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| Our Programs & Initiatives |
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| Spirit of the Family Awards |
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| Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma believes that strong communities are made up of strong families and vital for successful business and a healthy economy. Enid employers are becoming increasingly aware of the challenges that employees face in balancing the demands of work and family life. In Garfield County alone, over 61 percent of children under the age of 13 live in two parent families in which both parents work outside the home or in single parent households in which the only parent works outside the home (The Oklahoma Child Care Portfolio, 2003). |  |
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| In order to promote and identify efforts being made by Enid area employers to offer family-friendly employment policies and benefits, Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma conducts a yearly survey of businesses. Results of the Family Friendly Business Survey indicate that local employers are aware of the issues that affect employees and their families and are making efforts to address these issues through employment policies and scheduling innovations. Also evident is a desire on the part of management to become better informed about trends in employment policy that can benefit both the employer and the employee. |
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| Each year, Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma recognizes local businesses for their efforts to support employees through family-friendly policies by presenting the "Spirit of the Family Award" to businesses in three size categories. |
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| Small Business | - | 0-50 Employees |
| Medium Business | - | 51-100 employees |
| Large Business | - | Over 100 Employees |
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| OFTHEFAMILY |
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See the 2004 "Spirit of the Family Award" Winners |
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See the 2003 "Spirit of the Family Award" Winners |
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| Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma is honored to recognize the Spirit of the Family Award winning businesses who recognize that successful families are the basic building-block of society and essential for strong business, thriving communities, and a healthy economy. |
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| Raising A Reader |
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Raising A Reader is an award-winning early literacy program that provides bright red book bags, filled with high-quality children's books featuring artwork, age-appropriate language, and multicultural themes. It inspires families to "book-cuddle" with their little ones, developing a love of books that lasts a lifetime. Parents participating in the program commit to reading to their children each day.
Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma is implementing Raising A Reader at four pilot locations in the Spring of 2005: Patty Cake Childcare Center, Hope Outreach Family Resource Center, Parent's As Teachers Hispanic families, and Coolidge Elementary 4-Yr. Old Program. At this time, Enid is only the second community in Oklahoma to initiate the program.
In evaluations of other Raising A Reader locations, parents show a 33% increase in the time spent sharing stories with their children, parents are taking their children to the library more often, and Raising A Reader four-year olds are exceeding national norms for kindergarten readiness. In addition, Spanish-speaking families have increased their use of public library services by 56%.
For more information about how you can sponsor an Enid area classroom for the Raising A Reader program, contact the Smart Start Northwest Oklahoma Office at (580) 548-2268. |
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Spirit of the Family Awards
