© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

TPS, Nonprofits Launch Website to Guide Families to Resources While Kids Aren't in School

Tulsa Area United Way

Tulsa Public Schools and local nonprofits are teaming up to get families through the nine weeks of distance learning the district plans so far.

Families can use the COVID-19 Kid Care Resource Portal to find meals, school supplies and — most important for many — childcare. The website comes through a partnership with Tulsa Area United Way and the Opportunity Project and is modeled after a platform used in 2018 when schools closed during the statewide teacher walkout.

Opportunity Project Executive Director Caroline Shaw said the economic downturn has parents struggling to get by trying to choose between a paycheck and taking care of their kids.

"We don’t want people to have to make that choice if they don’t have to. So, just as in the teacher walkout in 2018, it’s going to take the entire community — so, faith community, nonprofit organizations, everyone coming together to do what they can to be able to support young people who really need a place to go," Shaw said.

Care providers’ safety protocols will be listed, and groups will be much smaller than what they would be in a school setting.

TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist said district officials know the pandemic is putting a strain on everyone.

"But it has a particular impact on some families in our community. And we want to support all of our families, but we know that the need is really significant," Gist said.

Gist said 80% of TPS families qualify for free or reduced price lunches.

The resource portal also needs registered volunteers and organizations that can provide resources.

Matt Trotter joined KWGS as a reporter in 2013. Before coming to Public Radio Tulsa, he was the investigative producer at KJRH. His freelance work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and on MSNBC and CNN.
Related Content