Oklahoma Alliance for Youth (OKAY Project)

The OKAY Project is an information, resource and training center for youth - ages 13-17 - and young adults - ages 18-30 - with developmental disabilities in metro-area Oklahoma City and Eastern Oklahoma County.

OKAY offers life skills training in personal effectiveness, problem-solving, and team building.  Specific topics include advocacy, effective communication, and successful meetings.

OKAY training is enhanced and practiced through team participation in community service projects and active involvement in an Advisory Committee.

Picture 1                                      Picture 2                                   Picture 3

Picture 1-The picture shows program participants involved in a community service project at the Second Chance Animal Sanctuary located in Norman Oklahoma.

Picture 2- OKAY Project participant at the Ropes Course in Norman, OK.  He is on the High Course in a harness that has been made accessible for people with disabilities.

Picture 3- An OKAY Project participant at the 2006 Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) for the Youth Information, Training and Resource Centers Technical Assistance Institute in Washington D.C.

Goals and Objectives

• Improve the odds for youth with developmental disabilities to graduate with a standard high school diploma.
• Encourage young adults with developmental disabilities to seek and maintain employment.
• Improve leadership skills through training.
• Help youth and young adults practice skills and build confidence through active involvement  in youth-led service projects in school and community.
• Develop matched mentor relationships.
• Provide critical information to enhance successful, informed life choices through youth-designed, accessible web-based resources, an information and referral system, and dissemination of youth-friendly life-skills materials.

Innovations

A strong base of public-private partnerships

Training based on Community Leadership Solutions and Partners in Policymaking.

Transfer and practice of learning through participation in youth-led focus groups.

Recognize, support and encourage competencies, capabilities and personal goals through active involvement in service projects.

The Oklahoma Alliance for Youth is funded by a three-year grant from the Administration for Children and Families through the Department of Health and Human Services.

             Picture 4                                              Picture 5

Picture 4- The above picture shows several of the programs participants graduating from the Partners in Policymaking program.

Picture 5- 2006 OKAY Project participants.

Oklahoma Alliance for Youth partners -

• The Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council (ODDC)
• The Center for Learning and Leadership (OU Health Sciences Center)
• The National Center for Disability Education and Training (OU College of Continuing Education OUtreach)

Go to the schedule for Emerging Leader training Schedule

Go to the schedule for Youth Training  Schedule

Go to the registration form Registration

For more information about the above programs and services

Contact Jeanette Doty, Director, at (405) 325-1055

FAX (405) 325-1632

e-mail:  jdoty@ou.edu