Welcome to the United States and to Oklahoma City! According to the American Immigration Council, 6 percent of the population in Oklahoma are immigrants and more than 5 percent of residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent. Oklahoma City is a thriving and diverse community rich in history and culture and a great place to start your new life.
As you get settled in your new home, we hope this guide can help make the transition a little bit easier. While inclusion in this list doesn’t signify an endorsement by Stump & Associates, it serves as a starting point to help you understand the programs and resources available to you in Oklahoma City.
Health Services
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
http://www.okdhs.org/aboutus/Pages/default.aspx
The Department of Human Services provides assistance programs including food assistance, mental welfare services, adult protective services, child support services, child care, and Sooner Care, the state’s Medicaid program that provides health care to low-income families. Bilingual services are available at no charge.
RX for Oklahoma Prescription Assistance
https://okcommerce.gov/assistance/rx/
A program provided to Oklahoma residences to aid in the costs of long-term medical prescriptions. Oklahoma residents, regardless of age, who are uninsured, underinsured or low income (at or below federal poverty limits) are encouraged to apply.
YWCA
Emergency crisis-intervention services for female victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Oklahoma Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1328
SNAP assists low-income households to help cover food expenses. Eligibility for SNAP benefits is based on need. Meaning, the amount of food benefits is based on the number of people in the household and the amount of income available to the families.
HOPE Community Services
An outpatient community mental health center that provides behavioral health counseling, addiction services, and housing assistance for the homeless. HOPE is certified through the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and nationally accredited through the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a federally funded program administered by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) through the OKC-County Health Department that provides nutrition education and supplemental foods for those who qualify.
Youth Organizations
Head Start
https://caaofokc.org/community_services_headstart/services/head-start-services/head-start-centers
Head Start is a program of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.
Big Brothers / Big Sisters
A mentoring program that pairs children ages 6 to 18 with vetted adult role models to help guide the children towards a more positive future.
Girl Scouts
A leadership development program for girls in grades K-12 promoting character, outdoor activities, STEM, good citizenship, and service to others.
Boy Scouts
A youth organization that prepares young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes. There are four aims of Scouting: citizenship, character, personal fitness, and leadership.
Education Programs
GED/ HiSET Classes and Testing Sites
https://okcliteracycoalition.org/findservices/hiset/
General Education Diploma (GED), or High School Equivalency Test (HISET) is a high school equivalency test for those who did not complete a traditional four-year high school program. The link provides a listing of GED/HiSET preparation classes and testing sites in the OKC metro.
ESL programs
https://okcliteracycoalition.org/findservices/esl/
Variety of free programs at multiple locations to help enhance your English speaking and writing proficiency.
Oklahoma City Public Schools
The Oklahoma City Public Schools is a multicultural public school district serving most of the urban area of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is the largest primary, and secondary education district in the state of Oklahoma with 97 schools and approximately 46,000 students enrolled students during the 2016–2017 school year.
Metro Technology Centers
Metro Technology Centers is a public career and technology education center with multiple locations in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It is part of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education system, and offers educational programs geared toward job training.
Immigration Services & Programs
Consular Offices
https://www.sos.ok.gov/protocol/consularCorps.aspx
Consulates act as representatives of your home country and can help assist in visa and passport issues, provide detainee assistance, offer civil registries, and provide support in the case of a natural disaster or emergency. Oklahoma is host to 11 Honorary Consulates from East Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
USCIS
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is an agency of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the country’s naturalization and immigration system.
Southeast Spanish, Inc. Translation Services
https://www.sespanish.com/oklahoma-city/
Notarized, certified Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, and English translation services. Specializing in Employee Handbook Translation and Certified Birth Certificate Translation for USCIS.
Dream Action Oklahoma
Dream Action Oklahoma is a nonprofit organization that aims to empower the local immigrant community through advocacy and education to ensure justice for all immigrants. They promote education, equity, civic engagement, and community service in the state of Oklahoma.
Community Resources
Metropolitan Library System
Provides free information, books, internet access, new citizen resources, programs, and other materials that can help you connect to the local community and ease your transition into American society. According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, more than 55 percent of new Americans use public library systems at least once a week.
Embark Public Transportation System
Oklahoma City metro transportation service including bus, bike share, ferry, streetcar, and rideshare services. Spanish translated website is available.
Oklahoma 2-1-1
http://www.navigateresources.net/hlok/
Oklahoma 2-1-1 is a hotline that provides resources for Oklahomans in need. Resources include Cultural Transition Facilitation that helps immigrants transition to their new home, disaster services, crisis helplines, support groups, general clothing provisions, and so much more.
The Common
The Common is a volunteer-run organization that offers assistance in areas such as employment, housing, tutoring, and citizenship test preparation. Volunteers offer long-term partnerships with those in need to help new residents thrive in their new environment.
The Oklahoma Latino Cultural Center (OKLCC)
A not-for-profit multi-disciplinary arts organization dedicated to encouraging and facilitating the artistic growth and exchange in Oklahoma through Latino cultural events and functions in the OKC metro area.
Employment Assistance
Work Ready Oklahoma
https://workreadyoklahoma.com/
Free training and educational opportunities for unemployed Oklahomans to grow and expand their skills and qualifications.
Unite Here
https://www.unitehereimmigration.org/
Union representation for service workers in hotels, restaurants, airport, and industrial laundry, Also offers information on workers’ rights, immigrant rights, forming a union, and citizenship. Spanish speaking staff is available.
Oklahoma Works
https://oklahomaworks.gov/find-a-job/
Helps to connect job seekers with gainful employment opportunities throughout Oklahoma. Also provides education, training, and resources to grow and manage your business.
Financial Assistance
Oklahoma Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1567
The Oklahoma Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to approximately 182,000 Oklahoma low-income households each year to help them meet the cost of home energy.
Free Tax Assistance
https://www.ok.gov/tax/Individuals/Income_Tax/Free_Tax_Assistance/index.html
As part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, free tax help is available for those making $54,000 or less and need assistance filing their federal tax returns. US residents whose income exceeds certain thresholds are required to file their taxed earnings with the state and federal government every year.
Oklahoma Assistance and Financial Aid Programs
https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/oklahoma_assistance_programs.html
A listing of grants and financial assistance programs in all cities and counties in Oklahoma, including Tulsa and Oklahoma City. These government programs and local charities provide money for rent, free medical care as well as food, job programs, and other social services to struggling families.
Neighborhood Housing Services Oklahoma
A program that partners with organizations to help provide homeownership education, counseling, and access to affordable housing in Oklahoma.
As you start to build your new life in Oklahoma, get to know your new American neighbors and co-workers. The people of Oklahoma will be your best resource for helping you find what you need. Don’t worry if your English isn’t great, practice a few simple phrases, and your new friends will appreciate your efforts.
Oklahomans are known to be friendly and will be glad to offer suggestions on where to eat, how to get around town, and the places you should visit. By getting to know the people around you, Oklahoma City will soon start to feel like home.
Looking for Immigration Help?
Stump & Associates is Oklahoma City’s most respected immigration law firm. With more than 30 years of experience, we know how to handle cases just like yours.
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