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Advocacy Boot Camp (ABC) Classes I & II participate in a variety of activities over their year-long course learning the lessons of how to make a difference in their communities and their state. The application period for ABC Class III closes on June 1; to apply to be a member of the class, go to https://www.oica.org/abc . (Courtesy Photo) Registration for Class III of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) Advocacy Boot Camp (ABC) will close on Mon., June 1 at 5 p.m. CDT. The year-long program focuses on making those interested in being a voice for children even more effective, said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. The inaugural class completed its work a year ago, and Class II is nearing completion. “Oklahoma’s children need for adults to be their collective voice when it comes to both advocating and leading,” he said. “Participants in both our ABC classes have improved their skills as advocates and become even more productive in their communities.” The Advocacy Boot Camp is an update of a program operated by OICA from 1995 to 2010 called the “Kids Count Leadership Program.” Re-started two years ago, ABC has proven to be a valuable resource for those who want to learn more about the resources available in Oklahoma to improve the quality of life for its children and its citizens. “The foundation of any community, any state, is caring people willing to learn and then put that knowledge to work,” Dorman said. “Advocacy’s primary purpose is to raise awareness, influence decision-makers, and bring about positive social, legal or systemic change – ABC provides participants with the tools to be even more effective in that effort.” According to Licia Walters, OICA’s program director, the eight-session program provides coursework on how participants can be stronger advocates on key issues relating to children. “This will be the primary goal of the ABC,” she said. “Knowledge is power in advocacy, and ABC is designed to make sure participants have the knowledge they need to make a difference.” The sessions will be held in several state locations, covering both urban and rural areas of the state including Stillwater, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Tahlequah, and Ada. The final session will overlap with the incoming Class IV for the next year. “Our first two classes are proving to be the next generation of policy leaders for our state,” Dorman said. “Trained advocates are a renewing natural resource that have the skills to lead organizations in communities across the state, working at the grassroots level to make Oklahoma a better place for its youngest residents, and possibly even run for an elective office.” The cost to apply for the program is $50, and for those accepted that money goes towards your registration fee of $500. These events will be multi-day events with food included for the entirety of the sessions. Dorman concluded by noting that limited spaces are available and those who are interested should apply now. To apply for OICA’s Advocacy Boot Camp Class III, go to https://www.oica.org/abc . For more information, contact OICA Program Director Licia Walters at lwalters@oica.org or (405) 236-KIDS (5437), extension 5; or CEO Joe Dorman at jdorman@oica.org or (405) 236-KIDS (5437) extension 4. 

The deadline for Oklahomans to register to vote in this year’s primary election is this Friday, May 22. The Oklahoman Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) is encouraging young Oklahomans who will turn 18 before the primary and who are not yet registered to “pre-register” by the deadline. “If a young person is going to turn 18 between the May 22 deadline and the primary election on June 16 and they want to vote, they need to register now,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “You don’t have to be 18 to register to vote; you just have to turn 18 on or by the election day.” As such, Dorman explained, if a young Oklahoman who turns 18 between May 22 and June 16 waits until his or her birthday to register, registration will be closed until after the primary, and they will not be able to vote despite having reached the legal age to do so under the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This is also the case in the 25 days leading up to the primary run-off election on Aug. 26 where the registration deadline is July 31, and in the general election on Nov. 3, where the registration deadline is Oct. 9. Individuals who will turn 18 on or prior to election day are allowed to pre-register to vote, despite not yet having reached the legal age to vote. This quirk in the registration deadlines and election days affects more Oklahomans than one might imagine, Dorman said. “Census figures tell us that an average of about 135 Oklahomans turn 18 every day,” he explained. “Registration closes 25 days before each election. Using that fact, combined with the number of Oklahomans who will turn 18 during the period registration is closed, means that 3,375 young Oklahomans turning 18 could be denied their right to vote unless they register before their birthday.” Dorman noted there have been statewide elections that have been decided by fewer votes than that. “We at OICA want to make sure that every eligible Oklahoman is registered to vote and are ready to cast their ballots on election day,” he said. “That is especially true of young Oklahomans who need to develop the lifelong habit of making their voice heard at the ballot box.” Oklahoma’s turnout rate for the Nov. 5 election in 2024 was 53%, the lowest in the nation, according to a report from the University of Florida. “A few highly motivated and engaged voters can make a difference in many local and state races,” pointed out Dorman. Oklahomans can register to vote online, in person, or by mail. To register using the Online Voter Registration System, the applicant must have a current and valid Oklahoma Driver License or State ID on file with Service Oklahoma and the address on the ID must match the address the applicant intends to use for voter registration. Individuals can register to vote at their county election board or with their local motor license agent. A directory of county election boards can be found on the State Election Board website at https://elections.ok.gov . Voter registration applications are available at county election boards, most tag agencies, post offices, and public libraries. Voters can also download a Voter Registration Application from the State Election Board website. Mailed applications must be postmarked no later than May 22 for voting in the Oklahoma Primary Elections. All voters are encouraged to confirm their registration using the OK Voter Portal prior to the voter registration deadline. Voter registration changes regarding address or name change due to situations like marriage must be submitted no later than May 22, in order for those changes to be applied in time for the June 16 Election. The deadline to change political parties was on March 31 for the Primary Elections and any necessary runoff elections, which will be held on Tuesday, August 25. “Free and fair elections are the key to our freedom,” Dorman concluded. “We at OICA strongly encourage every eligible Oklahoman, including those who will turn 18 on or before election day, to make their voices heard.”

Time is running out to nominate individuals and organizations for the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Award for Child Advocacy. Nominations will close at 5 p.m., CDT on Friday, May 15. “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, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA). “The process begins with nominations made by the Oklahomans and culminates with voting for the winners.” The Anne Roberts Awards are the only child advocacy awards that are initiated by public input and then determined by public votes. The awards will be presented at OICA’s annual Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 25. The first step in the award 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 Awards are used to select an individual or organization with its sole mission directed at serving youth through their 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. “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, these nominees are asked to submit videos and biographical information that will be available for interested individuals to view on the OICA website and the organization’s social media before they cast their votes, which also will occur online and with a final ballot issued at the gala for attendees to also cast a vote. People may vote for a finalist in each category. Previous winners in the individual category include: 2017 – Brenda Lene’; 2018 – Cody Inman; 2019 – Judy Payne; 2020 – Ryan Abernathy; 2021 – Melissa Ahlgrim; 2022 – Amber Cuyler; 2023 - Alethea Satterwhite; 2024 - Mary Beth Talley; and in 2025 - Sarah Soell. Past organizational award winners include: 2017 – Whiz Kids Oklahoma; 2018 – Peppers Ranch; 2019 – Oklahoma United Methodist Circle of Care; 2020 – Diabetes Solutions of Oklahoma; 2021 – SoonerStart; 2022 – Fostering Connections; 2023 – Sara’s Project; 2024 - The Anna\’s House Foundation; and 2025 - M&R Doyle Holdings, Inc. 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. Heroes Ball sponsorships, tickets, and tables are on sale now at https://tinyurl.com/Hero26Tix . 

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 .

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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.