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 OUR WORK 

With a variety resources and partners, OPSR works with both local and national private funders as well as the state and federal government to achieve its mission to lead Oklahoma in coordinating an early childhood system that strengthens families and ensures all children are ready for school. Our projects rely on the expertise and guidance of parents, community leaders, early childhood providers, state-level organizations and leadership. Together, we can make an impact and improve the well-being of young children.

Image by Tanaphong Toochinda

PARTNERSHIP BOARD

The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board is comprised of a diverse group of members, including early childhood experts and state leaders, that are responsible for carrying out state and federal mandates.

 

Each year the OPSR Board prioritizes several focus areas to improve the lives of young children and their families, such as the following:

• Engage policymakers and the community with the intent to gain support for school readiness.
 

• Convene and support partnerships within the board, throughout communities and statewide.
 

• Incubate innovative, research-based solutions to encourage early language, interaction and brain development.
 

• Ensure continuous improvement and accountability of Oklahoma’s programs that touch families with young children.

 

• Click the links below to learn more about the OPSR Board.

If you’re interested in becoming an OPSR board member, you can apply on the governor’s website.

Click here to be directed to that application page.

Annual Reports

This Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness annual report spotlights the tremendous work done by OPSR staff and our incredible partners as well as provides a report on the state of school readiness among Oklahoma children.

 

As OPSR continues to push Oklahoma forward and coordinate an early childhood system that ensures ALL children are ready for school, we appreciate Gov. Kevin Stitt and our legislature's support, leadership and commitment to building a strong foundation and bright future for Oklahoma’s children.

OPSR PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS

Public Sector Representatives or their Designees

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Ryan Walters
Designee: Mary Mazariegos & Sharon Morgan

 

State Commissioner of Health

Keith Reed, Interim Commissioner

Designees: Joyce Marshall & Lorri Essary

 

Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

Commissioner
Carrie Slatton-Hodges

Designee: Audra Haney

 

Oklahoma Department of Commerce Director

Brent Kisling
Designee: Marshall Vogts & Shellie Schlegel

 

Oklahoma Department of Libraries Director

Natalie Curry
Designee: Adrienne Butler

 

Department of Human Services Director

Dr. Deborah Shropshire
Designees: Jennifer King & Brittany Lee

 

Oklahoma Health Care Authority Administrator

Kevin Corbett

Designee: Vacant

 

Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth Director

Annette Wisk Jacobi

 

State Department of Rehabilitation Services Director

Melinda Fruendt

Designees: Tonya Garman

 

Oklahoma Educational Television Authority Executive Director

Polly Anderson
Designee: Darrell Strong

 

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education

Director
Brent Hanken
Designee: Joann Carter

 

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor

Allison Garrett
Designee: Gina McPherson

 

Cabinet Secretary with Responsibility for Education Agencies

Dr. Katherine Curry

Designee: Vacant

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Dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, Oklahoma State University
Dr. Jon Pedersen
Designee: Jennifer Stepp

 

State Director of Head Start Collaboration

Paula Brown
Designee: Zoe Campbell

Private Sector Representatives Appointed
by the Governor

Representative of Licensed Child Care Providers

Rachel Proper
Vice President, Child Care, Inc.

 

Representative of the Licensed Child Care Industry Appointed by the Governor from a List Submitted by an Association Representing the Licensed Child Care Industry
Angie Clayton

Kids R Us of Tecumseh

Governor Appointee

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Two Parents of Children Age 8 or Younger

Brett Vanderzee
Music & Preaching Minister, The Spring Church of Christ

Jennifer Pham
 

Director of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

Representative of a State Association of Federally Funded Early Childhood Programs
Christin Bollinger
Program Director, Green Country Behavioral Health Services Head Start and Early Head Start

 

Governor Appointees

Marianne "Marny" Dunlap, MD
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

 

Dr. Hokehe Effiong
Pediatric Specialist, Jackson County Memorial Hospital

 

Jacqueline Evans

 

Tina Floyd

Co-owner, Floyd's RV

 

Kelly Kay
President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City

 

Sada Knowles
Dean of New College, Oklahoma Christian University

 

Melissa Larimore
Community Programs Director, Youth & Family Services, Inc.

 

Amanda McCabe
Adjunct Professor for the Educational Psychology Department at Oklahoma State University

 

Vicki Weaver Payne
Mental Health Counselor, Hope Community Services

 

Sarah Roberts
VIce President of Programs, Inasmuch Foundation

 

Anthony Stafford
Senior Program Director, Sunbeam Family Services

 

Annie Koppel Van Hanken
Senior Program Officer, George Kaiser Family Foundation

BOARD MEETINGS

FOUNDATION BOARD

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Ginny Bass Carl

Board President

CEO, Giving Well, LLC

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Lucie Doll

Board Director

Program Director, Women's Justice Team

Family & Children Services

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Annie K. Van Hanken

Board Director

Sr. Program Officer, George Kaiser Family
Foundation

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Pam Campbell

Board Director

Tenth District Outreach Director, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

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AJ Griffin

Board Director

Executive Director, Potts Family Foundation

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Marsha Schmidt

Board Treasurer

Business Manager, The McIntosh Group; Business Manager, Site Solutions

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Suzanne Thompson

Board Secretary

Former ED of CART and El Reno Public School Foundation

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Dr. Amy Emerson

Board Director

Pediatrician & Area Director for Reach Out

and Read - Tulsa

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Mike Gibson

Board Director

Retired CPA

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Collette Shepard

Board Director

Regional Manager Oklahoma, Lakeshore Learning

PARTNERSHIPS

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