Shortage of mental health professionals in rural Oklahoma schools
MONDAY. AND KEEPING WITH OKLAHOMA EDUCATION, THERE’S A SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL…
MONDAY. AND KEEPING WITH OKLAHOMA EDUCATION, THERE’S A SHORTAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN RURAL SCHOOLS. AND NOW A MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS GRANT IS TRYING TO FIX THAT. OUR KOCO IS EVAN ONSTOT JOINING US HERE IN STUDIO SEVEN. RESEARCHERS FROM OH, YOU ARE LEADING THIS PUSH AND THEY’VE GOT A PLAN. THEY WANT TO TRAIN 64 BEHAVIORAL ANALYSTS, COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS THAT WILL WORK WITH AND INSIDE SCHOOLS IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE. AND THE IDEA HERE IS THAT NOT ONLY CAN THIS LEAD TO HAPPIER, HEALTHIER STUDENTS AND TEACHERS, BUT BETTER ACADEMIC RESULTS AS WELL. A RECENT REPORT LISTED OKLAHOMA’S RURAL SCHOOLS AS HAVING THE FOURTH HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL NEED IN THE U.S. THIS PROJECT WILL INJECT 5.6 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANT MONEY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS INTO COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE SCHOOLS OSU AND DOZENS OF NONPROFITS. AND SO WE HAVE TEACHERS. WE HAVE PARAPROFESSIONALS, WE HAVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT RETURNING TO SCHOOL. AND THEY IN TURN FOR RECEIVING THE SUPPORT AND FUNDING AGREED TO SERVE HIGH NEEDS SCHOOLS IN A RURAL AREAS. LEAD RESEARCHER BRITTANY HUNT SAYS THE PROGRAM TAKES ADVANTAGE OF WHAT A RURAL SCHOOL’S BIGGEST STRENGTHS. AND THAT’S A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY. AND SHE HOPES BY SENDING THESE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS INTO THE COMMUNITY THAT IT HAS A RIPPLE
Multi-million-dollar grant tries to fix shortage of mental health professionals in rural Oklahoma schools
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are leading this effort.
Updated: 6:20 PM CST Feb 1, 2023
A multi-million-dollar grant tries to fix a shortage of mental health professionals in rural Oklahoma schools.Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are leading this effort. They want to train 64 behavior analysts, counselors and social workers who will work with and inside schools in rural parts of the state.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.The idea is that not only can this lead to happier, healthier students and teachers but better academic results, as well. A recent report listed Oklahoma’s rural schools as having the fourth-highest educational need in the United States.The project will inject $5.6 million in federal grant money over the next five years into a collaboration between the schools, OU and dozens of nonprofits and other organizations dedicated to social work and mental health. KOCO 5 with the lead researcher on the project.>> Download the KOCO 5 App”We have teachers, we have paraprofessionals, we have community members who are so excited to be returning to school and in return to receiving support and funding, agree to serve high-need schools in our rural areas,” said Brittany Hott, associate director at the OU Institute for Society and Community Transformation.Hott said the program takes advantage of one of the rural school’s biggest strengths: a strong sense of community. She hopes by sending these trained professionals into the community, it has a ripple effect that continues to make a positive impact.Top HeadlinesFormer Oklahoma State football player indicted on rape, kidnapping charges in OhioFirefighter rescued after falling through floor while at OKC house fire, officials sayRichard Glossip’s wife reacts to Oklahoma AG ordering review of death penalty case2023 football schedules released for Oklahoma State, OUOU offering free admission to Bedlam basketball for fans willing to safely brave winter weather
A multi-million-dollar grant tries to fix a shortage of mental health professionals in rural Oklahoma schools.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are leading this effort. They want to train 64 behavior analysts, counselors and social workers who will work with and inside schools in rural parts of the state.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
The idea is that not only can this lead to happier, healthier students and teachers but better academic results, as well. A recent report listed Oklahoma’s rural schools as having the fourth-highest educational need in the United States.
The project will inject $5.6 million in federal grant money over the next five years into a collaboration between the schools, OU and dozens of nonprofits and other organizations dedicated to social work and mental health. KOCO 5 with the lead researcher on the project.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App
“We have teachers, we have paraprofessionals, we have community members who are so excited to be returning to school and in return to receiving support and funding, agree to serve high-need schools in our rural areas,” said Brittany Hott, associate director at the OU Institute for Society and Community Transformation.
Hott said the program takes advantage of one of the rural school’s biggest strengths: a strong sense of community. She hopes by sending these trained professionals into the community, it has a ripple effect that continues to make a positive impact.
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