The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) has transferred day-to-day operation of its Legislative Learning Lab programme to the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP), a move designed to expand the initiative’s reach and strengthen public understanding of how Oklahoma’s legislative process works.
The programme, which provides training and practical insight into engaging with lawmakers during the state’s annual legislative session, will continue to be supported by OICA through curriculum development and programme design. The 2026 edition of the Legislative Learning Lab is scheduled to take place on 29–30 January, hosted both at the OKCNP building and online.
OICA framed the programme as part of its broader mission to encourage citizens to participate constructively in public life and to influence policy outcomes that affect families and children across the state.
“Dr. King showed a generation of Americans how to make difference in their country. We at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy believe that every citizen has not only the right, but the responsibility, to make a positive difference in the lives of their state.”
The organisation said it created the Legislative Learning Lab to help individuals better understand the structure and function of Oklahoma’s Legislature, and to equip participants with tools to communicate effectively with elected representatives and contribute to public policy discussions.
“That is why we created the Legislative Learning Lab, a program that gives insight and understanding about Oklahoma’s Legislature and how to make a difference during each year’s session.”
The handover to OKCNP comes as nonprofit organisations and advocacy groups across the United States continue to invest in training programmes that help stakeholders engage in policymaking, particularly on issues involving education, health, child welfare, and community services. While the Legislative Learning Lab is rooted in Oklahoma’s legislative environment, organisers say the programme reflects a wider demand for practical civic education.
OICA said the decision to place the programme under OKCNP’s operational management was driven by a goal of increasing participation and ensuring the training reaches a wider cross-section of residents, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates.
“This year, we have handed over operation of the Legislative Learning Lab to the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) in hopes of reaching a wider audience and sharing the lessons of citizen involvement to even more. OICA remains involved in developing the program and curriculum.”
OKCNP is expected to manage delivery logistics, registration, and event coordination for the 2026 programme, while OICA continues to contribute subject-matter expertise. The arrangement positions the programme within a nonprofit infrastructure that already supports training, capacity-building, and sector-wide collaboration.
The Legislative Learning Lab has previously been described as a practical introduction to advocacy and legislative engagement. Participants typically receive guidance on how the legislative session works, how committees and leadership structures influence the passage of bills, and how citizens can follow proposed measures and provide input through established channels.
For organisations working in the public interest, training programmes of this kind are often viewed as a way to improve the quality of engagement between constituents and lawmakers. By focusing on process and participation rather than political campaigning, organisers aim to support informed communication and constructive involvement.
The 2026 Legislative Learning Lab will run over two days and will be available both in person and online, widening access for those unable to travel or attend in person.
“The 2026 Legislative Learning Lab will be held January 29-30 at the OKCNP building and online. To register for this one-of-a-kind training – often called the “training lawmakers wish they had….”
Organisers have positioned the programme as a distinctive offering for those seeking to better understand how laws are made and how policy decisions can be influenced through citizen involvement. While the training is aimed at residents of Oklahoma, it may also appeal to professionals working in advocacy, public affairs, community development, and nonprofit leadership who want a clearer understanding of legislative engagement in practice.
OICA said its continued involvement in the curriculum is intended to maintain continuity in the programme’s purpose and content as it moves into a new operational structure. The partnership with OKCNP, it added, is intended to increase the programme’s impact and reach more people interested in strengthening civic participation.
Further details, including registration information and access options for online participants, are expected to be made available through the programme organisers ahead of the January event.
