Modeled after the successful partnership Read OKC, the Embrace OKC initiative for our students is focused on mental health. The OKC Public Schools Compact is a collective impact model whose partners are the Oklahoma City Public Schools, the Oklahoma City Chamber, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, the United Way of Central Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health,  and the City of Oklahoma City to support improvements identified by the Oklahoma City Public Schools. 

The collaborative Embrace OKC initiative brings together the resources of OKCPS and the larger community to embrace mental health as preventable and treatable, to provide education to help protect children’s mental health for life, to achieve maximum social and emotional wellbeing for children and their families and to hold the school and community as a sanctuary of safety and support. In order to support these goals, students in selected grade levels will participate in evidence-based educational opportunities, such as Second Step, PAX Good Behavior Game (PAX GBG), Botvin LifeSkills, AlcoholEdu, etc.,  to support healthy social and emotional growth and participate in universal screenings to determine needs for additional school and classroom supports.

The school counseling program is staffed with School Counselors who are highly-educated, professionally-certified individuals that help students succeed in school and plan for their careers. School Counselors deliver programs that impact student growth in three areas: academic achievement, career planning, and personal/social development. OKCPS school counseling programs are designed to maximize student success while promoting access and equity for all students.

School Counselors help all students to:

• Apply academic achievement strategies 

• Manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills  

• Plan for postsecondary options (higher education, military, workforce) 

• Deal with issues interfering with student academic success (attendance, grades, etc.)

Families in need of additional information or assistance should contact the School Counselor or Principal of the child’s school. Students are encouraged to visit their School Counselor when they need assistance or just need to talk.

English Learner students and their parents/guardians are provided with appropriate programs, instruction, and opportunities to attend schools and programs staffed with highly qualified, specially trained professionals. A variety of resources and programs are available to limited English speaking students: 

• English Learner Pull-Out Instruction: Skill-focused individual and/or small group English language instruction.

• Bilingual Paraprofessional Support: Content area support with a bilingual paraprofessional who speaks the student’s native language. 

• Newcomer Centers are available for secondary students with little exposure to English. 

• Sheltered Instruction Classes:  Content area teachers modify instruction for comprehension. 

Additional information is available by contacting English Learner Services at 405-587-0172. 

(405) 587- 0355 

The Native American Student Services (NASS) department works to promote and support the academic success and cultural heritage of Native American students in the district. This includes providing resources and support to students and families, collaborating with tribal communities, and incorporating Native American culture and history into the curriculum.  NASS advocates for and provides services to Native American students and families who attend OKC public schools.  NASS strives to provide support to meet the unique needs of Native American students in an urban setting. 

Native American Student Services has 3 areas of focus:

• Increase knowledge of cultural identity and awareness

• Increase academic achievement

• Increase support for at-risk students

Native American Student Services is funded by two federal grants.  The first grant is the Title VI (Title VI) Indian Education Grant from the Office of Indian Education out of the US Department of Education.  The second grant is the Johnson O’Malley (JOM) grant out of the Bureau of Indian Education from the US Department of Interior.  Both grants promote and fund academics, culture, and social-emotional programming and activities.   

To qualify for NASS services, students must have the appropriate documentation on file in the NASS office. To see a complete list of services and programs provided by NASS, please go to their website.  

To receive more information about NASS services, please call 405-587-0355 or email nativeamericanservices@okcps.org

(405) 587-1448

Students who have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities to the detriment of their educational success and who are not being served on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may qualify for a 504 Plan. 

• Homebound Services are available for students being treated by a physician for physical, mental, or emotional issues that restrict their abilities to attend the regular school day. Core instruction is provided to support students’ educational progress. Homebound Services are facilitated by different persons depending upon whether or not the student receives special education services.

• For Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), call (405) 587-0167. 

• For all other students, call (405) 587-1448 or email fdjenkins@okcps.org