Priorities

The OFBCI has selected several areas of significant need, or social service priorities, to promote intentional involvement by faith and community organizations. Some of these areas have evolved into statewide initiatives such as the 111 Project (recruitment of foster parents), Fatherhood (creating a statewide coalition of service providers), Prisoner Reentry Initiatives (education and networking of resources) and The Oklahoma Bridge campaign (alleviation of poverty). OFBCI priority areas are:     

Emergency Preparedness

  Through strategic partnerships, the OFBCI fosters awareness within faith congregations and community groups about potential hazards and encourages the development of family, organizational and community emergency plans. Potential disasters in Oklahoma range from severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes and floods) to hazardous materials incidents and terrorist attacks. For more information about helping your community plan for disaster situations, refer to OFBCI’s emergency preparedness list of Resources and Volunteer Opportunities. Timely information about preparing for disasters is also available from the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security at www.reddirtready.com.

Facilitation

The OFBCI promotes networking opportunities, engages organizations with event specific activities and provides support and/or administrative systems for projects that align with our mission.  

Foster Care

  The OFBCI informs, motivates and enlists the faith community in addressing the many needs and issues facing foster care children and families in Oklahoma. To view a list of ministries and organizations across the state engaged in foster care ministry or providing services visit The 111 Project. 

Health

The OFBCI responds to a variety of health issues for the overall well being of Oklahomans including: food and nutrition, free medical clinics, health literacy and substance abuse. This includes collaborations with four state agencies, i.e., Oklahoma Department of Education, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. See health-related programs offered through these agencies. 

The OFBCI supports the training of Mental Health First Aid to faith-based and community leaders.  The course discusses symptoms, causes and evidenced-based treatments for the common mental health problems of depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis and substance use disorder.  It also addresses possible crisis situations arising from these mental health problems and provides steps to help. Crisis situations include suicidal feelings, panic attacks, traumatic events, acute psychosis with possible threat of violence, and drug overdose. For more information visit Mental Health First Aid.

Poverty

  The OFBCI is coordinating a statewide campaign to increase understanding of generational poverty, and to address the hidden barriers to success. The campaign includes education for social service and other providers, as well as assistance to communities who wish to make this a local focus.  

Prisoner Reentry

  In cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, the OFBCI assists in the coordination of reentry services through participation in the Oklahoma Partnership for Successful Reentry, Inc., and the provision of educational and networking forums entitled Prisoner Reentry Initiatives.