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2008 Legislative Session
As Oklahoma continues to rank poorly in the health and welfare
of our children, advocates for children and youth expressed
their overwhelming support for pursuing only evidence-based,
proven strategies for delivering services, for working across
agencies to coordinate existing services and for ensuring
sufficient state resources to meet the needs of our state's
vulnerable children and families.
2008 Legislative Agenda for Children, Youth and Families
Click the links
below for details on each agenda item.
1.
Support Children's Behavioral Health (PDF)
Support the multi-agency Children's Behavioral Health
Initiative, including a five-year comprehensive budget request,
encompassing prevention, early intervention, community-based
services, inpatient and residential treatment, group homes and
therapeutic foster care, serving children 0-21.
2.
Provide Health Care Coverage for Autism
(PDF)
Require private
health insurers to include coverage of expenses associated with
treatment of autism spectrum disorders that are prescribed by
the treating physician in accordance with an individual
treatment plan.
Fact Sheet:
Provide Insurance Coverage for Autism (PDF)
3.
Increase Access to Health Care (PDF)
Increase access to care by implementing workforce
de3velopment and expanding programs and funding to increase the
availability of subspecialists in maternal and child health and
behavioral health.
Fact Sheets:
Improve Access to Health Care SB 1687 (PDF)
4.
Reduce Child Abuse Through Parental Education and Support (PDF)
Reduce child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma by supporting state
agency budget requests to strengthen the existing continuum of
prevention services offered by Oklahoma State Department of
Health, (such as Children First, Office of Child Abuse
Prevention, Child Guidance); Oklahoma Department of Human
Services, such as Safe Care); Department of Education (such as
Parents ad Teachers)..
5.
Increase Physical Activity (PDF)
Increase the
current physical education requirements for grades K-5 from 60
minutes per week
to 120 minutes per week. The additional 60 minutes would
consist of 30 minutes of additional physical activity through
fitness breaks, recess and classroom activities.
Fact Sheets:
Childhood Obesity SB 1186 (PDF)
6.
Combat Childhood Obesity Through Out-Of-School Programs (PDF)
Make funds available to support out-of-school programming
that demonstrates collaboration with community partners, and
that includes evidence-based physical activity and nutrition
components.
Fact Sheet:
After School Programs Aimed at Preventing Childhood Obesity -
Talking Points SB 1612 (PDF)
7.
Help Children Thrive in Child Care (PDF)
Increase safety and quality of child care through lower
child/staff rations, improved teacher qualifications, adequate
child care reimbursement rates to improve quality and the
increases in market rates / minimum wage.
8.
Prevent Youth Access to Alcohol (PDF)
Amend the Social Host Law, which prohibits adults from
providing alcohol and drugs to minors, to include an increase in
penalties regardless of child death or injury.Fact Sheet:
Support
SB 1530 Social Host Law
(PDF)
9.
Keep Children Save (PDF)
Provide sufficient funding for Oklahoma to meet national
standards regarding: statewide child welfare caseloads, foster
care and out-of-home placement reimbursement rates and paid,
trained respite care for resource parents.
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