Teen Parent Program
The Teen Parent Program is a voluntary, confidential program designed to support pregnant or parenting OKCPS students, and provides reproductive health education to all students. The Teen Parent Program strives to improve and maintain the health of students and their children, prevent subsequent pregnancies, improve parent and family engagement, increase child enrollment in high-quality early learning centers, and to improve attendance and graduation rates to prepare students for higher education or the workforce.
The Teen Parent Program consists of two Teen Parent Coordinators who meet with the students to assess their needs, and to provide resources and support throughout their academic journey to graduation.
Students may also request information on contraception, sexually transmitted infections, practices for safer sex, healthy relationships, intimate partner violence, and other related topics. In partnership with Variety Care, the program also offers help with referrals and access to health care, parenting programs, and other community resources.
Contact your Teen Parent Coordinator for assistance or information.
North Middle & High Schools:
Akesha Nash
Office (405) 587-0091, Cell (405) 658-2783
South Middle & High Schools:
Rebekah Thomas
Office (405) 587-0420, Cell (405) 205-1399
Policy and Procedure
Maternity Leave
Students who are pregnant and deliver during the school year are provided six weeks of maternity leave. During the six-week period, the students are assigned to Homebound Maternity status and will receive assignments from their core classes. Elective classes will freeze students’ grades while they are on maternity leave. Students or their families should contact their assigned Teen Parent Program Coordinator at the time of birth. The coordinator will complete the accommodations and provide students with their return to school dates, along with support or other resources needed during that time.
Paternity Leave
Paternity leave is provided for OKCPS students becoming fathers who wish to attend the births of their children. Prospective fathers contact their OKCPS Teen Parent Program Coordinator for paternity leave approval. Paternity leave begins the day of the child’s birth and extends up to four subsequent school days. The coordinators will advise students of their return dates and responsibilities regarding missed school work. Paternity leave will only be granted to biological fathers. No two students will be granted paternity leave for the same child.
Lactation Procedure
Lactating students will be provided a reasonable accommodation on the school campus to express breast milk and related needs. Students will be allowed to bring a breast pump or other needed equipment to school. A lactating student will be provided with up to 30 minutes, twice daily to express breast milk. Additional time may be granted on a case-by-case basis. Lactating students should contact their assigned Teen Parent Program Coordinator on or before returning to school to discuss their lactation plans.
Childcare
Emerson North's Little Wonders and US Grant's Little Generals are child development centers located on both campuses. Emerson North and US Grant offer parenting students the unique opportunity to attend school with child care services on the same campus. Both centers operate in collaboration with Early Head Start grant funding provided by Sunbeam Family Services.
For more information, contact:
Emerson Little Wonders
(405) 587-7927
715 N. Walker Ave, OKC
US Grant’s Little Generals
(405) 587-2290
5016 S Penn Ave, OKC