The Office of Child Abuse Prevention

Mission

The Office of Child Abuse Prevention’s (OCAP) mission is to promote health and safety to children and families by reducing child abuse and neglect through the funding of direct services; the training of professionals that work in the child abuse prevention and protection arenas; and conducting activities that educate the public about child maltreatment and enhance the infrastructure that supports prevention efforts.

History

The Office of Child Abuse Prevention was created in 1984 by the Oklahoma Child Abuse Prevention Act.  Prior to 1984, the focus of child abuse and neglect efforts was on "after-the- fact" intervention, preventing the recurrence of child abuse and neglect. The Act declared that the prevention of child abuse and neglect was a priority in Oklahoma. In accordance with the Act, the Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) was created and placed within the Oklahoma State Department of Health to emphasize the focus on prevention. The Office provides primary (statewide promotion of child abuse prevention), secondary (community-based family resource and support programs), and tertiary (training professionals on the identification and reporting of child maltreatment) prevention services.

The intent of the Child Abuse Prevention Act is…
•  that a comprehensive approach for the prevention of child abuse and neglect be developed for the state and used as a basis of funding of programs and services;
•  that multidisciplinary and discipline-specific training on child abuse and neglect and domestic violence be available to professionals with responsibilities affecting children, youth, and families; and
•  that the Office of Child Abuse Prevention within the Oklahoma State Department of Health establish a comprehensive statewide approach towards the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Outcomes

The Office of Child Abuse Prevention Publications

Legislation

Title 63, O.S. Supp. 2001, Section 1-227.
 

Contact Information:
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73117-1299
Phone: 405-271-7611
Fax: 405-271-1011