Major expansion brings specialized education and therapy to more Oklahoma families
State leaders and Special Care staff shovel dirt at the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Special Care expansion. (Photo by Maddy Remington, OMES Outreach.)
OKLAHOMA CITY – The future just got brighter for hundreds more Oklahoma children, thanks to a major expansion of Special Care – the only early education and therapeutic center of its kind in the state, providing year-round, specialized services for children with disabilities and developmental delays.
On July 22, families, supporters and local leaders gathered to break ground on a 30,000-square-foot expansion of Special Care’s Oklahoma City campus. This transformative project will enable the organization to serve 200 additional children through new classrooms, a life-skills development area, and a state-of-the-art autism clinic and therapy suite.
Special Care delivers specialized education and on-site therapeutic services for young people from 6 weeks old to 21 years old, helping them grow, learn and thrive in environments tailored to their individual needs. The program is designed for children with cognitive, physical, emotional and developmental challenges, and it aims to provide a safe, structured setting where progress is possible and celebrated every day.
“This expansion brings hope to hundreds of families,” said Pam Newby, executive director and co-founder of Special Care. “Forty years ago, we planted a seed – a belief that every child deserves a place where they are fully seen, supported and empowered to thrive.”
The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who praised Special Care’s long-standing impact: “The work you do here ensures that all residents and all of our kids realize their full potential. You are contributors to this city’s very special story.”
Renderings of the Special Care expansion.
The expansion is backed by a $2.45 million investment from the Oklahoma Legislature through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), administered by Oklahoma Human Services. Funding was made available through the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF), overseen by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), which ensures these federal dollars are invested in high-impact projects across the state.
“Our kids deserve access to environments where they can learn, grow and receive the care they need,” said Sen. Julia Kirt (D-Oklahoma City). “Investments in services like these will have a lifelong impact on these kids and our entire state.”
“This is personal for me – as a parent and as a policymaker,” said Rep. Ellyn Hefner (D-Oklahoma City). “Our work is to ensure that all children have the resources, care and attention they deserve. Special Care is a shining example of what’s possible when we invest in meaningful, long-term solutions.”
In addition to serving students directly, Special Care has also strengthened the broader care community in the area, training more than 7,000 child care professionals and practicum students across Oklahoma and surrounding states in best practices for supporting children with disabilities.
Children with disabilities were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as they faced long periods without access to essential support services. Today, more than 83,000 children across Oklahoma live with cognitive, mobility or self-care disabilities. The need for specialized educational and therapeutic environments has never been greater.
Construction of the expanded facility is expected to be completed by late 2026, opening the doors to more children and families seeking high-quality, specialized care.
The OMES GMO team poses for photos in front of the expansion project renderings.
Students participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking by shoveling dirt in a sand box.
OMES proudly celebrates this milestone alongside its partners at Oklahoma Human Services and commends their dedication to creating a stronger future for Oklahoma’s children.
To learn more about Special Care’s program, visit the website at specialcareinc.org.
About OMES
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services provides financial, property, purchasing, human resources and information technology services to all state agencies, and assists the Governor’s Office with budgetary policy matters. Our mission: Provide excellent service, expert guidance and continuous improvement in support of our partners’ goals. For more information, visit oklahoma.gov/omes.
About the OMES Grants Management Office
The Grants Management Office is the central administering entity of the American Rescue Plan Act's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for the State of Oklahoma. Our team builds partnerships and collaborates with state agencies to maximize the use of ARPA-SLFRF dollars. Our goal is to be a supportive partner in helping agencies accomplish their ARPA-SLFRF project goals. For more information on the state’s ARPA-SLFRF progress, visit oklahoma.gov/arpa.
OMES Media Contact
Christa Helfrey
christa.helfrey@omes.ok.gov
OKDHS Media Contact
Ryan Stewart
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