Deer Creek board approves resolution to pursue opioid-abatement grant to fund counselor and prevention programs

The Deer Creek Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously June 9 to approve a resolution authorizing the district to apply for funds from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board. The district presenter said the board has "over $29,000,000 set aside to help combat this epidemic in our state," and the district plans to request funding to hire an additional licensed professional counselor and expand prevention and recovery education.

"We are seeking your support to pursue a grant through the Oklahoma opioid abatement board. They have actually over $29,000,000 set aside to help combat this epidemic in our state," said Miss Vandoll, a district staff member presenting the grant request. Assistant Director of Student Services Stephanie Andrzejak is named in the presentation as the staff member preparing the application.

If awarded, the presenter said the district would use the funds for a three-year cycle to support one additional licensed professional counselor focused on substance-abuse counseling for students and families, plus site-level prevention education. "It's actually a 3 year cycle. So if we get the grant, we will get funding for 3 years," the presenter said. The presenter told the board the grant money can be used for recovery programs, opioid-abuse education, mental-health assistance and strategies to decrease the supply of narcotics across the state.

Board members moved to approve the resolution and the motion passed 4-0. The presentation noted a recognized statewide shortage of licensed substance-abuse counselors and said the district’s plan is to place the new counselor as a district resource to help families who face barriers finding appropriate services.

The vote authorizes district staff to complete and submit the application; award and program implementation would depend on later notification from the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board and any grant terms.