Oklahomans gather to protest DHS policies at Oklahoma State Capitol
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Community members and lawmakers came together Saturday morning to protest policies by the Oklahoma Department of Human Services outside of the Oklahoma State Capitol.
"There is something wrong with our system and it needs to be fixed. It is not working for the people of Oklahoma. It is not working for the children of Oklahoma," says a protestor.
Speakers touched on issues involving child protective services, child abuse investigations, foster care, and adult protective services.
"We are all human, this matters to all of us," says another protestor.
Representative JJ Humphrey says, "When you see abuse, when you see a crime, then you do something."
Rep. Humphrey says he's done many of his own investigations due to his background in law enforcement.
"if I do not have authority and if our committee doesn't have the authority to ask to order an investigation, then where are the rest of our government officials?" says Rep. Humphrey.
Saturday's protest comes just six months after the previous one back in April.
Oklahomans say they want justice and change.
DHS released a statement following Saturday's protest:
Oklahoma Human Services is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of Oklahoma’s children. Every child welfare case is different and the specific details in those cases impact decisions made by the agency, courts, District Attorneys and others who participate in any case. Additionally, any details concerning child welfare cases are confidential by state and federal statutes. This means by law, the agency is not permitted to discuss the facts or circumstances of any child welfare case with anyone who is not authorized by statute or permitted by an order of the court.
Oklahoma Human Services
Although the future remains unknown, the community says they still want answers.
"But I'm asking, how about the Governor? How about you help us and sign an order to do an investigation and to do an audit? We need to do a top down investigation on the Department of Human Services," says Rep. Humphrey.