Commission Partners with Nonprofit to Support Children of Incarcerated Parents Mentoring Program
By Robert Agnew, OCCY Public Information Officer
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (August 2, 2021) – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma (BBBSOK) received $55,000 for state fiscal year 2022 from the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth’s (OCCY) Oklahoma Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program (CIP).
The funding is designed to support the nonprofit’s efforts to provide effective intervention services through one-to-one mentoring relationships to children of incarcerated parents. BBBSOK was selected as the awardee due to their ability to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that help children and youth deal with the trauma caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) including parental incarceration.
“Studies have shown Oklahoma has some of the highest incarceration rates in the country and the latest data states nearly 15 percent of Oklahoma’s children have experienced parental incarceration,” said Annette Wisk Jacobi, OCCY Executive
Director. “We are excited to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma in their mission of building strong relationships and positive outcomes for Oklahoma’s children and youth that have an incarcerated parent.”
The mission of BBBSOK is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Their evidence-based mentoring programs are designed to create positive, measurable outcomes for youth, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. By matching children (called Littles) with caring adult role models (called Bigs), the goal is to create experiences that expand their worlds in new ways.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma is pleased to partner with the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth to provide mentors for children of incarcerated parents in Oklahoma,” said Melissa Ramirez, BBBSOK Chief Executive Officer. “With a mentor, children can achieve their brightest possible futures despite significant challenges in their lives.”
In accordance with state law, OCCY is charged to annually issue a request for proposal to establish one-to-one mentoring for children whose parents are incarcerated or youth who are at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system. Entities eligible to submit applications to administer to the program are limited to non-profit organizations.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma’s evidence-based mentoring programs are designed to create positive, measurable outcomes for youth, including educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. We match children (we call them Littles) with caring adult role models (we call them Bigs). Our Bigs share experiences with our Littles that expand their world in new ways. Our agency is statewide with headquarters in Tulsa and service delivery offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman, Stillwater, Shawnee and Bartlesville. To join this important work or for more information please click here.