Recent News Releases

Each summer, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds its annual Heroes Ball to celebrate champions for children. The gala event – set for Saturday, July 25 at Oklahoma City’s Farmers Public Market – is also the nonprofit organization’s most important fundraiser. The theme for this year’s Heroes Ball is to honor America’s 250th Birthday while celebrating individuals and groups who have made profoundly positive impacts on Oklahoma’s children, according to Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “There are so many Oklahomans who work and struggle every day to improve the lives of Oklahoma’s children,” he said. “The Heroes Ball honors these champions who, in some cases, literally change the world.” This year’s Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement Award winners fall into that category. OICA will honor Clara Luper posthumously and the Katz Drug Store sit-in youth. The Katz Drug Store sit in took place in August 1958, when a group of Black youth and their teacher, Clara Luper, held peaceful sit-ins at the drug store to protest segregation. That event began a chain of non-violent sit-ins across six years until Oklahoma City was no longer segregated. Several of those brave individuals who as teens conducted the sit-in will participate in a panel discussion that will serve as the Heroes Ball’s keynote. Kate Barnard, for whom the award is named, was Oklahoma’s first female statewide elected official, serving as the Commissioner of Charities and Corrections. She is regarded as the foremost child advocate of her time, working to protect young Oklahomans from corrupt systems which abused and took advantage of them. The Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate Award will go to Carmelita Skeeter, the CEO of Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa. The award’s namesake, Jay Scott Brown, was a previous OICA Board Chairman who passed in 2022 following a career of service to the organization and other youth programs, including the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. The Organization Advocate Award will go to Pivot, A Turning Point for Youth for their work on behalf of children who are homeless, disconnected or otherwise at risk. The Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award will go to Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn. Commissioner Osborn previously served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives for 10 years, reaching the position of chair of the powerful Appropriations and Budget Committee. As Labor Commissioner, she worked to protect child labor laws in Oklahoma and elevated social issues important to youth. The Laura Boyd Public Servant Award will be presented to former Oklahoma U.S. Senator, the late Fred Harris. Senator Harris had a distinguished career in the state Senate, served in the U.S. Senate, and ran for President of the United States in both 1972 and 1976. A strong leader in the civil rights movement, Harris publicly supported busing desegregation and the rights of Indigenous Americans, most notably the residents of Taos Pueblo and the Comanche Nation. Harris served as a board member for New Mexico Voices for Children, a counterpart organization to OICA, up until his death in 2024. The organization will also present two awards determined by public nomination and vote, The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy to an individual and an organization. The awards are named in honor of Anne Roberts, OICA’s longest serving CEO; it recognizes outstanding service to Oklahoma’s children by an individual and an organization, as nominated and voted on by the public. Nominations are currently open until 5 p.m., Friday, May 15 at https://qrco.de/26ARPCAHB . In addition, OICA staff and Board members are seeking donations for silent auction items. For more information on how you can contribute, contact OICA Program Director Licia Walters at lwalters@oica.org or at (405) 236-KIDS (5437), extension 5. Dorman concluded by noting that the Heroes Ball Committee and members of the OICA Board of Directors and staff are already hard at work to make this year’s event a huge success. “We encourage everyone to get their tickets early and when you join us, you are welcome to dress as your favorite superhero,” Dorman said. “The night is great fun for a great cause, and we cannot wait to see you there!” Sponsorships, tickets, and table sponsorships are available. They can be purchased at https://qrco.de/OICAHB26 .

Oklahoma’s Kid Governor® for 2025-2026, Katelyn Talley (center) of Valliant Elementary in southeastern Oklahoma, is sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma Gurich during a ceremony at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Feb. 2, 2026. Katelyn is flanked by her parents, Jessica Fulgham and Brandon Talley. Oklahoma’s Kid Governor® is a program administered by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) designed to teach fifth grade students about the importance of civic engagement. Teaching materials are provided, and the annual Kid Governor® election is conducted on ballots that resemble real ballots. Registration for the 2026-2027 school year is now open to all Oklahoma fifth-grade classrooms. (Courtesy Photo) Registration is now open for Oklahoma’s fifth grade teachers to sign up for their class to participate in the award-winning Kid Governor® program during the next school year. Teachers can register at the following website: https://tinyurl.com/KG2627Register and parents of children who will be entering the fifth grade are encouraged to share this information with those teachers in public, private, and charter school classrooms. Home school families are also allowed to use these materials to help educate students. The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) ran its own Kid Governor for six years in partnership with Sunbeam Family Services prior to working with the national Kid Governor® program in 2022, a program originated in Connecticut and has expanded to other states through a licensing agreement. The purpose of Kid Governor® is to educate students about elections and the role of elected officials, along with the importance of voting once the students reach age 18. “Every Oklahoma fifth grader in a classroom has the opportunity to learn about government through this project so long as their teachers sign up for the program,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “Oklahoma’s teachers will have access to an array of materials to help students learn the importance of democracy and our republic and the role they can play in it.” Dorman went on to emphasize there in no indoctrination in the Kid Governor® curriculum regarding any policy issue; these are only lesson plans describing the process of elections and duties of government officials. With this, students can be better prepared to be fully involved citizens as they age into adulthood and hopefully become active voters. Dorman said since 2026 is a gubernatorial election year, he expects even more excitement among the Kid Governor® classrooms and candidates as they get to mirror what is happening in the real world. More than 1,000 students participated in classrooms across the state in 2025. As of May 1, 2026, 120 students are registered for Kid Governor in the 2026/2027 school year. Those fifth-grade classrooms which are participating can also take part in the enhanced program which allows them to enter one student candidate into a statewide election based upon results from a local classroom election. Each student candidate will pick an issue important to them on which to run, and the classroom will vote for their favorite candidate. The classroom winners will then make two-minute campaign videos for the statewide competition, where a panel comprised of Oklahoma’s former governors – David Walters, Frank Keating, Brad Henry, and Mary Fallin – and OICA board members will narrow the finalists down to seven candidates. The campaign videos for the top seven selected will be shared with each participating classroom. The students will cast their vote on ballots that resemble the actual Oklahoma ballots. The candidate receiving the most votes will serve as the next Oklahoma Kid Governor® with the others serving in cabinet roles. The seven finalists serve a one-year term promoting their platform issue, leadership and advocacy, working with OICA to deliver speeches around the state. Each will have the opportunity to fulfill their campaign platform when they visit with lawmakers, while also mobilizing students to take action and make a difference on youth issues. “We appreciate each of these incredible adult leaders who give of their time to review the submissions, and that includes the teachers who help support this program to ensure it is in classrooms,” Dorman said. “Any Oklahoman who wishes to join in support of this program to ensure funding is sufficient can learn more at https://oica.org or by contacting our office.” Toolkits consisting of free, custom-designed lesson plans will guide classroom teachers through the program and teach students about state government in their state, the history and process of voting, and the importance of active participation in civic life. OICA is underwriting the cost of the program entirely through donations. Additionally, each student is provided with an educational comic book Mighty Mia and Dyna-Bit Save Democracy to have that was written by Dorman and partners with Literati Press in Oklahoma City. “The Kid Governor® program inspires students to be involved in the process and hopefully become lifelong agents of change for the better, maybe even running for Governor of Oklahoma someday,” Dorman said. “If young people are given an opportunity to learn these lessons at an early age, they will grow into the leaders that will shape our tomorrow, and at the least, become active voters.” Oklahoma consistently ranks nationally as one of the worst states in the nation for voter turnout of eligible adults who choose to cast a ballot. For more information about how you can help the Kid Governor® program, contact OICA at info@oica.org or call OICA Program Director Licia Walters at (405) 236-KIDS (5437), extension 5.

New statewide polling released today by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), in partnership with independent pollsters Amber Integrated, shows overwhelming support among likely Republican primary voters for action to address the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) generated sexually explicit images involving minors. The Oklahoma survey – conducted March 6–8 among 603 likely Republican primary voters – found near-universal concern about the issue and strong backing for legislative and enforcement action. According to the poll, 93% of likely GOP voters say they are concerned about AI-generated sexually explicit images involving minors, including 81% who say they are “very concerned.” At the same time, 94% say it is important for state lawmakers and state attorneys general to take action to stop the creation and distribution of this material. Support for policy solutions is similarly strong. More than 9 in 10 voters (91%) support legislation that would give state attorneys general and individuals the authority to bring enforcement actions against companies that knowingly allow these tools to be used to create sexually explicit images involving minors. Notably, 81% of voters say they “strongly support” such legislation. Further, an additional national survey commissioned by Americans on AI Guardrails & Child Safety shows a majority of voters say risks of AI outweigh its benefits, with 77% of voters in both parties responding they prefer candidates who support AI safeguards for kids. In a recent national NBC News survey conducted Feb. 27-March 3, 57% of registered voters said they believe the risks of AI outweigh its benefits. The respondents also noted that both parties need to do more to protect against the rapidly advancing technology. A second national poll, this one commissioned by the Alliance for a Better Future and conducted by OnMessage Public Strategies, showed that more than 77% of voters in both political parties prefer candidates who support safeguards to protect the public and minors from harm from AI. “This data makes clear that Oklahoma voters see this as a serious public safety issue and expect action,” said Joe Dorman, OICA CEO. “There is broad agreement across the Republican electorate that these types of images, especially when they involve minors, should not be allowed to spread without consequences. “Beyond that, voters in both parties across the nation have grave concerns about the potential harm of AI.” The polls show consistent support across key demographic groups, and the Oklahoma poll shows particularly strong intensity among women and rural voters. Women voters report higher levels of concern and support across all measures, while small-town and rural voters, who make up a majority of the primary electorate, show especially strong backing for action. Importantly, even among moderate voters, strong majorities express concern and support legislative action, suggesting that lawmakers face little political risk in advancing solutions and incur risk by not seeking solutions. The findings come amid growing national attention on AI tools capable of generating realistic, non-consensual images using publicly available photos. Some platforms, including xAI’s Grok, have faced scrutiny for how easily this type of content can be produced and for the potential risks posed to minors. “Oklahoma families want to know that there are clear rules in place and that bad actors will be held accountable,” Dorman added. “This is an issue where the public is not divided – conservatives, liberals, Republicans, and Democrats – they are all aligned and ready for action.” Survey Methodology: The Oklahoma survey was conducted March 6–8, 2026, among 603 likely Republican primary voters in the state. The margin of error is ±3.99%.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will conduct its annual Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The event occurs at the end of each summer and is used to recognize those Oklahomans – heroes – who have worked to improve the quality of life for the state’s youngest residents. The event will be held at the historic Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market. Among the highlights of the evening is the presentation of the two Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards. “The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards are given annually to an Oklahoma individual and an organization the public feels deserve special acknowledgment,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “The process begins with nominations made by the Oklahomans and culminates with voting for the winners.” The first step in that process, nominations for both the individual and organizational awards, is now open at https://qrco.de/26ARPCAHB . (NOTE: A QR Code to the address is attached to this press release.) A link to the nomination page is also available on OICA’s website at https://www.oica.org. The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Award is used to select an individual or organization with its sole mission directed at serving youth through their primary work, paid or volunteer. We would like to see nominations come in for people or programs that have demonstrated excellence in improving the lives of Oklahoma’s youth through their mission or job.  Nominations will close at 5 p.m., Friday, May 15. “From the nominations, the finalists are narrowed down by a committee of OICA board members,” Dorman said. “Then, the people will be able to vote to choose the winners in both the individual and organization categories.” Once finalists are selected, they will submit videos and biographical information that will be available for interested individuals to view on the OICA website and social media before they cast their votes, which also will occur online. People may vote for a finalist in each category. The Heroes Ball is an annual gala to recognize the state’s champions for children and raise funds for OICA’s ongoing mission of child advocacy. To learn more about how to purchase tickets, donate charity auction items, or become a sponsor of the Heroes Ball, please call (405) 236-KIDS (5437), Extension 5 or contact OICA Program Director Licia Walters at lwalters@oica.org .

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

The logo for the 2026 OICA Child Advocacy Day and Chili Cook-Off was designed by Amber Integrated, an Oklahoma City public affairs and strategic communications firm. The image recalls the famous “The Spirit of ‘76” painting in which patriots marched with a fife and drums during the American Revolution. The image ties into the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy’s year-long celebration of the United States’ 250 th birthday. In just over a month, child advocates and chili cooks from across Oklahoma will gather at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) Child Advocacy Day and Chili Cook-Off. The annual event is designed to give advocates face-to-face interactions with legislators and policy leaders during a casual event with some of the best chili in Oklahoma to bring them all together. This week, OICA unveiled its logo for the event, created in partnership with Amber Integrated, an Oklahoma City-based public affairs and strategic communications firm, and a top sponsor of the Chili Cook-off. “The talented artists at Amber Integrated did a great job with this year’s logo,” said Joe Dorman, OICA CEO. “It flows perfectly with our theme for the year, honoring the 250th birthday of the United States.” The logo depicts the mascots of the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties – the donkey, elephant, and hedgehog – marching together playing the fife and drums, a nod to the Revolutionary War painting entitled “The Spirit of ’76.” “While children’s policy should not be partisan in nature, the officials who we work with to shape ideas do run under a party nomination,” said Dorman. “We use this event each year to remind those officials that the success of the children of our state should come first and by working together, better things will occur for future generations.” OICA also announced that Oklahoma youth-serving organizations or individuals may register to participate by cooking chili at a table that allows them to display about the work that they do, and that sponsorships are now available for the event. “This is an excellent way for our advocates to engage in the process and share their stories,” Dorman said. “We encourage organizations who want to connect with officials to use this opportunity to join us at the Capitol and begin that process of building relationships and offer themselves as a resource, and if they cannot join, please consider sponsoring so their name can appear on the back of the event t-shirt with the event logo on the front. “We share a commitment that on this one day, in this building of the people, we can lay the foundation for better outcomes for Oklahoma kids while celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation,” Dorman concluded. For anyone who might wish to enter or sponsor the Child Advocacy Chili Cook-Off, they should contact Brenna Leeds, OICA Development Director, at bleeds@oica.org or by calling OICA at 405-236-KIDS (5437), extension 3, or interested parties can go to oica.org/2026-chili-cookoff and select sponsorship or entry.

Katelyn Tally (center front) of Valliant takes the oath of office as Oklahoma’s Kid Governor for 2026 during a State Capitol ceremony on Mon., Feb. 2. Katelyn is surrounded by her mother Jessica Fulgham (front left) and father, Brandon Talley, as she takes the oath. Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Noma Gurich administered the oath. Courtesy Photo by OICA (Katelyn Talley KG 2026)

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) announced today that Axay “Ax” Parekh of Tulsa has been elected President of its Board of Directors for 2026-2027. Parekh, a recognized leader in real estate, advocacy, and community engagement, brings a strong commitment to championing the needs of Oklahoma’s nearly one million children. OICA is a statewide nonprofit organization which has a primary focus on elevating advocacy issues and awareness regarding youth policy. Their goal is for every child to have access to safety, opportunity, and a brighter future. Parekh’s leadership marks an exciting step forward for the organization as it has been several years since the board president has resided in eastern Oklahoma.. “It is an honor to serve in this role,” Parekh said. “Our children deserve a future filled with hope, stability, and opportunity. I encourage everyone to join us in supporting this work.” As OICA launches its year-end fundraising drive, Parekh calls on friends, family, and supporters statewide to give before December 31 to help advance programs and advocacy efforts across Oklahoma. Contributions toward this nonprofit organization are classified as charitable donations and can be declared on one’s tax returns. Other officers elected to two-year terms include Rebekka Lucas of Oklahoma City, Vice-President; Terry Boehrer of Washington, Okla., Treasurer; Samonia Byford of Oklahoma City, Secretary; Sandy Foster of Lawton, Governance Chair; and Amanda Mullins of Norman, Past President. To contribute or learn more, please visit OICA’s website at https://www.oica.org 

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) through their project OK Foster Wishes is assisting Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) Holiday Hope program in an effort to provide support for foster youth in the state, according to Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “Our goal is to raise $30,000 – enough to provide 200 gift cards of $150 each to teens in foster care,” Dorman said. “We’ve only raised $1,240 as of Monday, December 1, and that includes one $500 donation.” OICA has created a link for individuals to directly donate to the program. The donation page is found at https://tinyurl.com/2026HolidayHope . OICA has factored the processing fee for each card into the donation amount at the different levels to ensure all needs are met. “OHS asked us to take on this teen age range as those are often the ones who it is harder to shop for with items. This holiday season, you have the power to show a young person in foster care that they are seen and deserving of joy,” Dorman said. “These are youth who often feel anguish during a time of year that celebrates family, warmth, and belonging, a time when these children are unable to be with their biological parents. “These gift cards will provide Oklahoma’s teenaged foster children a chance to choose something for themselves, to experience independence, and feel the joy every young person should during the holidays. Together, we can make certain no young person in Oklahoma foster care feels forgotten. Your support can turn a simple gesture into a lasting message for them: you matter.” OICA has set up different levels for donations, so a person can give $25, $50, or even donate the full amount for a card, or multiple cards.  “We know many people are struggling financially this year, a clear indicator by the amount which has been raised so far, so we do not want anyone to place themselves in a tougher financial position,” said Dorman. “We are asking Oklahomans to consider helping with this endeavor and to give what you can to ensure these teens have a little brighter holiday season.” If an Oklahoman would rather contribute to support a local effort working with OHS, locations can be found at https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/foster/holidayhope.html for giving. The deadline is approaching quickly to ensure a gift can be sent to a foster youth. -30- About OICA : The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, particularly those in the state’s care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking action and changing policy to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.” About HOLIDAY HOPE: The Holiday Hope program, through Oklahoma Human Services and valued community partners like the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, is dedicated to spreading joy, support, and hope during the holiday season. Together, we work to brighten the holidays for foster families and children involved with Child Welfare Services by building community connections and ensuring every child experiences the warmth and magic of the season.