OPSR's community-based projects focus on empowering communities to shape policies and programs that are needed in order to see young children and families thrive.
Oklahoma communities participated provided OPSR with vital feedback and insight about issues surrounding child abuse in their area and state-wide.
Most recently, OPSR partnered with the Oklahoma State Department of Health to host a series of community cafés. These forums gathered feedback from parents as well as community partners who work with children and families in order to inform a statewide child abuse prevention plan. Seven communities were selected for these events including Ada, Altus, Bartlesville, Elk City, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Woodward.
During the community café participants split into small groups and delved into several hard-to-answer questions to identify priorities and a vision for the future. All this information was transcribed by Oklahoma State Department of Health officials who analyzed it and developed a child abuse prevention plan. In addition to the cafés, the state department used surveys collected from professionals and families to assist the plan.
In FY17, OPSR conducted an assessment of public and private programs throughout seven areas across Oklahoma in order to prepare School Readiness Community Assessment & Improvement Plans. These plans maximize the efficient use of state funds and encourage effective and cost-efficient community-based programs.
If you're interested in more details about this assessment process, email contact@okschoolreadiness.org.