- Key Areas of Focus
- Early childhood care and education capacity
- Infant and early childhood mental health
- Community-level public awareness and engagement
The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation (OPSRF) has made a significant commitment to enhancing the early childhood care and education system in Oklahoma, with the allocation of over $5 million in grants to 16 organizations. This funding is part of a broader $47 million investment, supported by the federal government, Oklahoma Human Services, and OPSRF.
The $47 million investment is comprised of $36 million from the Federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), with a 30% match from Oklahoma, and an additional $11 million from OPSRF. The grants will focus on three key areas:
- Early childhood care and education capacity
- Infant and early childhood mental health
- Community-level public awareness and engagement
The grants will be distributed across the state, with a focus on enhancing early childhood care and education capacity. This includes investments in new early childhood centers, facility improvements for licensed child care providers, and workforce development programs to address capacity gaps. Some notable recipients of the grants include the Community Development Support Association, which will receive $394,097.50 for a new early childhood center in Enid, and Tulsa Educare, which will receive $739,144.51 for facility improvements for up to 30 licensed child care providers. These investments will help improve the quality of early childhood care and education, and provide more opportunities for Oklahoma children to access high-quality services. In addition to early childhood care and education, the grants will also focus on infant and early childhood mental health. OPSRF will provide funding for universal mental health screening and therapeutic services in Head Start classrooms, as well as support for community-based initiatives that promote mental health and well-being. For community-level public awareness and engagement, OPSRF will allocate funds to five organizations, including the Latino Community Development Agency, which will receive $100,000 to boost participation in early literacy and nutrition programs in Oklahoma City. These initiatives will help raise awareness about the importance of early childhood education and mental health, and engage communities in efforts to support Oklahoma children. “The investments represent a powerful, community-led approach to building a stronger early childhood system in Oklahoma,” said Carrie Williams, executive director at OPSRF. “From addressing child care capacity and workforce gaps to enhancing mental health and public engagement, these grantees are helping children reach their full potential.”
The funded projects are expected to begin in 2025, with evaluations continuing through 2026. OPSRF remains committed to supporting innovative, locally driven strategies to ensure all Oklahoma children are healthy, learning, and thriving.
