Cookson Hills — Organization Profile
Cookson Hills is a Christian children’s home, school, and therapy ministry serving children who are at risk. Since 1957, the organization has provided a nurturing home, quality Christian education, and therapy services in a safe, trauma-informed environment. Its work is shaped by a vision to raise up healthy individuals who are empowered to positively impact future generations.
Cookson Hills is located in the rural Cookson Hills region of Northeast Oklahoma, with its campus in Kansas, Oklahoma. The ministry serves children ages 5–17 from across the United States who have experienced challenges such as family instability, school truancy, homelessness, poor peer relationships, abuse, or neglect. Children are privately placed with the consent of a parent or guardian when the family is seeking placement and support.
The organization’s model combines home life, education, and therapy. In the residential program, children live in family-style homes with married Christian houseparents who are trained in trauma-informed care. Houseparents provide stability, daily structure, encouragement, and life-skills support while walking with each child toward personal goals and growth.
Education is provided through Cookson Hills Christian School, a year-round, K–12, ACSI-accredited Christian school for children placed in the ministry’s care. Teachers work with houseparents, social workers, and other staff to provide Christ-centered, holistic education with academic support, personal guidance, and practical life tools. The school serves students who may need additional structure and support to engage learning with confidence.
Therapeutic care is also central to the ministry. Cookson Hills provides weekly counseling, horsemanship, and Equine Therapy using the EAGALA model. These services are designed to help children process trauma, build trust, develop emotional skills, and see their past through a new lens. The organization also notes that family counseling may be offered at the discretion of a child’s therapist.
People can engage with Cookson Hills by referring a child, praying for children and staff, giving financially, joining the mailing list, serving through mission trips, using VBS mission resources, volunteering labor, purchasing ministry merchandise, or supporting the ministry’s needs list. Cookson Hills is primarily funded by individuals, churches, foundations, and businesses and states that it accepts no direct government funding.
Key Links
- Website: https://cooksonhills.org/
- About Cookson Hills: https://cooksonhills.org/about-cookson-hills/
- Christian Home: https://cooksonhills.org/christian-home/
- Christian School: https://cooksonhills.org/christian-school/
- Therapy: https://cooksonhills.org/christian-therapy/
- Enroll: https://cooksonhills.org/enroll/
- FAQ: https://cooksonhills.org/faq/
- Mission Trips: https://cooksonhills.org/missiontrips/
- Needs List: https://cooksonhills.org/needslist/
- Donate: https://cooksonhills.org/donate/
Contact Information
- Email: fr*******@**********ls.org
- Phone: 918-948-6300
- Mailing address: 60416 OK-10, Kansas, OK 74347
Socials
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooksonhills/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cooksonhills/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cooksonhills
Leadership
- Ron Riley — Executive Director
- Brandon Jackson — Director of Business & Operations
- Melissa Jackson — Director of Educational Services
- Darrin Brower — Director of Development
- Nate Gideon — Director of Children and Family Services
- Dalton Asbury — Manager of Maintenance & Grounds
- Amy Fichtner — President, Board of Directors
- Stephanie Elliot — Vice President, Board of Directors
- Kim Hickey — Secretary, Board of Directors
- Brandon Jackson — Treasurer, Board of Directors
- Bryan Champ — Board Member
- Karen Clark — Board Member
- Tracy Downs — Board Member
- Nelson Horton — Board Member
- Steve Myers — Board Member
- Becky Shaffer — Board Member
- Tyson Schwerdtfeger — Board Member
