Section 2-7-101 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes authorizes the Board of Juvenile Affairs (Board) as the governing body for the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA). The Board consists of nine members, five members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two members appointed by the Speaker of the House; all members serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.
The Board meets monthly in a manner consistent with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, see 25 O.S. § 301 et seq.
The Board is the rule-making body for OJA. The board is responsible for reviewing and approving the agency’s budget request to the Governor, assisting the agency in planning activities related to the priorities and policies of the agency, providing a public forum for receiving comments and disseminating information to the public, establishing contracting procedures for the agency and guidelines for rates of payment for services provided by contract.
Meet the Board Members
Karen Youngblood
Karen Youngblood, of Oklahoma City, builds and supports the strategic direction for leadership development and change management while reinforcing the values and beliefs in a culture of accountability, as the organizational development consultant with OG&E Energy Corp. She has spent her career in entrepreneurial, corporate, education, government, and nonprofit environments. Together with her husband, they are the authors and requested speakers on their book "Successful Failure: The Ultimate Paradox in the Pursuit of Happiness." She believes strongly in active community engagement and volunteerism. Twice-elected to the Yukon Public Schools Board of Education, she served 10 years on that board and has been a board member of OJA since January 2017, serving as chair since January 2020. Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Dr. Stephen Grissom
Dr. Stephen Grissom, of Tulsa, psychologist and collegiate instructor, and former chief psychologist at the L.E Rader Center and former chief psychologist at the Office of Juvenile Affairs. Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Honorable Janet Foss
Honorable Janet Foss, of Norman, retired special district judge for Cleveland County, and has worked with juveniles in many capacities during her career, including as a social worker, assistant district attorney and juvenile judge. Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Jenna Worthen
Jenna Worthen, of Oklahoma City, chief executive officer of James Martin Company, and has spent more than a decade crafting strategic communications and implementing development strategy for Oklahoma-based nonprofits and candidates for public office as well as having extensive experience in community-partner development for the benefit of youth in Oklahoma state custody. Appointed by House Speaker Charles McCall.
Dr. Amy Emerson
Dr. Amy Emerson, of Tulsa, has worked with the families of Tulsa Educare since 2008 where she oversees community outreach programs, and serves as medical consultant for several early learning centers in Tulsa, and is actively involved in advocacy work to support children living in foster care. Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Bartlett Bouse
Bartlett Bouse, of Woodward, has practiced general law at his personal firm, Bouse Law Firm, in Woodward, since July 1999. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney in the district attorney’s office in Woodward, handling felonies, misdemeanors, and all the juvenile delinquent and deprived cases for over five years. He served as a board member of Western Plains Youth and Family Services from 1997 to 2021, including as president of the board. He has been a member of the Woodward County Post Adjudication Review Board for over 15 years. He was a commissioner of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, appointed by then-Gov. Frank Keating in 1998, serving as chairman from 2002 through 2013. Bouse lives in Woodward with his wife, Angie, and has two daughters, Jillian and Ella. Appointed by House Speaker Charles McCall.
Colleen Johnson
Colleen Johnson, of Edmond, is a vendor in the health care industry. She and her husband have five teenage daughters. Appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat.
Les Thomas Sr.
Les Thomas Sr., is a native Oklahoman and retired veteran. He honorably served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. Currently, Les is the Executive Director of Campus Engagement at Urban Bridge OKC where he spends most of his time infusing Hope by creating pathways to health, wholeness, economic opportunity, and unlocking the greatness within. During football and basketball seasons, you can catch Les on the microphone at Oklahoma State University games hyping up as many as 60,000 people. Appointed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
