Putnam City is one of two districts in Oklahoma and 43 districts across the country to be awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand counseling programs.
The terms of the grant require that school districts use funds to support counseling programs in selected elementary or secondary schools. Specifically, the grants will aid schools in hiring qualified counselors, social workers, psychologists or other qualified mental-health professionals with the goal of expanding the range, availability, quantity and quality of counseling services.
Putnam City will receive about $398,000 a year for three years, or nearly $1.2 million in total, to add counseling and related services for students at Hilldale Elementary School, Tulakes Elementary School, Wiley Post Elementary School, Putnam City West High School, Putnam City Academy and offsite pre-kindergarten programs. The counselors and other professionals hired with grant funds will spend most of their time providing direct services to students, including schoolwide education, small group work and individual intervention.
"School counselors benefit both students and teachers by helping to create a safe school environment, improve teacher effectiveness, increase academic achievement and promote student well-being," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "We believe that school-based counseling programs offer great promise for improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of students with mental-health issues."
Research shows that having adequate counseling services can help reduce the number of disciplinary referrals in schools, improve student attendance and academic performance and enhance development of social skills.
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For More Information
Steve Lindley, Communications Director
(405) 495-5200, x1204
(405) 812-6119
slindley@putnamcityschools.org