Sapulpa Public Schools participates in the McKinney-Vento Act program to assist those who may be considered homeless in our district. At Sapulpa Public Schools, this program is known as the Chieftain Care Program, which stands for "Chieftains Actively Reaching Everyone."

The purpose of Chieftain Care is to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Under this program, each homeless child and youth has access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children. Homeless children and youth should have access to the same challenging student academic achievement standards to which all students are held.

SPS employs a Chieftain Care Coordinator whose responsibility is to manage the program. You may view the job functions and qualifications of the Coordinator's position here.

Homeless child and youth is defined as:

1. Children and youth who are:
  • Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as “doubled -up”).
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters.
  • Abandoned in hospitals.
  • Awaiting foster care placement.
2. Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

3. Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and  

4. Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

How can we help?
  • Transportation from the shelter
  • School supplies
  • Backpacks
  • Hygiene kits
  • Clothing assistance
  • Placement on free and reduced-price meals
  • Assistance with enrollment process
  • Tutoring
  • Contact with other community resources
Best Practices for Sapulpa Public Schools team members can be found here.

Chieftain Care Coordinator:
Kristin White
[email protected]
918-224-3400 ext. 1129

More information can be found on the Oklahoma State Department of Education website.