A Very Busy 2025 for Children

I hope each of you is looking forward to the upcoming Christmas break and will have time to spend with loved ones. As a Christian, Christmas is one of my favorite holidays and is a very special time for those of us who celebrate. It is especially enjoyable for children. While gifts are important, I also believe it is important to share the reason for the season with young ones and the teachings which align with peacefully practicing your faith. Not all religions recognize Jesus or December holidays the same. In Christianity, Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) foretold in the Old Testament and the Son of God. Christians believe that through his death and resurrection, humans can be reconciled to God and thereby are offered salvation and the promise of eternal life. Christmas is the celebration of his birth and the promise associated. Judaism does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah or divine. While some Jewish scholars value him as a historical figure, they do not see his life as having fulfilled the messianic prophecies outlined in scripture. Those of the Jewish faith await a messiah to bring peace and restore Israel. In Islam, the Quran mentions Jesus by name 25 times - more often than Muhammad - and emphasizes that Jesus was a mortal human who, like all other prophets, had been divinely chosen to spread God's message. The Quran describes Jesus as one of four major human messengers sent by God to guide mankind. Many Islamic people celebrate Christmas, but not as a religious holiday. With the Hindu faith, views on Jesus vary widely. Some may see him as a holy man or a saint, while others may include him among their pantheon of deities. However, he is not considered the only path to God. Like Hinduism, Buddhism does not have a unified view of Jesus. Some Buddhists may appreciate his teachings and moral example, but he is not a central figure in Buddhist belief. The religious composition of America in 2025 reflects both historical foundations and contemporary demographic shifts. Christianity maintains majority status at 62% of the adult population, equivalent to approximately 160 million Americans across all Christian denominations. Within this total, Protestants comprise 40% (103 million adults), while Catholics represent 19% (49 million adults), and other Christian groups comprise 3% (8 million adults). Non-Christian religious populations make up 7.1% of Americans (approximately 18.3 million adults), with Jewish Americans at 1.7% (4.4 million), Muslims at 1.2% (3.1 million), Buddhists at 1.1% (2.8 million), and Hindus at 0.9% (2.3 million). The religiously unaffiliated population stands at 29%, representing approximately 75 million American adults who identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular.” The freedom to practice religion without government influence is guaranteed to Americans, and it is regarded as one of our most sacred Constitutional rights. The Founding Fathers’ acceptance of other religions was influenced by their diverse backgrounds and the Enlightenment ideals of reason and individual liberty. This allowed for a wide range of religious beliefs to coexist peacefully within the framework of a secular state. I hope this conversation does not offend, but I believe it is important to have respect for others’ beliefs, even if you do not believe the same as them, and for children to learn that respect. Please do not view another person’s peaceful beliefs as an endangerment to your own, but as a celebration of the ability to live together in a nation where people can rejoice in the peace promised from the season. Whether you are celebrating Christmas (Christianity), Hanukkah (Judaism), Bodhi Day (Buddhism), Kwanzaa (African American heritage), Immaculate Conception (Catholicism), Yule (Pagan), Winter Solstice (several Native American tribes), or some other festivity, I wish you the happiest and peaceful time of year, and please make sure the children in your life have an equally joyous time! 

This time of year can bring stressful times for children who endure traumatic experiences. As we approach the end of the year and with the holidays of celebration occurring, OICA is once again assisting Oklahoma Human Services (OHS) with their Holiday Hope program to provide support for foster youth in the state. Our goal, which was requested of us by OHS, is to raise $30,000 – enough to provide $150 gift cards to 200 teens in foster care. As of Monday, December 15, we have only raised about one-fourth of the amount needed to complete this mission. While this will certainly help those young people who will receive a card, I hate that we have not achieved our goal and might not reach it before the deadline next week. If you would like to help with this mission, please consider donating any amount to help us fulfil our mission. OICA has created a link for individuals to directly donate to the program. The donation page is found at https://tinyurl.com/2026HolidayHope . We also have the link on our social media accounts. With full transparency, OICA has factored the processing fee for each card into the donation amount to ensure all needs are met at a level of ten percent to cover expenses and our costs to complete this project. This holiday season, you have the power to show a young person in foster care that they are seen, valued, and deserve joy. These are youth who often feel overlooked during a time of year that celebrates family, warmth, and belonging, and their foster families are overwhelmed with the costs associated with caring for these youth. Your support helps ease this burden. By doing gift cards, these will give Oklahoma’s foster teens a chance to choose something for themselves, to experience independence, and feel the excitement every young person should during the holidays. Together, we can make sure no young person in foster care feels forgotten. Your support can turn a simple gesture into a lasting message for them: you matter. If you are unable to help, we certainly understand how difficult finances are for many during this time of year. If you provide support for a different youth-related mission, we are grateful for what you and wish you the happiest of holidays with your loved ones. I want to close this week with another special request. Just about eight years ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Miller Hines through his mother, Miranda, who was working for OICA as the director of our OK Foster Wishes program and who operated our special projects. Miller was a typical young boy who enjoyed all the activities which boys do. I will never forget the phone call from his mother as we were preparing for a conference that they had to rush Miller to the hospital and found out he had been diagnosed with leukemia. In the years since, Miller has been a champion through his health battles, ranging from extended periods in the hospital to being able to participate in sports in his school during healthier periods. I have watched over that time as he has often struggled to live the normal life in which we all hope children will be able to experience. He has even developed a large following of supporters who hoped that #MightyMiller would be able to stay in remission and grow into adulthood. Miller had to enter the hospital this past week, and the news has not been good. His 15th birthday will be Saturday, and he wants to not only be able to celebrate this special day, but he also really wants to be able to watch the University of Oklahoma football game on Friday night and for his team to bring home a win. If you believe in prayer, please reserve one for Miller as he goes through his health battle.

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 

With the beginning of December and upcoming celebrations, stress is an inevitable part of the season. Holidays are often portrayed as joyful and exciting, but many children experience significant stress. Changes in normal routine, more social events, travel plans (with inevitable disruptions), and elevated expectations often make this time of year feel overwhelming. Children may disguise their struggle, but many show stress through irritability, attachment, sleep disorders, or difficulty concentrating on tasks or with conversations. Recognizing early signs can help families intervene before stress builds to a level of disruption. Here are some suggestions offered to make the holidays much brighter for you and your children. Holidays often lead to a change in normal routines, and children thrive better when schedules stay relatively normal. It is recommended that while you might need to change some things such as times for meals or lose sleep with some travel, try to maintain as much normality as possible with their day-to-day activities. If you read to your children at night, continue to do so. If you take walks together or trips to the store, find time to keep that in place. Family or friends’ gatherings often provide excitement for many children, but for others, they simply add to stress levels. If a child needs to take time to go to their room or step outside to avoid an overwhelming feeling, allow them to break from the party to reset, and if they have had enough, try to keep the disruption down so they can have that quiet time in their own space. Try to involve children in the planning of activities. The more they feel involved and part of the event, the more likely they will enjoy it. If you have regular activities planned with them annually, gauge whether they have outgrown that and try to adapt to something similar but more within their age. Holidays can also trigger memories of loved ones lost. Children often connect with older relatives, and this time of year brings forth those thoughts of time together with people special to them. It is important to discuss those feelings of mortality with them and how it is not just them feeling that loss. Take that time to give them a hug and let them know they are not alone in how they feel. Gifts often add to stress levels. Many children want that one special gift that is the hot item of the year, but with economic struggles, it is sometimes difficult to find that item on a budget. If it is simply not possible, be honest with them that finances just will not allow it this year. Instead, consider giving time instead of items. For example, offer a weekend family excursion to a local festival or event which they would enjoy and include something tangible which will connect them to that event, such as a stuffed animal if going to a day at the zoo. If you do purchase presents, teach children the meaning of giving and ask them to assist with picking out gifts for family members. This will help them understand the thought that goes into presents and the need to budget if you establish a set amount to spend for items for multiple people. If stress levels are growing, try to recognize the signs. Young children do better when they can have a release, sometimes with simple things such as drawing, playing outdoors, putting headphones on to listen to music, or spending time with their hobbies. It is always suggested for parents to maintain a healthy amount of conversation with their children and listen to them to help assess when the tension is building. Easing their stress will also help your own stress level. I hope these tips help you navigate December and lead to a very happy 2026 for you and your children! 

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.

As we just celebrated Thanksgiving, I would be remiss to not express appreciation for those who work tirelessly for the youth of our state. Each year, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) presents multiple awards for deserving advocates. In 2025, we were thrilled with each of the nominations, people or organizations doing exceptional work, and certainly for those selected as the winners by our board. Those selected are: The Jasmine and Melvin Moran Kidizenship Award was presented to Addison Sams, a high school freshman who is a Student Advocate for the Oklahoma Chapter of Decoding Dyslexia. The Laura Choate Resilience Award was presented to Dr. Bradley Mays, the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma’s Advocacy & Training Coordinator. The Dr. Dwight Sublett Health Care Award was presented to Dr. Ashley Weedn, a board-certified pediatrician and Assistant Professor at OU Health Sciences Center. The Sandy Garrett Educator Award was presented to Teresa Eichenberger, at Tulsa Public Schools Teacher who has helped with the education of youth in the Tulsa Juvenile Detention Center, leading to their first two graduates during time in the facility. The Ray and Pat Potts Community Leader Award was presented to Mayor Kim Peterson, for service as a board member for Kids Inc Guymon, Guymon United Way, Guymon Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Guymon Rodeo Board. The Burnes/Lichtenstein Journalism Award was presented to John Small, the managing editor of The Johnston County Sentinel in Tishomingo. The Senator Judy Eason McIntyre Inclusion Award was presented to children’s book author Mariana Llanos. The Jon Hansen Public Servant Award had two winners: Tulsa County Juvenile Detention Center Assistant Manager Penny Lewis and Ardmore Police Department Detective Landon Gary for his work in the investigation unit with a specialization in child crimes. The Steven A. Novick Child Advocacy Award also had two winners, Oklahoma Policy Institute’s child well-being specialist Jill Mencke and Stephen Garvin, a former Human Services worker of 18 years who helped shape Citizens for Children, a Stephens County nonprofit working to help keep biological families united. The Jari Askins Justice for Children Award was presented to attorney Cameron Spradling, who specializes in civil representation for children, survivors of sexual abuse, and victims of violent crimes. The H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt Corporate Citizen Award was presented to Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores for their support of Children’s Miracle Network and multiple youth initiatives. The OICA CEO’s Recognition Award was presented to Dr. Amy Emerson, a Tulsa child advocate with a lengthy track record of service to youth programs, including service to Reach Out and Read and Lilyfield Empower Tulsa. The OICA Volunteer of the Year award was presented to James “Tony” Willis, who generously gives of his time to help OICA. These winners join other awards’ recipients presented earlier this year: The Honorable Joe Eddins, winner of the Laura Booy Public Servant Award, presented to a formerly elected/appointed Democratic official who has continued doing exception work for children. The Honorable Weldon Watson, winner of the Henry Bellmon Public Servant Award, presented likewise to a Republican official with the same qualifications. Justice Yvonne Kauger (retired), winner of the Kate Barnard Lifetime Achievement in Child Advocacy Award, for her efforts during her service as member of the Oklahoma Supreme Court to expand education through the Sovereignty Symposium and modernization of court systems. The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, winner of our OICA Organization Advocate of the Year, for their programming which elevates civility conversations with youth. Kim Garrett Funk, winner of our Jay Scott Brown Individual Advocate of the Year Award, for her work with Palomar as founder and their Chief Visionary Officer.  Thank you to each of these amazing Oklahomans, along with everyone who has done exceptional work as child advocates. We are thankful for you!

Oklahoma has consistently lingered toward the bottom of state rankings when it comes to reading comprehension with elementary-aged students. Some leaders have offered solutions, and we at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) agree change is needed, so long as it’s done responsibly. Last year, Senate Bill 362, the Strong Readers Act, changed policy for improving reading sufficiency, removing the “good-cause exemption” for students who do not demonstrate proficiency by the third grade. Some support reinstating third grade retention, using Mississippi as an example. The so-called “Mississippi Miracle” refers to their significant improvement in metrics, particularly fourth grade reading comprehension, over the last decade. This turnaround is attributed to bold reforms like an early literacy law that emphasizes phonics and includes third-grade retention for students who cannot read at grade level. Other contributing factors include using literacy coaches, mandating reading screenings, focusing on high expectations and student progress, and a necessity for providing opportunities to succeed – all which cost money. Mississippi has consistently been the poorest state in the United States for decades, and by a significant margin. It has the highest percentage of Americans living in poverty and places last or nearly last on a wide variety of metrics, to the point that the phrase, “Thank God for Mississippi,” is often used in other low-performing states as Mississippi usually spares them the shame of being dead last. Mississippi decided that being a laughingstock was unacceptable, and they did many things right. For Oklahoma, poor reading scores should be similarly unacceptable. If we want to see success with those young students who first must “learn to read” before they “read to learn,” then we need to do it the correct way long before third grade. First, leaders must invest in the right priorities. Policies should not simply hold children back who are behind in third grade so fourth grade levels show improvement, falsely implying success. Those retained third graders did not go away; we simply tested fewer children by isolating those who lacked earlier reading support. Holding back a third grader can cost the school district as much as $10,000 per year, according to Business Insider and the Education Commission of the States. For reading comprehension, real solutions will not be found overnight, and in fact, doing it wrong will cost the state significantly more, both in dollars and long-term problems. For the child, the trauma associated with being held back will impact them for the rest of their lives, spelling out point-blank to them that they are a failure, not that the system failed them. Retention also leads to increased dropout rates when the child cannot move forward. Students who cannot read proficiently by third grade are four times more likely to leave high school without a diploma, according to a 2011 study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Half the states and the District of Columbia have statewide reading initiatives requiring schools to retain students who do not read on grade level by the end of third grade; however, several states, like Michigan, have relaxed or suspended the retention provisions of their laws. A study conducted last year found Michigan school districts spent about $2,600 per-student-per-year implementing a reading initiative, including interventions like tutoring and summer school for students at risk of being held back, and for those who did repeat a grade. Policymakers must ensure funding is in place to support whatever policy they decide to enact. That includes having qualified educators in the classroom who understand reading fundamentals, such as phonics, rather than emergency certified teachers and semi-permanent substitutes, at these earlier grade levels. OICA wholeheartedly supports and encourages policies which will aid young children with achieving an elevated level of reading comprehension. Let’s learn from the mistakes made by other states and do it in a way which elevates learning, not just test scores.

The work done by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), while always rewarding, can sometimes be stressful, and occasionally downright depressing. The statistics and real-world conversations about the things which impact children often wear on our team as we work to improve children’s lives. Still, one of the best and brightest parts of our work offsets the gloominess is our work on the Kid Governor® and 4-H Junior Governor programs. Through these projects, we see the hope these young Oklahomans have for a better future; that reinvigorates us, knowing we truly are making a difference. OICA helped initiate the original concept in 2015 with the selection of a young person to serve in the role of Kid Governor in conjunction with another nonprofit organization. The program morphed into the current project with the selection of our sixth Kid Governor. We partnered with the Connecticut Democracy Project to provide lesson plans for 5th grade teachers to use to better educate their students about government, the need to better understand civics, and the importance of voting once they turn 18. Last year, teachers were concerned about the program and all the classrooms which had normally participated had chosen to withdraw from the program. OICA pivoted to partner with Oklahoma 4-H to continue this program through a one-day conference for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders enrolled in their organization, which yielded an impressive slate of young leaders to fulfill that role for 2025. I want to thank Kid Governor® Emma Stephens from Ardmore; Kid Lt. Gov. Shawn Ferrell from Orlando; Kid Secretary of State Lawson Ream from Alva; and Kid Cabinet members Clayton Rohla from Roff, Ryan Young from Chickasha, Koda White from Vici, Alburto Harmon from Perry, and Harper Witt from Antlers for their work this year. For 2026, OICA was able to continue this 4-H partnership and rebuild our classroom component, allowing us to operate two separate opportunities for youth. The 4-H Junior Governor conference with more than 40 students in attendance selected their leaders November 1; our classroom Kid Governor® program completed its election just last week, with 1,187 students going through the lesson plans. Oklahoma’s Kid Governor® for 2026 is Katelyn Talley, a 5th grader from Valliant in southeastern Oklahoma. Her platform is animal abuse prevention. The Kid Lieutenant Governor is Sophia Chavarria Rivera, a 5th grader from Bethany, and her platform is the prevention of bullying. The Kid Secretary of State is Daphne Tanequodle, a 5th grader from Lawton, who was elected with a platform of addressing homelessness. The winners of the 4-H Junior Governor elections, their schools, and platforms are: • Junior Governor Riley Braden, from Brisco in Creek County. Riley is home schooled and ran on a platform to protect and promote the sanctity of life. • Junior Lieutenant Governor is Whitlee Moser from Perkins in Payne County. Whitlee attends Perkins Tryon Intermediate School and ran on a platform of education. • Junior Secretary of State is Riley Rudder from Fort Towson. Riley attends Rattan Elementary in Pushmataha County and ran on a platform of turtle conservation • The first Junior Cabinet Member is Lizzie Marlin from Adair in Mayes County. Lizzie attends Bernita Hughes Elementary and ran on the platform of smoking prevention and education. • The second Junior Cabinet Member is Victoria Justice from Depew in Creek County. Victoria is homeschooled and her platform is to prevent debt collectors from making spam calls. The student leaders will be inaugurated during a ceremony at the State Capitol on February 2, 2026, the opening day of the Oklahoma Legislature’s session. For more information about how you can help support the Kid Governor® program with a donation that helps provide mileage reimbursement for the students and allow us to operate the program, contact OICA at info@oica.org or call (405) 236-KIDS (5437). 

2026 Kid Governor Katelyn Talley (left) & 2026 Junior Governor Riley Braden