Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, OKCPS partner to staff pediatric behavioral health center
Oklahoma Children’s OU Health and Oklahoma City Public Schools will partner to staff a new 72-bed pediatric behavioral health center with seven teachers, ensuring patients continue education during mental health treatment. The facility, opening late 2026, will include classrooms, family spaces, and a skybridge to the hospital, addressing a gap in Oklahoma’s specialized care infrastructure.
Oklahoma Children’s OU Health and Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) will collaborate to staff the new Oklahoma Children’s OU Health Behavioral Health Center, opening in late 2026. Seven OKCPS teachers will provide on-site education for young patients undergoing mental and behavioral health treatment, helping them maintain academic progress during stays lasting from one week to several months. The center will feature 72 beds, dedicated classrooms for each unit and age group, family spaces, and a skybridge connection to the hospital campus. This setup allows simultaneous medical and psychiatric care, a rare combination in the U.S., reducing the need for Oklahoma families to travel out of state for specialized treatment. Dr. Robyn Cowperthwaite, chief of the Section of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, emphasized the importance of education during mental health treatment. ‘Mental health diagnoses can have long-lasting effects if they impair a child’s education,’ she said, noting the partnership aims to prevent academic setbacks that worsen stress. Teachers will work with patients across grade levels, aligning instruction with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans from their home schools. Kenny Ward, executive director of special education for OKCPS, stated the collaboration supports children during critical times, identifying learning styles and behaviors needing assistance. Updated educational recommendations will help students transition smoothly back to their home schools. Oklahoma Children’s will also employ a public-school liaison to ensure seamless communication between the center and home schools. The partnership builds on existing initiatives like OKCPS’s Stay Well in School program, which offers school-based digital doctor visits through Oklahoma Children’s pediatricians. Tracy Cothran, president of Children’s Services at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, highlighted education as essential to a child’s well-being, even during treatment. Alisha Suffield, chief of academics for OKCPS, added that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting students and families in the district.
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