OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) sent a survey on children’s issues to every candidate running for seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and Senate to gauge their understanding of and positions on a variety of children’s issues, as well as to raise awareness with them about critical children’s policies.
The results of that survey, where 29 candidates representing both parties and seeking both House and Senate seats, are now available on OICA’s website. To access the survey and learn what these candidates said about children’s issues, voters need only go to https://www.oica.org/advocacy-resources.
“Knowledge is power,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO and himself a former lawmaker. “When candidates offer themselves for public service, they have a responsibility to let voters know where they stand, both so voters can make decisions based on their beliefs and to hold those elected accountable.
“Our survey gives voters the power they need.”
The series of questions includes queries for the candidates to help them understand not only the history of child advocacy in Oklahoma but the role of lawmakers in developing policies relating to children.
“There were no ‘gotcha’ questions,” Dorman said. “Those serve no purpose in the thoughtful consideration of critical issues. The candidates’ answers will stand on their own, and we will provide the responses for Oklahomans to see where the candidates stand on issues.”
The survey had 14 questions, including a final open-ended question for candidates to express their “views of child advocacy” on any issue not covered in the previous questions. Among the topics mentioned are:
• Engagement by candidates with child advocacy organizations in their districts.
• Children in low-income families.
• Pre-school.
• Corporal punishment for children with cognitive disabilities.
• Adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACEs.
• Justice reform.
• The results of Governor Stitt’s Child Welfare Task Force.
• Childhood hunger.
• Maternal and infant mortality.
• Drug addiction problems among youth populations.
The candidates are allowed two hundred words to answer each question, so the responses from those who responded clearly outline their stance on each policy. In addition, the survey remains open for those candidates who choose to fill it following tomorrow’s primary (Tuesday, June 18) elections.
Nonprofit organizations by law cannot engage in endorsing candidates but are allowed to provide information about policy positions related to views by candidates. OICA in no way will endorse or recommend that Oklahomans vote for a specific candidate based upon their responses. The organization encourages local editorial writers to take note of answers, or those who refuse to respond to the survey.
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About OICA: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, particularly those in the state’s care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking action and changing policy to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.”
