Library: News Releases
OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- Foster youth from across the state will get a crash-course in the law making process this week when they serve as pages for the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
“I’m excited about being selected,” said Samantha Pierson, a foster youth participating in the page program. “I think it will be a lot of fun. I’ll be able to experience new things and be able to see how government works. I’m looking forward to meeting new people at the capitol and the other pages. I feel it will be a great experience.”
In addition to their duties as pages, the foster youth will participate in a mock legislative session, tour the Governor’s mansion and meet with Governor Brad Henry and Oklahoma House Speaker Larry Adair.
“We have received letters from judges and foster parents saying that after a foster youth goes through the page program their grades, attitude and confidence improve,” said Claudia Hunter, Oklahoma Department of Human Services Independent Living Coordinator. “Some who have served as pages have suggested that it be made mandatory for all foster youth.”
Rep. Jari Askins provided the leadership six years ago to start this program, which is still the only one of it’s kind in the nation. Currently there are more than 6,500 foster children in Oklahoma. If you would like to know more about becoming a foster parent, call 1-800-376-9729, or click on /content/sok-wcm/en/okdhs.
###
