Tulsa, Okla. – The nonprofit formerly known as the Parent Child Center of Tulsa officially became Parent Child Connections (PCC) on Thursday, unveiling a new logo and a broader service footprint aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect throughout Oklahoma.
Growth driven by pandemic‑era demand
President and CEO Melanie Anderegg told FOX23 that the organization has seen a 116% increase in families seeking help since the pandemic began. Those families are looking for assistance with basic needs, health‑care access, parenting education and behavioral challenges. Some programs have already reached capacity and are now operating waiting lists.
2025 impact numbers
In 2025, Parent Child Connections reported making 93,487 connections with children and families across 48 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. The year’s highlights include:
- Reaching 32,714 students and educators through school‑based programs.
- Providing trauma therapy to 840 children and their caregivers.
- Expanding prevention and family‑support services via partnerships with schools, hospitals and community groups.
Family voices on the front lines
Long‑time participants Josh and Amy Rousseu described how the organization’s parenting education and the 24/7 Dads program helped them develop stronger father‑child relationships. “It was a night‑and‑day difference,” Amy said of the parent‑child interaction therapy they received.
First‑time mother Makadie Ortiz credited the Positive Parenting program with easing postpartum depression and anxiety, noting that home visits and peer support made asking for help feel “no longer a shame.” Matthew Vahchuama, another new parent, said the organization’s mentorship helped his family navigate the challenges of raising a newborn.
New initiatives reach schools and rural areas
One flagship effort, Kids on the Block, uses interactive puppets to teach bullying prevention, personal safety, body boundaries and how to recognize unsafe situations. PCC plans to bring the program to every Tulsa Public Schools elementary school and to expand into surrounding districts.
Beyond the classroom, the nonprofit is extending therapeutic services and fatherhood programs into rural Oklahoma communities. Anderegg emphasized that the organization is “reaching further and further” with these initiatives, aiming to serve families far beyond the Tulsa metro area.
How to access services
All of PCC’s programs—including parenting classes, early‑childhood support, home visits, family therapy, trauma treatment and fatherhood education—are offered at no cost to families. Interested families can explore options on the new website, parentchildconnections.org, or call the main office at 918‑599‑7999. The headquarters is located at 1421 S. Boston Ave. in Tulsa.
Booking the puppet program
Schools, camps, after‑school programs and community groups within 100 miles of Tulsa can request a Kids on the Block presentation at no charge, thanks to donor contributions. Presentations accommodate up to 250 children and can be scheduled multiple times per year. Requests are made through the official booking page, and a staff member will follow up within one business day.
Parent Child Connections says its core mission remains unchanged: to prevent child abuse and neglect while helping children and families build healthier relationships and stronger support systems.
Original reporting: KTUL 8 (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
