Local Organization Seeks To Fill The Need For Child Advocacy Centers In Oklahoma

If you travel any further west than Canadian County and any further north of Garfield, you will not find a children's advocacy center.

The forensic interviewers on a local organization work with children ages 3 to 17 who have experienced a variety of mistreatment.

The organization, called Oklahoma Interviewing Services, Inc., uses an RV they call “Joey” that they drive across the state whenever a child needs them.

A team of three interviewers travel the state where help is needed. One of the interviewers is bilingual.

Vicki Boan, a forensic interviewer and trainer with Oklahoma Interviewing Services, said the vehicle has all of the resources the child needs to share their story.

This comes from toys to snacks and dolls that can help them explain their trauma to investigators.

Their goal is to be as inclusive as possible.

"In our interviews, we want to be age appropriate, developmentally appropriate as well as culturally sensitive," Boan said.

The RV creates an environment where kids feel safe to share their testimony.

The vehicle, though necessary, is not cheap to run. The grants the forensic organization receives have been cut, so they are relying on the community for help.

The organization is hosting a golf tournament June 6 at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club in Blanchard.

You can read more on the event below.