OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will bring together emerging child advocates this week for its annual Advocacy Boot Camp meeting in Oklahoma City, continuing an ongoing training initiative designed to prepare participants for leadership roles in child advocacy across the state.
Scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 5, and Thursday, Aug. 6, the two-day program is part of OICA’s broader Advocacy Boot Camp, which consists of multiple educational sessions held throughout the year. The initiative provides advocates with practical knowledge of legislative procedures while expanding their understanding of the network of organizations and services available to support Oklahoma’s children and families.
The Oklahoma City meeting will be led by Joe Dorman, CEO of OICA, and Licia Walters, OICA Program Director. Participants will visit several nonprofit organizations and community agencies, gaining firsthand exposure to programs that address issues ranging from early childhood development and foster care to grief support, education, mental health, and food assistance.
According to OICA, the primary goal of the program is to train the next generation of child advocates by combining classroom-style learning with direct engagement at organizations serving children throughout Oklahoma.
Hands-On Learning Through Community Visits
Rather than relying solely on presentations, the Advocacy Boot Camp emphasizes on-site learning experiences. Participants will tour organizations, meet with staff members, and gain insight into the services available for children and families facing a variety of challenges.
The first day begins with a morning session at Hope for the Future, followed by a Lunch & Learn program hosted by Parent Promise. The afternoon schedule includes visits to the Infant Crisis Center and Pivot, organizations that provide support for vulnerable children, youth, and families throughout the Oklahoma City area.
These visits are intended to help advocates understand how community organizations collaborate with public agencies, educators, healthcare providers, and policymakers to improve outcomes for children.
The second day continues with a series of site visits beginning at Calm Waters, an organization known for supporting children and families dealing with grief. Participants will then visit Positive Tomorrows, which focuses on educational opportunities for children experiencing homelessness.
The afternoon includes another Lunch & Learn session hosted by Mindful Resolutions, followed by visits to Open Arms Foster Care and Feed the Children. Together, the organizations represent a broad range of services that contribute to child welfare across Oklahoma.
Building Knowledge Beyond the Classroom
OICA’s Advocacy Boot Camp extends beyond traditional advocacy instruction by exposing participants to the daily work of organizations addressing some of the state’s most pressing issues affecting children.
Throughout the program, advocates will learn about available community resources, service coordination, and the practical challenges faced by nonprofit organizations working directly with children and families. The experience is designed to strengthen participants’ ability to advocate effectively for policies and programs that benefit Oklahoma’s youth.
The organization has structured the boot camp as a year-long educational series, allowing participants to build knowledge progressively while developing relationships with professionals across multiple sectors involved in child advocacy.
By incorporating legislative education alongside visits to community organizations, OICA aims to provide advocates with both policy expertise and practical understanding of how services operate at the local level.
Focus on Developing Future Child Advocacy Leaders
As child welfare issues continue to evolve, organizations such as OICA are investing in leadership development to ensure advocates are equipped with the knowledge and experience needed to engage with lawmakers, service providers, and community partners.
The Oklahoma City meeting represents a key component of that effort, offering participants opportunities to observe programs firsthand, ask questions of professionals working in the field, and better understand the collaborative approach required to support children across the state.
During the two-day event, media attending the sessions will have opportunities to capture advocates learning about child-focused resources throughout Oklahoma City. Stand-up interviews will also be available with Joe Dorman, CEO of OICA, as well as members of the Advocacy Boot Camp class.
The meeting concludes Thursday afternoon following the final visit to Feed the Children, marking another step in OICA’s ongoing commitment to preparing informed, engaged advocates dedicated to improving the lives of Oklahoma’s children.
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