Annual report

              H 3000.3 P273 2010 c.1
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Board Chair
Dear Governor Henry,
On behalf of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board, I am pleased to present our Annual
Report for FYlO. We appreciate the support you have given to Early Childhood in Oklahoma during
your term as Governor. Oklahoma has made tremendous improvements in implementing quality services
over the past 8 years, and is considered a leader across the country in our early childhood
accomplishments.
This report shares the accomplishments made to date by the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness,
also designated as the State Early Childhood Advisory Council, and 18 local Smart Start Oklahoma
Communities. An overview of key early childhood indicators, program participation and costs is also
presented, to provide a snapshot of the current status of early childhood services in the state.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the Chair of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness,
and thank you for your contribution to Oklahoma's early childhood system.
All the best,
Dr.Marn
OPSRChair
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness ,2010 ,
Annual Report
In 2003, the Oklahoma legislature identified a structure to convene early childhood stakeholders
to plan and improve the state's early childhood system - named the Oklahoma Partnership for
School Readiness. Through this system state agency leadership, private citizens, local
communities, parents, professionals and businesses can provide input and make
recommendations to the Governor and state policy makers on decisions that will improve the
outcome for children in our state. Significant accomplishments have been made since 2003, and
Oklahoma is continually sited as being a leader in early childhood initiatives. The forum that the
Partnership provides has facilitated cooperation and planning efforts toward increasing the
availability and access to quality early learning experiences for young children.
During State Fiscal Year 2010, the state faced serious budget shortfalls. These cuts were
temporarily offset in many areas of state government by the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009. While program reductions occurred, devastating impacts to early
childhood services were averted during FY10. However, SFY 2011 shows indications of being
an equally challenging year - or potentially fiscally worse. Oklahoma will experience a change
in Governor, State Superintendent and several other key legislative positions. These newly
elected officials will be faced with challenges in setting fiscal priorities for the state. It will be
critical for the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness to educate and advocate to maintain
the great strides that have been made in Oklahoma to improve educational success in our state.
The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness is required by legislation to submit an annual
report on the status of key accomplishments toward school readiness. This report encompasses
State Fiscal Year 2010, July 1,2009 through June 20,2010. Indicator data was obtained from a
variety of state and federal resources, and the most recent data available was used. Not only are
early education experiences critical, but prenatal care, improved birth outcomes, parental
supports, economic stability, environmental safety and violence free communities and homes are
equally important. The report highlights the key issues and current status of services available
for Oklahoma's young children and their families.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debra Andersen, Executive Director
Smart Start Oklahoma
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"Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Major Accomplishments
OPSRnamed the State's Early Childhood Advisory Council
In 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 (OPSR) received this designation in November of 2008,
entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Governor's Office and the Head Start
Collaboration Office. To further solidify this Council, during the spring 2010 legislative session,
the Oklahoma State legislature passed HB 3126 to expand the duties of the Oklahoma
Partnership for School Readiness Board to include duties of the State Early Childhood Advisory
Council. This legislation will become effective on November 1,2010. The establishment of the
Council positions Oklahoma to apply for federal funding to support the work of the State Early
Childhood Advisory Council, outlines priorities for the state to address, and compliments and
enhances the work currently being done through the OPSR Board.
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.
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
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
This workgroup has the responsibility to:
• Develop recommendations to increase the quality and access to early childhood programs
and services
• Develop recommendations to improve the state's early learning standards
Key Issues:
• Access to programs and services
• Programs standards and accountability
• Expanding research based models of programs and services for children birth to three
• Developing policies to support the use of multiple funding streams for high quality programs
• Preparedness level of children entering kindergarten
Data Systems and Coordination
This workgroup has the responsibility to:
• Develop a plan for a unified data system and policies and structure to support enhanced
community coordination
• Improve collaboration by identifying opportunities and barriers
Key Issues:
• Agency capacity to share or link data
• Tracking of aggregate data
Professional Development and Workforce
This workgroup has the responsibility to:
• Develop a cross sector, statewide professional development and career advancement plan
• Identify the capacity and effectiveness of 2- and 4-year institutions of higher learning toward
supporting the development of early childhood professionals
Key Issues
• Shortages of early childhood practitioners
• Articulation agreements between institutions of higher learning
• Linking professional development systems and standards
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
• Agency collaboration in professional development
• Competencies and standards among early learning professions
Community Mobilization
This workgroup has responsibility to:
• Recommend funding for community projects
• Support local community recommendations to the Board
• Approve local community work plans
Key Issues
• Communication between local communities and the board
• Obtaining local input
• Community evaluation
• Local community coordination and systems development
Public Engagement
This workgroup has responsibility to:
• Develop recommendations to implement a public engagement plan
• Work with the Foundation and OPSR Boards on public engagement plans
Key Issues:
• Engaging the public in school readiness issues
• Involve business leaders in early childhood investment
• Engaging families
Special Populations
This workgroup has responsibility to:
• Assure all recommendations developed in other workgroup Issues include underserved
children in early care and education services
Key Issues
• Identifying underserved populations
• Identifying recommendations for strategies for assuring underserved populations have access
to quality early care and education services
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
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2010
Each workgroup is represented on the Policy and Workgroup Coordination
Committee to assure all workgroup efforts are addressed comprehensively throughout the
planning processes. These recommendations are coordinated and refined through the Policy and
Workgroup Coordination Committee. All recommendations are presented to the OPSR Board
for final approval prior to being submitted to the Governor.
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,,9~lahoma Partnership for School Readiness
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2010
Preparedness level of children entering
kindergarten
Oklahoma does not currently collect statewide information regarding children's preparedness for
entering kindergarten. Efforts are underway to develop a standard definition for school
readiness, implement and evaluate pilot school readiness assessments and develop
recommendations for state leadership on best practice standards for statewide school readiness
assessment. The following describe accomplishments thus far in developing these standards and
factors that contribute to children succeeding in school.
School Readiness Definition
The OPSR Board has established a Ready Schools Advisory group to develop a recommendation
for a school readiness definition. The members of the Ready Schools Advisory group have
expressed a strong commitment to establishing a responsible definition and subsequent school
readiness pilot that has the best interest of young children entering school in mind.
School Readiness Assessment
The Better Together School Readiness Assessment Pilot has completed two years of data
collection and evaluation. Refer to the section on Efforts to Promote Private Partnerships for
further information on this pilot. Results from this pilot will be considered as the state develops
a School Readiness Assessment framework and recommendation.
School Readiness Indicators
The National School Readiness Indicators Initiative: Making Progress for Young Children was a
multi state initiative that developed sets of indicators at the state level to track results for children
from birth to 8. While Oklahoma does not currently collect all indicators identified through this
initiative, below are key indicators that are collected that contribute to school readiness.
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
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Ready Children
These indicators are under development and will be addressed through the School Readiness
Assessment Advisory Group.
Ready Families
Mother's Education Level
21.3% of births to mothers with less than a 12th grade education (2008, OSDH)
Births to Teens
2,300 births to teens ages 15-17 rate of 15.1 per 1,000 girls (2008, OSDH)
Child Abuse and Neglect
8,605 confirmed child abuse and neglect, 61.9% of those confirmed were children birth to age 6
(SFY09,OKDHS)
Children in Foster Care
53% of children who were in out-of-home placements were birth to age 6 (OKDHS July 2010)
Ready Communities
Young Children in Poverty
21% of children under age 6 living in families with income below the federal poverty threshold
(2009, Oklahoma Department of Commerce)
Supports for Families with Infants and Toddlers
1,708 infants and toddlers enrolled in Early Head Start (CLASP, 2008)
Lead Poisoning
4% of children under age 6 with blood lead levels at or above 10 micrograms per deciliter 20
(Oklahoma Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Report, 2009 Surveillance Data
Report)
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Ready Services - Health
Health Insurance
13% of children under age 18 without health insurance (2009, ORCA)
Low Birthweight Infants
8.2% of infants born weighing under 2,500 grams (5.5 pounds) (2008, OSDR)
Access to Prenatal Care
5.2% of births to women who receive late (third trimester) or no prenatal care (2008, OSDH)
Imm unizations
71.7% ofchildren 19-35 months who have beenfully immunized (2008, CDC)
Ready Services - Early Care and Education
Children Enrolled in an Early Education Program
15.8% of 3- and 90.0% 4-year-olds enrolled in a center-based preschool programs, Head Start
programs, and pre-kindergarten programs (2008 Children's Defense Fund)
Accredited Child Care Centers
4.3% of child care centers are 3 Star facilities and are accredited by the National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) (aCCRA, Oklahoma State Profile, 2009)
42.3% of child care centers are 2 Star facilities (aCCRA, Oklahoma State Profile, 2009)
68.3% of all Child Care Facilities report waiting lists (aCCRA, Oklahoma State Profile, 2009)
Access to Child Care Subsidies
32.4% of all children in child care are in Subsidized Care (aCCRA, Oklahoma State Profile,
2009)
89% of children receiving child care subsidies are in 2 or 3 star facilities (aCCRA, Oklahoma
State Profile, 2009)
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness "
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2010
Ready Schools
Class Size
1:10 Average teacher/child ratio in K-J classrooms (2009, NIEER)
Third Grade Reading Scores
7J % of children with reading proficiency in third grade as measured by the state's proficiency
tests (2009, Office of Accountability)
Oklahoma has established standards for children entering Kindergarten for reading skills. Each
student enrolled in kindergarten in a public school in this state shall be screened for reading
skills including, but not limited to, phonological awareness, letter recognition, and oral
language skills as identified in the Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS).
For those kindergarten children at risk for reading difficulties, teachers shall emphasize reading
skills as identified in PASS, monitor progress throughout the year and measure year-end reading
progress. (70 O.S. § I2IO.S08C) (Office of Accountability, Annual Report 2009)
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Public Engagement, Private Sector
Programs and Voluntary Parental
Involvement
Public Engagement Efforts
Parenting Award Presented
Parenting is a challenging task even in the best of times. When families are further challenged
by life's circumstances or fighting tough financial situations it can be even more difficult. Smart
Start partnered with Oklahoma City Educare, a local collision repair center, a local State Farm
agent and several other auto part and repair centers to select a family that both met the financial
criteria while displaying exemplary parenting skills for a special honor. Along with a financial
need, the parent or parents also needed to show a high involvement in their children's lives,
activities and well-being. After a rigorous selection process, one Oklahoma City family was
awarded a vehicle to help them with their transportation needs through this Parenting Award
program.
CAPDay at the Capitol
Smart Start Oklahoma sponsored CAP Day at the Capitol which included inviting all Oklahoma
Senators and Representatives to take part in Child Abuse Prevention Day. This day is dedicated
to bringing greater awareness to the problem along with discussing efforts towards reducing
child abuse in our state.
All 18 Smart Start communities were encouraged to participate by bringing guests and
constituents to spend some quality time with their elected representatives to discuss child abuse
and any pending or future legislation on child abuse prevention.
Apple pie and a coffee bar treated the guests to some fun during this most important day at the
Capitol about an important need in our state.
Educare Tours
Smart Start Oklahoma hosted tours at the newly created Educare Center in Oklahoma City.
Educare was built to serve 200 disadvantaged children, ages birth to five years old, with year-round
early childhood education programs. Educare Centers throughout the nation help young
children grow up safe, healthy and eager to learn and help to provide the highest quality
outcome-based learning environments for at-risk families and their children.
Policy makers and interested guests were invited to participate in a tour to receive information
about this state of the art learning facility that not only teaches children, but also requires
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
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parental involvement in the lives of the students. This parental involvement builds family
relations and creates lifelong positive routines in a child's educational career.
Additional information about Oklahoma City Educare Center can be found at
www.okceducare.org.
Public Hearing for State Early Childhood Advisory Council
Smart Start Oklahoma held a public hearing on January 26, 2010, to discuss the details of
OPSR's role as Oklahoma's State Early Childhood Advisory Council. This public hearing
allowed interested parties to ask questions about the council, the federal grant and OPSR's role
in the execution, duties and goals for the federal funding.
Feedback included comments such as:
• Would like the plan to stress the importance of early parent intervention throughout the
document.
• Using the term "special populations" is not considered inclusive language.
• We don't have early learning standards, we have guidelines. There should be infant and
toddler guidelines, preschool guidelines and kindergarten guidelines.
• The only quality rating scale mentioned wasfor child care. The national movement is
toward quality rating improvement systems for all environments where children receive
their early care and learning.
• The statewide data system described isfinancially costly and will require an end user fee
to maintain. It should be paired with mandated efforts for a health information exchange
- which has federal funding & requires the same participants in the database.
• The worliforce can only be expanded if the rewards of advanced education are paired
with adequate salary and benefits.
• The strategic plan shows how advanced Oklahoma is in the early childhood field and
they are proud of the efforts put forth by Smart Start Oklahoma.
These comments are being addressed in specific workgroups, committees and through the board.
A second public hearing will be held in the Spring of 2011, and public comments have been
added to all Board agenda items to continue the process of assuring the public is invited to
participate in the development of recommendations effecting early childhood.
The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board has an established 15 private member
representatives, that are required in statute to meet the following: Two parents of children eight
(8) years of age or younger, and one representative of licensed child care providers. These
positions are appointed by the Governor, and the OPSR Board has representation to fill these
positions on the board. (See Board Member List)
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • ���
Programs Supported by Private Sector Funding
Better Together: Oklahoma Ready Schools
The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation has been successful in partnering
with private business and foundations to provide financial support to local Smart Start
community projects. During FY10, the Foundation received approximately $650,000 in private
donations to support Oklahoma's early childhood initiatives.
Better Together Oklahoma's Ready Schools Initiative is an expansion of a nationwide early
childhood school improvement initiative called Ready Schools. Three public schools in
Oklahoma are participated in this statewide pilot during FY10.
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.
Educare
Educare 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 now has
three Educare centers, two in Tulsa and one in Oklahoma City. A third site is being planned for
the Tulsa area, which will total 4 Educare Centers in Oklahoma. This will once again place
Oklahoma on the cutting edge of accomplishments in the area of early childhood programs.
Oklahoma State Pilot Program for Infants and Toddlers
During 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
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • •
through age three. The first and largest contributor was the George Kaiser Family Foundation
whose objective is eliminating the cycle of poverty and making the American dream more
achievable and opportunity more equal.
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. The number of children served
through the State of Oklahoma Pilot Early Childhood Program during year 4 (2009 - 2010) was
2,012. Total number of classrooms was 76. In total, 12 agencies operating in more than 14
communities across Oklahoma participated. Ten providers are non-profits, two providers are
private/for profit, and one is a Tribal government.
Strengthening Families
Both public and private funding supports the implementation of Strengthening Families with
seven Smart Start Communities. Strengthening Families, a program developed by the Center for
the Study of Social Policy, is an approach to improve outcomes for young children by building
family strengths. Extensive research on this approach supported five Protective Factors, which
when present reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect of young children. These factors
include:
• Parental resilience;
• Social connections;
• Knowledge of parenting and child development;
• Concrete support in times of need, and
• Social and emotional competence of children (Center for the Study of Social Policy,
2004)
Seven Smart Start Oklahoma communities provide elements of the Strengthening Families
Program to support parents and other care givers. Services are delivered in child care centers,
social service agencies, and in training/conferencing settings. The lead communities include:
Ada, Duncan, Enid, Guthrie, Ponca City, Stillwater, and Tulsa.
Tulsa provides the Prevention Child Abuse and Neglect: Parent-Provider Partnerships in Child Care
training free for the community. Traineesreceive supportbooks and resourcesfor topics presented.
Ponca C iy hosts caregivermeetings, activity nights and caregiver cafes instead of "parent meetings"
to emphasizetheir supportiveapproach.
ncan has mobilized StrengtheningFamilies approachesin Stephensand Cotton counties. ,Theyhave
engagedphysicians,parents, child care providers and others to promotehealthy family lifestyles.
Gut 1 ie has developed pilot projects at five child care sites in Logan and Kingfisher counties. They
serve as the go-to resource for parenting educationand support.
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Ada has developed three original Pontotoc County pilot sites and three Garvin County sites. All centers
have received the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Training, developed by Zero to Three.
Stillwater hosts the Fathers Acting To Heal and Reconnect (F.A.T.H.E.R.) curriculum developed in
North Carolina. The curriculum is presented to incarcerated fathers at the Cimarron Correctional Facility
in Cushing.
Enid's Strengthening Families initiative currently serves six child care centers. They also have initiated
parent-educator visits to their centers to present general child development and community resources to
child care staff members.
Total Providers served: 871
Literacy
Early Literacy Programs are a requirement for all Smart Start Communities. In SFYlO 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 Reader
Leap into Literacy
R.x to Read
Reach out and Read
Read No IV
Read to Me
Books for Babies
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
These early literacy programs ranged from medical models to classroom models and provided a
wealth of early literacy materials to families of young children:
106,838 books distributed
53,158 children served
876 classrooms around the state participated
695 Pre-k, Head Start and child care centers
31 home child care facilities
Smart Start Oklahoma Parent Guide
Oklahoma 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 'Jarent Guide reaches more than 40,000 parents each year.
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
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2010
From Cradle to College
Smart Start Oklahoma partnered with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to
produce and distribute over 2,500 copies of a new publication for parents titled, From Cradle to
College: A guide to Succeeding in Early Childhood and Preparing for College Now. The
publication provides information on early childhood development, suggestions for helping
parents of very young children prepare for entering pre-school, and promotes the 529 Plan, a
state savings plan for college. Smart Start Communities helped disseminate the publication
through health fairs, resource centers and training.
Private donations to support these early childhood efforts have been received from:
)
Ronald McDonald House
ofOKC
Bank ofAmerica
Chesapeake Energy
Corporation
Oklahoma Child Care
Association
Mark K. Chapman Family
Foundation
Inasmuch Foundation
OPSRIOPSFR Boards of
Trustees
George Kaiser Family
Foundation
Public Service Company
ofOklahoma
The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness appreciates the generous support received from these
donors.
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II
Community Initiatives
FYI0 End of Year Report - Community Mobilization
Smart Start Oklahoma is represented locally in 18 communities, which cover 52 counties across
Oklahoma. The following report provides a statewide summary for these local projects for the
period from July 2009 through June 2010.
Staffing
2010 58
Types of Employees
• Directors
• Special projects coordinators
• Strengthening Families Coordinators
• Oklahoma Parents as Teachers Coordinators
• Fiscal agents and program administrators
Staff Development
2010 222
Staff Development Opportunities included:
• State and Regional Economic Summits
• Outcome Measurement
�� Early Care
• Data Collection Training
• State/local leadership trainings
• Advocacy Training
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:OKlahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Fundraising
2009 500/0 201083%
Activities included:
• Golftoumaments
• Book and supply drives
• Presentations
• Community Events
• Grant writing
In Kind Funding - non cash support
Types of in-kind include:
• Occupancy/Office Space
• Administrative staff
• Supplies
• Incentives and gifts
• Advertising and printing
• Event venues
• Services
Matching Funding - cash support
2009 $1,680,061
2010 $1,976,453
Sources include:
• Fiscal Agents
• Public Schools
• Private donors
• Local Businesses
• Local Tribes
• Foundations
• County Commissioners
• Service Organizations
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness , 2010
Coalition/Board Meetings
All communities develop and support local coalitions or boards to assist in planning for early
childhood issues. Coalitions and Boards meet 4 to 12 times per year. In FY 2010 there were
270 board or coalition meetings held.
Coalition/Board Development
2010 272
Opportunities included:
+ Regional Economic Summits
+ State and local leadership training
+ Outcome measurement
+ Training in the culture of poverty
+ Early childhood advocacy training
+ Early care conferences
Coalition/Board Membership
+ Business/financial sector
+ Health departments
+ Higher Education
+ Early care and education
+ State and local government
+ Head StartlEarly Head Start
+ Juvenile Justice
+ Media
+ Health care providers
+ Tribes
+ Public schools
+ Human Services
+ Community volunteers
+ Mental Health Services
+ Child advocates
+ Faith community
+ Foundations
+ Museums
+ Public Libraries
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Advocacy Contacts with State and Local Officials
2010 948
Officials include:
• Mayors
• State and National Congressional Members
• Agency directors
• Lt. Governor
• County Commissioners
• City Council Members
State and Local Events to Educate Policy Makers
2009 18
2010 31
In 2010 there were 181 participants for the state and local events. There were
180 partner organizations or individuals that assisted.
Events types included:
• Child Watch Tours
• Legislative Conference
• Community Needs Assessment Presentations
• Leadership Luncheons and Breakfasts
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
2009 41
Child Care Conference/Trainings
:, . . . YEAR < '. f C : Events Held
2010 81
Topics included:
• Child care and education
• Child abuse prevention
• Children's play
• Strengthening Families
• PCAN training for child care
• Health related topics (vision)
• Economic Issues
• Screening and Assessment
• Early Childhood Leadership
Child Care or Early Childhood Education
2009 17 195
2010 91 506
Initiatives included:
• Strengthening Families
• Movement and Activity
• Early Childhood Advisory
• Social and Emotional Teaching
• Quality Enhancement Initiative
• Project Invest
• Early Birds Program
• Congressional Members Site Visits
• Literacy Training for Child Care Staff members
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:·'Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • •
Family Support and Parent Education
2009 11,790
2010 13,773
Efforts included:
• Strengthening Families
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• Children's Music
• Parents as Teachers
• Family Fun Nights
• Healthy Marriage Initiatives
• Ready for KindergartenlEarly Birds
• Family Play Days
• Call and Resource Centers
• Parent Universities
• Parent Skills Trainings (Cooking, Budgeting)
Health of Children
2009 17
2010 18
Activities included:
• Sooner Care
• Dental Programs
• Vision Programs
• Mental Health Screenings
• Health Access Networks
• Safety Checks
• Fitness for Children
• Developmental Screening
• Child Health Information for Parents
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
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Infant/Child Mental Health
2009 14
2010 11
Activities included:
• Parenting After Divorce Class
• Infant Brain Development
• Press Releases
• Systems of Care Involvement
• Early Birds Program
• Children's Prevention Programs
• Mental Health Awareness Day
• Parent Resources Distribution
Public Engagement Activities
Smart Start Oklahoma communities developed and distributed 5,053 community brochures in
FY-201O. In addition there were:
• 15 Billboard campaigns
• 23 Websites developed or redesigned
• 138 Press releases
• 108 news coverage events
• 175 community presentations
Smart Start Community Profiles
Ada
Smart 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 $77,100 in 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 and one part time Strengthening Families
Coordinator, Cindy Byrd. Coalition members represent health care providers, businesses, local
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Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • •
media outlets, Head Start, Department of Human Services, Chickasaw Nation and faith
communities.
Bartlesville
Smart Start Bartlesville/Success by Six covers Nowata and Washington Counties in northeastern
Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start
Bartlesville received $104,100 in 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.
Duncan
Smart Start Stevens 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 $50,200 in 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 and a special projects coordinator, Carole
Upshaw. Coalition members represent Resource and Referral, Head Start, child care centers,
tribal government, domestic violence advocate, public schools, citizen volunteers and health care
providers.
Durant
Smart 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
$89,600 in 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.
El Reno
Smart 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 $39,900
in 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-Roberts. Coalition members represent health care providers, Head Start,
Department of Human Services, parents, juvenile justice, faith communities and a wide range of
educational settings.
25
I· .· • • • •• • ••• 2010
Enid
Smart 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 $100,700 in 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
Guthrie
Smart Start LoganlKingfisher Counties covers Logan and Kingfisher counties III central
Oklahoma and has been part of the Smart Start Oklahoma Network since 2003. Smart Start
Logan County received $81,200 in state funds for community activities. Logan Community
Services, based in Guthrie, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs A.J.
Griffin as acting Community Coordinator, and one part time Special Projects Coordinator, Linda
Blair. 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.
Hugo
Smart 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 $61,400 in 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. The coordinator facilitates three county
coalitions in McCurtain, Choctaw, and Pushmataha counties. Coalition members represent Head
Start, state and county agencies, Choctaw Nation, public schools, district attorney, libraries,
parents, Systems of Care and child care centers.
Lawton
Smart 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 $105,100 in 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.
26
~Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Muskogee
Smart 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 $63,800 in 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.
Norman
Smart 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 $84,600 in state funds for community activities. United Way of Norman, based in
Norman, serves as the fiscal agent. The community currently employs one part 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.
Oklahoma City
Smart 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
$121,500 in 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 Loeffler and two additional part time staff persons, Mary Ellis and Steven Davis.
Coalition members represent local service agencies, Resource and Referral, public schools,
library system, higher education, parents, businesses, and local media outlets.
Ponca City
Smart 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 $63,400 in
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.
Shawnee
Smart 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
27
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • •
2003. Smart Start Pottawatomie County received $61,400 in 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, Brooke Webb. Coalition members represent government, child
care and education, mental health, business, and faith-based organizations.
Stigler
Smart 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 $39,900 in state funds for community activities. K1 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.
Stillwater
Smart 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 $122,900 in 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 Community Coordinator, Marama Smith 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.
Tahlequah
Smart Start Cherokee County/Kid Connections, Inc. 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 $57,800 in 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, Bridget Tobey. 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 oflocal service providers.
Tulsa
Jump Start Tulsa 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 $133,600
in 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 four additional part time staff members Ginny Utter, Talia Shaull,
Coleen Ayres-Griffin, and Melanie Poulter. Coalition members represent local service agencies,
28
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
public schools, juvenile justice, businesses, Oklahoma Department of Human Services, parents,
health care providers and mental health services.
29
-Oklahorna Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Availability and cost of quality child care
Availability
In Oklahoma during 2009, there were 4,696 child care facilities (total centers and homes) in
Oklahoma, with 137,973 slots available. The US Census Bureau estimates the birth to five child
population to be 323,421. Data available on all working parents indicates that in 2007, there
were 184,640 children of working parents needing child care. The Oklahoma Child Care
Resource and Referral Agency indicates that there are approximately 2.3 children per available
slot for child care. In 2009, 58.3% of all facilities indicated waiting lists, with 68.3% of the
Child Care Centers indicating a waiting list. The number of facilities has declined slightly over
the past five years, as has the unduplicated count of children who received child care services.
Total Child Care Facilities
7000 .------------------------
6000 +----------------------
5000 +--t·~·cc.:·:r__--::.
4000
3000
2000
1000
o
Number
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Number of Children in Care - Unduplicated
80000
60000
40000
20000
o
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
30
, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
, '
hi ¥ , "
2010
Quality
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care, administers a quality
enhancement initiative to improve the quality of child care in Oklahoma, especially for children
receiving child care subsidies. Programs can receive a l-Star, l-Star Plus, 2-Star, or 3-Star
Rating. The numbers of centers that receive the highest star ratings are:
2 Star
2100 ..,..-------------
2050 +------t~I___= ----
2000 +----1[. 'I--f:'<I---I
1950 +-----II~-f':· •.__I
1900 -t-=--f~l--t""·ll___I\l1!iI---I 1---I',lI-
1850
1800
1750 +-''--"--,--- •.••.•-..--'-r-'-~-'--...,r_''_._.,
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
3 Star
250 ,--------------
200 +-----
150 -I-iii»,t--
100
50 4-1""1---
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
The total number of2-Star and 3-Star centers has increased over the past six years by 3.2%.
............................. ---- _------------------------,
2-Star and 3-Star Facilities
.2 Star .3 Star Total
2060 2203 2280 2253 2159 2126
69 189 198 207 195 213
1891 2014 2082 2046 1913
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
31
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Cost
Cost for Child Care in Oklahoma, 2009
w ~
~
~Age . Child Care Centers ' Child Care Homes • <
., i\ ~'-I .. . ~
Underl 130.06 106.32
1 Year 120.05 103.85
2 Years 111.01 96.36
3 Years 103.87 94.1
4 and 5 Years 95.98 90.45
aCCRA, State Profile 2009
32
'------ 1
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Number, location and status of quality
prekindergarten programs
Public School Pre-Kindergarten Programs
"An area of tremendous growth over the past ten years is early childhood or pre kindergarten.
From the 1999-2000 school year to 2008-09, the kindergarten class has increased 15.7%. The
early childhood/pre kindergarten class, which includes 3 and 4 year olds, has increased 80.4%
from 1999- 2000 to 2008-09. Oklahoma is one of the nation's leaders in early childhood
education. This attention to the education of our youngest students should pay huge dividends in
the future of the state." (Office of Accountability 2009 Annual Report)
Number and Location
In Oklahoma, 99% of all schools provide pre-K programs. While 71% of four year olds are in
pre-K programs, an additional 13% of 4 year olds are enrolled in Head Start programs. Across
Oklahoma, an increasing number of pre-K, Child Care and Head Start programs are developing
collaborative models to ingrate resources to increase the number of children having access to
quality early learning environments.
• 71% of 4 year oIds enrolled in state-funded preschool programs: Oklahoma ranks first in the
nation for the 7th consecutive year for serving the highest percentage of 4-year-olds in state-funded
preschool. (NIEER, The State of PreschooI 2009)
80 ,-------------------------------------------------------------
.•.. c:
~ 40
cQ.I.
60 +----------==-----j,:/,
50
20
10
02 03 04 05 Year 06 07 08 09
33
, Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • •
Quality
The National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) has established a quality Standards
Checklist in which to measure 10 Quality benchmarks for state Pre-K programs. Nationally,
North Carolina, Alabama, and one program in Louisiana meet all 10 benchmarks. Nine states,
including Oklahoma meet 9 of 10 of these benchmarks. These measures and Oklahoma's
Benchmarks are:
:: Policy,,' ~ : .State P,re~K~'~' . 'Oklahoma Benchmark "'Oklahoma Meets
" I !V ,.,.'" t :: ,,'" .,.;4'<", ~,:. y, ,$' ~,'S :"'~M*{~~'lll\·~\" R"e" gut"l:r~e:m.'~ent"~'#Il';,",{!i;~ ~ A\' ~if"\,\*~"",'" t'""". ,.~".,;' ' %'~fA., " 'y•• Benchmark :
!'fE,., ': ~ •• i'.; .:"<'~:.'.:' .~.~; '"~~.."."''::'fr.;; .~~~~,{~. i··Z····>' . ". '" , ~:I:'?.i.,.. : ..
Early Learning Comprehensive Comprehensive Yes
Standards
Teacher Degree BAjBS BA Yes
Teacher Specialized ECcertification for Specializing in pre-k Yes
Training birth-3
Assistant teacher Must Meet NCLB CDA or Equivalent No
degree requirements
Teacher in-service 75 clock hoursj5years At least 15 hoursjyr. Yes
Maximum class size 3-year-olds-NA 20 or lower Yes
4-year-olds - 20
Staff-child ratio 3-year-olds-NA 1:10 or better Yes
4-year-olds -1:10
Screen ingj referra I Vision, hearing, health, Vision, hearing, health Yes
Developmental and and at least 1 support
support Services service
Meals At least 1 meal At least 1 jday Yes
Monitoring Site visits and other Site visits Yes
monitoring
Expenditures .
• $7,853 is spent per child enrolled in pre-K programs (NIEER The State of Preschool 2009)
34
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Evaluation
Rigorous evaluations of the pre-K program in Tulsa have found positive effects on literacy and
mathematics learning for all children. Effects are somewhat larger for the most disadvantaged
children but are strong for children from every background, including children who are not
disadvantaged. (Gormley, W.T., Jr. Phillips, D., & Gayer, T. (2008) Preschool programs can
boost school readiness. Science, 320, 1723-1724. Available at
http://nieer.org/resources/research/Gormley062708.pdt)
Three-year-olds
There 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 Participation
• 153 public school districts provide services to 1,970 three-year-olds III Pre-K
classrooms in 2009. (NIEER)
Head Start
Oklahoma served a total of 19,771 children in 2008 through Head Start Programs; 1,708 three-year-
olds and 18,063 four-year-olds. Oklahoma provides a greater percentage of five full days of
programs than the US average.
4 days,
part day Oklahoma 9%~· .
4days, ~_
full
day
2%
u.s.
5 days,
part day
33%
4 days,
part day
26%
4 days,
full day-..........
4% ~
5 days,
part day
18%
35
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
There are a number of collaborative models that integrate pre-K, Head Start and/or child care
into one classroom. These programs strive to maximize resources to serve an increased number
of children through a quality early learning experience. Development of a unified data system
will facilitate the ability to measure the number of collaborative models and the number of
children benefiting from these models.
In Oklahoma, 11% of Head Start programs operate at least 8 hours per day. Children with
working parents who are enrolled in programs that are less than 8 hours will require additional
care. The graph below outlines where children enrolled in Head Start received supplemental
child care services highlighting the need for cross sector coordination between systems.
Child Care Arrangements
Public
School Pre-K _
11% Ot~er <>
Family child 1%
Care Home
8%
Head Start Expenditures
CLASP 2008 PIR Profile
• $7,231 is spent per child enrolled in Head Start (NIEER The State of Preschool 2009)
36
, ,
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
I
2010
Additional Publically Funded Early Childhood Programs
In addition to state funded pre-K and state and federally funded Head Start, a number of other
programs exist in Oklahoma to support parents, provide medical assistance, and serve children
with disabilities. All of these programs are critical to improving developmental and education
outcomes for Oklahoma's children.
Oklahoma Parents As Teachers
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. (OPAT Annual Report, FY 2009, OSDE)
" . School Year . Families Served
2004-2005 $1,295,000.00 68 4235
2005-2006 $2,045,709.00 99 5619
2006-2007 $2,045,709.00 97 5117
2007-2008 $2,045,709.00 98 4657
2008-2009 $2,045,709.00 96 4388
37
~.". ~. ~ , ~" , .
.Oklahorna Partnership for School Readiness .' "'z~. .
f: .'i{ (~ •. '" 'if;"'" ~1,"'":~'1< 'i~'" _ !Ill<, > 'f?1'~'t"_ i"'l-'li >M
2010
Children First
Children First empowers first-time eligible families to care for themselves and their babies by
providing information and education, assessing health, safety and development and providing
linkages to community resources, thereby promoting the well-being of families through public
health nurse home visitation, ultimately benefiting multiple generations.
Children First was created in 1996 with the goal of reducing child abuse and neglect. To accom-plish
this, Oklahoma chose to implement the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) model of nurse
home visitation services. This evidence-based model, founded by David Olds, PhD, has been
researched for over 30 years and proven to deliver beneficial multi-generational outcomes and
reduce the costs of long-term social service programs. In SFY 2009, there were 136 home
visitors providing home visits to families statewide. Children First nurse home visitors provided
44,239 visits to 4590 families in 74 Oklahoma counties. (Children First Annual Report, FY09,
OSDH)
Start Right
The Office of Child Abuse Prevention was created in 1984 by the Oklahoma Child Abuse
Prevention Act, Title 63, O.S. Section 1-227.1 The Act declared that the prevention of child
abuse and neglect was a priority in Oklahoma. In accordance with the Act, the Office of Child
Abuse Prevention was placed within the Oklahoma State Department of Health to emphasize
prevention as the focus rather than "after-the-fact" intervention. The Start Right home visitation
and community-based services program teaches positive parenting skills and connects families
with resources that help reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.
Twenty two sites across Oklahoma provide services to expectant parents and parents of children
birth through age five. For a family to participate in either center-based services or home
visitation services, they must complete the Start Right Program screening. During SFY 2009,
2,910 adults were contacted and screened for potential indicators associated with child abuse and
neglect. There were 525 adults enrolled in center based services; 663 families and 882 children
were served during SFY 2009 with home visitation services. At the time of intake, 79% of the
children were less than 6 months of age. (Start Right Annual Report, FY09, OSDH)
SoonerStart
SoonerS tart 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.
Monthly Average Case Load
2008-2009 4,314
38
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Total Number of Infants and Toddlers Receiving Services
2008-2009 13,534
Total Number of Referrals
2008-2009 9057
Total Number of Children Referred from Sooner Start to an LEA
2008-2009 1185
SoonerCare
Heath care access IS as important to school readiness as quality early care and education.
SoonerCare (Oklahoma Medicaid) is a health coverage program jointly funded by the federal
and state governments. This program helps pay some or all medical bills for many people who
can't afford them. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) is the state agency that
administers the program and determines financial eligibility for the program. Those who qualify
for SoonerCare can benefit from a variety of services, including physician visits, prescription
medicines, immunizations, limited dental and eye care, developmental screening, and much
more. For more information, please visit www.okhca.org.
In 2009, OHCA was awarded a federal grant to launch SoonerEnroll, an initiative focused on
enrolling children who are qualified for SoonerCare but not currently enrolled. Four Regional
Outreach Coordinators, along with temporary outreach associates, were hired to provide
technical assistance and training to organizations such as Smart Start Oklahoma communities
that work to market the SoonerCare services and to increase enrollment.
In the past year Smart Start Oklahoma has developed a variety of strategies to connect families to
SoonerCare services. Working through local dental clinics, Smart Start communities have
provided incentives to families who enroll. Other Smart Start communities have helped local
child care centers and other agencies host SoonerCare enrollment training for staff. In addition,
all Smart Start communities provide parenting materials through resource vans, centers, and
fairs. SoonerCare information has been distributed through these venues.
The number of children enrolled in SoonerCare has increased from 373,961 in July, 2005 to
481,206 in July, 2010. This represents nearly a 30% increase in children who receive
SoonerCare benefits. The benefits of increased enrollment are increased access to medical care
and other related services for children. The challenge will be to maintain the level funding to
provide supports and services to the increasing number of children who are eligible for
SoonerCare services during a fiscal year faced with increased budget constraints.
39
2010
2007 2008 2009
Number of Children Enrolled in
SoonerCare
600000 .,---------------------
500000 +------------------_--
400000 +-----;;;;;;.;;;;;;;;;;;;;,;;;;;;; __ -~~~~~~::::::::::==--
300000 +--------------------
200000 +--------------------
100000 +--------------------
o +---.----.---.---.---.---~
2005 2006 2010
40
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Percentage of third -grade students
reading at or above grade level
By July 1, 2008, and each year thereafter, all third-grade students will read at or above grade
level by the end of their third-grade year, excluding up tofifteen percent (15%) of those students
who have an individualized education program (IEP), pursuant to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and excluding those students who are English language
learners who have been determined not to be proficient in English as defined by a state-designated
English proficiency assessment. (Office of Accountability, Annual Report 2009)
3rd Grade Reading, CRT,2009
Satisfactory or above: 71%
Despite these standards, there are approximately 30% of third grade children who are not
meeting satisfactory standards on third grade reading tests.
Reading Remediation Rates
1st through 3rd Grade: 34.3%
Office of Accountability 2009 Annual Report
Low reading scores are a national concern. The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a special
report in May, 2010; Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters,
highlighting the national crisis of low reading scores across the country for children entering 4th
grade. In their report, Oklahoma ranked 37th in the percent of children reading below
proficient as measured and defined by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
reading test in 2009. The report indicates race, family income, geographic location, school (Title
I) income were all contributing factors to lower reading proficiency scores.
In response, the Foundation developed four policy recommendations, to improve the reading
proficiency of children entering the 4th grade. Their recommendations are:
1. Develop a coherent system of early care and education that aligns, integrates, and
coordinates what happens from birth through third grade so children are ready to take on
the tasks associated with fourth grade and beyond.
2. Encourage and enable parents, families, and caregivers to play their indispensable roles
as co-producers of good outcomes for their children
3. Prioritize, support, and invest in results-driven initiative to transform low-performing
schools into high-quality teaching and learning environments in which all children,
41
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
including those from low-income families and high-poverty neighborhoods, are present,
engaged and education to high standards.
4. Develop and utilize solutions to two of the most significant contributors to the under-achievement
of children from low-income families - chronic absence from school and
summer learning loss.
Continued attention to improving quality early experiences for young children is needed in order
to reduce the number of children who are not proficient in reading in the third grade. However,
recent progress in the attention to and expansion of quality early learning experiences will show
dividends in the future. A unified data system that can track early childhood experiences linked
with later school performance can better inform the system on strategies for improvements. It is
critical to measure and assure that children who are at greatest risk for school failure and who
can benefit the most from early care and learning experiences are provided accessible
opportunities to participate in these services.
42
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness • •
Board Members
Phil Berkenbile Ed.D
Director
Oklahoma Department of Career
and Technology Education
Glen Johnson
Chancellor
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Marcia K. Brueggen
Community Volunteer
John McCarroll
Executive Director
Oklahoma Educational Television Authority
Ann Cameron
Community Volunteer
Janet McKenzie, NBCT
Early Childhood Transition Specialist
Terry Cline, Ph.D
Commissioner of Health
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Susan McVey
Director
Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Kathy Cronemiller
Principal/Oklahoma Child Care Association President
Child Care, Inc.
Monique Naifeh, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Phil Dessauer
Executive Director
Community Service Council of Greater Tulsa
Michael O'Brien, Ed.D.
Director
Oklahoma State Department of Rehabilitation Services
William "Bill" Doenges
Community Volunteer
Lisa Price
Community Volunteer
Marianne "Marny" Dunlap, MD
Pediatrician
Sharon Pyeatt
Professor
Oklahoma City University
Early Childhood Education
Kay C. Floyd
Director
Head Start State Collaboration Office
Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies
Natalie Shirley
OK Secretary of Commerce and Tourism
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Mike Fogarty
Chief Executive Officer
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Lisa Smith
Director
Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
Sandy Garrett
Superintendent
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Sara Sweet
Community Volunteer
Nina Gonzales
Director
Tony Reyes Bilingual Child Development Center
Annie Koppel Van Hanken
Senior Program Officer
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Barbara Ann Hankins
Early Head Start/Head Start Program Director
President, Oklahoma Head Start Association
Jay Weatherford
Associate Director Education & Finance
Little Dixie Community Action Agency
Robert "Bob" Harbison
Community Volunteer
Terri White, MSW
Commissioner
OK Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Services
Howard Hendrick
Director
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Stephan M. Wilson, PhD, CFLE
Dean and Professor
College of Human Environmental Sciences
Oklahoma State University
43
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness 2010
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board Designees
Marla Baker, MHR, CRC
Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
Lesli Blazer
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Vaughn Clark
Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Amy Halliburton
College of Human Environmental Sciences
Oklahoma State University
Holly Hanan
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
Treasa Lansdowne
Oklahoma Commission on
Children and Youth
Sandra Langenkamp
Oklahoma Health Care Authority
Kermit McMurry
Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education
Ramona Paul, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State Department of Education
Edd Rhoades, M.D. M.P.H.
Medical Director for Community and Family Health Services
Oklahoma State Department of Health
Jackie Shipp
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
44
Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness
OPSR - STATE EXPENDITURES
FY2009 FY2010
COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION $ 1,491,596 $ 1,514911
Includes community mobilization contracts and
community technical support.
SUPPORT SERVICES $ 538,126 $ 398,354
Includes professional services, general operating,
data processing and public engagement.
TOTAL OPSR EXPENDITURES $ 2,029,722 $191.3265
OPSR - PRIVATE DONATIONS
Combined private donations (OPSR Foundation and local Smart Start Communities) received
during FYI 0 totaled: '.
$2,626,453
'. ~-,
45