National Resource Center for Youth Services: Oklahoma Successful Adulthood Program

This network amplifies the voices and share the experiences of youth in the system with other young people and professionals by consulting, mentoring, and networking. It is a platform for youth in and out of care to build connections with others who have faced similar circumstances and share resources with each other.

This network advocates for youth with lived experiences in foster care and their communities to create a better future for those still in care. Members learn how to educate decision makers and to work collaboratively with them to improve state and local child welfare systems. This important work directly affects the lives of other youth in foster care.

This network builds leadership skills of current and former youth in foster care by providing them with opportunities for leadership roles that builds a greater sense of belonging and ownership over the causes that affect the lives of foster youth.

This network is a group of young people with lived experience in the foster care system. You will have opportunities to provide feedback and recommendations to improve the foster care system across the state.

OKSA provides professional development opportunities through hands-on experiences like facilitating activities, helping develop curriculum, working directly with young people, and leading meetings. Leaders may also participate in professional advocacy opportunities and build skills through public speaking and representing the voices of young people with lived experience.

No. You do not need professional experience or formal training. Your lived experience and perspective as a young person are what matter most! During our onboarding, OKSA staff will give you guidance and support in how you can participate in a way that feels safe to you.

That's okay. Many people feel nervous at first. OKSA activities are facilitated to be respectful and supportive, and no one is required to speak publicly if they are not comfortable doing so. Public speaking opportunities may be available, but they are optional.

No one is required to share anything they are not comfortable sharing. In fact, we have many OKSA lived experts that advocate without ever sharing their personal experiences. There are a variety of ways to use your lived experience to advocate without sharing personal stories. You will receive training from OKSA on how to share in a way that feels safe for you.

Activities may be held virtually, in person, or in a hybrid format, depending on the activity. Details will be shared with members in advance.

Yes! OKSA members are paid $10-$40 per hour, depending on the activity, subject to available funding, through OKSA's payment process.

Payment is processed after participation in meetings or activities. Payment is processed through OKSA's standard payment process. While timelines can vary, payments may take up to 45 days after participation. OKSA will share payment timelines during onboarding and provide support if any questions arise.

Compensation may be considered taxable income. OKSA will provide general information during onboarding, but members are encouraged to consult a trusted adult or tax professional if they have questions.

Continued participation is always voluntary. We know life happens. Some of our members are really active and then have to take a break for several months before accepting another opportunity. OKSA staff are here to support you and discuss what will work best for you!

Members receive orientation training, and support throughout their participation. OKSA staff are available to answer questions and help ensure a positive, meaningful experience.

OKSA is committed to accessibility. Accommodation and support can be requested during the application or at any time during participation.

You can apply by clicking the link below. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

OKSA Lived Expert Application

Please email us at OKSAevents@ou.edu and we will set up a time to talk!

OKSA's lived experience panels allow your organization to have a facilitated conversation with the OKSA Lived Expert Network to support work in the areas of child welfare, social work, adoption, and more.

Do you need help with how to better engage with young people? OKSA's Lived Expert Network can provide trainings to your organization in the areas of authentic youth engagement, relationship building and youth advisory boards.

Focus groups allow your agency to receive feedback from OKSA's Lived Expert Network around a topic that you would like to garner the insight of individuals with lived experience. Topics may include but are not limited to: policies and best practices, ensuring youth voice, youth advisory boards, etc.

Consultation allows the OKSA Lived Expert Network to share their opinions and inform decision making for your programs and activities directly impacting other young people.

Are you ready to partner with OKSA’s Lived Expert Network? Click below to fill out a simple form and an OKSA team member will be in touch.

Find Out More

Every story is unique and should be honored, guarded, and respected. Presenting With Purpose is an opportunity for you to build presentation skills while increasing professionalism at the same time.

Have you ever found yourself wanting to share about your life experiences or even in the middle of sharing and thought "I don't know that I wanted to share that with them" or "I would love to use my experiences to improve the lives of youth in care" then this training is for you! In this training you will identify ways you can use your story to make a difference, develop a strategic plan to prepare and present your story in an intentional way and practice strategic sharing and telling the group your story.

When trained in Presenting With Purpose your possibilities are endless. You can use your newfound skills to:

• Speak on panels with audiences of judges, attorneys, CASA staff, case workers, current and potential foster parents, students studying to become caseworkers, youth currently in care, legislators and the list goes on.
• Increase your professionalism and public speaking skills
• Learn to facilitate and moderate panels
• Take your story national

Follow this link and register to the training you would be interested in attending.

Find Out More