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OKLAHOMA’S KID GOVERNOR® EMMA STEPHENS (right, standing) of Ardmore along with Kid Secretary of State Lawson Reams of Alva (right, kneeling) and Kid Cabinet members (from left on the left) Alburto Harmon of Perry and Clayton Rohla of Roff, pose at City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City where they spent a Saturday volunteering as part of the Kid Governor® program, designed to teach fifth-graders the importance of public service and how government operates. (Courtesy Photo) Oklahoma’s Kid Governor® Emma Stephens and several of the Kid Cabinet members recently volunteered for a day at City Rescue Mission in Oklahoma City. Stephens, now a sixth grader from Ardmore who attends Oak Hill Episcopal School, was joined by the Kid Secretary of State Lawson Reams from Alva who attends Lincoln Elementary School, and Kid Cabinet members Clayton Rohla from Roff Elementary School in Roff, and Alburto Harmon from Morrison Elementary in Perry. All the Kid Governor® leaders are now sixth graders, having been elected during their fifth-grade year, and all are active members of Oklahoma 4-H, which partnered with the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) to put on the program for 2025. “We are very proud of all our Kid elected officials,” said Joe Dorman, CEO of OICA. “Each of them is learning the lessons necessary to take the reins of leadership when their time comes to lead this state. All of Oklahoma should be proud of these kids for giving up a Saturday to help others.” OICA Program Director Licia Walters accompanied the young leaders during their service at City Rescue Mission. “These are impressive young people who took their work very seriously,” said Walters, who directly oversees the program. “They were engaged, enthusiastic, and helped brighten the day by serving meals to many who depend on City Rescue Mission and helping to clean up.” For the past eight years, the OICA has sponsored Oklahoma’s Kid Governor program. Three years ago, Oklahoma became the fourth state in the national Kid Governor® program, developing a state-specific curriculum on voting and government. Oklahoma 4-H partnered with OICA for this year’s Kid Governor program. Classroom sign-up for the 2025-2026 school year is underway. The next Oklahoma Kid Governor® will be elected from registered fifth-grade classrooms this November and will be sworn in during a State Capitol ceremony in February 2026. If you are a fifth-grade teacher and would like to sign up your class, or get more information, contact Licia Walters by email at lwalters@oica.org or by telephone at 405-326-KIDS (5437). You can also go to https://ok.kidgovernor.org in order to learn more about the program. A separate program is being conducted solely for 4-H members. 4-H members in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades who would like to participate in that program can sign up through Oklahoma 4-H’s enrollment system; only Fifth Graders can run for 4-H Kid Governor. For more information on the 4-H/KG program, contact Cathleen Taylor at the state 4-H office at cathleen.taylor@okstate.edu . The purpose of Kid Governor® is to educate students about elections and the role of public service and elected officials in creating a brighter tomorrow.

The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) and its CEO Joe Dorman released the following statement on the passing of Gov. George Nigh at the age of 98: “The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy mourns the passing of one of our greatest patrons and an Oklahoma statesman without compare, The Honorable George Nigh. Governor Nigh was a staunch supporter of OICA and the Kid Governor program. His memory will guide us in the years ahead and our deepest sympathies go to his family and the entire state. “Goodbye to my friend, mentor, and a true public servant, the modern-day Will Rogers of Oklahoma. My life was certainly better for you being a part of it.” 

Each summer, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds its annual Heroes Ball to celebrate champions for children. Among the awards presented are two chosen by the people: The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy. The award is 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 voting on by the people. The process began with nominations, which were open to the public. Following the nomination period, the OICA Board of Directors narrows the list to a select few to put forward for an online public vote by Oklahomans. The finalists for this year’s Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy in the Organization category are: M&R Doyle Holdings, Inc. Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice. Oklahoma Family Network. Pivot – A Turning Point for Youth. Rainbow Youth Project. Ray of Hope. In the Individual category, the finalists are: Sky Collins. Elizabeth Fisher. Darryl Savell. John Schneider. Sarah Soell. Erika Wright. Online voting is underway and is available through OICA’s website at https://oica.org or by going directly to https://qrco.de/ARPCVOTE25 . Those in attendance at OICA’s Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 26 will receive a final paper ballot to help finish off the voting. Winners will be announced at the Heroes Ball, held this year at OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. “This award is fully in the hands of those interested in child advocacy in the state of Oklahoma,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “The list of previous winners reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Oklahoma Child Advocates.” Previous winners of the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Organizational Award are: 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. Those individuals who have won the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Individual Award are: 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. Tickets to the Heroes Ball are going fast. They can be purchased at https://www.oica.org/events

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Each year, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) examines the voting records of members of the Oklahoma Legislature to determine how child-friendly each lawmaker’s record is. From that nonpartisan evaluation of the voting records of all 101 state representatives and 48 state senators, Oklahomans can see which lawmakers put children first during their deliberations for the 2025 session of the Oklahoma Legislature. There were some vacancies during the session, so those seats were not scored, as well as former Rep. Jason Lowe, D-Oklahoma City, who resigned when elected as an Oklahoma County commissioner. One lawmaker, Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, was awarded points for votes missed during his recovery period from a medical condition. “Our desire with the ‘Children’s Legislative Report Card’ is to cut through the haze of rhetoric that tends to permeate lawmakers’ achievements and provide Oklahomans with an unbiased view of how their representatives and senators voted on issues critical to our state’s children,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “The goal of the ‘Children’s Legislative Report Card’ is simple: to ensure Oklahomans have clear information on which lawmakers place a priority on children's issues during this year’s session of the Oklahoma Legislature.” This year’s scores ran from a high of 110 points for House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton. They and four members of the state Senate and two representatives scored 105 to earn “valedictorian” honors. Those were: Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow; Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa; Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks; Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh; and Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond. Of the 148 lawmakers scored, 20 had scores of 100 or better, and an additional 62 representatives and senators had scores of 80 or better. The average score of all lawmakers was 79, and only 25 lawmakers had scores of below 60. Lawmakers received five bonus points given for authoring a positive child-related policy. A total of 73 lawmakers got the five point bill author extra credit. Additional points were also provided to the Senate and House presiding officers, minority leaders, majority floor leaders, and appropriations chairs and vice-chairs. Lawmakers of the year were selected for their overall work on key issues in the First Session of the 60th Legislature, and not necessarily their grade. The 2025 OICA Lawmakers of the Year are Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City; Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa; Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City; House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton; Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City; and Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa. “This was a very positive session for Oklahoma’s children, with both a high average score for lawmakers and far more than half the Legislature scoring 80 or above,” Dorman said. “This shows that advocacy works, and that our lawmakers are responsive to the caring Oklahomans who make their voices heard to their elected officials.” The full scorecard, with lawmakers’ ranks, can be found at https://www.oica.org/advocacy-resources . Also available is a color-coded chart showing lawmakers’ votes on the bills that were scored, giving voters a chance to see how the scores were developed. “Congratulations to the several lawmakers who had positive scores on children’s issues,” Dorman said. “We tried to make this similar to the report card given to students and schools, so that voters have a clear view of what is happening at their State Capitol.” Dorman concluded by noting that even though the 2025 session just adjourned, OICA is already working with lawmakers for next year’s session of the Oklahoma Legislature, requesting interim studies on critical children’s issues. OICA is collecting ides for interims study requests. Dorman said if anyone has a child-related issue they would like for us to recommend lawmakers study, they can fill out an online form at https://tinyurl.com/IntStudy25 . “The work of advocates never ends,” he said. “We look forward to continuing our positive relationships with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and from all areas of the state to improve the lives of our state’s children. Working together, we will continue to make progress for our state’s most valuable resource, our children. To learn more about how you can help, go to oica.org to be a part of the effort.”

A total of 25 civic organizations and 135 individuals have signed on to a letter to Oklahoma’s members of Congress expressing concern about the “Big Beautiful Bill” passed recently by the U.S. House of Representatives. The organizations and individuals are among those “charged with protecting and improving the quality of life for several marginalized communities in Oklahoma,” they wrote. Specifically, they asked federal lawmakers to “do all you can to protect funding for Medicaid, SNAP, FEMA and other critical life-saving services supporting Oklahoma’s children in need.” The group noted that they “support efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse of programs, we encourage you to not slash essential services supporting children.” The cuts to Medicaid in the federal legislation received the most attention from the advocates, as they noted the program is “critical to the long-term health of Oklahomans.” The letter goes on to say that “(m)ore than a million Oklahomans, one-fourth of our population – are enrolled in SoonerCare (the state’s Medicaid program). The split between adult and child enrollees is fairly equal, with 47 percent adults and 53 percent children.” The advocates noted, “protection of Medicaid funding is wholly consistent with each of your stated views regarding the birth of children. In fact, Medicaid pays for more than half of Oklahoma births and covers 47% of all Oklahoma children. It is no exaggeration to suggest that Oklahoma’s future depends on the protection of Medicaid funding.” The campaign to sign on to the letter was coordinated by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA), in concert with Child Focus, a national organization that shares much of its mission with OICA. “This letter is a chance to remind our Senators and Representatives about how families in Oklahoma benefit from Medicaid, SNAP, and other critical support services in particular, and the impact of cuts to Medicaid on children and families in the child welfare system,” wrote Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO.  The “Big Beautiful Bill,” as it is called, is slated to be taken up by members of the U.S. Senate this week after having passed the House of Representatives by a single vote before the Memorial Day recess. Dorman noted that it was important to get the letter into lawmakers’ hands this week as the bill continues to be considered. “There is hardly any Oklahoman that will not in some way be impacted by this bill,” Dorman said. “Whether it is rural families who may lose a hospital in their community, or a hungry child who will not be able to get food, this bill’s impact is virtually universal across the state.” To read the full letter, and the names of the organizations and individual who signed it, go to https://tinyurl.com/LTCOICA6-3 . In conclusion, Dorman suggested every Oklahoman who may have thoughts on parts, or all of the legislation, should reach out to our federal delegation. “Our elected officials work for us,” he said. “Therefore, it is our responsibility to give them instructions on the kind of state and nation we want. Again, they are public servants.” To get federal lawmakers’ contact information, go to https://tinyurl.com/OKCongDel .

Each summer, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) holds its annual Heroes Ball to celebrate champions for children. Among the awards presented are two that are chosen by the people: The Anne Roberts People’s Choice Awards for Child Advocacy. The award is 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 voting on by the people. The process begins with nominations, which are open to the public. Following the nomination period, which runs from now through June 6, the OICA Board of Directors narrows the list a select few to put forward for an online public vote by Oklahomans. To nominate either an individual or an organization, go to https://oica.org and click on “Awards.” You can also go directly to https://tinyurl.com/OICA25PeoplesChoice . (A QR Code is also provided for publication.) “This award is fully in the hands of those interested in child advocacy in the state of Oklahoma,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “The list of previous winners reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of Oklahoma Child Advocates.” Previous winners of the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Organizational Award are: · 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 Those individuals who have won the Anne Roberts People’s Choice Individual Award are: · 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 After the nominations close at 5 p.m. on Friday, June 6, finalists will be announced shortly thereafter, and online voting will begin on OICA’s website. Those in attendance at OICA’s Heroes Ball on Saturday, July 26 will receive a final paper ballot to help finish off the voting. Winners will be announced at the Heroes Ball, held this year at the OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City. Tickets to the Heroes Ball are on sale and can be purchased at https://tinyurl.com/OICA25HBTix .