GOING THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM. YEAH EVAN, WE KNOW HOW TOUGH IT CAN BE FOR KIDS IN THE COURTROOM SETTING. THAT’S WHY THIS ROOM WAS DESIGNED TO BE A SAFE SPACE. THREE, TWO. ONE. ALL RIGHT. FROM BOOKS TO TOYS AND CALMING MACHINES. OKLAHOMA COUNTY UNVEILED THE CHILDREN’S ROOM MONDAY. THE IDEA IS YOU WALK INTO THIS ROOM AND YOU KIND OF FORGET WHAT. BUILDING YOU’RE IN SO THAT YOU CAN RELAX. I THINK HAVING A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN COME IN AND THEY CAN HOPEFULLY FEEL CALM, SAFE AND SUPPORTED WHILE THEY’RE HERE DEALING WITH STRESSFUL SITUATIONS. THOSE STRESSFUL SITUATIONS IN A COURTROOM SETTING. THE CHILDREN’S ROOM IS FOR KIDS GOING THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, DISTRICT JUDGE CAITLIN ALLEN SAYS. THOUSANDS OF KIDS GO THROUGH THAT SYSTEM EACH YEAR, AND THIS IS JUST A SMALL WAY TO MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE. COURTS ARE SCARY PLACES, EVEN FOR ADULTS, SO IF WE CAN HAVE A ROOM THAT IS KID FRIENDLY, CAN KID FOCUSED. THAT JUST ALLOWS THEM TO SEE COURT? DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SCARY. I BELIEVE IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE REFLECT OUR CARE AND CONCERN FOR KIDS BY BEING INTENTIONAL. CREATING SPACES LIKE THIS. ROOM WAS FUNDED THROUGH A GRANT TO THE COUNTY. REPORTING LI
Oklahoma County unveils comforting space for children going through court system
Oklahoma County has introduced The Children’s Room, a safe space designed to support children navigating the court system.
Updated: 5:22 PM CDT Jul 21, 2025
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Oklahoma County has unveiled The Children’s Room, a new space designed to provide comfort and support for children going through the court system. >> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelThe welcoming space features books, toys and calming machines.”The idea is you walk in this room and forget what building you’re in, so you can relax,” District Judge Kaitlyn Allen said. She said thousands of children come through the system each year, and this initiative is a small way to make them feel safe. “Courts are scary places, even for adults, so if we can have a room that is kid-friendly, kid-focused, that just allows them to see court doesn’t have to be scary,” Allen said.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Mark James, assistant director of the Oklahoma Commission of Children & Youth, shared his thoughts on the significance of the space. “I think having a space where they can come in, and they can hopefully feel calm, safe and supported while they’re here, dealing with stressful situations,” James said. “I believe it’s important we reflect our concern and care for kids by being intentional, creating spaces like this.”The room was funded by a grant to the county. Top Headlines Malcolm-Jamal Warner, actor who starred as Theo in ‘The Cosby Show,’ dead at 54 OSBI identifies slain woman and a suspect involved in standoff at Bethany apartment OKCFD: 12 people get to safety after fire sparks at southwest Oklahoma City home ‘Superman’ flexes its might in second weekend with $57.3 million Witnesses rescue man who went underwater over weekend at Lake Texoma, OHP says
Oklahoma County has unveiled The Children’s Room, a new space designed to provide comfort and support for children going through the court system.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
The welcoming space features books, toys and calming machines.
“The idea is you walk in this room and forget what building you’re in, so you can relax,” District Judge Kaitlyn Allen said.
She said thousands of children come through the system each year, and this initiative is a small way to make them feel safe.
“Courts are scary places, even for adults, so if we can have a room that is kid-friendly, kid-focused, that just allows them to see court doesn’t have to be scary,” Allen said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Mark James, assistant director of the Oklahoma Commission of Children & Youth, shared his thoughts on the significance of the space.
“I think having a space where they can come in, and they can hopefully feel calm, safe and supported while they’re here, dealing with stressful situations,” James said. “I believe it’s important we reflect our concern and care for kids by being intentional, creating spaces like this.”
The room was funded by a grant to the county.
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