Reaching and Engaging Oklahoma Families: Breaking Barriers, Building Trust

1. Getting & Keeping People at the Table Vyonda G. Martin, M.A. Center for Learning and Leadership Oklahoma UCEDD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

2. Oklahoma Demographics • The name "Oklahoma" comes from the Choctaw words: "okla" meaning people and "humma" meaning red. • We are celebrating our 100th birthday this year! Oklahoma became the 46th state in the Union on November 16, 1907. • Oklahoma is about 69,000 square miles in area. • Our population is about 3.5 million, which is approximately 50 people per square mile. • Oklahoma includes 39 federally recognized Indian tribes, which are sovereign nations, and is home to over 67 different tribes.

3. Oklahoma Population • American Indian 8.1% • White/Caucasian 78.5% • African-American 7.7% • Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 1.6% • Hispanic/Latino 4% - 6% • Two or more races 6 % This places Oklahoma third in the nation, behind Hawaii And Alaska, in people who list themselves as members of more than one race.

4. Oklahoma Demographics • About 12.8% of Oklahoma families live below the federal poverty level. while across the nation 9.8% of the country’s families live in poverty. • About 1.3 million live in rural areas and about 2.2 million in urban or suburban area. • Two major population areas - Oklahoma City and Tulsa

5. Oklahoma History • 1820’s Five Civilized Tribes from southeastern U.S. were relocated to Oklahoma Indian Territory - Cherokee Trail of Tears. • Between 1866 and 1889 cattle ranches and railroads came to Oklahoma • Between 1889 and 1895 six land runs were held by the US government – Boomers and Sooners!  • Late 1800s U.S. government forced the tribes to give up their communal lands and accept individual property allotments. 

6. Oklahoma History African Americans • Pamphlets promising a “black paradise” in Oklahoma lured tens of thousands of former slaves from the South.  • Eventually 27 black towns grew to encompass 10 percent of Indian Territory. • By statehood in 1907, African Americans outnumbered both Native Americans and first- and second-generation Europeans. • Depression caused loss of farms and livelihood resulting in Northern relocation

7. Barriers to Reaching Out • No Trust/Credibility • History of being done to • Broken promises • “Government” punishes or takes away • Poverty • Focus on survival and day-to-day existence • No time or means to be involved • Not able to connect to future benefits • Language • Access to material in native language • Frame of reference for the information

8. Less Effective Strategies • Presenting at conferences • Bringing our agenda to a group • Funding singular projects • Diverse faculty or staff who are not connected to the community • Partnerships that did not sustain

9. More Effective Strategies • Partnering • Linking Needs • Being Invisible • Mentoring • Relationships/Personal Connections • Family Leaders • Family Support Principles

10. Building Trust • Show respect and listen • Families talk to families • Learn what they consider important • Find partners who are already connected • Find opportunities to support what is working – OK Mamas

11. The Family “Discipline” Family Expertise and Experience The Family “Discipline” “…that body of knowledge about the child/family member with a disability, that is inherent to the family, acquired by life experience and affected by culture and community.” - Center for Learning and Leadership

12. Oklahoma Individual and Family Support Principles …are guiding truths that shape the way individuals, families and service providers interact …establish common ground upon which individuals, families, advocates and service providers operate …form the basis for program policy and practice. WHEN WE ENGAGE WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WE WILL… • HONORTHEIR EXPERTISE and right to make choices that they know to be in their own best interest • RESPECT AND ACCEPTTHEIR VALUESthat are based in personal preferences, cultural beliefs and life-ways • SUPPORT INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPSthat are safe, stable and long lasting • FOCUS ON THE ENTIRE FAMILY as it is defined by the family • PROMOTE FLEXIBLE SERVICE AND FUNDING supporting individual and family control over who, what, when, where and how supports are provided • AFFIRM LIFESPAN PLANNING AND SELF-DETERMINATIONthat encourages decision-making and planning for independence beginning within the family when children are young, following the individual throughout their life and including aging issues • ASSURE PARTNERSHIPS WHICH ACTIVELY INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of policies, practices and personal programs • PRACTICE OPEN COMMUNICATION promoting a clear understanding of all aspects of systems policy, procedure, practice and all other information regarding them • RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COMMUNITY, where individuals and their families belong and realize their full potential

13. Consumer Advisory Committee • Members are people who participate in other projects, activities and advisory groups of the UCEDD • Members have multiple layers of interface with staff and faculty so trust is established • People First members have contractual agreement • Members are provided with individual support • Material are translated and provided in accessible formats

14. Consumer Advisory Committee - Race Hispanic/Other3% Native American6% African American6% Anglo 85%

15. Consumer Advisory Committee - Role Advocates10% Higher Education 22% Self-Advocate22% Policy Maker 7% Service Provider 2% Family Member37%

16. For more information please contact: Vyonda G. Martin, M.A. Center for Learning and Leadership/UCEDD University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Medicine P.O. Box 26901, ROB 342 Oklahoma City, OK 73126 Toll Free: 800.627.6827 405.271.4500, ext. 41005 vyonda-martin@ouhsc.edu