By Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy CEO Joe Dorman 
In 1983, advocates from across our state saw the need for an organization to “raise awareness, take action, and support policy for the health, safety and well-being of Oklahoma’s children” through outreach to government policymakers.
With that, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) was created. Since then, our organization has strived to mobilize citizens from across the Sooner State to learn the process of how to be effective voices in calling for better policies for our youth.
Now, more than ever, citizens need to contact lawmakers and officials at all levels of government to share their experiences. They can be personal or from those whom they might serve through employment within a social services network. These efforts ensure that those stories are used to boost support for efforts to improve the lives of those youngest Oklahomans.
As a former state lawmaker, I can assure you that, in most instances, stories from constituents can drive votes in a certain direction. Few people take the time to reach out to policymakers, so when a few calls come into their offices, it impacts how a vote might go.
When the call comes from a voter within the district served by the lawmaker, the call carries even more weight. Those are the individuals who will part of determining if a lawmaker returns to their office after the next election.
It is even more impactful when the lawmaker recognizes the name of the person calling. Developing some connection with the official in a positive situation creates influence. You should attend town halls held by the policymaker and introduce yourself.
Ask to meet over coffee, either in the lawmaker’s district or at the State Capitol. This will develop the dialogue which helps you become a trusted resource. Elected officials are not experts in every subject on which they will make decisions. They look for people they can trust to provide background on issues to help them make informed votes. You can be that person with proper planning.
Over the next month, I will be an instructor in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program through Oklahoma State University for a course called Understanding Oklahoma’s Legislative Process. The course will be for four weeks, held May 20-June 10 on Tuesday afternoons from 2-3 p.m. at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City.
The cost is $20 for those who wish to enroll. The breakdown over the four weeks will look at understanding Oklahoma’s Legislature, the work of the other two branches of government and the different levels of government. You will learn how they interact with the Legislature, as well as how to read Oklahoma state legislation, and how to be an effective advocate with policymakers.
If you are interested in joining the class, please go to https://education.okstate.edu/outreach/osher-lifelong-learning-institute/okc.html to enroll.
OICA also has our team members and board members travel around the state to meet with civic organizations and deliver presentations on similar topics, along with holding conversations about youth issues presented through policy by lawmakers at the state and federal level. If you have a program and would like to have one of us attend and present, please reach out to our office at info@oica.org or at (405) 236-5437, ext. 1.
As the Legislature nears the end of the 2025 session, and with budget challenges ahead due to federal cuts, I strongly encourage you to go to https://www.oica.org and sign up for our Thursday newsletter. You will be able to keep up with the progress of legislation relating to Oklahoma’s children.
Together, our unified and informed voices can make a difference for the positive!
