TULSA, Okla. – The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) will host a motion picture event documenting investigations into child protection systems similar to the scandal that rocked Oklahoma 40 years ago.
Set for Friday, May 10 at 1 p.m. at Tulsa’s Circle Cinema theater, OICA will screen the documentary “Broken” followed by a panel discussion by the producers and reporters of that film along with reporters who broke the story of “Oklahoma Shame.” The cost is $10, and that includes popcorn and a soda for attendees.
“OICA is extremely thankful for the current leadership of Oklahoma Human Services and the changes which have happened over the past four decades, but one of the most important truisms is that ‘those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it’,” said Joe Dorman, OICA’s CEO. “By taking the time to look back at the unreported abuse, deaths, and corruption of that day in the Oklahoma child protection system, we will take another step in the long journey of ensuring it never happens again and continue to improve on those systems established to help the children in our state.
“Also, by looking at the failures in other states’ systems, we can continue improvements and appreciate what has been accomplished.”
The creation of OICA in 1983 to serve as an independent watchdog was one of the preventative steps taken by advocates in the aftermath of that scandal.
Bill Lichtenstein, one of the ABC News investigators from the original reporting “Throwaway Kids” has been working for two years on a documentary called “Broken” which has uncovered a similar failed state kids protection system in Massachusetts. Despite expertise and resources, for decades that state has been ranked among the worst states in the country for child protection. The film follows the reporting of journalist Brooke Lewitas uncovering the story as she speaks with families, former foster kids, experts, and public officials.
Lichtenstein and Lewitas will show clips from the original Oklahoma “Throwaway Kids” story on 20/20 and a sneak preview of material from “Broken” and will discuss the problems in child protection, foster care, and family court systems as well as the role that the public, including advocates and the press, play in ensuring the proper care and protection for all children.
Joining them on the panel will be advocates working for further improvements for Oklahoma’s youth, as well as those working on the movement to “End the Need for Group Placement,” or ENGP, individuals who work in the field and Oklahomans with lived experiences. Also on the panel will be Oklahoma authors Terry Smith, a former OICA CEO, and Bob Burke, the gentlemen who authored the book “Throwaway Kids” documenting a history of child welfare in Oklahoma.
The event will also highlight awards presented by the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) which recognizes the work of advocates. The Burnes/ Lichtenstein Award, named after the above and Karen Burnes, the two investigative reporters from “20/20” who led the effort, celebrates child advocacy awareness brought forth by a member or members of the press. This year, the honorees will be Terri Watkins and Bill Gallagher, the two KOCO reporters who led the local investigations, and posthumously presented to Carlton Sherwood and John Hanchette, who led the effort through print media published through The Muskogee Phoenix.
Additionally, OICA will present the Jari Askins Justice for Children Award to Judge Mike Flanagan, an associate district judge for Cotton County, who since 2019, has chaired the Task Force on the Uniform Representation of Children and Parents in Cases involving Abuse and Neglect. Tulsa oil executive and philanthropist George Krumme will receive the CEO’s Recognition Award for his continued support of youth advocacy and OICA’s mission.
For more information on the event, and to purchase tickets or become a sponsor of the vent, go to https://event.gives/okchildadvocacy.
About OICA: The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was established in 1983 by a group of citizens seeking to create a strong advocacy network that would provide a voice for the needs of children and youth in Oklahoma, particularly those in the state’s care and those growing up amid poverty, violence, abuse and neglect, disparities, or other situations that put their lives and future at risk. Our mission statement: “Creating awareness, taking action, and changing policy to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Oklahoma’s children.”