The Oklahoma Department of Human Services sends this information a posted below:
OKLAHOMA CITY (Jan. 29, 2025) – Across the state and year-round, Oklahoma Human Services’ school-based specialists are embedded in school districts, quietly working behind the scenes to support students and families who may be struggling and are in need of resources. Whether they help families secure food benefits, health insurance, utility bill assistance, mental health services, clothing, or shelter, school-based specialists prioritize removing out-of-classroom barriers that might affect in-classroom learning.
Fifty Oklahoma school districts recently welcomed school based-specialists to their schools, bringing the total number of districts in the state that participate in the agency’s school-based services program to 78 and the total number of specialists to 126. A complete list of schools that partner with Oklahoma Human Services to provide these critical student advocates can be found on our website.
“Our primary objective is to ensure the children in our schools have what they need at home to succeed in life and in school,” said Monica Brumnett, Oklahoma Human Services School Based Services program administrator. “Multiple studies have shown that what our school-based specialists are doing is working. These students and the schools they attend benefit greatly due to this program.”
Schools that have a school-based specialist on staff report lower absenteeism and higher academic performance overall when compared to schools that do not participate in the program.
“Wagoner Public Schools have maintained an exceptional partnership with Oklahoma Human Services for school-based specialists for almost two decades,” said Ginger Luna, Wagoner High School Senior Counselor. “Our students receive essential support from a knowledgeable, compassionate, highly trained professional through this program. We are a Title I school and depend upon our school-based specialist to assist our students in meeting their basic needs.”
Oklahoma Human Services is hoping to add to the nearly 80 school districts that currently have a school-based specialist to increase positive outcomes for students. For more information about Oklahoma Human Services’ School Based Services program visit our Program Overview webpage or fill out the Interest Form to apply for a school-based family specialist.
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