Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth

Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth File a complaint today: 405-606-4936 or oklahoma.gov/occy.

OCCY conducts oversight (OJSO), reviews child deaths (CDRB), monitors foster care (PARB), supports state child abuse review teams (FSMDTs), coordinates services (P&C) and more.

08/10/2026

What are PARBs, and why are they so important to Oklahoma children and families?

Our very own Keith Pirtle and Shelbi Tatarian explain how Oklahoma’s Postadjudication Review Boards, or PARBs, help make a difference in the lives of children in state custody.

In this five-minute video, Keith and Shelbi explain how these community-based volunteer boards regularly review active deprived docket cases and make recommendations to judges and child welfare professionals. Housed at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, PARBs help ensure the safety of children, encourage best practices and promote permanency while children are in state custody.

Oklahoma currently has 41 PARBs across the state, supported by about 300 dedicated volunteers.

Watch the video to learn more about this important work and how you can become a PARB volunteer and make a difference in a child’s life.

🎥 Video produced by Keith Pirtle, PARB program manager.

08/06/2026

When it comes to protecting children, Oklahoma isn't waiting for the future. We're helping build it.

Through OCCY's Freestanding Multidisciplinary Teams (FSMDT) Program, Oklahoma piloted a first-of-its-kind professional certification that trains child-serving professionals to recognize, assess and evaluate child psychological maltreatment using standardized, research-based practices.

Watch how OCCY is bringing together experts, building stronger partnerships and leading work that will have a lasting impact across our state and the nation.

Interested in learning more? Virtual training opportunities will be announced soon. Follow OCCY on social media or visit oklahoma.gov/occy for updates.

Special thanks to Dr. Marla Brassard, Dr. Stuart N. Hart, and OSU-OKC

Stepping inside the new Oklahoma Children's OU Health Oklahoma Behavioral Health Center, expected to open later this yea...
08/05/2026

Stepping inside the new Oklahoma Children's OU Health Oklahoma Behavioral Health Center, expected to open later this year, gave members of OCCY's Parent Partnership Board more than a preview of an innovative facility. It provided an opportunity to ask questions, understand how families will experience care and strengthen the lived experience they bring to conversations with leaders and policymakers.

As Oklahoma continues investing in child-serving systems, those investments are stronger when informed by the voices of parents who have navigated those systems themselves. When families are included before decisions are made, the result is more responsive systems, stronger communities and better outcomes for Oklahoma's children.

Thank you to the OU Health team for sharing the vision behind this important investment in our state's future.

Here they go again. And we're here for it. 😁Our parent leaders continue to show why lived experience belongs in every co...
07/30/2026

Here they go again. And we're here for it. 😁

Our parent leaders continue to show why lived experience belongs in every conversation about families.

Darryl Savell recently represented Oklahoma during the BUILD Initiative's Strengthening Family Voice in State Early Childhood Systems Webinar Series, where he highlighted the importance of parent leadership and ensuring families with lived experience have a voice in shaping policies and programs. Closer to home, Heather Monroe presented the Oklahoma Human Services Birth Family Advisory Committee's recommendations to child welfare leadership and supervisors, helping ensure the voices of parents with lived experience continue to inform policies and practices that strengthen families.

Thank you, Heather and Darryl, for all you do for Oklahoma's children, youth and families.

REGISTRATION IS FULL! But wait... There's a waitlist! Sign up now at tinyurl.com/TBRI-WAITLIST***What if connection cha...
07/17/2026

REGISTRATION IS FULL! But wait... There's a waitlist! Sign up now at tinyurl.com/TBRI-WAITLIST

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What if connection changed everything?

That's the idea behind Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®), an approach that helps children and adults heal from trauma through safe, healthy relationships.

Join the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and Fostering Grace for a free TBRI® Training on Sept. 15-16 in Durant. You'll leave with practical, evidence-based strategies you can use in your work and your community.

Register using the link or QR code in the flyer, and please share this opportunity with colleagues and others who may be interested.

Here's something we can all agree on: Young people deserve to be heard.That message was at the heart of this year's Adol...
07/17/2026

Here's something we can all agree on: Young people deserve to be heard.

That message was at the heart of this year's Adolescent Health Training, hosted by the Oklahoma State Department of Health Maternal and Child Health program.

OCCY Community Planner Amoreena Killough was honored to present "Authentically Engaging Youth Voice in Programming," sharing practical strategies for authentically engaging youth and helping organizations create meaningful opportunities for young people to help shape the programs and services designed to support them.

Thank you to OSDH for inviting us to join this important conversation and for bringing together professionals committed to improving outcomes for Oklahoma's youth.

When we make space for youth voices, we all help build a stronger Oklahoma.

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We're excited to introduce Jessi Hamby, Oversight Specialist at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. With more...
07/14/2026

We're excited to introduce Jessi Hamby, Oversight Specialist at the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. With more than seven years of child welfare experience, Jessi brings extensive knowledge and a deep commitment to strengthening Oklahoma's child welfare system and improving outcomes for children and families.

Learn more about Jessi and her role at OCCY by visiting tinyurl.com/364ntmmk

We're proud to introduce Vivian Sanchez as the first epidemiologist in our agency's history. Vivian's journey with OCCY ...
07/14/2026

We're proud to introduce Vivian Sanchez as the first epidemiologist in our agency's history. Vivian's journey with OCCY began as an intern in the Child Death Review Board before becoming our first epidemiologist, where she now uses data to help prevent child deaths and improve outcomes for Oklahoma families.

Learn more about Vivian's path and what this new role means for our mission by visiting https://tinyurl.com/ynnrk6kk

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As we commemorate 250 years of our nation's history, we honor the many people and generations who have shaped our countr...
07/02/2026

As we commemorate 250 years of our nation's history, we honor the many people and generations who have shaped our country and reaffirm our commitment to serving all Oklahomans. Our offices will be closed Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day. We wish you a safe and meaningful holiday.

OCCY invites you to register for Parent Voices Matter: Cultivating Resilient Parent Advisory Committees. This interactiv...
07/02/2026

OCCY invites you to register for Parent Voices Matter: Cultivating Resilient Parent Advisory Committees. This interactive virtual training will equip program leaders and staff with practical strategies to build, strengthen, and sustain meaningful Parent Advisory Committees. We hope you'll join us on August 5–6 for this valuable learning opportunity. Register at this link: tinyurl.com/OCCY-0805 or scan the QR Code provided in the flyer provided below.

Address

2915 N. Classen Boulevard, Suite 300
Oklahoma City, OK
73106

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14056064900

Website

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