While many of the 30-some counties finding themselves without local Department of Human Services facilities in the wake of a recent state closure decision may still be struggling for solutions, Kingfisher’s faith-based community has stepped up to the challenge.

The result of a public plea for help spearheaded primarily by child welfare worker Debbie Osborn is a fully-furnished and food-and toy-stocked haven for children transitioning from at-risk homes.

Dubbed “Soft Landings,” 24/7 use of the residence was donated by Frontline Ministries, while congregations from First Baptist, Federated and Methodist churches and the county’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Response Team helped furnish it.

Thanks to the home’s furnished bedroom and livingroom, and functioning and fully-stocked kitchen and bathroom, young children removed from at-risk homes in emergency situations can be fed, bathed and dressed in fresh clothes if necessary and tucked into bed while awaiting alternate placements.

And older children have access to TVs, video and board games and other toys to keep them entertained and relieve some of their anxiety in the midst of stressful situations.

The home also can be used for supervised visits between parents and children during the reunification process.

Osborn said the homelike environment allows workers to get a more accurate picture of parenting skills and the quality of parent-child interactions during real-life activities such as cooking and serving meals, bathing and reading to children and putting them down for naps.

“We’re so grateful to this community for making this facility possible,” Osborn said. “Every time I’ve ever asked for anything on behalf of the kids we serve, Kingfisher never fails to step up.”

Just in the two weeks since Soft Landings has been open, a total of 20 children have made use of the facility, according to a logbook maintained by child welfare workers.

Osborn noted that Kingfisher County is the only one of the impacted counties so far who have successfully pivoted to community partnerships to replace facilities formerly operated by the state.

That’s one of the concerns of State Sen. Darcy Jech of Kingfisher and others who are watching the impact of the DHS closure plan, which has all social workers operating from home in the counties where DHS offices will be closed.

“In counties that are less affluent or where faithbased communities aren’t as proactive, this kind of solution may not be possible,” Jech said.

Meanwhile, Kingfisher County’s former DHS building in south Kingfisher has been purchased by the city to be repurposed as a new Kingfisher Police Department headquarters, expected to open this fall.