Program Description:
The O.K. Program was started by Donald Northcross in Rancho Cordova, California, in 1990, when he was a Sacramento County Sheriff’s Deputy.   The primary goal of the O.K. Program is to address the high rates of incarceration and homicide of young African American males.  The program focuses on helping the young men develop both socially and academically.  It also helps them to develop their leadership and critical thinking skills.  The O.K. Program recruit and train responsible African American adult males, that the young men can relate to and identify with, to serve as positive role models for their younger counterparts. 

Officer Northcross understands that local African American Community members (including the churches, fraternities and other organizations) must lead the way in addressing the African American male crisis in the Black Community; however, he also understands that police agencies have an important role to play in support of this community effort.  With that in mind, local police agencies partner with African American communities around the nation, by assigning African American police officers to work with local O.K. Program affiliates.  The officers receive their training at the National O.K. Program Headquarters located at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

The key to the program is the strong relationship between the mentees, the mentors and the officers.  This relationship is developed through quality time spent together in group mentoring sessions, group field trips and unwavering support of the young men in the program. 

The O.K. Program has countless testimonials from youth who have gone through the program and on to post-secondary education and productive careers. The Program is spreading across the country and is of special interest to schools and police agencies throughout the nation.  To be an Affiliate of the O.K. Program, please contact the National O.K. Program Headquarters. There are no franchise fees, training fees or annual dues associated with being an affiliate; however, The referring agent must provide for travel expenses associated with training and program evaluation.

Donald Northcross, Founder/CEO
O.K. Program
Arkansas Baptist College
1621 Dr. Martin  Luther King Drive
Little Rock, AR.
Tel: 501-370-4000

Email: dnorthx@aol.com
Website: www.okprogram.org

   Grade                      Middle thru High School  
   Gender                    M        
   Ethnicity                 African American 

Target Setting:

 School & Community 

Key Outcomes:

·        Community organization and empowerment

·        Increase in school attendance

·        Increase in school performance

·        Increase in graduation rate

·        Reduction in homicide rate

·        Reduction in incarceration rate

·        Reduction in violence

·        Reduction in crimes

·        Reduction in drug use 

Key Program Strategies:

·        Mentoring

·        Weekly group sessions/activities

·        Ongoing school performance monitoring

·        Local police officer involvement as coordinator

·        Mentor training

·        Partnership with school 

Cost Estimates:

·        Police Officer assigned to coordinate program

·        Travel Expenses for Program Coordinator for one week of training in Little Rock, Arkansas

·        No affiliate or training costs 

Resources Needed:

·        Meeting space at school site for after school study hall once a week

·        Meeting space at school site for Saturday group sessions during the school year

·        Weekly snacks & activities for mentees and mentors 

Time required of mentors:

·        One weekly phone call to mentee

·        Attend at least three Saturday group sessions per year (10:00am until 2:00pm)

·        Attend at least one field trip per year