Bill Gives Private Youth Agencies In Oklahoma New Power

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Senate gave final approval Friday to a bill making changes at the troubled Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.<br/><br/>The changes were sought by nonprofit youth services

Friday, May 26th 2006, 4:36 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Senate gave final approval Friday to a bill making changes at the troubled Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs.

The changes were sought by nonprofit youth services groups monitored by the state agency.

The Office of Juvenile affairs had no input in the bill, which would reorganize the agency and abolish the position of deputy director.

A state audit has criticized the OJA for not properly monitoring contracts by agencies that are members of the Oklahoma Association of Youth Services.