Ponca City – Smart Start Kay County has launched a new community project called, “Building Neighborhood Networks for Parents.”  This project provides opportunities for building strong relationships between parents and child care providers in Kay County.

“Smart Start Kay County focuses on issues affecting children birth through age 5,” said Lilly Freeman, Smart Start Kay County Coordinator.  “In Kay County, over 61% of our children need child care while their parents work so, child care programs are a natural place to provide families with the support and resources needed in raising young children,” said Freeman.

“A parent’s daily interaction with child care staff makes the program a convenient place for them to turn when they have questions or concerns,” said Freeman.  “This project focuses on building strong relationship between parents and child care providers to support the overall healthy growth and development of our young children,” concluded Freeman.

Pilot sites for this new project have been selected in Kay County.  The sites are Child Development Center, Ponca City Head Start and Country Day Learning Center. 

Ana Beets, Strengthening Families Coordinator for Smart Start Kay County, plans the monthly meetings that are held at each pilot site where parents, children and child care providers have the opportunity to share an evening feel and participate in activities geared toward building relationships.  Activities include making oatmeal play dough, stain glass painting, planting flowers and making bath paint for children to use during evening tub time.

In addition to fun activities, each site has a parent liaison on staff to assist in planning events, answering questions from parents and providing feedback as well as sharing information with parents regarding young children and their healthy development.

Parents have expressed excitement and enthusiasm for the pilot project.

“I like having family night. It is a chance for my family to have fun with other families, and to get to know new parents.” –Trista 

“The parent night has made a huge difference in parent involvement at our child care facility. It is a hard thing for parents to take time in the evening to do fun activities with their children and other parents in their classes. Thank you so much for offering this program as it has brought parents together in a friendly group to eat and get to know each other. “- Mary Lou

The project is funded by Smart Start Oklahoma, Inasmuch Foundation and Potts Family Foundation.  It will continue through June 2009 with the support of United Way of Ponca City, AmeriCorps of Ponca City, Smart Start Kay County and the Kay County Health Department.

If you are interested in supporting this program through volunteer work or by making a tax deductible donation, please contact Lilly Freeman, Smart Start Kay County Community Coordinator at 580-765-9015 or Ana Beets at 304-9447 or by email at uwsuccessby6@cableone.net.  For more information about Smart Start, visit www.smartstartoklahoma.org.

Smart Start Oklahoma is a grassroots initiative that supports families as they raise children who are safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed in school.  By making local civic and business leaders, educators and volunteers aware of children’s needs, and  by collaborating with local service providers, Smart Start makes better use of programs or resources that already exist.  There are currently 18 Smart Start Oklahoma communities, including Ponca City that is sponsored by United Way and serves all of Kay County.