OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The director of the Department of Human Services says cases of child abuse and neglect are down for the third consecutive year. DHS Director Howard Hendrick told the state Commission for Human Services on Tuesday that the drop is due in part to more financial security in homes and an increase in adoptions. About 3,000 fewer children were confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in fiscal year 2009 compared with 2008. Nearly 6,300 fewer children were alleged to be victims in 2009, according to the agency. Hendrick also told the commission that child support distributed by DHS is at an all-time high - hitting more than $325 million in fiscal year 2009. And he says Oklahoma also leads the nation in establishing paternity. --- Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com/ --- Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com

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