44 Oklahoma Foster Children To Lose Home By Christmas

Jennifer Pierce, News 9

PONCA CITY, Oklahoma -- A home for troubled kids is facing more problems. First, their federal funding was cut and now the children, staff and their families living there will be out of a home by December 31.

The American Legion Children's Home, a center for children of veterans and for children in DHS care, lost its federal funding months ago, so they cut staff and relocated children. After that, Senator David Myers thought the financial problems were over, but the organization's board voted to close the home at the end of the year.

"How could you pick a worst time to move kids who are already at risk to move them during the Christmas season?" asked Senator David Myers. "It's just heartless the way they have done this."

He said the state is now under a crunch to find homes for the 44 foster children. This is also a home to staff and their families.

"My family lives here on campus and due to the abrupt closing we stand to lose our home and my husband's job," said Tina Clonts.

Clonts isn't sure what they will do. She wants more time and answers as to why the home is closing so soon.

"Their reasons are that it's a drain on their budget," said Sen. Myers. "They don't spend any money out of the American Legion coffers to fund this home it is all funded by either DHS or contributions."

He's asking the public to help keep the home open.

"One of the only ways we will be able to counteract this decision is for people to rise up and say this is not a fair solution and we want something done," said Sen. Myers.

News 9 received a letter from the local American Legion's attorney stating the decision did not come easy. But because of financial constraints and lack of veterans' dependents being put in the home, the board doesn't feel the home is fulfilling its mission.