Strengthening Families Initiative - Smart Start of Stephens County

Strengthening Families Initiative

Smart Start Stephens County (SSSC) became part of the Oklahoma Strengthening Families (SF) Initiative in 2007, having been active as a community initiative since 2005. SSSC brings communities together to ensure that all children will be safe, healthy, eager to learn, and ready to succeed by the time they enter school. SSSC works toward this mission by providing parent education, increasing access to quality child care, as well as creating community awareness about the importance of early childhood development. Given that mission, it seemed only natural to incorporate the SF initiative as part of the foundation for preparing young children for school and for life. We believed and continue to believe that these purposes are directly in line with the protective factors for the Strengthening Families Initiative.

In our community, one of the primary issues of concern is the prevalence of teen pregnancy and births to single moms. We also have a family poverty rate of 11.6%, low literacy rate; high incidence of methamphetamine use and parents in prison. As you know, these issues often lead to child abuse and neglect. Our Coalition wanted to try to mitigate these factors by beginning at the birth of a child.

Along with the help of our community partners, we have been able to make a positive impact in Stephens County by helping families to understand the opportunities for parent-child bonding, fostering positive relationships, providing much-needed support to families so that they do not feel isolated and are comfortable reaching out before their frustration reaches a boiling point and results in a child being hurt. SSSC has maintained successful working relationships with many agencies, such as the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Duncan Regional Hospital, local pediatricians, OSU Parent-Child Connection, Great Plains Resource & Referral Agency, Wichita Mountains Prevention Network, The Chickasaw Nation, Duncan Public Schools, Delta Head Start, etc.

We have realized success for our families by viewing the SF initiative as a continuum of care for young children and parents -- beginning with a focus on the establishment of strong/resilient families, healthy childbirth and development, education and literacy, and community support. Of course, we realize that we cannot do everything, but we are making a difference to the families that we reach.

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