While all children and their families benefit from early and proven investments in character and cognitive developmental programs, we know, as economic studies have proven, that children in lower socio-economic households benefit the most; rates of return for children from these economic backgrounds can be in the double digits.
Sadly, Oklahoma has a relatively high percentage of children living in poverty (24%) and a high percentage of our low-income children not living in a two parent household (63%). Families who live in poverty face many obstacles to being able to provide safe, stable, and nurturing environments.
Our collective response to these trends is to create a nonpartisan coalition of impassioned organizations that are focused on the critically important issues that can help eliminate the conditions that are impairing our young children from becoming a successful workforce.
We have neuroscientists on our side; we have Nobel Prize-winning economists on our side; we have evidence-based research spanning decades on our side, and now we need YOU on our side!
We are committed to accelerated investments in four key areas that can make a huge difference in the future of Oklahoma children, both short-term and long-term.
Our immediate emphasis will be in the following areas:
Supporting and expanding family support (home-based) programs with a proven track record of success, that will focus on two generations, children and their parents, empowering both to lead productive and successful lives.
Ensuring affordable access to brain (mental) health and physical health care for all children.
Focusing greater efforts on vocabulary expansion, literacy, and mathematics, emotional and social skills in the pre - kindergarten years.
Providing public-private financial support for working families seeking but unable to find affordable high-quality child care services.
The Foundation has created an ever-evolving nonpartisan coalition of organizations to act as catalysts for early childhood development.
These like-minded Allied Organizations from across the state will help guide policymakers and legislators alike while providing the financial support to leverage additional dollars. We plan to utilize the experience and resources of our early childhood nonprofits to ensure that time, talent and treasure is efficiently and effectively utilized.
We are also inviting our faith-based community to join our efforts in improving the educational, health and economic future of all Oklahoma children. We also work with our Early Childhood Legislative Caucus, a bipartisan group of legislators who have pledged to author and support legislation designed to improve the lives of Oklahoma’s youngest citizens.
The time frame to “bend the trends” is long-term but requires immediate action. We believe a goal to be in the top 25 states by 2025 is achievable and we have been dedicated to that goal since 2016.
the OK25 by 25 — Oklahoma Early Childhood Coalition via the Potts Family Foundation at 405.486.4955 to provide your support.
909 E. BRITTON RD. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73114
