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2009 ANNUAL REPORT

Oklahoma Partnership

for School Readiness

CONTENTS

04 Letter to the Governor

07 Major Accomplishments

13 Preparedness Level of Children Entering Kindergarten

15 Kindergarten Report Card

17 Public Engagement Efforts

20 Efforts to Develop and Promote Private Sector Programs

26 Efforts to Promote Parental Involvement

27 Pre-Kindergarten and Other Education Programs

30 Community Mobilization End of Year Summary

38 Board Member Profiles

40 Community Mobilization

Smart Start South Central Oklahoma

Smart Start Bartlesville

Smart Start Canadian County

41 Smart Start Cherokee County

Smart Start Durant

Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma

42 Smart Start Kay County

Smart Start Kiamichi Country

Smart Start Lawton

43 Smart Start Logan County

Smart Start Muskogee

Smart Start Norman

44 Smart Start Central Oklahoma

Smart Start Pottawatomie County

Smart Start Stephens County

45 Smart Start North Central Oklahoma

Smart Start Tri County

Smart Start Tulsa

46 Financial Statements

Smart Start Oklahoma’s mission is to lead Oklahoma in coordinating an early childhood system focused on strengthening families and school readiness for all children.

BOARDCHAIR

Dear Governor Henry,

On behalf of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board, I am pleased to present our annual report for FY09. We appreciate your continued interest and support for early childhood issues and concerns, particularly your interest in promoting and expanding high quality programs and services that yield positive outcomes for Oklahoma’s children.

This report shares the accomplishments made to date by the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness, also identified as the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, and its efforts to bring together state and local coalitions toward improving outcomes for Oklahoma’s youngest children.

Contained in this report are system priorities identified by the board, highlights of major accomplishments, and a new addition – the Oklahoma Kindergarten Report Card. This report card contains important statistics about the Kindergarten Class of 2009. We hope you find its contents valuable talking points when speaking about where we have succeeded and where we still need to continue working towards a stronger early childhood system.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this great state. Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you in anyway.

All the best,

Dr. Marny DunlapOPSR Chair

04 I Smart Start Annual Report 2009

EXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

Dear Governor Henry,

I wish I had a magic wand – one that would grant our most sincere wishes: eradicating childhood poverty, eliminating abuse and neglect, and creating a system of high quality experiences for all infants and toddlers.

I do not have a magic wand; but I do have what research tells us will reduce some of the outcomes we fear for our children, even for the most disadvantaged children. This research is reflected in Educare, the Early Childhood State Pilot Program, family education programs that build on the strengths of Oklahoma families such as Oklahoma Parents as Teachers and Children First, and a voluntary universal pre-kindergarten program.

OPSR has been working strategically at building a stronger and better coordinated early childhood system since 2003. This past spring OPSR facilitated a convening of state leaders, gubernatorial staff, and business leaders to address the pressing needs of Oklahoma’s early childhood system and opportunities forthcoming through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and future federal budgets. Out of this two day meeting, three priorities emerged with a strong consensus to begin new efforts that will build upon existing successes.

These priorities included the development of a statewide unified data collection system that will better capture programmatic data and reduce overlapping efforts and waste as well as track outcomes that reflect both health and educational perspectives. As the state early childhood advisory council, OPSR will be submitting a federal application to receive $1.5 million dollars in funds for a three-year work plan that includes designing recommendations for a data system and advancing quality and access for infants and toddlers.

We look forward to a promising future for Oklahoma’s children. Thank you for your continued leadership in early childhood.

Sincerely,

Susan IllgenExecutive Director

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2009SMARTSTARTSTAFF

Susan Illgen Executive Director

Patrick Brown Development Director

Peggy Byerly Project Coordinator for Early ChildhoodComprehensive Systems

Crystal Duggins Community Planner

Jan Hardwick Community Programs Director

Liz Langthorn Assistant Community Planner

Peggy Mansell Fiscal Manager

Amanda Moran Policy Associate

Rosalee Rife Executive Assistant I

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MAJORACCOMPLISHMENTS

OPSR named the State’s Early Childhood Advisory CouncilIn 2007, under the federal reauthorization of Head Start, the Governor of each state was charged with creating or identifying a state advisory council for early childhood. The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness received this delegation in November of 2008, entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Governor’s Office and the Head Start Collaboration Office.

With this newly designated role, OPSR accepted additional tasks under the federal legislation:

(I) conduct a periodic statewide needs assessment concerning the quality and availability of early childhood education and development programs and services for children from birth to school entry, including an assessment of the availability of high-quality pre-kindergarten services for low-income children in the State;

(II) identify opportunities for, and barriers to, collaboration and coordination among Federally-funded and State-funded child development, child care, and early childhood education programs and services, including collaboration and coordination among State agencies responsible for administering such programs;

(III) develop recommendations for increasing the overall participation of children in existing Federal, State, and local child care and early childhood education programs including outreach to underrepresented and special populations;

(IV) develop recommendations regarding the establishment of a unified data collection system for public early childhood education and development programs and services throughout the State;

(V) develop recommendations regarding statewide professional development and career advancement plans for early childhood educators in the State;

(VI) assess the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4-year public and private institutions of higher education in the State toward supporting the development of early childhood educators, including the extent to which such institutions have in place articulation agreements, professional development and career advancement plans, and practice or internships for students to spend time in a Head Start or pre kindergarten program; and

(VII) make recommendations for improvements in State early learning standards and undertake efforts to develop high-quality comprehensive early learning standards, as appropriate.

Smart Start Annual Report 2009 07

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To accomplish these tasks, OPSR created a workgroup structure, comprised of on-the-ground experts to advise and inform the state council. These workgroups are:

Quality, Access, Standards and Accountability whose charges are to develop recommendations to increase quality and access to early childhood programs and services and to develop recommendations for improving the state’s early learning standards.

Their Key Issues are access to zero-through-three programs and services, research based models of quality zero-through-three programs and services, program standards and accountability, and policies to support the use of multiple funding streams for high quality programs.

Chair: Bob Harbison Co-Chair: Steven Dow Staffer: Amanda Moran

Data System and Coordination whose charges are to develop recommendations for a unified data system and to develop recommendations for policies and structures to support enhanced community coordination and to identify opportunities for and barriers to collaboration.

Their Key Issues are priorities of a unified data collection system, agency capacity to share or link data, tracking aggregate data about where children are, and reporting on the preparedness level of children entering kindergarten.

Chair: vacant Co-Chair: Debra Andersen Staffer: Liz Langthorn

Professional Development and Workforcewhose charges are to develop recommendations regarding a cross-sector, statewide professional development and career advancement plan and to assess the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4-year institutions toward supporting the development of early childhood educators.

Their Key Issues are shortages of early childhood practitioners, articulation agreements, strategies to linking professional development systems and standards, fostering and supporting agency collaboration in professional development, and common competencies and standards among early learning professions.

Chair: Ronda Brothers Co-Chair: Nancy vonBargen Staffer: Crystal Duggins

Special Populations whose charge is to make recommendations regarding inclusion of underserved groups in early childhood services and programs.

Their Key Issues are rural communities, children with special needs, English language learners, and children living in poverty.

Chair: Stephan Wilson/Amy Halliburton Co-Chair: Jay Weatherford Staffer: Peggy Mansell


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Oklahoma Economic Summit on Early Childhood InvestmentOn July 27, 2009 Smart Start Oklahoma hosted an economic summit for state business leaders, legislators, and state advocates. More than 450 state leaders registered to hear from Dr. James Heckman, Dr. Rob Dugger, and Dr. Sonya Anderson who each presented the relevance of early childhood investments in boosting state economies and how front-loaded investments yield the highest returns when investments are strategically placed in high quality programs and services. The lead partner for this Governor-supported event was the Potts Family Foundation. For more information about the summit, see the section on public engagement efforts.

Revision of the Parent GuideOklahoma health officials, child guidance experts, and medical practitioners reviewed and edited the Parent Guide in an effort to update the guide with current medical information. The Ronald McDonald House has generously provided funding to give the Parent Guide a new look, one that will match other Smart Start products. The Parent Guide reaches more than 40,000 parents each year.

Stimulus Funding Task GroupThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included funding opportunities for early childhood programs and services. OPSR convened a small task force of state leaders, legislators, and gubernatorial staff to discuss priorities for use of stimulus dollars in Oklahoma for early childhood system building. Three priorities emerged from three workgroup meetings. These priorities were: quality of infant toddler programs and services, access to infant toddler programs and services, and data system and coordination. The task force evolved into two workgroups, one to address quality and access, the other to work on developing a coordinated data system for early childhood.

Opportunities for Early Childhood Stimulus Funding

Child Care Development Block Grant – Oklahoma has been designated to receive $40 million

Early Head Start and Head Start Expansion – These grants are competitive; many Oklahoma grantees submit applications for expansion dollars and announcements of awards will occur between October and December 2010. $1.1 billion was included inthese expansion efforts.

State Early Childhood Advisory Councils – OPSR has been identified as the State’s Early Childhood Advisory Council and has been designated to receive $1.5 million once application requirements are submitted.

Title I - $13 billion on a formula basis

Part C (Early Intervention) - $500 million on a formula basis

619 Preschool Special Education - $400 million on a formula basis

Part B (Special Education) – $11.3 billion on a formula basis


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Stabilization Funds - $39.5 billion for elementary, secondary and postsecondary education “and as applicable, early childhood education programs and services;” $8.7 billion for public safety and other government services, including education, school and higher education modernization, renovation and repair; $4.3 billion for state incentive grants; $650 million for the Innovation Fund rewards for having made significant gains in closing achievement gap in order to expand and serve a models of best practice, work in partnership with private sector and philanthropic community, and identify and document best practices to share and that can be taken to scale.

Higher Education Title II Teacher Quality Partnerships – $100 million

Key system challenges were identified by the task force:

Quality•Findingwell-qualifiedstaffforbirththroughthreeprogramsisasignificantandinhibitivechallenge

to expansion of quality. Skill gaps are as real as actual staffing gaps.

•StateandFederaldollarsareoftenusedincombinationtoprovideservicestopre-kchildrenandHead Start children who are four years of age. There is a need to focus federal dollars on birth-through-three programs and fully utilize available state dollars for further expansion of state pre-kindergarten.

•AneedexiststomaximizetheuseoflayeredorbraidedfundingwithEarlyHeadStartfunds.

•Minimum wage increases will cause a significant decline in revenue despite two subsidy rateincreases. Paying adequate salaries to a qualified workforce is not sufficient to retain or recruit staff.

•Fragmentedbirth-to-fourprogramsdonotfeedsmoothlyintoschool-basedprograms.

•Thereisaneedtoexplorefullyhowtocombineeducationdollars(TitleI)withChildCarefundsforexpansion of quality programs and services.

•Theremaybeatendencytofocusonusingstimulusfundsfor“newanddifferent”ratherthanonprogram improvement, creating further fragmentation within the early childhood system.

•Highqualitystafftendtoleavechildcare,EarlyHeadStart,orHeadStartandgotopublicschool programs where they will receive better pay and better benefits.

•“Thecandleofprofessionaldevelopmentisnotlitateitherend;”thereisalackinteachersteaching the early childhood college coursework and students coming to be educated.

•Compensationratesaredisparate.

•TheremaybesomeresistancetoconvertingHeadStartslotstoEarlyHeadStartslotswithEconomic Stimulus Funding.

•Somefear“doubledipping”practices;thereforepoliciesmaybeinhibitivetobraiding.Thereisa need to break out of this thinking and find ways to use various federal and state dollars for higher quality programs and more comprehensive services.

•Thestatelacksadefinitionofhighqualityacrossallprogramsandservices.


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Access•Allearlycareandeducationprogramsreportwaitinglistsorshortagesinservicesforbirththrough

three-year-olds (no waiting list is held for child care at the state level).

•Inurbancommunities,waitinglistsforstatepre-kindergartenarehigherthaninotherareasduetoinsufficient space on district property.

•Themostvulnerablepopulations(childrenundertheageofthreewholiveinpoverty)aremoreunlikely to access high quality care and education.

•Ruralcommunitiesexperiencesignificantshortagesinchildcarecapacity.

•Homevisitationprogramsenforceageeligibilityguidelinesthatyieldacliffinservicesattheageof 36 months. Many three-year-olds do not receive home visitation programs or other types of services due to this age cut-off.

•60%ofbirthsaretoMedicaid;oneineightMedicaid-paidbirthsreceiveshomevisitationservicesfollowing birth.

•Theeconomymayresultinjobloss;affordablehighqualitycarewillbemoreimportantthanever.

•Thedemandforearlyinterventionservicesisgreaterthanthecurrentdistributionofservices.

•FeedingasmallnumberofEarlyHeadStartslotsintoasignificantlylargerpoolofHeadStartslotsis unbalanced.

•Highqualityinfant/toddlercareistheareaexperiencingthegreatestshortage.

•Thereissomefearamongconstituentsthatutilizingstimulusfundsforexpansionofservicesmaybe an unwise decision and result in a significant cliff effect in two years when stimulus funding ends. This may prevent state partners from utilizing funding that was intended to expand services.

•MoreguidanceisneededoneffectiveutilizationofTitleIdollarsforbirth-through-threeprograms.In rural communities this is particularly needed.


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Data Systems and Coordination•FederallyfundedHeadStartandEarlyHeadStartprogramsoperatedifferently.Thereisan

inherent gap between the two, making transitioning from Early Head Start to Head Start difficult. A need exists to work towards a longer term of services and more seamless services. This problem is not unique to Oklahoma.

•Todate,whereyoungchildrenare(particularlythoseundertheageoffour)andtowhatkindsofprograms and services their families are accessing has not been tracked sufficiently. This creates a barrier to decision making and planning.

•Thereisalackofstateguidanceregardingeligiblefundingpartnersandappropriatebraidingpolicies that would improve coordination and quality of programs and services.

•Collaborationprogramsarechallengingandrequiretremendousplanning,coordination,andcommunication.

•ThereisalackoflongitudinaldatathatlinkswiththeOklahomaStateDepartmentofEducationstudent information management system.

•Withfragmentedbirthtofourearlychildhoodprogramsandservices,oureffortsmayappeardisorganized and small scale, yielding in a lack of documenting overall program effectiveness and efficiency.

School Readiness DefinitionRecognizing the need to coordinate data efforts, to build longitudinal data systems for tracking children and program outcomes, and to identify the level of preparedness of kindergartners in Oklahoma, OPSR charged the Ready Schools Advisory group to develop a recommendation for an Oklahoma school readiness definition. Efforts of this group are currently underway, with an anticipated definition to be submitted this spring to the Governor’s office and each agency head.

To date, this definition includes four assumptions of school readiness: quality programs and services, strengthened families, engaged communities, and child outcomes. It is important to note this group strives to clarify the responsibility for school readiness rests in the hands of adults, communities, and state funded programs that prepare young children for life and is not placed on the child, particularly as a means to exclude them from important educational programs.


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PREPAREDNESSLEVELOFCHILDRENENTERINGKINDERGARTEN

Preparing children for life is an important task. How well a child is prepared for school is often described as “school readiness,” and is a hallmark towards a successful life. It is a delicate balance of a family’s efforts, community engagement, and quality programs and services, often referred to as the ecological system, which contributes to a child’s smart start in life. A lack of a statewide school readiness assessment prevents us from tracking accurately the preparedness level of children entering kindergarten. There is data, however, that can be analyzed to understand the impact of children’s ecological systems on their development. The data on the following pages has been tabulated based on these sources:

Explanation of DataChild population: This count reflects the total child population in SFY2008 for children ages zero to five. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OK2Share).

Births: This count reflects the total number of births in SFY2008. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OK2Share).

Percentage of births paid by Medicaid: This count reflects the total percentage of births in SFY2008 that were subsidized by Medicaid dollars. This data comes from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (SoonerCare Deliveries Fast Facts SFY2008).

Percent of children immunized: This count reflects the total percentage of children from 0 to age 3 who were fully immunized in SFY2008. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (State of the State’s Health 2008).

Percentages of low and very low birth weight babies: This count reflects the total percentage of babies born at a birth weight less than 2500 grams in SFY2008. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OK2Share).

Rate of infant mortality: This rate reflects the number of infant deaths per thousand in SFY2008. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (State of the State’s Health 2008).

Average annual child abuse and neglect confirmations: This rate depicts an average over three years (2006-2008) of the number of child abuse and neglect confirmations per 1,000 children ages 0 to 18. This data comes from the Oklahoma Kids’ Count Factbook 2009.


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Percentage of children eligible for free and reduced lunch: This number reflects the percentage of children under age 18 who are eligible for free or reduced lunch. This data comes from the Oklahoma Office of Accountability (Profiles 2008 State Report).

Childhood Stress Index: The childhood Stress Index displays two indicators in each of four areas which, taken together, provide a rate approximating the amount of stress to which a child is subjected. The highest rates indicate the highest stress (123-280: lowest risk; 283-343: middle risk; 348-469: highest risk). The higher the score, the more likely children are at risk of being or becoming mentally ill and abusing drugs or alcohol. The four areas and their indicators are Birth/Genetic/Biological Factors (Very Low Birth weight and Autism Reported on IEPs), Environmental Factors (Childhood Poverty and Unemployment), Childhood Exposure to Trauma (FEMA Disaster Declarations and Adverse Childhood Experience) and Access to Effective Treatment (Mentally Ill, Substance Abusing and Socially Emotionally Disturbed Children Not Served by Publicly-Funded Treatment and Child/Youth Suicide). This data comes from the Oklahoma Kid’s Count Report, 2008.

Percentage of births to mothers with less than high school education: This data reflects the percentage of births in Oklahoma in SFY2008 to mothers without a full high school education. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OK2Share).

Percentage of births to single moms This data reflects the total percentage of births in Oklahoma in SFY2008 to single mothers. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OK2Share).

Percentage of births with adequate prenatal care: This data reflects the total percentage of births with adequate prenatal care (1st trimester access with more than five prenatal visits) in SFY2008. This data comes from the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OK2Share).

Percentage of adult population with college diploma: This number reflects the total percentage of adults (24 years of age and older) who have a college diploma. This data comes from the Oklahoma Office of Accountability (Profiles 2008 State Report).

Percentage of third graders scoring satisfactory and above on CRT reading scores: This number reflects the total percentage of 3rd graders in SFY2008 who scored satisfactory of higher on the state mandated curriculum test for reading. This data comes from the Oklahoma Office of Accountability (Profiles 2008 State Report).

Percentage of 1st through 3rd graders in a reading remediation program: This number reflects the total percentage of 1st through 3rd grade students in SFY2008 who were screened under the Reading Sufficiency Act requirements and identified as needing additional reading remediation. This data comes from the Oklahoma Office of Accountability (Profiles 2008 State Report).

Percentage of 3rd Graders scoring satisfactory and above on CRT math scores: This number reflects the total percentage of 3rd graders in SFY2008 who scored satisfactory or higher on the state mandated curriculum test for math. This data comes from the Oklahoma Office of Accountability (Profiles 2008 State Report).


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2009 KINDERGARTEN REPORT CARD

8.8 out of 10 Kindergartners participated in a high quality four-year-old education program (NIEER, 2008 State of Preschool Year Book – pre-k, head start, special education – 4 year olds)

1.5 out of 10 Kindergartners participated in a high quality three-year-old education program (NIEER, 2008 State of Preschool Year Book - pre-k, head start (includes SPP and Educare), special education – 3 year olds)

9.3 out of 10 Kindergartners have health insurance (OHCA, Oklahoma Uninsured Fast Facts October 2009, based on 7% uninsured rate children ages 0-18)

8.1 out of 10 Kindergartners are fully immunized (OSDH State of Health Report, 2008, under age three)

4.4 out of 10 Kindergartners live above the low-income threshold(Office of Accountability, Profiles 2008 State Report, Free and Reduced Lunch Count)

2.2 out of 10 Kindergartners have a parent with a college education(Office of Accountability, Profiles 2008 State Report, percentage of adults with college diploma)

5.9 out of 10 Kindergartners live with more than one parent (OSDH, approximated based on percentage of births to single mothers in 2008)

1.1 out of 10 Kindergartners’ families received parent education or family support services (SDE, OPAT 1/3 enrollment count 04-06, OSDH, C1, new enrollees 04)

8.7 out of 10 Kindergartners are not enrolled in an intervention or special education program (USDE, 13% public school students have an IEP)

??? out of 10 Kindergartners score satisfactory or higher on a state school readiness assessment (statewide school readiness assessment not available yet)


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OTHER SCHOOL READINESS INDICATORS

Child Health and Wellbeing IndicatorsChild population 0-5 (OSDH, 2008) 316,926

Births, 2008 (OSDH, 2008) 54,946

Percentage of births paid by Medicaid (OHCA, 2008) 60%

Percent of children immunized (OSDH, under age three, 2008) 80.1%

Percentage of low birth weight babies (OSDH, 2008) 8.3%

Rate of infant mortality (OSDH, 2008) 8/1000

Average annual child abuse and neglect confirmations(Oklahoma Kids Count, 2008) 14.5/1000

Percentage of children eligible for free and reduced lunch(Office of Accountability, 2008) 56%

Childhood Stress Index(Oklahoma Kids Count, 2008) 307 (moderate risk)

Parent CharacteristicsPercentage of births to mothers with less than high school education(OSDH, 2008) 18%

Percentage of births to single mothers (OSDH, 2008) 41%

Percentage of births with adequate prenatal care(OSDH, 2008 – 1st Trimester access, 10-12 prenatal visits) 22%

Percentage of adult population with college diploma(Office of Accountability, 2008) 22.8%

Child Academic IndicatorsPercentage of 3rd graders scoring satisfactory and above on CRT reading scores(Office of Accountability, 2008) 90%

Percentage of 1st through 3rd grade student on reading remediation program(Office of Accountability, 2008) 35.7%

Percentage of 3rd graders scoring satisfactory and above on Math CRT scores(Office of Accountability, 2008) 81%


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PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS

Sooner Care CampaignA child’s health is inextricably bound to school readiness. Health care access, therefore, is as important to school readiness as quality early care and education. One way to facilitate health care access is to ensure all children have insurance coverage, whether it is public or private.

With that in mind, the OPSR board identified increasing enrollment in SoonerCare, the state Medicaid program, as an important Smart Start Oklahoma statewide effort. All eighteen Smart Start Oklahoma communities are involved in increasing SoonerCare enrollment in their service area. Activities include placing SoonerCare information and links on local SSO websites, distributing eligibility and enrollment information with other SSO public engagement materials and working with partner organizations to spread the word to parents that their children may be eligible.

Parents and family members are frequently unaware that their child is eligible for SoonerCare. An important aspect of the communities’ work is to engage partners who already touch the lives of families and children to include SoonerCare enrollment in existing families’ contacts. Partners who enroll children could be staff at child care centers, public school nurses or the billing staff of local health care clinics.

To facilitate this process for communities and their partners, Smart Start Oklahoma, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Health Care Authority created an enrollment toolkit. Included in the toolkit are sample public service announcements, press releases and letters to the editor specifically directed at parents to increase their awareness of SoonerCare. The toolkit also contains everything necessary to enroll children so that partner agencies feel comfortable with the enrollment process and are better able to assist families.


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Economic SummitOn July 27, 2009, Smart Start Oklahoma held an Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment at the Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City. More than 450 individuals registered for the event, exceeding the attendance goal by more than 150. The Potts Family Foundation was the co-host for this event. Additional partners included: Inasmuch Foundation, George Kaiser Family Foundation, American Fidelity, and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

Dr. James Heckman, Dr. Sonya Anderson, and Dr. Rob Dugger provided compelling data emphasizing the importance of front-end investments in human potential. The outcomes of these investments are a strong boost to a state’s economy.

Special attention was given to evaluating participants’ increased knowledge and desire to engage in early childhood efforts as follow-up. A survey was administered at the beginning of the summit to gather pre-conference knowledge of early childhood investments. At the conclusion of the summit, participants were again asked to respond, capturing post-conference awareness and knowledge. Onehundredpercent(100%)ofthoserespondingindicatedincreasedawarenessoftheimportanceof the early years as it relates to workforce development. One hundred fifty-one (151) agreed to become early childhood advocates. Especially important were the following commitments:

• Eighty-two(82)agreedtogetinvolvedwithstatecommunitiesorworkgroupstodeveloppoliciesor to join a local Smart Start or similar organization

• Sixty-eight (68) agreed to contact local and state representatives to ask them to supportincreased investment in young children

• Sixty(60)agreedtobeapresenterwithlocalcivicgroupsorlocalminisummits

• Forty-two(42)agreedtodevelopandimplementfamilyfriendlypracticesintheirbusinesses

Four regional summits will be held throughout the Fall of 2009 in Smart Start communities in each of the four regions of the state. The hosting communities are: Lawton, Tahlequah, Stillwater, and Durant.

New WebsiteThe Smart Start Oklahoma website received a well-needed face lift and became even more user friendly with eight easy-to-click tabs allowing visitors to have easy access to community information, the latest Smart Start news, the most current research, and important early childhood resources. The overall look and feel of the site now mirrors the Smart Start marketing materials, giving a more uniform and consistent tone. A special page designated for workgroup information is also available on the website, http://www.smartstartoklahoma.org.


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Revision of Parent Guide, new designState health officials, child guidance experts, and medical practitioners reviewed and edited the Parent Guide to update the guide with current medical information. The Ronald McDonald House generously provided funding to give the Parent Guide a new look, one that will match other Smart Start products. The Parent Guide reaches more than 40,000 parents each year. The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has provided services for the annual printing of this guide.

Planting the Seeds for Economic Growth VideoSmart Start Oklahoma retained a video production company mid-year to create a video on Early Childhood Investment and to highlight the importance of early childhood investments to the state economy. In September, the “Planting a Seed” Smart Start DVD was released and copyrighted. Each Smart Start community director was provided a copy for local use. The DVD includes interviews with several Oklahoma business leaders.

Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year AwardThe Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation created a new award, the Oklahoma Early Childhood Educator of the Year. Finalists selected were:

Kathy Daigle – A kindergarten teacher at the Grove Early Childhood Center, Grove, OK; 31 years teaching experience.

Jill Davis – A pre-kindergarten teacher at Kendall-Whittier Elementary, Tulsa, OK; 10 years teaching experience.

Colleen Iasiello – A kindergarten teacher at Ranchwood Elementary in Yukon, OK; 17 years teaching experience.

2009 Early Childhood Educator of the Year, Jill Davis and the finalists received gifts from OPSRF, University of Central Oklahoma, Steven Fite, and the Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma.

Smart Start Press“Something to Celebrate” Tulsa World, July, 2008

“The Costs for Child Care Sky Rocket” Tulsa World, Ginnie Graham, September, 2008

“Horizon’s Broadcast: Importance of Early Childhood to the Economy” Horizons TV Show, Rob McLendon, October 2008

Economic Summit Interviews: NewsOk, Ok Gazette, Channel 9, June-July 2009


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EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE PRIVATE SECTOR PROGRAMS

Better Together: Oklahoma Ready Schools Better Together Oklahoma’s Ready Schools Initiative is an expansion of a nationwide early childhood school improvement initiative called Ready Schools. Five public schools in Oklahoma are participating in this statewide pilot. The schools include: Drummond Elementary School, Drummond; Kendall-Whittier Elementary School, Tulsa; Mayo Demonstration School, Tulsa; Children’s Lighthouse, Oklahoma City; Edison Elementary School, Bristow.

Better Together guides schools in engaging community partners to enhance their programs and services, building on their existing strengths and resources. Not only are more children served, but the services and programs are more comprehensive, extending from birth through the early elementary years.

Participating public schools commit to the program for three years. During that time, they receive onsite consultation, technical assistance for implementation, training in the use of child assessment and program assessment, and opportunities for cross sector professional development with child care, head start and public school teachers.

GoalsGoal 1 Birth through elementary alignment Goal 2: Capacity of school to be ready Goal 3: Developmentally appropriate learning environments Goal 4: Highlight the nine pathways through model sites Goal 5: Improve school environments

Nine PathwaysChildren experience a welcoming atmosphere Leadership supports best practice Strong connections exist between the school and early care and education programs Early childhood programs connect culturally and linguistically with children and families Early childhood programs partner with families Early childhood programs partner with the community Early childhood programs use assessment results to drive decision making Quality assurance provide the framework for reflection and self-improvementChildren succeed


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EvaluationThe Ready Schools Assessment (RSA) is both an environmental assessment and a planning tool. This document, published by High/Scope Press (2008), is meant to help a school’s team evaluate their program on eight key dimensions of readiness:

Leaders and LeadershipTeacher SupportsEngaging EnvironmentsRespecting Diversity

TransitionsEffective CurriculaFamily, School, and Community PartnershipsAssessing Progress

This assessment tool is meant to examine the physical, temporal, and social environments of the early childhood setting(s), thus helping the users to determine their strengths and weaknesses in being ready for children entering their programs. These eight dimensions can also be described as structural components, such as curricula in place or room arrangement, or processes, such as respecting diversity or providing teachers support.

Each of the five participating schools conducted the RSA at the beginning of the project. The lowest average for the sample was 2.62, in the dimension Respecting Diversity. The highest average for the sample was 3.41, in the dimension Leaders and Leadership.

The dimensions ranked by the sample mean, from lowest to highest, are:

a. Respecting Diversity 2.62b. Effective Curricula 2.65c. Family, School, and Community Partnerships 2.71d. Teacher Supports 2.85e. Transitions 2.87f. Engaging Environments 3.11g. Assessing Progress 3.27h. Leaders and Leadership 3.41

The Work Sampling System (WSS) (Pearson, 2000) is an authentic assessment system, available online through subscription, and is capable of following children from infancy through the 6th grade with a seamless collection of assessment tools showing the “big picture” of a child’s development over time. As an online assessment, it is easy to store and transition from one setting to the next. An informal cost analysis conducted by graduate students at a regional university in Oklahoma showed that if it is used from pre-k through the 3rd grade, the expense over time is more cost effective than standardized testing and scoring costs.

A WSS training was held in late January of 2009, with participants attending from all five of the pilot schools. Throughout the remainder of the school year the sites experimented with the Work Sampling System, and began full implementation of WSS for the 2009-2010 school year.


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EducareEducare is a state-of-the art early childhood center that is open full-day and full-year, with a bachelor degreed teacher in every classroom, working together in a growing network to advance quality in Oklahoma. The Educare model has high staff and small class sizes, a curriculum based on research, parental involvement, on-site family support, and on-site health/mental health services. Educare seeks to combine the best of Head Start, child care, and preschool to help at-risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers grow up eager to learn and ready for school.

Each Educare is a partnership, a place, a program and a platform for policy change. The Educare Centers across America work together with the Bounce Learning Network. Oklahoma currently has two Educare centers, one in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Educare of Tulsa II –Hawthorne is to open this year and will be the second center in Tulsa. Smart Start Oklahoma believes that this model can improve quality in child care and looks to this model as a platform for broader policy change.

Smart Start Oklahoma is planning for a legislative tour of Oklahoma City’s Educare with Representative Joe Dorman and six of the Oklahoma State House of Representative’s freshman delegation. In addition, Smart Start Oklahoma serves as a state resource to national inquiries about effective early childhood models, including Educare.


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Strengthening FamiliesSeven Smart Start Oklahoma communities provide a program that supports parents through the child care center where their child attends. The communities include: Ada, Duncan, Enid, Guthrie, Ponca City, Stillwater, and Tulsa.

Strengthening Families is a new approach to child abuse prevention that uses early childhood programs to provide families with the support and resources they need. There is evidence that an early childhood program that intentionally and strategically reaches out to support parents is a powerful child abuse and neglect prevention strategy.

Strengthening Families seeks to overcome the individual causes of child neglect and abuse by providing child care providers with training to be able to identify risk factors in families, such as parental isolation, lack of knowledge about child development, and mental, physical or financial crisis in the family. By identifying these risk factors, child care providers are able to provide parents with concrete support in times of need.

Staff Profiles from the Strengthening Families Pilot– During the past year, 244 teachers/care providers were employed at sites.– Through the year, 69 different training opportunities were offered for staff development

opportunities.

Family Support Activities from the Strengthening Families Pilot– 32 parent workshops/events were held.– 573 parents attended the workshops focused on parenting techniques or

child development.– 35 different social opportunities were used to encourage improved parent-to-parent

interaction, (barbeques, classroom parties, indoor soccer, and parent board meetings.)– 500 parents attended socialization opportunities

Participant Comments– “Teachers have really advanced in areas that recognize different temperaments,

difference in parenting with culture differences….”– “We work together as a team better. The Prevention of Child Abuse and

Neglect Training was beneficial to teacher/parent communications.”– “It is very beneficial for the children and families for the parents to have access to their

child’s online portfolio. Parents have written their own observations to the teachers from the parent net site. Parent involvement is crucial for children’s school success.”


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Collaboration Research and Tool KitSmart Start Oklahoma partnered with the Oklahoma Head Start Collaboration office, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health to conduct a state evaluation of collaboration challenges and benefits in Oklahoma. Rough estimates based on figures provided by Head Start directors indicate that the sites included in this study reached approximately 7,000 children.

The most common challenge for Head Start, pre-kindergarten and child care administrators alike was the difficulty in complying with more than one set of regulations and requirements. Despite the challenges encountered by collaboration partners, the common response was that they are far outweighed by the benefits for families, children and the program itself. The most common theme from all partners was the need for open, honest and ongoing communication. This applies both to administrators in the partnership as well as to classroom staff who may be at a location outside of the public school and must be connected to both the collaboration site and the associated public school site.

Collaboration is a win-win approach that has potential for improving outcomes. There is certainly no one-size-fits-all model or approach to collaboration. Rather, structure, process and strategy will vary depending on the unique circumstances of the partners and the community. This, however, allows for creativity in designing and implementing approaches that are uniquely suited for each community.

In a time of serious budget constraints, it is increasingly important to identify and implement innovative ways to “braid” diverse funding streams and provide services in a more efficient manner. Though there is a need for further research on effective models and strategies for overcoming challenges and barriers, this report is the first step toward greater understanding and better planning. For detailed information about the Collaboration Research Project, please visit the Smart Start Oklahoma website at http://www.smartstartoklahoma.org.


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LiteracyEarly Literacy Programs are a requirement for all Smart Start Communities. In SFY09 all communities engaged in early literacy efforts. These early literacy efforts were funded by public and private dollars and were one of the following programs:

Raising a ReaderLeap into LiteracyRx to ReadReach out and ReadRead NowRead to MeBooks for Babies

These early literacy programs ranged from medical models to classroom models and provided a wealth of early literacy materials to families of young children:

35,120 books distributed12,256 children served452 classrooms around the state participated

346 Pre-k, Head Start and child care centers 19 home child care facilities

Chesapeake, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and the Inasmuch Foundation were all generous sponsors of literacy opportunities for Smart Start Oklahoma communities.

Early Childhood Leadership TrainingThe Inasmuch Foundation provided $120,000 for leadership training at the National Smart Start Conference in Greensboro, North Carolina. The goal of the National Smart Start Conference was to create and maintain a network of people responsible for ensuring that children have the best possible start in life. The conference provided the framework for national discussion on advancements in early care and educational services, research on effective programming and systems, and opportunities to network with other state and national leaders in early childhood. The Inasmuch Grant sponsored 57 stakeholders of community staff and board members the opportunity to participate in this national network.


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EFFORTS TO PROMOTE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Beyond the Better Together Ready Schools Initiative which requires parental involvement on the district advisory team, and the Parent Guide which is distributed annually to more than 40,000 parents across the state, Smart Start Oklahoma strives to engage families in a variety of ways.

Coalition membershipSmart Start Oklahoma encourages parental involvement in local coalition activities through board membership, coalition membership, special projects, or needs assessments and focus groups.

Workgroup MembershipAs part of the OPSR workgroup structure, all workgroups require membership that must include a parent or consumer, a community coordinator, and an individual representing special populations. In addition, current board membership for OPSR includes two individuals who are parents of young children.

Local Community EffortsSmart Start’s Community Mobilization network reaches 51 of 77 counties across the state. Nearly 12,000 of these families were engaged in family initiatives during the FY 09 year. These families included parents, step-parents, grandparents, and foster parents.

Their efforts included developing and distributing local resource directors, expanding or providing transportation opportunities for families in need of services, fatherhood programs for incarcerated fathers, autism support groups, parent resource libraries, community wide family events, parent meetings and trainings, and home visitation programs.


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PRE-KINDERGARTEN

And Other State Department of Education Early Childhood ProgramsPre-Kindergarten in Oklahoma is offered through the public school district with a bachelor degreed teacher, 2 to 20 teacher-to-child ratio, district-approved curriculum, state-adopted standards, and comprehensive services. Oklahoma ranks first in the nation in terms of access to four-year-old pre-kindergarten.

The program in Oklahoma is voluntary and universal, meaning that a family does not need to meet certain income requirements to be eligible for the program. Any child who is four years old on or before September 1 may voluntarily participate in the program. In addition, it is also voluntary for a school district to offer the program. It should be highlighted that even with this voluntary nature, pre-kindergarten can be found in nearly every district in the state. Clearly, parents demand these quality services for their four-year-old.

Over the past 10 years, enrollment has consistently increased with the greatest percentage of enrollment now in full-day programs. Districts may choose half-day or full-day; funding for each is weighted differently through the school’s funding formula for student aid.

District Participation, 2008 -200997% of school districts offered the state pre-kindergarten program.

35% of school districts collaborated with on outside organization to offer pre-kindergarten.

Enrollment, 2008Total: 35,688Half day: 16,166 Full day: 19, 522


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OPAT

Oklahoma Parents As Teachers (OPAT) is a unique parent education program designed to give children the best possible start in life. The program is built on the philosophy that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. It is a voluntary program for all parents who have young children birth to three years of age.

The goal of the Oklahoma Parents As Teachers program is to strengthen the capacity of parents to be effective first teachers. The program is designed to maximize a child’s overall development during the first three years of life, lay the foundation for school success and minimize developmental problems that interfere with the child’s learning.

OPAT is also designed to foster an early partnership between home and school so that parents take a far more active role during their children’s formal years of schooling. Other intended benefits of the program include: positive parental attitudes toward the school district, early identification of sensory or developmental problems, and reduction in the need for expensive remediation and special education programs.

District Participation2007 – 2008 98 School Districts2006 – 2007 97 School Districts2005 – 2006 99 School Districts

Enrollment, 2005-20082007 – 2008 46572006 – 2007 5117 2005 – 2006 5619

SoonerStartSoonerStart is a statewide program in Oklahoma that provides a range of services to families with infants and toddlers from birth to age three who have developmental delays. Eligibility is not based on income, but on the child’s developmental status. There are SoonerStart offices in all areas of the state.

Monthly Average Case Load2008 – 2009 4,314

Total Number of Infants and Toddlers Receiving Services2008 – 2009 13,534

Total Number of Referrals2008 – 2009 9057

Total Number of Children Referred from Sooner Start to an LEA2008 – 2009 1185


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Oklahoma State Pilot Program for Infants and ToddlersDuring the 2006 legislative session and with broad bi-partisan support, the Legislature directed the State Board of Education to establish a state early childhood pilot program. The Legislature appropriated $5 million on the condition that the private sector could raise $10 million to enhance the quality of early childhood education and care for low-income children from birth through age three. Since 2006 other private investors have stepped forward and the state has doubled its investment ($10 million). The grant contract is awarded to the Community Action Project of Tulsa County; Smart Start Oklahoma helps link providers with this network and disseminates research about its programmatic impact. In January 2009, 1,487 children and families were served by thirteen committed agencies. While most of the programs initially applying for funding were Early Head Start grantees, three star child care programs and Head Start grantees now also participate in the pilot.

Enrollment2007 720 2008 1204 2009 1487

Three-year-oldsThere are no state appropriations for three-year-old pre-kindergarten in the state; however, some districts choose to fund three-year-olds in public schools through a variety of public and private sources (Title I, general funds, special education, e.g.).

District Participation205 elementary schools in 152 public school districts provide services to three-year-olds.

Enrollment, 2008Full day: 1013Half day: 1095Total: 3108


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FY09 END OF YEAR REPORT - COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION

Staffing53 full time and part time employees were paid under state, Chesapeake, and Public Service Company of Oklahoma funds.

– Directors– Special projects coordinators– Fiscal agents and program administrators– OPAT educators

Staff DevelopmentCommunity employees attended 190 trainings and/or conferences.

Opportunities included:

– Smart Start National Conference– Early care conferences– Early childhood advocacy training

– State and local leadership trainings– Grant writing training– Outcome measurement training

Fundraising50%ofcommunitiesengagedinfundraising.

Activities included:

– Jointly-hosted golf tournament – Book and supply drives – Auctions

– Letter writing campaigns– Board/leadership donations– Community events

Grant writingAll communities participated in grant writing. Grants ranged from $500-$360,000.

Submitted to:

– United Way – March of Dimes – George Kaiser Family Foundation – Central Rural Electric Fund

– Inasmuch– Department of Education– W.H.O. Women Helping Others


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In Kind Funding – non cash support17 communities reported in-kind funding for a total of $532,209.

In-kind non cash support ranged from $500-$200,000.

– 1 greater than $200K– 6 greater than $10K

– 3 greater than $50K– 8 less than $10K

Types of in-kind include:

– Occupancy– Supplies– Advertising and printing– Services

– Administrative staff – Incentives and gifts– Event venues

Matching Funding – cash supportTotal cash support reported was $1,680,061.

Range $0-$1,115,000

– 1 greater than $1 million – 2 greater than $50k– 7 less than $7k

– 3 greater than $100K– 3 greater than $10k

Sources include:

– Fiscal agents– Private donors– Local tribes – County Commissioners

– Public schools– Local businesses– Foundations– Service organizations

Needs AssessmentsAll communities have completed at least one community assessment.

– 10 completed in FY09– 2 completed in FY08– 3 older than two years– 1 scheduled to be completed FY10


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Coalition/Board MeetingsEight community board or coalition meetings occur on average per month across the state.

Board/Coalition DevelopmentBoard members attended 120 trainings or conferences.

– Average of 7 events per community

Opportunities included:

– Smart Start National Conference – Early care conferences – Early childhood advocacy training

– State and local leadership trainings – Grant writing training– Poverty training

Board and Coalition Membership– Business/financial sector– Higher education – State and local government – Juvenile justice – Health care providers– Public schools – Community volunteers– Child advocates– Foundations

– Health departments– Early care and education,

Head Start/Early Head Start– Media – Tribes – Human Services– Mental health services– Faith communities– Museums

State/Local Official Contacts17 communities reported contacting at least one state or local government official.

– Total contacts - 215– Average of 12 per community

Officials include:

– Mayors– State and National Congressional Members– Agency Directors– Lt. Governor– County Commissioners– City Council Members


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State/Local Official Events15 communities hosted events for state and local officials.

– 18 events– 1133 participants

Event types included:

– Child Watch Tours– Legislative Conferences– Community Needs Assessment releases– Leadership Luncheons and Breakfasts

Partners included:

– Private donors– Public schools

– Universities– Foundations– Department of Health

Child Care Conference/Training12 communities hosted or co-hosted a child care conference or training.

Topics included:

– Poverty simulation– PCAN training for child care– Child care and education

– Chambers of Commerce

– Early literacy

– Child abuse prevention– Strengthening Families tours– Health related topics (SIDS, CPR)– Culturally specific needs

Child Care or Early Childhood Education Quality Improvement Initiatives17 communities engaged in child care or early childhood education quality improvement initiatives.

– 1190 providers served– 5471 children served– 195 centers served

Initiatives included:

– Letters of support for new Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms– Quality improvement grants– Partnering with local Resource and Referral quality initiatives– Provider training– Strengthening Families pilot site support


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Early LiteracyAll communities engaged in early literacy efforts.

– 35,120 books distributed– 12,256 children served– 452 classrooms around the state participated

· 346 Pre-k, Head Start and child care centers · 19 home child care facilities

Books were also distributed to community centers, OPAT educators, and workplaces.

Programs included:

– Raising a Reader– Rx to Read– Read Now– Books for Babies

– Leap into Literacy– Reach Out and Read– Read to Me

Family Support and Parent Education 17 communities engaged in family support initiatives

– 11,790 parents and guardians impacted· Parents, step parents, grandparents and foster parents

Efforts included:

– Local resource directories – Fatherhood programs for incarcerated fathers– Parent resource libraries– Parent meetings/training

– Local transportation– Autism support groups

– Community wide family events– Home visitation

Parent Guides12 communities distributed parent guides.

– 25,752 guides distributed

Guides distributed through:

– Hospitals, birthing centers and clinics– Health Departments– Red Cross

– Health Fairs– Parent meetings– OPAT


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Health of Children17 communities reported engaging in work that promotes the health of children.


– Parenting classes from health care professionals– Vision, dental and developmental screenings

– Promoting immunization campaigns– Membership in Turning Point coalitions– Distributing nutrition information

Partners included:

– OPAT– Turning Point

– Car seat safety training and checks

– Local health care providers– Local businesses

– Children First– Local Health Department– Local tribes– Local service organizations

Infant/Child Mental Health14 communities reported working to promote the mental health of infants and children.


– Executive board membership for local Systems of Care– Partnering with local mental health providers– Developing children’s mental health survey– Spotlighting topic at leadership luncheons and breakfasts– Training for families and providers on social/emotional development in children– Public engagement campaigns– Local lending libraries with resources for providers

Partners include:

– Local extension offices– Public schools– Health clinics– Infant Mental Health Association– Local Providers

– Child Guidance offices– Health Departments– Oklahoma Child Abuse Prevention– Juvenile Justice


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Strategic PlanningAll 18 communities have completed at least one strategic plan in the last 3 years.

– 7 expect to complete or revise a plan in FY10– 1 expects to complete or revise a plan in FY11 – 3 completed or revised a strategic plan in FY 09– 4 completed or revised a strategic plan in FY 08– 3 strategic plans are older than FY 08

Community ChallengesStaff changes/loss affected 7 of 18 communities.

– Change in Directors– Change or loss of Special Projects Coordinators

4 communities without staff loss indicated lack of additional staff hurt program successes.

Community Successes– Increased number of children screened over previous years’ efforts.– Public engagement of data from Community Needs Assessments.– New connections with long-sought-after partners.– New public engagement materials, such as DVD’s.– Expansion of Raising a Reader.– Increased participation in community events focusing on the family.– Spanish language program piloted in child care facility in Lawton.– International Infant Toddler Conference in Tulsa.– Involvement with Safe Routes to School in Guthrie to make it safer for children to walk to school.– “Touch the Trucks” in Guthrie (free family event), distributed information about community resources.– Healthy Reader in Ponca City – children receive books when they are immunized

at the health department.– Community baby shower in Duncan.– Monthly early childhood column in local paper – Stephens County.– F.A.T.H.E.R program in Cimarron Correctional Facility designed to help incarcerated fathers

reconnect with their children.– Raising a Reader in every Head Start, Early Head Start, Pre-k, Even Start classroom

and OPAT program in three county area (Tri County).


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Public Engagement Activities– Surveying community early care providers of needs for centers and children– Child watch tours– Community-wide family events– Business After Hours meet-and-greet

Wilder Survey ResultsThe Wilder Survey is administered annually to collect data regarding coalition and collaboration efforts as well as to capture data that might reflect some of the system changes OPSR strives to address. Below are highlights from this year’s data and a comparison set from 2007.

Leadership Capacity

In2007,89.3%ofrespondentsagreedorstronglyagreedthat thelocalcommunity leadershipteam had the skills necessary to the work of the coalition

In2009,93.9%ofrespondentsagreedorstronglyagreed.Thisdemonstratesanincreaseoffourpercent.

Shared Vision and Ownership of the Coalition

In2007,95.6%ofrespondentsagreedorstronglyagreedthattheyunderstoodandwerededicatedto the mission and vision of the coalition.

In 2009, 95.7% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed, a small increase of a 1/10th apercent.

Confidence in Accomplishing System Changes

In 2007, 75.1% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the coalition could achieverecommended system changes in their local coalition.

In2009,75.6%of respondentsagreedorstronglyagreed,asmall increaseof5/10thsofapercent.


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BOARDMEMBERS

Phil Berkenbile, Ed.D. Director, Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology

Ronda BrothersDirector of Head Start/Early Head Start, United Community Action Project

Ann Cameron President, Junior League of Oklahoma City

Terry Cline, Ph.D. State Commissioner of Health, Oklahoma State Department of Health

Kathy CronemillerPresident, Child Care, Inc.

Phil Dessauer Executive Director, Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa

William “Bill” Doenges Community Volunteer

Marianne “Marny” Dunlap, M.D. Pediatrician

Kay C. Floyd, M.A. Director, Head Start State Collaboration Office

Mike Fogarty Chief Executive Officer, Oklahoma Health Care Authority

Sandy Garrett State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Oklahoma State Department of Education

Nina Gonzales Director, Tony Reyes Child Development Center

Robert “Bob” HarbisonCommunity Volunteer

Howard Hendrick Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Glen Johnson, J.D. Chancellor, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

John McCarroll Executive Director, Oklahoma Educational Television Authority

Janet McKenzie, N.B.C.T. Tulsa Public School

Susan McVey Director, Oklahoma Department of Libraries


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Monique Naifeh, M.D.Pediatrician

Michael O’Brien Director, Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation Services

Lisa Price. Community Volunteer

Annie Koppel Van HankenSenior Program Director, George Kaiser Family Foundation

Sharon Pyeatt, Ph.D. Professor, Oklahoma City University

Natalie ShirleyN.B.C.T. Director, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

Lisa Smith Director, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth

Jay Weatherford Associate Director, Little Dixie Community Action Agency

Terri White, M.S.W. State Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health

Stephan M. Wilson, Ph.D., C.S.L.E. Dean, College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University

Total Average Board Attendance for FY09:

74%Smart Start Annual Report 2009 39

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COMMUNITYEXPLANATION

Smart Start South Central OklahomaSmart Start South Central Oklahoma covers Garvin, Johnston, Murray and Pontotoc Counties in southern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start South Central Oklahoma received $76,000 in local project state funds for community activities. East Central University, based in Ada, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Patricia Little. Coalition members represent health care providers, businesses, local media outlets, Head Start, Department of Human Services, Chickasaw Nation and faith communities. Sandra Poe, Michelle Key, Latricia Bryant, Cheryl Bell, and Charlee Lanis serve as the leadership team of the Smart Start South Central Oklahoma coalition.

Smart Start BartlesvilleSmart Start Bartlesville (Success by Six) covers Nowata and Washington Counties in north eastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Bartlesville received $103,100 in local project state funds for community activities. Washington County Child Care Foundation, based in Bartlesville, serves as the fiscal agent and funding partner. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Jan Boomer, and one Community Outreach Specialist, Rajean Stelfox. Coalition members represent public schools, health care providers, higher education, state legislators, faith communities, city planning, child care centers, businesses and a wide range of local service agencies. Kenneth Adams serves as the chair of the Smart Start Bartlesville coalition.

Smart Start Canadian CountySmart Start Canadian County covers Canadian County in central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2007. Smart Start Canadian County received $30,000 in local project state funds for community activities. Youth and Family Services, based in El Reno, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Christie Adams. Coalition members represent health care providers, Head Start, Department of Human Services, parents, juvenile justice, faith communities and a wide range of educational settings. Nicole Micheal serves as the chair of the Smart Start Canadian County coalition.


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Smart Start Cherokee CountySmart Start Cherokee County covers Adair, Cherokee and Sequoyah Counties in eastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2005. Smart Start Cherokee received $55,900 in local project state funds for community activities. Kids Connection Inc, based in Tahlequah, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Renee Hill. Coalition members represent public schools, Head Start, Resource and Referral, Cherokee Nation, parents, Oklahoma State Department of Health, mental health and disability and a wide range of local service providers. Janet Petty serves as the chair and Renee Hill serves as co-chair of Smart Start Cherokee coalition.

Smart Start DurantSmart Start Durant covers Atoka, Bryan and Marshall Counties in southeastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Durant received $88,000 in local project state funds for community activities. Southeastern Oklahoma State University serves as the fiscal agent, based in Durant. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Heather Smiley. Coalition members represent consumers, tribal organizations, early childhood education and care, health, higher education, faith-based organizations, and county government. Alison Poe serves as the chair of the Smart Start Durant coalition.

Smart Start Northwest OklahomaSmart Start Northwest Oklahoma covers Alfalfa, Garfield, Grant and Woods Counties in northwestern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma received $99,600 in local project state funds for community activities. Community Development Support Association (CDSA), based in Enid, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently has one full time Community Coordinator position, shared by Paula Waters and Dianne Juhnke, as well as two additional part time staff. Coalition members represent health care providers, businesses, public schools, Head Start, Department of Health, faith communities, parents and local service agencies. Becky Mundy serves as the chair of Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma coalition.


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Smart Start Kay CountySmart Start Kay County covers Kay and Osage Counties in northern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Kay County received $63,500 in local project state funds for community activities. United Way of Ponca City serves as the fiscal agent, based in Ponca City. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Lilly Freeman. Coalition members represent Head Start, public schools, Oklahoma Parents as Teachers, parents, businesses, and other local service agencies. Sheila Arnold serves as the chair and Kim Jump serves as the co-chair of Smart Start Kay County Board.

Smart Start Kiamichi CountySmart Start Kiamichi Country covers Haskell, Latimer, Leflore and Pittsburg Counties in eastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2007. Smart Start Kiamichi Country received $30,000 in local project state funds for community activities. KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc serves as the fiscal agent, based in Stigler. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Sandie Rutherford. Coalition members represent Head Start, Oklahoma Parents as Teachers, parents, mental health and disability and a wide range of educational settings. Cody Smith serves as the chair and Joanna Bunch serves as the co-chair of Smart Start Kiamichi Country Board.

Smart Start LawtonSmart Start Lawton (Success by Six) covers Comanche, Harmon, Jackson and Tillman Counties in southwestern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2004. Smart Start Lawton received $103,500 in local project state funds for community activities. United Way of Lawton-Fort Sill, based in Lawton, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Jane Mitchell and one part time Special Projects Coordinator, Mary Buchwald. Coalition members represent Department of Human Services, museums, city government, libraries, police department, public schools, businesses, Head Start, faith communities, Resource and Referral, parents and higher education. Rafeal Santos serves as the chair and Dr. Margie McMahan serves as the co-chair of Smart Start Lawton.


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Smart Start Logan CountySmart Start Logan County covers Logan and Kingfisher Counties in central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Logan County received $79,900 in local project state funds for community activities. Logan Community Services, based in Guthrie, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Katie D. Foote and one part time Special Projects Coordinator, Linda Lacina. Coalition members represent faith communities, child care centers, Oklahoma Parents as Teachers, parents, mental health and disability, tobacco prevention and a wide range of educational settings. Amanda Fortney serves as the chair and Heather Ward serves as the co-chair of Smart Start Logan Community Partnership.

Smart Start MuskogeeSmart Start Muskogee covers McIntosh, Muskogee and Okmulgee Counties in eastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Muskogee received $62,200 in local project state funds for community activities. Green Country Behavioral Health Services, based in Muskogee, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Carrie Colburn. Coalition members represent Resource and Referral, Department of Health, Head Start, Department of Human Services and child care centers. The leadership team includes: Virginia Stanley, Marie Owens, Sherry Grooms, Tonya James, and Bridget Tobey.

Smart Start NormanSmart Start Norman (Success by Six) covers Cleveland and McLain Counties in central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2004. Smart Start Norman received $83,700 in local project state funds for community activities. United Way of Norman, based in Norman, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Leisa Speegle and one part time Special Projects Coordinator, Christy Emig. Smart Start Norman Coalition members represent O.U., Norman Public Schools, Cleveland County Health Department, early childcare educators and caregivers, Norman Police Department, Norman Public Library, financial institutions and businesses. Coalition chair and co-chair positions are currently vacant.


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Smart Start Central OklahomaSmart Start Central Oklahoma covers Oklahoma County in central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Central Oklahoma received $121,700 in local project state funds for community activities. Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, based in Oklahoma City, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Stacy Dykstra, one full time community planner/evaluation specialist, Allison Briggs and two additional part time staff persons. Coalition members represent local service agencies, Resource and Referral, public schools, library system, higher education, parents, businesses, and local media outlets. Robert J. Ross serves as the chair of the Smart Start Central Oklahoma Board.

Smart Start Pottawatomie CountySmart Start Pottawatomie County (United Way Success By 6) covers Pottawatomie and Seminole Counties in central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Pottawatomie County received $62,200 in local project state funds for community activities. United Way of Pottawatomie County, based in Shawnee, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Donald Pyeatt and an additional part time staff person. Coalition members represent government, child care and education, mental health, business, and faith-based organizations. Heather Winchester serves as the chair of the Smart Start Pottawatomie County coalition.

Smart Start Stephens CountySmart Start Stephens County covers Cotton, Jefferson and Stephens Counties in south central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2005. Smart Start Stephens County received $52,000 in local project state funds for community activities. United Way of Stephens County, based in Duncan, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Deborah Smith. Coalition members represent Resource and Referral, Head Start, child care centers, tribal government, domestic violence advocate, public schools, citizen volunteers and health care providers. Daisy Lawler serves as the chair and Margarita Ramos serves as the chair-elect of the Smart Start Stephens County coalition.


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Smart Start North Central OklahomaSmart Start North Central Oklahoma covers Lincoln, Noble, Pawnee and Payne Counties in central Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start North Central Oklahoma received $123,400 in local project state funds for community activities. Smart Start North Central Oklahoma is incorporated as a 501 (c) 3 agency and is based in Stillwater. The community currently employs one full time Interim Community Coordinator, Marama Bayles and one full time Special Projects Coordinator, Rita Bridenstine. Coalition members represent public schools, businesses, Systems of Care, local service agencies, parents and higher education. Holly Hartman serves as the president and Bert Eades serves as the president-elect of Smart Start North Central Oklahoma Board.

Smart Start Tri CountySmart Start Tri-County covers Choctaw, McCurtain and Pushmataha Counties in south eastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2005. Smart Start Tri-County received $62,200 in local project state funds for community activities. Little Dixie Community Action Agency, based in Hugo, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Dennis Willeford. Coalition members represent Head Start, state and county agencies, Choctaw Nation, public schools, district attorney, libraries, parents, Systems of Care and child care centers. Greta Impsow serves as the chair of McCurtain County Coalition for Change, Martha Bloodworth serves as chair of the Choctaw County Turning Point Coalition which acts as the Smart Start coalition for Choctaw County and Dennis Willeford serves as the chair person of the Pushmataha County Turning Point coalition which acts as the Smart Start coalition for Pushmataha County.

Smart Start TulsaSmart Start Tulsa (Jump Start) covers Creek, Rogers and Tulsa Counties in northeastern Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start Tulsa received $149,600 in local project state funds for community activities. Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa, based in Tulsa, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one full time Community Coordinator, Jan Figart and five additional part time staff. Coalition members represent local service agencies, public schools, juvenile justice, businesses, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, parents, health care providers and mental health services. Bill Doenges serves as the chair of the Smart Start Tulsa Board.


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FINANCIALSUMMARY

FISCAL YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 and JUNE 30, 2008OPSR FOUNDATION - PRIVATE FUNDING

INCOME/EXPENSE SUMMARY

FY2009 FY2008

GRANTS, SUPPORT AND OTHER REVENUESGeneral Support and Donations $ 199,789 $ 162,575

Foundation Grants $ 536,483 $ 371,072

Other Income $ 10,588 $ 23,838

Total grants, support and revenues $ 746,860 $ 557,485

EXPENSES

Program Services $ 793,021 $ 522,140

Support Services $ 115,409 $ 105,855

Total expenses $ 908,430 $ 627,995

Total revenues over expenses ($ 161,570 ) ($ 70,510)

Net assets at beginning of year $ 549,485 $ 619,995

Net assets at end of year $ 387,915 $ 549,485

OPSR – PUBLIC FUNDING EXPENDITURESFY2009 FY2008

COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION Includes community mobilization contracts and community technical support.

$ 1,488,709 $ 1,690,484

SUPPORT SERVICES Includes professional services, general operating, data processing and public engagement.

$ 538,087 $ 403,241

TOTAL OPSR EXPENDITURES $ 2,026,796 $ 2,093,725


www.smartstartok.org

S08212C OKDHS Issued 07/2010This publication is authorized by the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services in accorxdance with state and federal regulations and printed by the

Oklahoma Department of Human Services at a cost of $240.00 for 50 copies. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

2009 annual report oklahoma partnership for school readiness … publication library/s08212c.pdf ·...

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