named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Math and Executive Functioning Skills
Academic tutoring in mathematics and task-switching using structured manuals integrated with psychological skills training
Psychoeducational Tutoring
Telephone-based instruction using programmed manuals to teach psychological skills such as self-discipline, conflict resolution, and decision-making through daily sessions
Reading Track
Structured reading instruction delivered by phone for children who cannot read well, using specialized manuals and exercises to build fluency and comprehension
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 2 activities
- Free delivery of psychoeducational servicesProvides psychoeducational tutoring and parent training services at no cost to participants, made possible by charitable donations; fees were formally eliminated in 2021.
- Parent psychoeducation program via videoconferenceOffers a biweekly parent training program delivered through videoconferencing, covering approximately 10 parenting topics in a continuously cycling format to allow open enrollment and ongoing participation.
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Program Evaluation and Impact Research 1 activity
- Prospective research on tutoring outcomesConducts IRB-approved prospective research and follow-up assessments every six months after program participation ends to evaluate the long-term effects of psychoeducational tutoring on student outcomes.
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Storytelling and Literacy Resource Development 1 activity
- Publication and dissemination of educational materialsProduces and shares educational resources including psychological skills songs (e.g., 'Spirit of Nonviolence' album), letter sound songs for phonemic awareness, skip counting songs for math skills, and access to tutoring program manuals to support learning.
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs 1 activity
- Structured psychological skills instructionImplements at least 62 types of structured psychological skills exercises during tutoring sessions, including the Reflections Exercise, STEBC fantasy rehearsals, and brainstorming for decision-making, to build concentration, empathy, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation.
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Individualized Academic Support 1 activity
- Telephone-based psychoeducational tutoring for childrenProvides half-hour telephone tutoring sessions five to six days per week for children aged five through adolescence, integrating reading instruction with structured psychological skills exercises using project-specific manuals. Each student is paired with one tutor to support attachment and consistent skill development.
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Student Progress Assessment & Program Evaluation 1 activity
- Tracking and communication of student progressMonitors student milestones and communicates progress to parents to celebrate achievements and support continuous quality improvement in service delivery.
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Adult Literacy and ESL Tutoring 1 activity
- Tutor recruitment and trainingProvides an 8-hour remote training course and extensive role-playing-based preparation for prospective tutors, with careful selection to ensure high-quality support for students.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Use of health information for service delivery and evaluationUses individually identifiable and protected health information to inform tutoring goals and focus, shares it with healthcare providers for treatment with consent when possible, and uses it internally for quality control and service evaluation.
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financials · form 990PF · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$254K
Contributions & grants$66K26%
Program service revenue——
Investment income$35K14%
Other revenue$154K
expenses
Total expenses$49K
Program expenses93%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$926K
Cash$462K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$926K
Liquid reserves113.6 mo
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue +101.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 4
- AMANDA KLEINROCK — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH STRAYHORN MD — BOARD CHAIR AND TREASURER
- KATHLEEN MASTERS — BOARD MEMBER
- NATALIE PLECZYNSKI — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- Advarra Government — Currently provides Institutional Review Board oversight for OPT's research activities.
- Allegheny General Hospital Government — Provided Institutional Review Board oversight for OPT's research activities.
- Cornell University Government — Provided Institutional Review Board oversight for OPT's research activities.
- Dr. Joseph Strayhorn Government — Director of OPT and primary contact for program inquiries, tutoring applications, and donations.
- Dr. Strayhorn Government — Child psychiatrist and founder of OPT
- Emily Strayhorn Partner — Co-founder of the Organization for Psychoeducational Tutoring, Inc.
- Heinz Foundation Funder — Funded a grant in the late 1990s to study the effect of reading tutoring on reading skills and behavior problems, and permitted use of remaining funds to explore telephone tutoring.
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Government — Received IRB approval for prospective research on tutoring effects.
- Jillian Strayhorn Partner — Co-founder and co-author of psychoeducational tutoring materials
- Joseph Strayhorn Government — Director of the psychoeducational tutoring program, contactable at jstray@gmail.com
- Joseph Strayhorn Partner — Co-founder and primary author of the psychoeducational tutoring manuals
- Joseph Strayhorn Partner — Primary songwriter and performer of the psychological skills songs in the "Spirit of Nonviolence" album.
- Joseph Strayhorn MD Partner — Hosts and provides access to OPT's educational manuals through his website.
- Joseph Strayhorn, M.D. Government — Designated recipient for privacy complaints under HIPAA-related policies.
- Steve Parrish Partner — Provides backup instrumental accompaniment for the psychological skills songs.
- World Health Organization Network — Cites WHO's definition of mental health as aligned with its own conceptual framework.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Frequent Practice and Time-on-Task Accumulationmethodology: time-on-task accumulationBy delivering near-daily, telephone-based tutoring sessions, the organization maximizes time on task and minimizes skill decay because frequent, consistent practice is essential for mastery of psychological and academic skills.
- Integrated Academic and Psychological Skill Developmentmethodology: integrated_psychological_skillsBy combining reading instruction with psychological skill-building through shared reading, storytelling, and joint exercises, the organization improves both academic and emotional outcomes because these domains are developmentally interlinked and mutually reinforcing.
- Nonprofessional-Delivered Psychoeducationmethodology: nonprofessional-delivered psychoeducationBy training nonprofessionals (e.g., college students, parents) to deliver psychological skills instruction, the organization produces effective skill development in children because these relationships are sustainable, emotionally resonant, and reduce stigma associated with clinical interventions.
- Relationship-Based Skill Buildingmethodology: relationship-based skill-buildingBy fostering long-term, stable, one-on-one relationships between tutors and students, the organization enables effective psychological and academic development because emotional safety and continuity create the conditions for trust, engagement, and consistent practice.
- Structured, Self-Directed Skill Acquisitionmethodology: programmed_instructionBy using programmed instruction, ranks and challenges, and self-directed materials, the organization enables scalable skill mastery because structured progression with clear milestones motivates learners and systematizes psychological growth without reliance on clinical professionals.