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.

ANNUAL REPORTS

PARTNERSHIP BOARD

FOUNDATION BOARD

BOARD MEETINGS

PARTNERSHIP BOARD

The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Board is comprised of 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.

OPSR STATUTE

BYLAWS

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.

LEARN MORE

Financial Reports

LATEST 990 RETURN

LATEST FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT

OPSR PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEMBERS

Public Sector Representatives or their Designees

State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Ryan Walters
Designee: Sharon Morgan

State Commissioner of Health

Keith Reed, Interim Commissioner

Designees: Lorri Essary

Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner
Allie Friesen

Designee: Stephanie Bell

Oklahoma Department of Commerce Director

Vacant
Designee: Marshall Vogts & Shellie Schlegel

Oklahoma Department of Libraries Director

Natalie Currie
Designee: Trisha Hutcherson

Department of Human Services Director

Jeffrey Cartmell
Designees: Deb Smith

Oklahoma Health Care Authority Administrator

Ellen Buettner

Designee: Kasie McCarty

Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth Director

Annette Wisk Jacobi

Designees: Danielle Dill & Caitlin Merritt

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: Teena Friend

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor

Sean Burrage
Designee: Gina McPherson

Cabinet Secretary with Responsibility for Education Agencies

Nellie Sanders

Designee: Vacant

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 & Curtis Mays

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

Two Parents of Children Age 8 or Younger

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

Director of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

Dr. Jennifer Pham

Governor Appointees

Dr. Hokehe Effiong
Pediatric Specialist, Jackson County Memorial Hospital

Jacqueline Evans

CEO & Director, Aunt Jackie's Family Childcare

Suzie Powers

Program Director, Northeast Community Action Agency & Early Head Start

Kelly Kay
President & CEO, YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City

Dr. Sada Knowles
Dean of New College, Oklahoma Christian University

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

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

Vicki Weaver Payne
Mental Health Counselor, Hope Community Services

Anthony Stafford
Senior Program Director, Sunbeam Family Services

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

Kody Suanny

Executive Director, Great Plains Youth & Family Services

Cindy Lee

Executive Director, HALO Project

BOARD MEETINGS

Needs Assessment

This piece of OKFutures focused on assessing the availability, quality, and alignment of existing health, early care and learning, and family education and support programs. The evaluation examined participation in Oklahoma's early childhood system, analyzed data, and identified strategies to improve outreach. Additionally, the assessment reviewed policies, practices, and funding that affect access to resources. STATUS Oklahoma's Statewide B-5 Needs Assessment (Needs Assessment) was conducted in 2019 in partnership with Urban Institute. The Needs Assessment provided a comprehensive look at strengths and needs in Oklahoma's B-5 system and its communities, though the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are not captured in the report. PLANNED ACTIVITIES • Needs Assessment Update • Workforce Study • Expulsion/Suspension Study Updated Needs Assessment: Original Needs Assessment:
Strategic Plan

The purpose of the Strategic Plan Update will be to review and gather input on the current strategic plan to determine what remains relevant and needs continued focus, what parts need to be revised, what needs to be added, and how each of these pieces will compliment and align with other existing state strategic plans. Strategic Plan Workgroup Monthly meetings will be led by OKDHS/OPSR and will include: • Program Staff • OCCY Parent Partnership Board • Community Representatives • Tribal Partners OPSR Partnership Board Quarterly OPSR Board meetings will provide an avenue for state partners to: • review incoming data • provide strategic direction • coordinate partner outreach
Parent and Family Engagement

Building and implementing a family engagement plan that ensures families are informed about and connected to services is a foundational element to successful B-5 systems change. OCCY Parent Partnership Board The OCCY Parent Partnership Board will serve a critical role gathering information and facilitating outreach for successful implementation of family engagement strategies. Coordinated Messaging PDG will support coordinated messaging to build families' knowledge of the mixed delivery system, embed supports to reach families, and pilot activities to enhance coordination and efficiency within the system to benefit families. Visit Before the Bell
Workforce

To support the B-5 workforce and disseminate best practices, PDG funding will expand professional development opportunities and supports. Efforts to Improve the Training and Expertise of Oklahoma's B-5 ECCE Workforce Activity Four will include several primary activities, including: • Transition Summit • Developmental Monitoring Resources and Support for Early Care and Learning Providers • Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Telehealth OPSR is excited to offer free telehealth and teletherapy services for licensed child care professionals in Oklahoma.
Support Program Quality Improvement

Oklahoma's approach to PDG is capacity building at the state and local level that will lead to a high-quality, sustainable B-5 system. Part C Data Specialization Funding will allow SoonerStart to conduct new data analysis to identify children who would benefit from the program and ensure they receive services. The analysis will also explore reasons why children leave the program early. Early Learning Inventory Oklahoma's Early Learning Inventory (ELI) Expansion Project will collect data on kindergarten readiness and inform local and state policies regarding early childhood education.
Subgrants

Subgrants to enhance quality and expand access to existing and new programs through local and statewide systems and supports. PLANNED SUBGRANT ACTIVITIES • 10 Regional Family Support Specialists for CCR&R networks • Local-Level Partnership Pilots • MIECHV Innovative Pilot for Local Referral Coordination • Coordinated Application, Eligibility and Enrollment Pilot • Reach Out and Read Project with Head Start • Child Care Provider Benefits • Telemedicine, Telehealth • Child Care Capacity Grants • Exceptional Needs Grants • Transition Summit • Developmental Monitoring Resources • Program Performance Evaluation Plan