OKCPS To Extend Student Support Resources Past COVID-19 Pandemic

Oklahoma City Public Schools has a new program to support students and families with a broad range of challenges at home. 

Programs that were developed during the pandemic are here to stay, as administrators took a new approach to long standing issues. 

“What we saw students really struggling with were utilities and eviction,” said Marsha Herron, Chief of Equity and Student Support at OKCPS. 

Food and housing insecurities among the OKCPS student body meant that kids had trouble connecting to their classes and getting a meal during COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Now, all types of resources for families are just a call away.

The school district facilitates an intake system to identify family needs and connect people with a wide range of support. From counseling to rent assistance to food bank programs, OKCPS Family Connect is a one stop shop for anything a family might need. 

“We have partnered with more resources than you can shake a stick at. If any family has a need, we’re here to fill that need,” said Herron. 

Families can call 405-587-FEEL (3335) to get connected. 

A full list of support and programs is available here.

“We’re trying to reestablish trust in Oklahoma City Public Schools, that’s really important to us. So, the only way to do that is dive in and get really personal,” said Herron. 

Teams of social workers, counselors and staff sought out students in fall of 2019 as kids that couldn’t come to class got disconnected from the internet, and their school support system. 

“The directive was, you touch them at least twice because we’re getting ready for Christmas break and I need to know that people are served,” said Herron. 

Out of this outreach effort, a new program was born: Routes to Resources. 

“This was really our way of thinking about how do we provide resources with our families right where they are,” she said. 

OKCPS will also continue to offer 100% online learning for students who thrived at home during the pandemic. 

If your child is registering for 100% online learning next year, you can also complete that now on the OKCPS website.