NEW LEGISLATIONWE ASSIST THE GOVERNOR WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM ISSUES.

In 2007, federal law required the Governor of each state to create a new body or designate an existing body as the State's Early Childhood Advisory Council. This council serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor on early childhood system issues relating to workforce, higher education, quality of early childhood programs and services, access to early childhood programs and services, professional development, and special populations. Through a memorandum of understanding in 2008 and legislation in 2010, Governor Brad Henry appointed the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness to serve as Oklahoma’s State Early Childhood Advisory Council. This designation paved the way for Smart Start Oklahoma to be eligible to apply for federal ARRA funds. Read Oklahoma's application here.The application was granted for 3 years of funding for OPSR to carry out the work as Oklahoma's State Early Childhood Advisory Council.

OKLAHOMA PARTNERSHIP FOR SCHOOL READINESS MOUSE OVER THE YEARS TO LEARN MORE.

  • 2000
    Governor's Task Force on Early Childhood formed by Executive Order of Governor Frank Keating.
  • 2001
    Exhaustive report published highlighting strengths, weaknesses and needs of Oklahoma's early childhood programs.
  • 2002
    Local grassroots efforts evolve through partnership with United Way, Bank of America and Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
  • 2003
    Governor Brad Henry signed into law the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Act, creating a council of state leaders who advise on the needs of the overall early childhood system.
  • 2008
    Governor Brad Henry designated the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness as the State's Early Childhood Advisory Council as established by Federal Law.
  • 2010
    Oklahoma legislation confirms that the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness will serve as the State's Early Childhood Advisory Council.

OPSR Structure

In order to better support the efforts of our state in meeting the needs of the newly developed state Early Childhood Advisory Council, seven workgroups have been developed to allow full participation of the general public. We invite you to participate with us by serving on one of these workgroups.

QUALITY, ACCESS, STANDARDS & ACCOUNTABILITY

This work group is charged to develop recommendations for improving quality, access and early learning standards for early childhood programs and services. Lesli Blazer, chair; Steven Dow, co-chair.

 

Oklahoma Early Childhood Education 2011 Needs Assessment Final Report

Oklahoma Early Childhood Education 2011 Needs Assessment Companion Report

 

If you are interested in joining the Quality, Access, Standards & Accountability workgroup, or would like more information, please contact Stacy Frakes at stacy.frakes@smartstartok.org

DATA SYSTEM & COORDINATION

This work group is charged to develop recommendations for unified data systems and other opportunities, along with identifying barriers to collaboration and community coordination. Edd Rhoades, chair; Vacant, co-chair.

Data Rountable Report 

If you are interested in joining the Data Systems & Coordination workgroup, or would like more information, please contact Hannah Holloway at hannah.holloway@smartstartok.org

SPECIAL POPULATIONS

This work group will make recommendations regarding inclusion of underserved groups in early childhood services and programs. Amy Halliburton, chair; Jay Weatherford, co-chair.

 

If you are interested in joining the Special Populations workgroup, or would like more information, please contact Cyd Roberts at cyd.roberts@okdhs.org

Policy Work Group Coordination

 This committee is charged with ensuring all other work groups accomplish tasks set by OPSR board, review workgroup recommendations, oversee revision of the state plan, and assist Executive Committee in indentify cross-cutting issues. Ed Long, chair; Paula Koos, co-chair. 

 

The Policy Workgroup Coordination Committee is an open meeting and all are welcome to attend. See the OPSR calendar for the next scheduled meeting. 

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NEW!!!

Finance Committee: Andrea Hall, chair; Naneida Lazarte Alcala, co-chair  

 

 

Ad-Hoc Committees:

Child Care Committee: Phil Dessaur, chair; Kermit McMurry, co-chair

Literacy Committee: Susan McVey, chair; Teri Brecheen, co-chair

 

For more information in our ad-hoc committees, please contact the Smart Start Oklahoma office at (405) 278-6978.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & WORKFORCE

This work group is charged with developing recommendations regarding state-wide early childhood professional development, including 2- and 4- year institution efficacy and capacity. Kay Floyd, chair; Susan Kimmel, co-chair.

 

If you are interested in joining the Professional Development & Workforce workgroup, or would like more information, please contact Cyd Roberts at cyd.roberts@okdhs.org

COMMUNITY MOBILIZATION

This work group is charged with reviewing annual work plans and recommendations from communities and their local councils. Kathy Cronemiller, chair; Nina Gonzales, co-chair

 

If you are interested in joining the Community Mobilization workgroup, or would like more information, please contact Stacy Frakes at stacy.frakes@smartstartok.org

 

In addition to the Community Mobilization Workgroup, the Community Mobilization Committee meets quarterly. The Committee is an open meeting and all are welcome to attend. See the OPSR calendar for the next scheduled meeting.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

This work group is charged with working with OPSR Foundation board and staff to develop and implement public engagement plan. John McCarroll, chair; Kim Jackson, co-chair.

 

If you are interested in joining the Public Engagement workgroup, or would like more information, please contact Stephanie Mendenahall at stephanie.mendenhall@smartstartok.org

 

 

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Open Meeting Minutes 2012

Ad Hoc Committee on Child Care - February 2012 - March 2012 - April 2012 - June 2012

Ad Hoc Committee on Early Literacy - March 2012 - April 2012 - May 2012 - June 2012 - July 2012 - August 2012 - September 2012 - October 2012 - November 2012 - December 2012 

Policy Workgroup Coordination Committee - January 2012 - February 2012 - March 2012 - April 2012 - May 2012 - June 2012 - August 2012 - September 2012 - October 2012 - November 2012

Community Mobilization Committee - February 2012 - May 2012 - August 2012 - November 2012

Finance Committee - February 2012 - May 2012

Executive Committee - January 2012 - February 2012 - March 2012 - April 2012 (quorum not met) - May 2012 - June 2012 - August 2012 - September 2012 - October 2012 - November 2012

OPSR Board -  January 2012 - February 2012 - March 2012 - April 2012 - May 2012 - June 2012 - August 2012 - September 2012 - October 2012 - November 2012