Our Vision

All Oklahoma youth and families have the resources and supports they need to reach their full potential. 

Our Mission

We collaborate with youth, families, and community partners to create pathways for success through prevention and treatment for all Oklahoma youth. 

Brief History

In January, 1978, the Terry D. v. Lloyd Rader lawsuit was filed in Federal Court in Oklahoma City. The suit alleged abusive practices, unconstitutional use of isolation and restraints, the absence of adequately trained staff, and the mixing of offenders with non-offenders. As a result, a number of public institutions were closed, and the Department of Human Services implemented a variety of community-based programs for children and youth, including both residential and non-residential services.

Creation of OJA

In 1994, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Juvenile Reform Act (H.B. 2640) creating OJA as the state juvenile justice agency, effective July 1, 1995. This legislation also created the Youthful Offender (YO) Act to provide justice for serious and habitual juvenile offenders 15 through 17 years of age.

OJA was given the responsibility and authority to manage the state's juvenile affairs, a seven member board was created with appointments by Governor Frank Keating based off the advice and consent of the Senate.

On April 5, 1996, OJA was able to meet the Federal Court requirements for dismissal of the Terry D. lawsuit. A new era of innovative programs, increased community involvement, and an enhanced, open relationship with the judiciary had begun.

Please explore more of OJA's web site for additional information about services, programs, offered through our agency.

Legislation was approved in 2017 that allowed OJA to build a state-of-the-art campus for young people receiving secure care treatment.

The campus is on the grounds of the Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) in Tecumseh. It serves as the single secure care facility operated by the agency as operations from two other centers were centralized onto the new campus.