With funding from Inasmuch Foundation, Smart Start Communities received innovative grant awards. Smart Start Communities were asked to implement an innovative project that met the needs of their community. Successful projects will be replicated in other communities, reaching more children and families through the Smart Start Network.

With a generous 5 year donation from Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 3 Smart Start communities (Ada, Enid, and Guthrie) have expanded into neighboring counties, and 2 brand new Smart Start Communities were formed.

Smart Start has expanded into Garvin, Kingfisher, Grant, and Woods Counties with Chesapeake funding. With the help of their neighboring Smart Start communities, these counties continue to build and strengthen their coalitions, conduct community assessments, and finalize their strategic plans.These communities have identified and informed key leaders in their expansion areas, and have successfully formed coalitions that address critical issues affecting young children and families.

Canadian County and Kiamichi Country, our newest additions to the Smart Start Network, have formed coalitions with key community leaders and organizations focusing on marketing strategies. In addition, both new communities have implemented public engagement activities to educate their communities of the importance of the early years.

Chesapeake funds have also launched literacy projects, such as Raising A Reader.

Smart Start Oklahoma thanks Chesapeake for their school readiness investment in rural Oklahoma.