OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy is seeking public nominations for its annual awards recognizing individuals, businesses, educators and public servants whose work has improved the lives of children across Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, or OICA, will present the honors during its annual awards luncheon on October 14 as part of the organization’s Fall Forum. The gathering brings together advocates and other stakeholders to discuss policies affecting Oklahoma children and contribute to the development of the 2027 Children’s Legislative Agenda.
The organization has expanded its awards program over the past decade to recognize people working across a range of fields, including education, health care, journalism, public safety, law and community service.
OICA Awards Recognize Child Advocates Across Oklahoma
Eleven awards are open to public nominations, with each focusing on a different area of service or advocacy.
The Laura Choate Resilience Award recognizes a person who has overcome significant traumatic experiences and later contributed to improving the lives of Oklahoma children.
The Jari Askins Justice for Children Award honors a member of the legal profession or judiciary whose work has benefited children. The Steven A Novick Child Advocacy Award recognizes an often-unrecognized advocate working directly in the field, including those considered to be “in the trenches” of child advocacy.
Young Oklahomans are represented through the Jasmine and Melvin Moran Kidizenship Award. The honor is presented to someone under age 18 who has created or improved a program designed to help their peers.
Journalists whose reporting has elevated issues affecting children can be nominated for the Burnes/Lichtenstein Award for Excellence in Journalism. The Judy Eason McIntyre Inclusion Award recognizes individuals who have worked to improve race relations and break down barriers.
The Dr. Dwight Sublett Healthcare Award honors a member of the medical community who has promoted health policies for children.
The Ray and Pat Potts Community Leader Award recognizes an individual whose work has improved children’s lives within an Oklahoma community. Businesses can be considered for the H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt Corporate Citizen Award, which recognizes corporate support for children extending beyond a company’s primary business activities.
Oklahoma police officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel can be nominated for the Jon Hansen Public Servant Award for assisting children. The Sandy Garrett Educator Award recognizes educators whose contributions to young people extend beyond their regular classroom responsibilities.
Fall Forum Will Help Shape 2027 Children’s Policy Priorities
The awards luncheon will coincide with the first in-person day of OICA’s annual Fall Forum. The event is designed to bring advocates together to discuss challenges facing children and develop recommendations for Oklahoma policymakers.
Members of the public are being encouraged to nominate people they believe meet the criteria for the respective honors. OICA also maintains a record of previous recipients to help prevent former honorees from being nominated for the same recognition again.
In addition to the publicly nominated awards, OICA plans to present its Volunteer of the Year Award and CEO’s Public Service Award.
Those two recipients are selected internally by the organization’s board and staff. They recognize people who have assisted OICA or made contributions that may fall outside the criteria of the other award categories.
The awards program reflects the organization’s broader effort to recognize work taking place across Oklahoma in support of children, ranging from professionals in education and medicine to community volunteers, businesses and public safety personnel.
OICA and Its Leadership Receive Recent Recognition
OICA is also marking recent recognition of its own work. The organization was voted the “Best Nonprofit in Oklahoma City” by readers of the Oklahoma Gazette.
“We were extremely thrilled to have so many people vote for us in a crowded field of equally deserving organizations. Thank you to the Oklahoma Gazette for holding this annual recognition,” the original announcement stated.
The organization’s leadership also received individual recognition through the 2026 class of “55 Inspiring Oklahomans Over 55.”
“I was honored to be included in the 2026 class of ‘55 Inspiring Oklahomans Over 55.’ My deepest thanks to the selection committee for including me. It is truly humbling to be included on this list, especially in my first year of eligibility,” the announcement stated.
A recognition ceremony for the honorees is scheduled for September 17 at the Oklahoma State Capitol.
With nominations underway, OICA is encouraging Oklahomans to identify educators, health professionals, journalists, businesses, public servants and community advocates whose efforts have helped create stronger opportunities for children throughout the state.
