Oklahoma Federation of Families News Page

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Our Vision

The Oklahoma Federation of Families for Youth and Children's Mental Health seeks to end the isolation and stigma associated with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders in children by empowering their families and caregivers to advocate for the removal of barriers to effective treatment and support.

Our Mission

The Oklahoma Federation of Families for Youth and Children's Mental Health provides education, information and support to families and caregivers of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or other mental health related issues.

Telephone

405-364-8879 or

Toll Free at

866-837-9122

Address

1692 E. Redbud Road

Washington, OK 73093

Email

info@okfederation.org

Announcements

Oklahoma Federation Earns Prestigious ECCO Award

At the annual Summer Systems of Care Conference held in New Orleans, the Oklahoma Federation of Families earned the Gold Recognition in Community Communications and Outreach Award (ECCO) for their Family Leadership Academy curriculum. The curriculum, designed to help families learn how to give leadership on boards and committees, was chosen best in the Communication Training category.

We are honored to receive this award and believe it to be a recognition of our commitment to high quality materials and services for family members who are learning how to have a voice in the treatment and care of their children.

The Oklahoma Federation of Families is committed to helping systems across the state move toward fully embracing the "family-driven" value. For that to become a reality, families must be trained to share their stories, let their voice be heard, and help make important decisions that affect all children.

Oklahoma Federation of Families

Silent Auction Raises Over $1300

This year, the Oklahoma Federation of Families sponsored a silent auction at the Children's Behavioral Health Conference. Money raised at the auction will go into a fund to help send families to the Children's conference in 2008. This year we were able to give scholarships for 35 families to attend the conference.

Donations to the auction came from individuals, organizations, and System of Care sites. We had a great variety of items to auction. Our largest bid was from Dr. Baumgardner for the hand-made guitar, which she then donated to the Tulsa Boy's Home. Thanks, Dr. Baumgardner, for your support!

Auction items included:

A hand-made guitar
Baskets of goodies
A hand-made quilt
Arts and crafts items
Books
A vacation package
An autographed football

A Big Thank-You to Everyone who Donated Items or Took the Time to Come by Our Table.

Thanks for your Support.

The $1365 we raised will go directly to help families attend the 2008 Children's Behavioral Health Conference scheduled for April 30--May 2, 2008

The silent auction was so successful we are planning to repeat this fund raiser again next year. Make plans now to donate as many items as you can. The more items, the more money we will raise for families.

Oklahoma Federation Presented at the 2007

Building on Family Strengths Conference

On June 1, 2007, the Oklahoma Federation of Families presented at 90-minute symposium at the prestigious 2007 Building on Family Strengths Conference in Portland, OR.

Our 90-minute symposium was entitled:

"Training Family Members to Serve on Boards, Committees and in Leadership Positions"

Presenters

Susan Boehrer

Joey Clifton

Sheameka Williams

Gerri Mullendore

The presentation highlighted our Family Leadership Academy curriculum we have developed for the state of Oklahoma. The response by the more than 40 attendees was enthusiastic. Many talked about the need for such a curriculum in their state. If you are interested in learning more about how the Family Leadership Academy can benefit your families, contact us. We would love to open a conversation with you about bringing the Academy to your state.

Oklahoma Federation of Families Presented

at the 2007 Summer Systems of Care Conference in New Orleans

August 1-3

Susan Boehrer, Jeff Tallent, and Joey Clifton shared about their new Family Support Group Manual at the recent Summer Systems of Care Conference in New Orleans. The session was extremely well attended (despite the fact that the session was scheduled for the last day when many were leaving or preparing to leave). The OFF staff talked about the work being done in Oklahoma to start new Federation chapters connected to Systems of Care sites and gave practical suggestions for other SOC sites across the nation to begin and manage their own family support groups.