Raising A Reader

A read aloud book bag program available to parents of young children at Stillwater and Perkins-Tryon schools, Payne County Head Start sites, selected private child care, P-T Parents as Teachers program, Ripley and Glencoe schools. Expansion efforts are in the works to expand the program to Yale, Cushing and the Rise School of Stillwater. Click here to learn more about Raising A Reader.

Strengthening Families

After two (2) years of implementing the Strengthening Families pilot project in Payne County, an effective and affordable strategy for child abuse and neglect prevention that occurs at early care and education sites, Smart Start North Central Oklahoma (formerly Smart Start Payne County), has expanded its pilot project to include TenderCare Learning Center in Meeker, OK., Lincoln County.  Training for this newest pilot site was ongoing throughout the Spring of '09, and will continue throughout the summer.  The other four (4) pilot sites in Payne County have just completed their 2nd year of Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (PCAN) training.  What we are planning next, for year three (3), are events and trainings that meaningfully engage parents and caregivers more closely in a sense of partnership in addressing the needs of children and families. We intend to make the five protective factors associated with the Strengthening Families strategy: parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete support in times of need and the social/emotional development of children, come alive. As part of the continuing Strengthening Families approach, Community Trainings are hosted as an outreach to parents and early care providers to increase educational opportunities to the broader community.  Click here to learn more about Strengthening Families.

Spirit of the Family Awards

The Spirit of the Family Awards recognizes different size businesses in Payne County who have strong family/workplace practices. Businesses are invited to complete and submit a nomination form. The Spirit of the Family awards are given annually.

Family Fun Fest

A free health and safety fun fair that takes place every year in April. Various health screenings are available.

Museum Without Walls

Hands on learning experiences in science, art, math, reading, history and language arts for public school children and child care centers, sponsored by the Oklahoma WONDERtorium children's museum (Museum Without Walls program) and Smart Start North Central Oklahoma utilizing the OSU work-study program and community volunteers. To learn more about the Oklahoma WONDERtorium click here.