ABOUT US

The OPC is a statewide 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose main office is located in Holdenville, Oklahoma; however, we provide support and services to all of Oklahoma.  Our mission is to train, inform, educate and support parents, families, professionals, and consumers in building partnerships that meet the needs of children and youth with the full range of disabilities ages birth through twenty-six. 

The OPC is proud to be Oklahoma’s designated Parent Training and Information Center (PTI).  There is at least one PTI in each state and U.S. Territory and some states have more than one depending on population size; Oklahoma only has one PTI, which we have operated since 2008.  The purpose of a PTI is to ensure that parents of children with disabilities and youth with disabilities receive training and information to help improve educational results for themselves or their children.  Our role is to help families and schools to understand the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and how to use it to benefit children with all disabilities.

The OPC also works in collaboration with, and receives funding from:

• Oklahoma Department of Education – Special Education Services (OSDE-SES)
• Oklahoma State Department of Education – State Personnel Development Grant (OSDE-SPDG)
• Private donations – please visit our donations page if you would like to help!  

The OPC is here to help!  We always say, “We will talk to anyone who will listen!”  Which is true, but our mission is to serve children and youth with disabilities, their parents, family members, guardians, or professionals who are in their lives. 

More specifically:

• Parents and family members of children from birth to age 26 who have a disability or a suspected disability
• Youth, young adults, and self-advocates with disabilities from birth to age 26
• Professionals who work with children, youth, and adults with disabilities

I am a parent or family member.  When should I call the OPC?

You might call when you have questions about a disability or diagnosis, early intervention, special education, or transition services in Oklahoma.

I am a self-advocate.  When should I call the OPC?

You might call when you have questions about your disability, what to do after high school, what happens when you turn 18 years old, or how you can be a part of your IEP meeting.

I am a professional.  When should I call the OPC?

You might call when you have questions about a child’s disability, the services they are receiving, or schedule to a professional development training.

Navigating through the special education process can be overwhelming and complex, yet nearly 17 percent of students enrolled in Oklahoma’s school are utilizing Special Education services.  You don’t have to go it alone!

The OPC staff is here to equip you with the tools you need to understand the system, work with service providers and schools, and advocate for your student or yourself.  Our staff is mostly parents or family members of people with disabilities and self-advocates, so we know the journey.  Our specialists have the background and information to assist in sorting through the issues and putting them in perspective.

Our goal is to give you the knowledge, skills, support, and tools you need to be the best advocate you can be! 

The OPC offers services in three (3) key areas:

1) Individualized Assistance

An advocate will walk you through your specific needs, help you develop a plan of action, and provide you with the knowledge, skills, and support you need to act.

The OPC can help you with:

• Learning about early intervention services for children from birth to three years of age
• Discussing special education issues, eligibility, the IEP process, and alternative education options for school-age children
• Understanding processes, timelines, and rights and responsibilities under IDEA and other related laws
• Utilizing sample forms and templates for communicating with the school
• Helping with transition issues for students who will be leaving the educational system and are preparing for the world of work, adult services, college, etc.
• Assisting with Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) consultations and document review

2) Trainings

The OPC offers learning opportunities through face-to-face and web-based trainings on the rights, responsibilities, and protections under IDEA and related laws.

The OPC provides training opportunities to youth, parents, and professionals, online and in-person, on a number of topics, including but not limited to:

• Connecting the Dots from Early Intervention Services to Special Education Services
• Basic Rights in Special Education
• The IEP Step-by-Step through Each Section
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Transition from School Life to Adult Life
• Communication Skills
• Special Education 101
• IEP training
• Record Keeping Folder
• Nothing About Me – Without Me
• The Best I Can Be
• Transitioning to College with a Disability
• Student Involvement in the IEP

3) Information and Resources

The OPC has a website, social media pages, and print materials available to keep you informed, educated, engaged, and amused.

The OPC website houses the majority of resources which includes National and Oklahoma-specific information on topics such as:

• Information on IDEA, Section 504, and related laws
• Information on dispute resolution options
• Information on specific disabilities
• A current calendar of the OPC trainings and events
• Free downloadable informational publications
• Links to webinars and videos
• Staff contact information

All services provided by the OPC are free of charge to Oklahoma parents, youth, and parents!

Our generous funders have made sure that each and every Oklahoman has the opportunity to receive our services at no cost!!!

The OPC is funded in part by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Services (OSDE-SES), the Oklahoma State Department of Education – State Personnel Development Grant (OK SPDG), and private funds.

The Oklahoma Parents Center’s services are available throughout the state.  We have regional trainers geographically dispersed throughout the state, but our main office is located in Holdenville, Oklahoma.

The Oklahoma Parents Center main office is generally open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday thru Friday. All of our staff have obligations outside the office.  There may be times that you would reach voicemail during our regular office hours.  Our staff makes every effort to return your call in a timely manner, usually within 24 hours.

That’s the easy part!  Just give us a call on our toll-free hotline – 877-553-4332.

You can email us at [email protected] also.

Our goal is to give you the knowledge, skills, and tools you need to be the best advocate for yourself or your child!

• When you call the OPC main office, we will gather some information and have one of our advocates give you a call back.  An advocate will call you back in less than 48 business hours.
• When you email the OPC, we will ask you to provide us with a good phone number and best time to call you.

The OPC main office staff will be ask you some basic demographic information to establish your file, such as name, address, ethnicity, and your child’s information.  Most questions are part of our funding to continue to provide services at no charge!  All this information is kept confidential and is only seen by the OPC staff.

You will also be asked to provide a brief explanation of why you are calling the OPC, such as an IEP issue, needing evaluation, needing resources, schedule a training, etc.  This helps us give a little information to the advocate who will be assisting you!

When an experienced OPC advocate calls you, we can help you sort through the issues and put them into perspective.  Together, we can brainstorm strategies and possible solutions!