Across Oklahoma, children facing abuse, neglect and trauma are navigating some of the most complex moments of their young lives. In these moments, having someone who listens, advocates and accurately speaks on their behalf can make all the difference. The Oklahoma Bar Foundation invests in programs designed to protect these voices, ensuring that children involved in the justice system are supported in courtrooms, counseling sessions and community spaces where critical decisions about their futures are made.

Through IOLTA grants, the OBF funds organizations that combine legal advocacy, therapeutic care and education to safeguard children’s rights and well-being. Canadian County CASA and The CARE Center are two outstanding examples of how funding provides essential support to the most vulnerable members of our communities.

CANADIAN COUNTY CASA: GIVING CHILDREN A VOICE

In Canadian County, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains volunteers to speak on behalf of children involved in the foster care system due to abuse or neglect. The OBF awarded $20,000 to their 2025 Advocacy for Abused Children program.

Volunteers meet with children, gather critical information and provide judges with well-informed recommendations about placement and care. Their work directly influences outcomes in child welfare cases. Judges rely on CASA reports because they provide a clearer picture of the child’s situation beyond the legal filings. The Canadian County CASA team states that every recommendation made by a CASA volunteer is backed by time spent with the child, including visiting homes, attending school meetings and ensuring the child’s needs are heard both inside and outside the courtroom.

Funding ensures more volunteers are trained, more children are represented, and more voices are heard in cases that shape lives for decades to come.

THE CARE CENTER: BUILDING TRUST AND HEALING

The CARE Center, Oklahoma County’s child advocacy center, meets children and families at some of their most vulnerable moments. The mission is to provide a safe, supportive space where children can share their stories after experiencing abuse. Their Child Abuse Forensic Interview program received $12,000 in funding from the OBF for 2025.

To conduct legal investigations and prepare for court cases, forensic interview specialists interview children in child-friendly environments designed to reduce the fear and trauma that come with children telling their stories of abuse. These interviews help gather critical information without requiring a child to retell their story multiple times to different professionals, such as attorneys and police. The CARE Center also provides therapy and connects families to ongoing services, ensuring that recovery continues.

OBF funding expands access to these vital services, helping reduce wait times for interviews and therapy while making sure families have immediate access to the resources they need. The CARE Center’s multidisciplinary approach – working closely with law enforcement, medical providers and prosecutors – allows for coordinated responses that prioritize both the child’s safety and emotional well-being.

A BROADER COMMITMENT

The OBF is honored to support so many organizations dedicated to protecting and uplifting Oklahoma’s children, including Marie Detty Youth & Family Services, the Mary Abbott Children’s House, the Oklahoma Guardian Ad Litem Institute, Oklahoma Lawyers for Families and Children and many more. These programs serve communities across the state, reaching both rural and urban areas. Together, they provide critical services for children at risk of abuse and neglect.

By training advocates, supporting legal professionals and creating safer pathways for children in crisis, these organizations form a strong network of care. Their work reflects the OBF’s mission to bring justice home to Oklahoma families and ensure that every child has the opportunity to be seen, heard and protected.

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STRATEGIC CONNECTION

• 47% of attorneys identified family law matters as one of the most urgent unmet legal needs in Oklahoma.
• 50% of attorneys believe adults and youth are not very aware of their legal rights and responsibilities.
• Attorneys in rural and underserved areas report transportation challenges, language access issues and shortages of legal professionals.
• 50% of respondents rated partnerships with community organizations as highly important, and 48% saw mobile clinics as a viable strategy, reflecting the critical role of outreach and legal advocacy networks.