logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Advocates examine Child Welfare Task Force Report, set children’s agenda for 2024
Opinions
November 22, 2023
Advocates examine Child Welfare Task Force Report, set children’s agenda for 2024
By Joe Dorman CEO ? OICA,

Advocates examine Child Welfare Task Force Report, set children’s agenda for 2024

OKLAHOMA CITY – The 2023 OICA Fall Forum concluded last week, and it was an intense four days of learning and sharing for those attending the conference.

Advocates in attendance shared thoughts about improvements in law and policy to benefit children. They also received an intense daylong advocacy training – our kick-off to the Advocacy Boot Camp. Overall, the response was extraordinarily positive.

On Friday, we were honored to host state agency directors and members of the Child Welfare Task Force. The task force was implemented by Gov. Kevin Stitt to look at policies seeking to reduce the number of children entering foster care. In addition, the task force reviewed systems to help reduce the time children are in the system and improve outcomes so foster children can be reunited with their biological parents.

Many thanks go to Human Services Director and cabinet secretary Dr. Deb Shropshire, Oklahoma Health Care Authority Director Ellen Buettner, Foster Care Association of Oklahoma Director Sarah Herrian, and state Rep. Mark Lawson for presenting and answering questions on the task force report.

At the conference, OICA honored four Oklahomans with our annual fall awards tied in with this event: The Steven A. Novick Award for Child Advocacy goes to an unsung hero in child advocacy. The honoree is Carolynn Macallister. Carolynn has been the driving force behind several policy efforts during recent legislative sessions, shaping legislation to benefit Oklahoma’s youngest residents.

The Laura Choate Resilience Award goes to a person who has overcome much to help others. This year’s winner is Shelly Lee. Shelly is first and foremost a biological, foster, and adoptive mother. Not only that, Shelly is a full time OKDHS Nurse that advocates and fights for those children in care.

The Jasmine and Melvin Moran “Kidizenship” Award goes to one or more young people who have created programs to benefit other young people, elevated an existing program to new levels, or displayed tremendous citizenship which has influenced others. We had two winners this year.

The first is Ace Morris. Ace has been on the frontlines of fighting hunger as a staple in the Mid-Del Public Schools – Supplemental Feeding Program. His passion is contagious and his competitiveness fuels boxes getting packed quickly. He has been their most outstanding volunteer, packing more boxes than any other, even when facing health issues of his own.

The next winner is Isaiah “Zay” Jarvis of Tulsa. For those who saw his display of citizenship on television, he showed the nation and the world amazing sportsmanship and how to be empathetic to another that was in pain. You can read more about this display at https:// www.espn.com/mlb/ story/_/id/38157556/ little-league-world-series- hug-viral-momentsportsmanship- batterhit- head-pitch As we approach the end of the year, Oklahoma Human Services is kicking off their “Holiday Hope” program to fulfill gift wishes for foster youth. OICA participated in this for several years with the OK Foster Wishes program. This year, DHS has asked us to help collect gift cards for foster youth. They have doubled the amount for each child to $150 to meet inflationary costs. Please use the following link to make a donation if you are able: https:// oica.app.neoncrm.com/ forms/ok-foster-wishes. So you are aware we have built in a fee to help cover our processing costs for the cards.

We appreciate anything you can do to help provide a brighter holiday for these young people who are enduring traumatic times.

Eufaula Memorial Library
A: Main, news
Eufaula Memorial Library
July 2, 2025
A llama and a youngster got acquainted at a petting zoo at the Eufaula Memorial Library Wednesday, June 25. Dozens of kids and adults enjoyed the llama, goats, donkey and other animals, provided by Ma...
A: Main, news
Eufaula hosting July 4 Celebration
July 2, 2025
Mayor James Hickman and the City of Eufaula are honored to invite residents and visitors to the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration on Friday, July 4. The fireworks will begin shortly after su...
A legacy lives on
A: Main, news
A legacy lives on
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
July 2, 2025
Selby Minner’s Celebration of Life on Saturday at the Checotah Performing Arts Center was a beautiful 3-hour-long tribute to an amazing soul who loved the blues and more importantly, loved people. As ...
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
A: Main, news
Lightning strike kills Eufaula woman in cemetery
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
July 2, 2025
A 57-year-old Eufaula woman was killed by lightning during a routine stroll through a cemetery Friday evening. Joy Ann Rogers was walking through Greenwood cemetery shortly before 7 p.m. when a thunde...
A: Main, news
Native American Arts & Crafts show Saturday
July 2, 2025
Eufaula Indian Community will host an Arts and Crafts show and sale Saturday, July 5 at the IEC Center, 800 Birkes Road, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to this event, a chair volleyball tournament...
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
news
Olivia Shackelford honored with 2025 Youth Prevention Award
July 2, 2025
On June 5, local student Olivia Shackelford of Eufaula was recognized as the recipient of the prestigious 2025 Youth Prevention Award in Oklahoma City at the Heartland Conference. This past week Olivi...
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
news
Family, friends and fans bid farewell to Blues legend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
July 2, 2025
Her casket rested below center stage at the Checotah Performing Arts Center, open for friends, fans, and family to view her precious body before her life’s celebration began. No one lingered long. Tha...
Another busy week in the district
commentary
Another busy week in the district
By REP. TIM TURNER 
July 2, 2025
I started last Saturday June 21, bright and early at Stigler Reunion Days. I kicked things off at the Haskell County GOP Tent, answering questions and catching up with friends and supporters. Then I h...
Killing them with kindness
commentary
Killing them with kindness
July 2, 2025
What a month it’s been for me personally and in our close-knit communities. Trying to cope with the loss of loved ones has been extremely difficult and downright demanding. Yet having to come to terms...
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
commentary
‘Big Beautiful Bill’ overhauled in Senate, would cause even more government borrowing
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Over the past month, I have highlighted portions of the federal “Big Beautiful Bill” as passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. Currently, the bill is under consideration by the U...
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
commentary
Hays Supports MOHA Executive Order
July 2, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Neil Hays, R-Muskogee, today expressed strong support for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s new “Make Oklahoma Healthy Again” (MOHA) executive order, which targets artificial food additives and ...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy