OICA Supplemental Newsletter

Friday

May 9, 2025

We hope you enjoy this special supplemental newsletter from the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. Feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who might be interested in child advocacy. If you or your organization would like to join OICA, simply go to https://oica.org/become-a-member/ and pick the level of membership that is best for you. We would be honored to count you among our members who are fighting for a better future for Oklahoma's Children.

Today, from the 2025 OICA Desk Calendar

OKC's Rodeo Cinema at Stockyards to Host Special Screening TONIGHT

for Mental Health Month

A radically fun and emotional tale for the whole family. What Rhymes With Reason channels teen classics like The Goonies and The Breakfast Club while reminding us that we're all better together.

"LOVE OVERCOMES THE DARKNESS." - Cooper Dowd, Movieguide

Rated safe for kids 10+ from Common Sense Media.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/what-rhymes-with-reason

This is a special presentation by Rodeo Cinema at Stockyards in honor of May being Mental Health Month. The screening will be on Friday, May 9 at 7 p.m.

(Jay Paul Gumm - May 8 - OICA Communications) This is a great victory for Oklahoma’s students with special needs,” said Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA). Dorman was speaking about the fact that Senate Bill 364 became law today, without the governor’s signature.

SB 364 makes it illegal for schools to use corporal punishment for certain students with special needs under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Gov. Kevin Stitt neither signed nor vetoed the bill, meaning that – under a provision in Oklahoma’s Constitution called "pocket passage"– it has become law. While the Legislature is in session up until their final five days of business, if a governor neither signs nor vetoes a bill within five business days, such a measure nonetheless becomes law.

“We are grateful that Governor Stitt allowed the ban on the use of corporal punishment on children with special needs to become law,” Dorman said. “This was a top priority of OICA this session, and the culmination of years of work by many dedicated child advocates across the state.”

One of the leaders of that coalition, Carolynn Macallister of Payne County, was quick to praise the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, for their hard work to get the bill passed.

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OICA Begins Recruitment for

Advocacy Boot Camp, Class II

The second class of OICA's Advocacy Boot Camp (ABC) is designed to increase the number of and training of those who speak for Oklahoma's children. ABC will consist of seven different sessions spread across the year, with advocates learning everything from legislative procedures to a deeper understanding of the resources that exist across Oklahoma. An emphasis on how to be stronger advocates for key issues will be the primary goal of the ABC, which shall include learning about support services for youth and families, the legislative process, and how to communicate effectively with policymakers.

This second class, to be mentored by members of Class One, will be among the next generation of policy leaders. Trained advocates will leave with 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 inaugural class will learn leadership skills and then put that knowledge to work by mentoring the second class of the Advocacy Boot Camp. The connections made will lead some ABC graduates to possibly seek elective office themselves, advocating for Oklahoma’s children and the future of our state’s economy. Participants will spend time delving into the work of various youth groups within Oklahoma, like youth in military families, indigenous youth, at-risk youth, and youth within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

OICA has partnered with the Potts Family Foundation to have Anne Roberts, OICA's former long-term CEO, lead much of the advocacy training for the program. The class will culminate with each member being assigned to a mentor role for someone in the third 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. These events will be multi-day events with hotels and food included for the entirety of the event.