2026 “Children’s Legislative Agenda” sent to lawmakersIn October, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) held our Fall Forum, a conference which annually...

The summer warmth that lingered through much of September carried into the first three weeks of October before Mother Nature finally switched the channel to a more autumnal...

Food Assistance and Health Coverage Key Factors During Government ShutdownI want to start by saying “thank you” to the governor and Oklahoma’s legislative leaders for the...

SNAP Assistance to halt in Oklahoma on November 1 unless shutdown endsThe federal government entered a shutdown on Oct. 1 when Congress failed to pass the required 12...

Combined Federal Campaign for Nonprofits Faces Uncertain FutureJust over one month ago, notice was issued that the federal government had paused the Combined Federal...

When I'm home in southwestern Oklahoma, nobody asks me about administrative law. They ask about schools, grocery prices and whether their kids will have good jobs here in...

Shutdown, Healthcare, and Opportunities for OklahomansWith the federal government “shutdown” of services continuing, one likely outcome will be that Affordable Care Act...

Domestic violence awareness can foster lasting changeOctober is an important time of the year because it is the month that is designated for raising awareness about...

Fall Forum is Your Opportunity to Bring Forth Youth Policy IdeasEach year, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy holds our Fall Forum to look at trends in child health,...

Living in Interesting TimesThere are some days when I wonder if the person who first said, “May you live in interesting times,” was applauded for this statement or...

Protecting our kids onlineThe Internet, social media and virtual communities have transformed how we work and play, no doubt – and not always for the better. For every...

Child Protection Courts, Other Reforms, Studied by LawmakersRecently, Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, along with Reps. Colin Duel-R, Guthrie; Gabe Woolley, R-Broken Arrow;...

Civility Versus HostilityOne of my goals with the “For the Children” weekly column is to keep people aware of issues involving child advocacy and policy updates so...

All Gun Deaths are TragediesAfter the events of the past week, I am just feeling drained and honestly experiencing a bit of despair.Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old political...

August 2025 pulled a fast one on Oklahoma. Instead of the typical late-summer swelter, the month ended with a taste of fall as two powerful cold fronts shoved aside the...