OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — While Gov. Kevin Stitt says Oklahoma is benefiting from its pro-family policies, some at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) say there’s room for improvement.

CEO Joe Dorman tells Fox 25 it will take a team effort between the state and the nonprofits. He has the data to back up the claim.

“With the results of our childhood, Oklahoma is really suffering,” Dorman said. “We can’t have a ‘mission accomplished’ banner hanging on this. We have a long way to go to ensure children get the support they need.”

Dorman says Oklahoma is one of the top ten states when it comes to children adverse childhood experiences. This means that children have experienced things like abuse, neglect, or family members who are incarcerated.

“When you look at multiple factors, Oklahoma is usually three or four out of 10, we’re number one in the nation.”

From this year The Children Count survey ranked Oklahoma 46th in overall child well-being, 49th in education and 45th in health, among other categories.

“Oklahoma is consistently ranked up there in the top 40, and that’s something we have to address.”

Dorman says the Sooner State needs a team effort to turn that around, starting with lawmakers making sure resources are available.

“The services that were provided by the government can’t come in and say, ‘We’re cutting these services and transferring the money to nonprofits.’ There we will see the children falling into an even worse situation”.

Although donations are down this year, Dorman says nonprofits can do their part.

“I do the work I can do, rethinking a lot of it, because I’m really closer to the people.”

He believes companies can help, too.

“Corporations and businesses really need to provide the support they can because these are their employees.”

OICA will have one Fall Forum Conferenceon November 19-21, where they will discuss what policies should be considered in the next legislative session.