Oklahoma Institute
for Child Advocacy
-->Voices for Oklahoma's Future
Voices for Oklahoma's Future
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) was founded in 1983 as a result of a lawsuit over the maltreatment of a youth in state custody. The Institute was created by people who care passionately about the well-being of children and saw a need to lobby on their behalf at the State Capitol. OICA fights to ensure children and youth in Oklahoma are protected by the policies we help craft at the State Capitol and in our communities. Investments in children are investments in our future. We know by protecting children, educating them and giving them every opportunity to lead healthy, happy lives we are creating a better future for our state.
For 30 years – through statewide initiatives, coalitions, programs and projects, data research and reporting, integration of grassroots and legislative advocacy – the Institute has moved forward critical issues to improve the lives of all children in Oklahoma, especially those in the greatest need of a voice. We advocate for kids, promote the good work being done on their behalf and engage all Oklahomans to help in such efforts. This is a lofty task and we strive to mobilize our fellow advocates by giving them the tools and resources they need to join the movement. Together, we are Voices for Oklahoma’s Future.
Mission Statement: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy creates awareness, takes action and changes policy on behalf of children and youth.
We believe it is critical each child in Oklahoma has:
• A nurturing family in a supportive community
• Quality health care
• Quality educational opportunities throughout their childhood
• Protection from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence
• Economic security and freedom from poverty
• Equal opportunities and freedom from racial disparities
For the past three decades, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy has been and will continue to be dedicated to helping Oklahomans be voices for Oklahoma’s future by educating more Oklahomans about the fundamentals and importance of advocacy. We want people to know advocacy doesn’t have to be a complex or intimidating process. In fact, advocacy doesn’t have to be complicated at all. Advocacy can be as simple as picking up a phone to call an elected official or writing a letter to the editor of a local newspaper to create awareness around an issue that is close to your heart.
Democracy is something we cannot take for granted. Our state, our communities and our families are more likely to thrive when we participate in the democratic process . The Institute’s developed a myriad of advocacy tools, including videos, advocacy guides, links to contact information of Oklahoma’s elected officials, fact sheets and more to help child advocates be strong voices for Oklahoma’s future. Click on the “Use Your Voice” icon to access key advocacy tools developed by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy to ensure the voice of every child is heard under the capitol dome and throughout communities across our state.
The work we do to be voices for Oklahoma’s future could not be possible without the generous support from passionate people who believe Oklahoma’s children deserve to be safe, healthy and heard. The work to educate child advocates how to use their voice includes collecting data on Oklahoma’s children, conducting community forums to begin important conversations about issues critical to Oklahoma’s future and making certain OICA staff have access to the resources and tools necessary to do important work on behalf of Oklahoma’s children and families. Whether it’s five dollars or $1000, the investment our donors make in the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy is an investment in our collect future. Click on the “Support our Work” icon to learn how you can join our effort to make Oklahoma the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Part of being an effective advocate is keeping up with the latest news around Oklahoma and across the country that affects children and families. Visit the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s newsroom for the latest news from all corners of the state and across the US to be an advocate who’s truly in the know. We also post news about OICA’s work around Oklahoma on OICA’s Voices blog and occasionally issue press releases. When we do issue news releases, they can always be found in the newsroom.
A community of advocates that shares its successes and reflects on its struggles is a community poised to do great work. The same can be said with our own personal journeys to better well-being! Sharing your story is empowering and can provide the spark someone might need to ignite change within themselves or in the communities in which they live and and work the schools in which our children learn. We want to share those stories with our networks, and use those stories to persuade policy makers to create policies that lift Oklahoma children and families into greatness. With your written permission, we may feature your story in the newsletter or on our blog. If you’d rather not go public, we’ll use your story to identify ways in which we can continue to be strong voices for Oklahoma’s future. 
Want to become one of OICA’s stronges voices for Oklahoma’s future? Sign up for our monthly newsletters and legislative action alerts. We’ll send you important information about legislation we’re tracking at the capitol that affects your family and Oklahoma’s future. From time to time, we’ll ask you to use your voice by contacting your elected official to take a stand on an issue that impacts Oklahoma’s children. Simply fill out the form below and we’ll send you everything you need to know to help us amply our voice on behalf of Oklahoma’s children and youth.
Technology has made sharing information to have your voice heard easy! Social media has become a powerful tool to spread the message that investing in children is important to Oklahoma’s future. So we’ve put all our social media networks in one easy to find location–making sharing our collective mission with your friends and networks as easy as possible.
Follow OICA and our initiatives on Twitter.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy – @OklaChildAdv
Oklahoma KIDS COUNT – @OklaKIDSCOUNT
Oklahoma Fit Kids Coalition – @OKFitKids
Like us on Facebook.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy
The work we do to be voices for Oklahoma’s future could not be possible without the generous support from passionate people who believe Oklahoma’s children deserve to be safe, healthy and heard. The work to educate child advocates on how to use their voice includes collecting data on Oklahoma’s children, conducting community forums to begin important conversations about issues critical to Oklahoma’s future, supplying policy makers with key information to better guide the decision-making process and making certain OICA staff have access to the resources and tools necessary to do important work on behalf of Oklahoma’s children and families. Whether it’s five dollars or $1000, the investments our donors make in the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy are investment in our collective future.
Please complete this form to learn how you can join our effort to make Oklahoma the best place to live, work and raise a family
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization advocating for Oklahoma’s children and families. Your gift amplifies our voice at the State Capitol and throughout Oklahoma as we work to create awareness, take action and change policy to improve the health, safety and well-being of our children and youth. All contributions are tax-deductible.
For any questions regarding your donation or payment methods, contact OICA’s Development Director Rurie Dobson:
rdobson@oica.org
405.236.5437 x103
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405.236.5437
3909 N. Classen, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73118