New Push Calls For Human Services Support In Oklahoma Schools

Child advocacy leaders say there is a critical need inside Oklahoma schools. There is a growing program in Oklahoma helping families stay together.

“With school approaching we know there are a lot of struggles that families face,” said Joe Dorman, chief executive officer of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. 

When families face financial stress, survival becomes the only priority for families.

“They’re struggling trying to make ends meet and just keep food on the table and keep the lights on,” Dorman said. 

Children are caught in the crossfire.

“We’re seeing an increase in mental health issues,” Dorman said. “Oklahoma’s one of the worst states in the nation as far as the uninsured rate with children.”

Many struggling families are unaware of the resources available to them. 

“The individuals a lot of times are not even aware at times how to even apply for these things,” Dorman said.

Child well-being is becoming a priority for Oklahoma communities. News 9 highlighted an OU grant program in May that’s training teachers to become behavioral analysts.

A new program is growing through the Department of Human Services to help families. The goal is to place social workers inside schools. The Tahlequah School District is doing that right now.  

“They, in my opinion, are the model for this,” Dorman said. 

Schools can hire School-Based Specialists, with a mix of local school, state, and grant money. 

“It benefits right away,” Dorman said. “That’s the beautiful part of this program.”  

Dorman said Tahlequah Schools found more ways to help.  

“They’ve also created a food pantry,” Dorman said. "They’ve created a clothes pantry.”  

These social workers even helped a family apply for a driver’s license.  

“They help the parents find jobs; they help them become more stable and provide a more stable life for those families,” Dorman said.

Dorman said facing problems early helps families focus on what is important.   

“So, the kids are able to stay with their parents,” Dorman said. 

Dorman hopes lawmakers will prioritize funding in future budgets to expand the program to more schools.