Oklahoma Human Services Launches Holiday Hope for Foster Children

Oklahoma Human Services has opened the Holiday Hope portal to collect wish lists for children and youth currently in state care across the state.

The initiative, as reported by Oklahoma Human Services, allows foster parents and caregivers to submit specific requests for items ranging from toys and warm clothing to gift cards for teenagers. The program aims to ensure that children living in foster homes, staying in shelters, or otherwise under state supervision are included in the holiday season.

Last year, the Holiday Hope effort successfully delivered gifts to more than 5,300 children throughout Oklahoma. This year, the agency is looking to community donors to fulfill individual lists for the current cohort of youth in the system.

“For children in state care, Christmas morning isn’t just about the gifts under the tree,” said Michael C. Williams, Child Welfare Director for Oklahoma Human Services. “It’s a crucial reminder that they haven’t been lost in the system, and that their community still sees them, values them, and remembers them.”

Caregivers must act quickly to participate in this year’s cycle. All wish lists must be submitted by Friday, November 14, to ensure processing before the holidays.

The program is specifically designed for several groups within the child welfare system:

Foster Families: Parents and guardians providing homes for children in the Oklahoma foster system.
Children in Child Welfare Services: Youth placed in foster care, trial home placements, or under direct state care.
Youth in Shelters: All young people residing in Child Welfare shelters during the holiday period.

To submit a request, caregivers can visit the official portal at https://holidayhope.dhs.ok.gov/. For those requiring technical assistance or help with the submission process, Oklahoma Human Services advises reaching out to an assigned Child Welfare Specialist or sending an email to [email protected].

The deadline for all submissions remains Friday, November 14, 2026.