OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat and Senate Health and Human Services Committee chairman Senator Paul Rosino have cheered news that that the Pinnacle Plan ‘co-neutrals’ commented favorably on progress to take legally-required steps to improve foster care in the state.

In a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK.com, Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City said:

“I am proud of the work done by DHS to continue the monumental progress on the Pinnacle Plan. This is an issue I have been involved in since very early in my time in the Senate and I couldn’t be more pleased in the strides our state has made to improve our foster care system and protect our most vulnerable children.

“I commend Director [Justin] Brown and his team at DHS [the Department of Human Services], my legislative colleagues past and present — but especially Representative Jason Nelson, Senator Kim David, Senator AJ Griffin, and Chairman Paul Rosino — who have been laser-focused on this issue.

“Also, I’m grateful that both the Fallin administration and the Stitt administration have shown absolute commitment to this plan and to our kids in state custody. I look forward to continued progress in coming years within our foster care system.”

In a statement distributed by the Senate Communications staff, Sen. Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, added his own words of congratulations:

“Every child deserves to have a safe, loving home and family. We have worked tirelessly in the Legislature, along with our colleagues at the Department of Human Services, to strengthen our state’s foster care system and better protect the welfare of Oklahoma’s children.

“This past year was a difficult one with the ongoing pandemic, and I applaud the commitment and tireless effort of our state’s child welfare workers to help families.

“There is no greater gift than being a foster parent, and I hope more Oklahoma families will open their hearts and homes to this special opportunity.”

Rosino is chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee chairman for the upper chamber at the State Legislature.