The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth provides the following list of community resources because they are committed to helping their communities and improving the quality of life for others.
AdoptUSKids - A national project that supports child welfare systems and connects children in foster care with families.
Children's Bureau - National Adoption Month
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Adoption
Oklahoma Department of Human Services - Swift Adoption Services
American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children - A nonprofit, national organization focused on meeting the needs of professionals engaged in all aspects of services for maltreated children and their families.
Child Abuse Prevention Association - CAPA is committed to preventing and treating all forms of child abuse and neglect by creating changes in individuals, families and society that strengthen relationships and promote healing.
Child Abuse Prevention Network - The Child Abuse Prevention Network is the Internet Nerve Center for professionals in the field of child abuse and neglect.
Children’s Bureau - Partners with federal, state, tribal and local agencies to improve the overall health and well-being of our nation’s children and families.
Children's Bureau & Child Welfare Information Gateway - National Child Abuse Prevention Month
International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect - Charged with increasing public awareness of all forms of violence against children, developing activities to prevent such violence, and promoting the rights of children in all regions of the world.
National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth - Develops resources and training material for professions from multiple disciplines (probation, mental health, medicine, education, child welfare, law, law enforcement, and the judiciary) addressing youth with problematic or illegal sexual behavior.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Created by Congress in 2000 as part of the Children’s Health Act to raise the standard of care and increase access to services for children and families who experience or witness traumatic events.
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect - The National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN) promotes scholarly exchange among researchers in the child maltreatment field.
Stop It Now - Offers alternatives to standard approaches to keeping children safe from child sexual abuse.
Zero Abuse Project - Committed to transforming institutions in order to effectively prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.
Children's Defense Fund - CDF provides a strong, effective and independent voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves.
Child Welfare League of America - CWLA is a powerful coalition of hundreds of private and public agencies that since 1920 has worked to serve children and families who are vulnerable. Our expertise, leadership and innovation on policies, programs, and practices help improve the lives of millions of children across the country. Our impact is felt worldwide.
National Children’s Alliance - Provides support, technical assistance, and quality assurance for Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs).
National Children’s Advocacy Center - revolutionized the United States’ response to child sexual abuse. Since its creation, the NCAC has served as a model for the 1000+ Children’s Advocacy Centers.
Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy - The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) was launched in 1983 by a group of citizens as the result of an investigative report by the national news media which exposed a horrific story of cruelty and abuse experienced by Oklahoma children who were in the state’s custody.
Southern Regional Children’s Advocacy Center - Provides a full complement of training, custom training, technical assistance, financial assistance, and information services for developing and established multidisciplinary teams, local Children’s Advocacy Centers, and state Chapter organizations of Children’s Advocacy Centers.
American Academy of Pediatrics - 5 Bathroom Safety Tips for Infants & Young Children
National Institute of Health - Bathroom safety tips including bathtub safety, preventing falls, burns, injuries, drug accidents, and drownings
Safekids Worldwide - Water Safety at Home and the Hard Facts About Drowning
Oklahoma State Department of Health: Infant Mortality Data - The Oklahoma Infant Mortality County Report provides a snapshot of key indicators that support the infant mortality reduction initiative in Oklahoma.
Safe Kids Worldwide - (405) 945-6709 - Safe Kids works with more than 400 network members in the U.S. and partners in 33 countries to keep kids safe at home, on the road and at play. We educate families, raise awareness, create safer environments and advocate for improved laws to protect children.
The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention - (800) 656-2434 - The National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention (National Center) is the technical support and data center serving Child Death Review (CDR) and Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) programs throughout the United States.
National Institute of Corrections: Children of Incarcerated Parents - Information, research, policies, and programs, for children of incarcerated parents.
Youth.gov: Children of Incarcerated Parents - Information and resources on these overlapping problems
Center for Parent Information and Resources - The CPIR employs a user-centered process, gathering the perspectives of our experienced audience—Parent Center staff members and other experts—every step of the way, to create products and services that increase Parent Centers’ knowledge and capacity in specific domains.
Cerebral Palsy Group - An online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, brain injuries, or birth injuries.
Cerebral Palsy Guide - Cerebral Palsy Guide provides free educational materials, financial options, and support to help those affected by this condition.
Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health - The National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health is a national family-run organization linking more than 120 chapters and state organizations focused on the issues of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs and their families.
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services - Expands opportunities for employment, independent life and economic self-sufficiency by helping Oklahomans with disabilities bridge barriers to success in the workplace, school and at home.
Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc. - The Mission of the Oklahoma Disability Law Center, Inc. is to protect, promote and expand the rights of people with disabilities.
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence - LGBTQ resources
Native Alliance Against Violence - Oklahoma's Tribal DVSA Programs - The Native Alliance Against Violence (NAAV), is a nonprofit organization operating as Oklahoma’s only tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalition. The NAAV is not a direct service provider, however they do serve Oklahoma’s federally recognized tribes and their tribal domestic violence and sexual assault programs.
Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General - Victim Services - Oklahoma's Victims' Services Unit supports crime victims and their families by providing information, connection to local services, and direct assistance throughout the criminal process.
Palomar - OKC's Family Justice Center - Palomar seeks to offer victims and survivors in Oklahoma City a kind-hearted home where clients and their children come first as they work through the healing process.
YWCA Oklahoma City - Domestic Violence Services - The YWCA crisis services programs are designed to help break the cycle of violence and provide victims with the empowerment they need to be self-sufficient. All programs are offered free of charge.
Be A Neighbor - Welcome to Your Foster Care Journey - Becoming a foster family can be one of the most rewarding things you can do here on earth, yet can also present challenges. Oklahoma Human Services, Be A Neighbor, and the foster community are ready to embrace, support, and walk beside you with help and encouragement as you start your journey.
Child Welfare Information Gateway: National Foster Care Month - These resources provide examples on how professionals can encourage birth parent and foster parent collaboration as well as examples on how to integrate parent and youth voice into the selection of targeted support services as ways to help the child welfare system promote reunification and prevent re-entry into care.
Foster Parents CARE (Child Advocate Resource Exchange) - Dedicated to foster and adoptive children and those involved in their care.
Oklahoma Fosters - Uses a grassroots approach to coordinate foster care recruitment efforts between government, business, faith and nonprofit organizations to solve the foster care crisis in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma Foster Parent Voices - Provides a neutral setting for DHS certified/approved Foster Parents and Kinship Foster Parents to submit complaints to the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY) concerning the rights of foster parents as well as complaints alleging retaliation by a Department of Human Services or a child-placing agency employee.
Oklahoma Foster Youth Matters - If you are in OKDHS custody or are a foster child in Oklahoma, you have rights that are protected by law. Qualifying youth/foster children can speak to a Youth Advocate or file a complaint.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Preventing Child Abuse & Neglect - Using a public health approach to address shared risk and protective factors, we can prevent child abuse and neglect from ever occurring.
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as the public to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and more.
Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) - Supports Oklahoma law enforcement in serving its communities, including enhancing public safety by providing education and training which promotes professionalism and enhances competency within the ranks of Oklahoma law enforcement.
Office of Juvenile Affairs - Provides prevention, education, and treatment services for at-risk youth throughout Oklahoma.
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention - Supports local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system.
Oklahoma Association of Youth Services - Offers five core categories of program services provided by Youth Services Agencies: community development and education, prevention, diversion, behavioral outpatient/rehabilitation services and residential programs.
Oklahoma Department on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services - Provides prevention and treatment services for Oklahomans who are indigent and without a means to pay.
Oklahoma District Attorneys Council - Provides a professional organization for the education, training and coordination of technical efforts of all district attorneys of the state.
Oklahoma Human Services - Helps individuals and families in need help themselves lead safer, healthier, more independent and productive lives.
Youth.gov - Created by the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP), which is composed of representatives from 21 federal agencies that support programs and services focusing on youth.
Heartline Crisis Helpline - (800) 522-3511 - Its mission is to connect Oklahomans with help, hope and information 24 hours a day.
Oklahoma State Department of Health Family Support & Prevention Service - (405) 426-8060 - Family Support & Prevention Service promotes the health, safety and wellness of Oklahoma's children and families by providing funding, training, technical assistance and oversight to local organizations/agencies that serve families with young children, training to professionals that work in the area of child maltreatment prevention and intervention, information and educational materials upon request and infrastructure to family support/child maltreatment prevention efforts.
Infant Crisis Services - (405) 528-3663 - Infant Crisis Services provides formula, food, diapers, blankets, clothing, and other basic necessities by appointment.
Oklahoma State Department of Health: Preparing for a Lifetime, Improving Infant Outcomes - (405) 271-4480 - We all want Oklahoma’s babies to be safe and healthy. Many things can help and everyone can play a role.
American Medical Association – LGBTQ Youth – A website offering information about the population care of LGBTQ youth.
American Psychological Association – LGBT Youth Resources - This web page provides fact sheets, best practices and other resources for supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – LGBT Health - Resources from the CDC, other government agencies, and community organizations for LGBT Youth, their friends, educators, parents, and family members to support positive environments.
Child Welfare Information Gateway - Working With LGBTQ Youth and Families - Provides information about serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, including resources for LGBTQ youth in out-of-home care and resources offering support and guidance for LGBTQ youth and their families.
Literature Review on LGBTQ Youths in the Juvenile Justice System - Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youths may present unique challenges in the juvenile justice system.
OU Medicine - The Adolescent Medicine Roy G. Biv Program allows access to full treatment services for all of Oklahoma’s and neighboring states’ adolescents with concerns about gender identity and sexual orientation.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network – LGBTQ Youth - Common traumas experienced by these youth include bullying, harassment, traumatic loss, intimate partner violence, physical and sexual abuse, and traumatic forms of societal stigma, bias, and rejection.
Youth.gov - LGBTQ Youth in Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice Systems – Provides information about LGBTQ youth in child welfare systems, how they can be supported, and methods on how to recruit LGBT supporting families.
Youth Engaged 4 Change - Being an Ally to LGBT People - Describes some ways to think about what “ally” means and provides helpful tips on how to be one.
Alliance for Children and Families - Toy-Related Injuries
American Public Health Association - Remember to consider the safety and age range of the toys
Child and Family Services, MA - Holiday Toy Safety Guide
Kids Health from Nemours Foundation - Choosing Safe Toys
U.S. National Library of Medicine | Medline Plus - Lead Poisoning: Where it's Found, Symptoms, and more.
Natural Child Project - Award-winning site on parenting and education that respects children.
National Parenting Center - Providing parents with information on raising children: Starting with pregnancy and birth, information about your baby and toddler through teen.
parentPRO - is a free service that connects families to a variety of Oklahoma-based parenting programs that take place in your home.
The Parent Child Center of Tulsa - (918) 599-7999 - Their vision is that every parent have the knowledge and skills to protect, nurture and provide for their own child.
Center for Disease Control - Motor Vehicles and Pedestrian Safety
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - How to Develop a Pedestrian Safety Action Plan
National Safety Council - Pedestrian Safety is a Shared Responsibility
Safe Kids Oklahoma - Pedestrian Safety Tips
State of Oklahoma - Bike and Pedestrian Safety
The Safe to Sleep® - A campaign offers a variety of materials to help share safe infant sleep messages with different audiences
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Teens and Suicide: What Parents Should Know
American Psychological Association - Talking to Teens: Suicide Prevention
Healthy Children.org - Ten Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide
Heartline Oklahoma - Suicide Prevention Outreach and Education
National Institute of Mental Health - Suicide Signs & Symptoms, 5 Action Steps to Help
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services - School-Based Suicide Prevention Resources
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) - Their work is based on the foundation and belief that suicide is preventable and everyone has a role to play in preventing suicide
Talking About Suicide & LGBT Populations - A PDF digital publication
Youth.gov - Preventing Youth Suicide
Teen Line - (800) 852-8336 -or- Text TEEN to 839863 - A non-profit, community based organization that provides emotional support to youth. Its mission is to provide peer based education and support before problems become a crisis, using a national hotline, community outreach and online support.
Barbeque/Grilling Safety Tips (Safe Kids Worldwide): Warmer weather means an increased use of outdoor grills and Safe Kids World Wide has 6 ways to keep your kids, and yourself, safe around the grill.
Boating Safety Tips (Safe Kids Worldwide): Learn how you can help prevent injuries and more by practicing boating safety tips provided by Safe Kids Worldwide.
Camping in Oklahoma (Travel Oklahoma): Learn about numerous tips and safety measures offered Travel Oklahoma's beginners guide designed for camping in Oklahoma.
Drowning Quick Facts (National Drowning Prevention Alliance): The NDPA provides information and several useful tips on how you can prevent drowning at home and more.
Fireworks Safety (Safe Kids Worldwide): Fireworks are a fun way to make any celebration a spectacular event. But fireworks are not safe for children and can cause serious harm including devastating burns and other injuries. Learn tips about how you can make your celebration with fireworks safer for everyone.
Hiking Safety/Hiking Smart (National Park Service): Be prepared for your walk or hike, keep in mind these general safety tips from the National Park Service in mind before starting your hiking adventure.
Motorcycle Safety (Oklahoma Highway Safety): Learn more about operating motorcycles safely as well as tips and safety measures Oklahomans should know about operating motorcycles. Be sure to check out links for local motorcycle safety courses.
OHV & ATV Safety (U.S. Consumer Production Safety Commission): The CPSC provides information about the risks and necessary safety measures regarding the operation of ATVs and OHVs.
Prevent Hot Car Deaths (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): The majority of hot car deaths happen because someone forgets a child in a car or the child becomes trapped. The NHTSA offers tips for how you can keep children safe.
Preventing Heat-Related Illness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): The hot summer sun can cause a variety of heat related illnesses and injuries. Check out various safety tips (and more) provided by the CDC.