"The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy Boot Camp is a fantastic opportunity for leaders and advocates to better understand how policy decisions impact children and families. It also provides valuable insight into the important work nonprofits are doing across Oklahoma."
- Nick, ABC Class II
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy offers an unmatched training opportunity to those Oklahomans who wish to become more effective child advocates. Applications are now open for the third class of our one-of-a-kind Advocacy Boot Camp (ABC), which will open with a three-day training in September.
ABC Class III will consist of seven different sessions spread across the year, with advocates learning everything from legislative procedures to a deeper understanding of the resources which exist across Oklahoma, along with networking with those local leaders. An emphasis on how to become stronger advocates for key issues will be the primary goal of ABC, which shall include learning about the legislative process and how to communicate effectively with policymakers.
Participants in this class will become the next generation of policy leaders. Trained advocates will teach the skills to lead positive changes in communities across the state, working at the grassroots level to make Oklahoma a better place for its youngest residents. Members of this class will learn leadership skills and then put that knowledge to work by mentoring the next class of the ABC. The connections made will lead some ABC graduates to possibly seek elective office themselves, directly advocating for Oklahoma’s children and the future of our state’s economy.
Participants will spend time delving into the work of various youth support services within Oklahoma, such as programs supporting at-risk families, indigenous youth and children falling behind due to toxic trauma.
The tentative destinations will include Stillwater in September, Oklahoma City in October, Tulsa in November, Lawton in February 2027, Oklahoma City in March 2027, Ada in April 2027, and Tahlequah in August 2027.
The class will culminate with each graduate being assigned to a mentor role for someone in the subsequent class, and each class member will be tasked with returning to their community to serve in a leadership role with a youth nonprofit organization to help in elevating that organization's work.
The cost to apply for the program is $50, and if you are accepted that money goes towards your registration fee of $500, but the experience is priceless.
These training sessions will be two-day events with food included for the entirety of the event. The hotel room for one night at each session will be at the participants' expense.
The application deadline is June 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance status by July 1. If accepted, the remaining balance of $450 must be paid by August 1. Click the BUTTON below to apply!