(Editor’s note: This story appears here in accordance with Oklahoma Watch’s republishing terms.)
A public Oklahoma Watch forum Tuesday in Oklahoma City will focus on how the state’s budget challenges could affect the well-being of children.
The Oklahoma Watch-Out forum, titled What the Budget Crisis Means for Children, will feature state Sen. AJ Griffin (R-Guthrie); Joe Dorman, CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy; and Lisa Smith, director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth.
The free Q&A forum will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kamp’s 1910 Café, 10 N.E. 10th Street. Oklahoma Watch executive editor David Fritze will moderate the discussion. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register online and come with questions.
The Oklahoma Watch-Out series is made possible by sponsorship support from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma and BancFirst.
About the panelists
Griffin was first elected to the State Senate District 20 seat in 2012. Since then, she has worked to write and pass legislation aimed at addressing the severe problem of prescription drug addiction in the state. She has also authored legislation to protect victims of child abuse. Griffin previously served as vice chairwoman of the Senate Republican caucus and now serves as chair of the rural caucus. She also serves as chairwoman for the Senate appropriations subcommittee on health and human services.
As CEO of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, Dorman advocates for state laws and policies intended to improve the lives of children and families. Dorman spent 12 years in the state House of Representatives and has been involved in civic, leadership and youth-development organizations, including Leadership Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Academy. Dorman was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2014.
Smith was appointed executive director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth in 2008. Smith has 30 years of experience in state service, beginning as an adult probation and parole officer for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. She also served as a child welfare social worker and an intake supervisor for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services and a programs administrator for the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
