children currently placed in their homes.
“When changes like this happen, our first concern is always the children and families involved,” said Keith Howard, President and CEO of Circle of Care. “Foster families build important relationships with the teams who support them, and transitions can create uncertainty. Our goal has simply been to make this change as smooth as possible, honor the relationships already in place, and ensure families continue to have the support they need.”
An important part of that continuity has been the opportunity for Circle of Care to welcome four members of the former agency’s Oklahoma team. Their existing relationships and experience will help foster families transition while maintaining familiar connections wherever possible.
“We’re especially grateful that several experienced professionals have chosen to continue this work with us,” Howard said. “They know these families, they know their communities, and most importantly, they care deeply about children. This isn’t about one organization replacing another. It’s about people coming together to make sure children and families continue to be supported.”
Circle of Care has provided services to Oklahoma children and families since 1917 and has operated its current foster care program since 2014. The organization is the largest private provider of foster care services in Oklahoma and serves foster families throughout Oklahoma with case management, training, resources, financial supports for children’s activities and clothing, respite assistance, support groups and other services designed to strengthen foster families.
The addition of approximately 27 families expands Circle of Care’s network of foster homes while allowing those families to continue serving children in their own communities.
“Foster families do extraordinary work every day, often without much attention or recognition,” Howard said. “They opened their homes before this transition, and they’ll continue opening their homes afterward. They are the important part of this story. We’re grateful they’ve trusted our team to walk alongside them.”
Circle of Care is an independent, faith-based nonprofit organization serving children and families across Oklahoma through foster care, prevention, counseling, post-adoption support and other family-strengthening services. The organization’s mission is to provide Christian help, healing and hope to children and families in crisis to ensure a safe, healthy and spiritual future.
