EMPOWERing EDUCATION

What is EMPOWER?

EMPOWER is OLFC’s Education Guardian Ad Litem Program. We connect students in foster care and juvenile custody with trained volunteer advocates who help protect their right to a stable, supportive education.

When children move schools, lose services, or face barriers to learning, our Advocates step in to ensure no child falls through the cracks. We work closely with caregivers, caseworkers, and schools to help students stay on track and feel supported.

Our goal is to restore consistency, open doors to opportunity, and ensure every child’s voice is heard—no matter their circumstances.

We believe education is not just a right, but a path to healing, confidence, and future success.

If you would like to serve as an EMPOWER Advocate or have any questions, please contact Kailey Griffee, Education Success Coordinator, at kailey.griffee@olfc.org.

What is an educational guardian ad litem?

An Educational Guardian ad Litem (Ed GAL) is a trained volunteer, appointed and sworn in by a judge, to advocate for a child’s educational best interests in juvenile court.

Ed GALs help ensure that children—especially those experiencing foster care, placement changes, or other disruptions—receive the educational services and support they are entitled to by law.

They investigate the child’s educational situation, review records, attend school meetings, and provide fact-based recommendations to the court. In many cases, Ed GALs also become a consistent and trusted presence during a time of significant change in a child’s life.

Through OLFC’s EMPOWER Program, Ed GALs are called EMPOWER Advocates—and they play a key role in bridging gaps between school systems and legal systems, helping children stay connected, supported, and on track.

The Advocacy They Deserve

EMPOWER Advocates are trained volunteers appointed by the court to support students in foster care and juvenile custody. They help children navigate school challenges and protect their educational rights.

Every EMPOWER Advocate strives to ADVOCATE:

A – Academic Support
Ensuring students receive the tools they need to learn and grow.

D – Development
Encouraging progress through mentorship and consistency.

V – Voice
Making sure each child is heard in school decisions.

O – Opportunity
Opening doors to services and accommodations.

C – Care
Offering trauma-informed, steady support.

A – Advocacy
Upholding legal education rights like IEPs and 504 Plans.

T – Trust
Building safe, reliable relationships with students.

E – Engagement
Collaborating with families, schools, and case teams.

OLFC's EMPOWER Program is made possible through the generosity of our funding partners:

  • Oklahoma Bar Foundation
  • OCCF Kirschner Trusts
  • Kirkpatrick Foundation
  • E.L. & Thelma Gaylord Foundation
  • OG&E Foundation

and our many generous donors who believe in educational equity for all students.