Harvesting Hope with Sooner SUCCESS | |
Inclusivity Award presented to Sooner SUCCESS and Supporting Minorities with Disabilities Coalition
Sooner SUCCESS and Supporting Minorities with Disabilities were recently honored with the Inclusivity Award from the Oklahoma City Mayor’s Committee on Disability Concerns. This award recognizes Sooner SUCCESS and Supporting Minorities with Disabilities Coalition's commitment to creating activities and programs that ensure full accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities across all communities.
Their collaborative efforts continue to break down barriers and foster belonging for all members of our community. Congratulations to both teams on this well-deserved recognition!
| | Sibshops Facilitator Training | | |
Sibling Support Matters!
Siblings of children with disabilities are often the quiet heroes of the family—offering love, support, and strength, yet too often left without support themselves. Sibshops changes that.
Sibshops is an internationally recognized, award-winning program designed to provide brothers and sisters of children with disabilities opportunities for connection, peer support, and fun. With programs in over 200 communities across eight countries, Sibshops helps siblings feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
We’re excited to welcome Emily Holl, Director of the Sibling Support Project, to lead this two-day facilitator training. Emily is a social worker, author, trainer—and a sibling herself—with more than 20 years in the disability field.
SIBLINGS Needed
We encourage adult siblings (18+) to attend Day 1 (Friday, October 17), and siblings (ages 8–12) to participate in Day 2 (Saturday, October 18)!
Use the same link to register! Free Lunch and Fun games/conversations!
Training Link: Training Link: Register for the Training
Limited Scholarships Available - Contact Sam 405-593-9266
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Oklahoma
Intertribal Alliance Summit
Empowering Native Families with Disabiliites
Join us on October 24 at the College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, OK, for the United We Can Summit, hosted by the Oklahoma Intertribal Alliance for Disability. This event brings together Tribal leaders, families, educators, and community partners to uplift and empower Native families who have loved ones with disabilities.
The summit will offer valuable resources, support, and networking opportunities, with lunch provided and limited registration available. Vendor tables are also open for nonprofits and businesses.
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Trunk or Treat: OKC Parks and Sooner SUCCESS
Trunk or Treat is a Halloween-themed community event hosted by OKC Parks and Sooner Success.
- Monday, October 27, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
- Southern Oaks Recreation Center parking lot (4800 SW 66th St, OKC, OK 73139).
The event features candy, games, and resources, and is designed especially for families raising a child or adult with a disability, though everyone is welcome. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring treat bags.
Upcoming OKC Parks events include:
Christmas at Southern Oaks- Mon Dec 15th at Southern Oaks 6:30pm-8:00pm register here: Adaptive Christmas Party
For more information, contact 405-698-6970 or email Lori-Wathen@ou.edu.
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2025 Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference
The Caregivers Compass: Finding Your Way to Balance and Well-Being
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Join us for a day dedicated to honoring and supporting family caregivers across Oklahoma. This free conference provides education, resources, and community connections to help caregivers navigate the challenges and rewards of caregiving while maintaining balance and well-being.
📅 Date: Thursday, November 6, 2025
⏰ Time: Doors open at 9:00 a.m. | Programming from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
📍 Locations: Tulsa, OKC, Ardmore, McAlester, Enid, Stillwater, and Online
✨ What to Expect:
- Inspiring keynote speakers
- Practical caregiver resources
- Breakout sessions on balance, health, and well-being
- Door prizes & community networking
- Free admission for all attendees
👉 Register or learn more at www.okcares.org or call 918-493-0604.
| | | Grant County Littlest Okie Baby Express | | |
The Littlest Okie Baby Express, hosted by Pregnancy Resource Navigators, brings essential resources and support directly to families. At each event, families can access information tables, baby supplies, car seats and safety checks, parenting support programs, screenings (hearing, autism, and language), and food boxes. Designed for expectant parents and families with young children, the Baby Express helps connect the community with vital services to support the health and well-being of the littlest Okies.
| | | | Join us for a free, family-friendly event on Thursday, October 23rd from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Watonga, OK. Designed for parents expecting or raising children up to age 2, the baby shower will feature resource booths, door prize drawings (must be present to win), and helpful community support. Sponsored by Oklahoma Complete Health, Blaine County Health Department, Sooner Success, and the Blaine County Community Health Action Team. | |
Coffee & Connection: Alva October 27th
Coffee & Connection is a supportive gathering for families with special needs, taking place on October 27th from 5:30–6:30 PM at the Northwest Technology Center (1801 11th St., Alva, OK 73717). The session will provide valuable information on family support and resources, including topics like Respite, SSI, DDS, SoonerRide, TEFRA, and more. Hosted by Sooner Success, the event aims to serve and support inclusive communities.
| | | | Sensory Winterland Save the Date! |
Sooner SUCCESS Sensory Holiday Party, Sat Dec 13th 2:00pm-4:00pm
Location: TBD
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Need a Break? Fill out our Caregiver Retreat Interest Form!
Thank you to the Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma (DDCO) for their generous support in making our Caregiver Respite Retreats possible. We invite families to register for this special opportunity to relax, recharge, and connect with others. Each retreat includes free meals, self-care activities, and a welcome basket. To express interest, please complete the attached form—space is limited and not guaranteed. For questions, contact us at 405-271-2710 or soonersuccess@ouhsc.edu.
Click here to sign up: https://form.jotform.com/243505914260149
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Inclusive Hispanic Heritage Dance & Fiestas de Las Americas Float
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Over 320 guests joined us for our Inclusive Hispanic Heritage Dance, a vibrant celebration of culture, talent, and unity. Hispanic individuals with disabilities took center stage, sharing their gifts through music, dance, and leadership—reminding us that true inclusion honors every ability and every voice.
We also proudly participated in the Fiestas de las Américas parade with our first-ever float, showcasing our commitment to visibility, pride, and community representation.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event unforgettable. Together, we’re building a future where every celebration reflects the beauty of diversity and belonging.
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Another Amazing Family Fall Festival
This year’s Family Fall Festival was a huge success, welcoming more than 275 attendees for a day filled with fun, connection, and community resources. Families enjoyed balloon animals, free Halloween costumes, and live entertainment featuring the talented Clips and Hips Salsa Group, line dancing from the Community Health Center of Oklahoma Wellness Team, and performances by Aspiring Attitudes.
In addition to the festivities, families also received vaccinations, health screenings, and food baskets to take home. The event brought together partners and volunteers dedicated to supporting health, wellness, and inclusion for all families—a true celebration of community spirit!
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Inclusive Postsecondary Education Summit – A Resounding Success
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The 2025 RRHEA Summit was Friday 9/26 at the Moore Norman Technology Center, S. Penn. Campus.
Sooner SUCCESS, along with DRS and Think College were major sponsors with Sooner SUCCESS providing technical help during the registration period as well as great team members to set up, host registration and present! There were a total of 119 registrants, 6 programs represented from OK and Tx and Directors of VR from Oklahoma and Texas. The highlight was the student panel at the end of the day!
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OK! Accessibility Expo
Sooner SUCCESS actively participated in the OKC Accessibility Expo, setting up an engaging booth to share resources and promote inclusive community initiatives. Their booth featured a blue tablecloth with the Sooner SUCCESS logo and website, and was stocked with brochures and informational materials. Staff members were present to greet attendees and answer questions. The organization also contributed to the event schedule with a presentation titled "Building Inclusive Communities" at 3:00 PM. The expo included performances, educational sessions, and community services, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere for accessibility and inclusion.
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On September 10, 2025, Sooner SUCCESS and partners hosted the On the Road Family Perspective Conference at the Muskogee Public Library. The event welcomed 31 participants, including families and professionals, for a day of learning, connection, and resource-sharing. Attendees heard from panel presenters representing local and state programs, explored resource tables, and gained valuable information to help navigate supports for children with special needs. Lunch was provided, and families also had the opportunity to learn about Educational Respite Vouchers to support caregiver participation in training.
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Wrightslaw Training
Sooner SUCCESS recently hosted a Wrightslaw special education training to help parents better understand IEPs and 504 Plans. Families gained valuable knowledge about their children’s educational rights and learned practical strategies for effective advocacy. The training provided tools to strengthen collaboration between parents and schools, ensuring that students with disabilities receive the supports they need to succeed.
| | | | Sibling Voices Newsletter: | |
Interested in Volunteering with Sooner SUCCESS?
| | Upcoming Sooner SUCCESS Events: | | |
Save the Date Sooner SUCCESS Events
More information available on our Calendar
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Helping Families
Are you a family needing resources/information or a provider serving families and wanting to connect a family with us? If so, we have a referral link on the top of our website pages titled "Make Referral" (see image below). Once you complete the form, it will be forwarded to the appropriate county coordinator who will reach out to assist. Or you can always contact us by phone at 405-271-2710.
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Respite Vouchers
Several respite voucher programs are available in Oklahoma. Contact us and let us help locate the most appropriate program for you.
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Adaptive Equipment
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Professional Services
| | Recently, Sooner Success, in partnership with Maternal and Child Health Services Title V, rolled out of the NEW Adaptive Equipment & Professional Services program. Families who have children with special health care needs, birth through 17 years, who are not covered under Medicaid or another program are encouraged to apply. Benefits are $1,500 MAX per child for professional services or adaptive equipment. This can include items such as any tool, device, or machine that is used to help with any task associated with daily living. This includes professional services, such as, recreational services, camps, therapeutic, and tutoring services. Applications are reviewed on a case by case basis. Apply for the program. | | | | |
