OJA Budget Hearing Highlights Staffing Concerns

OJA Budget Hearing Raises Concerns Over Temporary Staffing at Juvenile Facilities

An OJA budget hearing has sparked renewed discussion about staffing practices at Oklahoma’s juvenile justice facilities.

During a House budget hearing, Representative Ellyn Hefner raised concerns about the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) relying on temporary staff at its residential campus for youthful offenders.

OJA Director Sharon Millington told lawmakers the use of temporary workers is not standard practice and was implemented only last year to address a severe staffing shortage.

Sharon Millington

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OJA budget hearing focuses on staffing challenges

Millington explained that staffing shortages forced OJA to seek temporary solutions to maintain safety and compliance at juvenile facilities. She told lawmakers she would prefer not to rely on external staffing agencies and instead focus on long-term recruitment and retention.

According to OJA officials, the staffing shortage coincided with nationwide workforce challenges affecting correctional and social service agencies.

Funding request still under review

Discussion of OJA’s request for more than $12 million in additional state funding is expected to continue when lawmakers return to the Capitol in February. Millington said additional funding would help stabilize staffing and reduce reliance on temporary workers.

Child advocacy groups say consistent staffing is critical for safety, rehabilitation, and continuity of care in juvenile justice settings.

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