Priorities:

The OFBCI has selected several areas of significant need to promote intentional involvement by faith and community organizations. OFBCI activities in these priority areas include:

• Emergency Preparedness — Through partnerships with the Red Cross, United Way and Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security, foster awareness in faith congregations about potential hazards and encourage development of family, organizational and community emergency plans. Potential disasters in Oklahoma range from severe weather (thunderstorms, tornadoes and floods) to hazardous materials incidents and terrorist attacks.
   
• Food and Nutrition Programs — Together with the Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services,  address hunger issues in Oklahoma by providing information and training to faith-based entities about the opportunity to explore practical solutions through private, state and federal resources for the provision of food and nutrition education programs.
   
• Foster Care — Inform, motivate, and enlist the faith community in addressing the many needs and issues facing foster care children and families in Oklahoma.
   
• Free Medical Clinics — Support the organization, opening and networking of free medical clinics throughout the state with an emphasis on rural Oklahoma.
   
• Information Resource — Prepare non-profit organizations for making funding requests to government agencies and state charitable foundations by providing training in business plan creation, community partnerships, and grant writing.
   
• Prisoner Reentry — In cooperation with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, assist in the networking and coordination of re-entry services through participation in the Oklahoma Partnership for Successful Reentry, Inc., and other re-entry initiatives; and act as administering agent for House Bill 2101's Reintegration of Inmates Revolving Fund for future grants to volunteer organizations that provide health, educational or vocational training, or other programs that assist in re-entry efforts.
   
• 2-1-1 — Ensure faith community representation in this referral helpline for Oklahomans needing access to health and human services information and promote expansion of the helpline to all regions of the state. See www.211oklahoma.org for additional information.
   
• Substance Abuse — Promote partnerships between faith, community and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for care coordination and recovery support services.