Oklahoma City Public Schools has been tapping into a valuable resource with its Foster Grandparents Program. This program utilizes the experience, knowledge and patience of volunteers 60 or more years young.

Through this program, volunteers spend countless hours helping special education students by providing emotional support to help them with their studies. In addition, their teachers receive help in enhancing the students’ development of basic learning skills.

The typical day for a foster grandparent may include reading to a student, reviewing spelling words or helping the student stay focused on the task at hand. The gentle nudge from a Foster Grandparent may mean the difference in a student accomplishing an assignment or falling behind.

The district currently has 23 Foster Grandparents in 14 schools and is always looking for more volunteers. The program pays $2.65 per hour, a tax-free stipend that does not affect social security, food stamps or other benefits.

The program also provides a transportation allowance and free meal to the volunteers everyday they work; a free, yearly physical examination; supplemental accident insurance while on the job; and the accumulation of paid leave. For more information on becoming a Foster Grandparent call, Cherrel Smith at 587-0430 or contact her via email at cfsmith@okcps.org or Susie Daniels, Program Manager at 1-800-522-1064.