ADVOCACY
VOTER RESOURCESThe OTPC provides guidance and receives feedback from community partnerships on state policy issues that impact health improvement efforts. This is achieved through the development of recommendations on state policy changes and by collaborating with other organizations in taking action on policy issues. OTPC sponsors community informational forums to educate and advocate for its policy objectives; and sponsors an annual Policy Day to further engage the community in education and advocacy efforts.
OTPC PRIMARY POLICY OBJECTIVES 2023-2024
1. Reducing Health Disparities & Addressing SDOH:
Educate the public and advocate for the implementation of programs and policies to reduce health disparities by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), including eliminating racism and all forms of discrimination; improve access to health care, including mental health, reproductive health, and substance use treatment; and promote best practices for response to emerging public health crises.
Resources:
2. Preventing & Addressing ACES:
Educate the public and advocate for programs and policies to reduce adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and trauma; and promote the principles of trauma-informed care, resilience, healing, and hope; support implementation of relational strategies, including Handle With Care OK.
Resources:
- Interim_Study_on_Adverse_Childhood_Experiences_-_David_E._Bard_OUHSC
- Oklahoma Family Network Hope Rising Presentation with Dr. Chan Hellman (March 2020)
- Addressing the Challenges of Poverty National Conference Opening Session Sept. 21, 2020
- The Science of ACEs and Toxic Stress Presented California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris June 2, 2021 Webinar
- House Bill 2513- Handle with Care OK
3. Harm Reduction & Reducing Tobacco/Vapor Use:
Educate the public and advocate for high-impact state and local policies to keep young people from starting to use tobacco, marijuana, and vapor products; encourage those who use it to quit; protect all Oklahomans from toxic secondhand smoke; and modernize state laws to support 100% tobacco smoke free environments.
Resources:
OTPC POLICY COMMITTEE
The OTPC Policy Committee meets the second Thursday of the month from 3:00 pm to 4 pm via Zoom . The meetings are open to the public.
For more information about the OTPC Policy Committee, please contact 2023 Policy Co-Chairs Ryan Kilpatrick, Lorri Essary,
