Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) have been awarded a combined $11.5 million in federal grants to expand youth mental‑health services over the next five years, a development that city leaders say will strengthen families and keep children safe in the classroom.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is providing $4 million to the city for a four‑year coordinated‑care program serving children and young adults ages 0 to 21. The initiative will focus on ZIP codes 73127 and 73108, where need is greatest, and will partner with existing mental‑health providers to create a citywide safety net.

OKCPS will receive approximately $7.5 million through a Project AWARE grant for a five‑year effort to broaden school‑based mental‑health services, prevention programs, and early‑intervention efforts under the EmbraceOKC framework. “Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and ready to learn,” said Dr. Jamie Polk, superintendent of OKCPS.

Mayor David Holt praised the funding, stating, “This grant enables us to expand our collaborative work with mental health service providers to support Oklahoma City’s young people.” The grants arrive amid alarming data: the 2023‑24 Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment found about 80 % of surveyed middle‑ and high‑school students reported moderate to high depressive symptoms, one in ten considered suicide, and 7 % reported a suicide attempt. A 2025 Healthy Minds Policy Initiative report noted a 27 % rise in mental‑health‑related emergency‑room visits among Medicaid‑covered children under 18 between 2022 and 2024.

Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, which helped secure the funding, will evaluate the programs as they roll out. Residents in need can call or text 988 for 24‑hour, confidential support. The city and district plan to implement the services gradually, with ongoing assessment to ensure the grants achieve their intended impact for Oklahoma City families.

Sources: news9.com