Safe Families Oklahoma (SFO) is a program of It’s My Community Initiative (IMCI), which exists to strengthen vulnerable families in Oklahoma. Safe Families is a locally supported, volunteer movement fueled by compassion to keep children safe and families intact. The hallmark of Safe Families is providing a “host family” to temporarily open their home to a child in a voluntary arrangement while the parent works toward goals to stabilize their family and bring their child back into their home. Through a Circle of Support, the host families and biological families are surrounded by volunteers who may assist with practical needs, respite, home visits, transportation, resources and encouragement.

The past five years have shown that 90% of the children hosted are successfully diverted from foster care and able to return to their families. It is critical that both those who need help and those who are helping are located in similar geographic proximity, so those receiving help are helped by "neighbors" rather than strangers across town. This approach allows the opportunity for stability in community and school for the children and the opportunity for relationship and support to continue beyond the initial hosting. SFO has mapped the demographics of its current host families and identified areas that are under-represented, including Downtown/NE OKC. This project will support an expansion into these communities.

The Arnall Community Funds are administered through Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) and provide grants to nonprofit organizations throughout the state of Oklahoma that are working to improve outcomes for individuals, children and families involved with animal welfare and in the child welfare and criminal justice systems. The OCCF staff will manage the grant administration process and all grantmaking decisions will be made by OCCF Trustees. Learn more about the process.