The Oklahoma Bar Journal May 2025

B ar F oundation N ews

Connection Crates: A Collaborative Effort By OBF Grantees

C HILDREN IN THE FOSTER care system often face emo tional and psychological chal lenges due to family separation. Recognizing this, two Oklahoma Bar Foundation grantees have come together to create a compas sionate solution. Tulsa Lawyers for Children, a dedicated nonprofit advocating for children in the foster care system, has launched an innovative program called Connection Crates in partnership with The Parent Child Center of Tulsa Safe Babies. Connection Crates are thought fully designed to help children in out-of-home placements maintain a meaningful connection with their biological parents, particularly in situations where frequent visitation is not possible. The crates include personalized items – such as heart beat recordings, voice messages and sensory objects – that provide comfort and a sense of continuity for children navigating the chal lenges of family separation. By bridging the emotional gap between parents and children, Connection Crates offer a sense of security and reassurance. Each crate serves as a tangible reminder of a parent’s love, reducing trauma and supporting the child’s emo tional well-being. Kalan Chapman Lloyd, executive director of Tulsa Lawyers for Children,

Children’s commitment to advo cating for children’s best interests and supporting family connections during difficult transitions. Through their partnership, these organizations address the emotional needs of children while reinforcing the role of parents in

emphasized the importance of maintaining the parent-child bond. “My hope is that these children associate with this warmth and goodness from their parents that they don’t necessarily have access to on a daily basis.” The heartfelt initiative reflects Tulsa Lawyers for

Tulsa Lawyers for Children Executive Director Kalan Chapman Lloyd showcases a Connection Crate, a heartfelt initiative designed to help foster children maintain bonds with their biological parents.

76 | MAY 2025

THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL