The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) has announced the launch of sponsorship opportunities for its 2026 Desk Calendar, calling on individuals and organisations to “improve the lives of Oklahoma’s children” by sponsoring a day in the publication.
The 2026 calendar marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and will feature daily entries celebrating American democracy and child well-being. Each page sponsorship is priced at $250, with discounts offered for multiple days. Sponsorships are open for all dates between 1 January and 31 December 2026, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
OICA said the initiative allows supporters to “have one or more” days dedicated to their name, business, or cause, reinforcing its mission to advocate for policies that improve the lives of children across Oklahoma.
OICA Recognises Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits as Donor of the Week
As part of its continuing recognition of supporters, OICA named the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) as its latest Donor of the Week. The centre plays a crucial role in strengthening the state’s nonprofit sector through training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking, and awards programmes.
“The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits is a nonprofit organization equipping and strengthening the Oklahoma nonprofit sector through training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking and awards. Its mission is ‘empowering nonprofits to achieve excellence in their missions.’ OKCNP supports OICA not with donations, but with low-cost supports to OICA and member nonprofits. In fact, they provided facilities for this week’s OICA Fall Forum!”
OICA added that it was “grateful to the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits for its continued support for our programs, especially by hosting many of our events, including this week’s Fall Forum.”
OKCNP’s Standards for Excellence® clinic series—described as its flagship programme—offers a nationally recognised ethics and accountability model for nonprofits. Its public policy and membership work serves as the “advocacy arm” of the organisation, acting as “the unified voice of the nonprofit sector in the legislature and throughout the community.”
OICA CEO Joe Dorman Comments on Healthcare Challenges
In his weekly For the Children column and webcast, OICA Chief Executive Joe Dorman addressed the continuing federal government shutdown and its implications for healthcare across Oklahoma.
“With the federal government ‘shutdown’ of services continuing, one likely outcome will be that Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare, subsidies will end or be reduced,” Dorman said.
He warned that such cuts would push responsibility for health coverage back to the states. “Should this happen, the burden for health insurance coverage will fall to the states to decide. Fortunately, one opportunity exists in Oklahoma which provides a way for employers, employees, and state government to elevate health insurance coverage for those in the workforce.”
Dorman referenced Senate Bill 1546, passed in April 2004, which authorised the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to assist small-business employees by contributing to private plan premiums or offering access to a state-sponsored Medicaid plan.
Broader Social and Economic Concerns Highlighted
OICA’s release also summarised recent coverage of child welfare and economic issues affecting Oklahoma families.
An article from The Frontier (Maddy Keyes, 13 October) reported that many homeless youth remain ineligible for federal housing services due to narrow definitions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Oklahoman (Josh Kelly, 16 October) highlighted that Oklahoma ranks among the hardest-hit states amid the ongoing government shutdown, noting that “over 750,000 employees have been furloughed and more are working without pay.”
In coverage by KGOU Norman (Jillian Taylor, 15 October), lawmakers examined federal Medicaid cuts during an interim study. Representative Mark Chapman said, “As it impacts our state budget, I think we need to just try to wrap our heads around it and not get caught surprised.”
Meanwhile, Oklahoma Voice (Janelle Stecklein, 13 October) reported warnings that health insurance premiums could rise “by over 75%” once federal tax credits expire, quoting Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready urging Congress “to take a softer approach to ending” the subsidies.
Oklahoma Watch (Jake Ramsey, 14 October) presented data showing that nearly half of Oklahoma households struggled to afford basic needs in 2023, linking low wages and housing shortages to growing eviction rates.
A Call to Action for Community Support
Through its calendar campaign, advocacy work, and partnerships with organisations like OKCNP, OICA continues to position itself as a key voice for children’s welfare in Oklahoma.
The 2026 Desk Calendar sponsorship drive provides a dual opportunity—both symbolic and practical—for community members to contribute to OICA’s mission of promoting child well-being and democratic engagement across the state.
