In our fifth episode, we are speaking with attorneys Michael Figgins and Ron Baze about OKDHS’ family representation contract with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma.

Michael Figgins has spent 33 years in practice as an attorney providing legal services to vulnerable populations, and has been the Executive Director of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma since March, 2012. In this role, he is responsible for developing staff, program and community resources.

Ron Baze has been practicing law for over 20 years and serves as the OKDHS General Counsel, supervising all day to day activities within the OKDHS Legal Division. This division’s primary mission is to serve as in-house counsel and legal representation for Oklahoma’s largest state agency.

The family representation contract helps individuals engaged with the child welfare system by providing support with legal matters that ultimately affect the safety of children. This contract helps families navigate difficult legal circumstances with the goal of safely preventing the need for children to come into state custody, or, if they are already in custody, help families work through any legal issues to reunify more quickly.

We hope you’ll continue to join us on this podcast where we’ll explore topics that affect and uplift Oklahomans. Don't forget to like this episode and subscribe, so you'll know when each new episode drops! If you’d like to learn more about Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, or to access services, visit legalaidok.org. To raise your hand to suggest even more ways we can work “upstream” to support preventative services for Oklahomans, visit ourOKDHS.org.