Announcement from the OKLAHOMA FAMILY RIGHTS COALITION

OKLAHOMA FAMILY RIGHTS

COALITION

“For our Children…For our Families” www.okfrc.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oklahoma Family Rights Coalition to host Community Meeting in Rogers County Meeting to discuss Initiative Petition to overhaul OKDHS Claremore, OK —A community meeting intended to inform the residents of Rogers County about State Question 749 is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2009 at Lynn Riggs Gazebo Park, Weenonah & Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, Oklahoma. The meeting will be from 10:00am to 1:30pm and is open to the public. SQ 749 is an initiative petition being circulated by members of the Oklahoma Family Rights Coalition. The petition seeks to overhaul the current Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Welfare system. A Legislative Performance Review of the Department of Human Services dated February 25, 2009 states that Oklahoma is taking children into custody at twice the National average. The proponents of SQ749 suggest that by establishing clear definitions of “the best interests of the child” and “imminent danger”, as well as establishing criminal and civil penalties for denying visitation for non custodial parents, and making false abuse and neglect allegations, the number of children unnecessarily removed from their families will be reduced and therefore lower the number of children in state custody. Copies of the initiative petition to place SQ 749 on the next election ballot as well as information about the Oklahoma Family Rights Coalition will be available for review. The OKFRC is a statewide grassroots organization whose mission is to “re-establish the ideals of community unity, family sanctity, and leadership accountability in the state of Oklahoma. Through the establishment of clear and fair legislation, civil justice, and non-invasive family and community services, the OKFRC works to ensure that every citizen, regardless of gender or age, continues to enjoy the liberties afforded them by the laws and Constitution of our State and Nation.” Contact: Clarence Cooper, President and Chairman, 405-253-5507 clcooper@sq745.org Maria Moore, Planning Chair, 405-677-7328, mmoore@sq745.org William Moore, Media Relations, 918-627-2784, wmmoore@sq745.org