For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Carley M. Dummitt
cdummitt@autismfoundationok.org
The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma Receives Grant from the Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success to Train Child Care Providers in Oklahoma
(Oklahoma) The Autism Foundation of Oklahoma (AFO) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Oklahoma Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success to develop an extensive statewide training program for childcare providers. This innovative initiative, a collaborative effort between AFO and the Clearinghouse, aims to enhance the quality of care provided to children with autism in childcare settings. With a commitment to inclusivity and quality childcare services, AFO is leading the way in Oklahoma by addressing the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum.
Autism, a complex developmental condition, affects thousands of children and their families across the state. AFO’s initiatives center around three primary objectives. The first is providing valuable resources, training, and information to help childcare providers better understand autism. By doing so, AFO aims to create a more informed and empathetic community of caregivers equipped to offer specialized childcare support to children with autism.
To ensure that childcare providers are well-prepared to meet the unique needs of children with autism, AFO will develop a comprehensive train-the-trainer program in the initiative’s second phase. This program will be tailored to childcare coaches across Oklahoma, focusing on the specific challenges and opportunities inherent in caring for children with autism. The training program will empower childcare coaches to offer high-quality care and support to children on the autism spectrum.
AFO’s third objective is to provide personalized coaching services directly to childcare providers, catering to each child’s specific needs or classroom. This one-on-one support will enable childcare providers to implement evidence-based strategies that enhance the development and well-being of children with autism, ultimately fostering inclusivity and creating a safe and supportive environment for these children throughout the state.
“These initiatives represent a significant step forward in the field of autism support in Oklahoma,” said Emily Scott, Executive Director of AFO. “AFO is dedicated to making a meaningful and lasting impact with this project, and we are deeply grateful for the support provided by the Clearinghouse. By increasing awareness, providing comprehensive training, and offering personalized coaching, our goal is to enhance the availability and quality of childcare services, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for children with autism throughout the state.
“The Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (OPSR) is excited to help the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma with this grant from The Clearinghouse,” stated Carrie Williams, the Executive Director of OPSR. “This program of Autism Foundation of Oklahoma exemplifies why The Clearinghouse was created – to find innovative and important programs that enhance the quality of child care across our state.”
For more information about the Autism Foundation of Oklahoma and its programs, please visit www.autismfoundationok.org
A program of the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness (https://www.okschoolreadiness.org/), the Clearinghouse for Early Childhood Success promotes well-being for Oklahoma children and their families by building an evolving definition of quality, fast-tracking innovation, implementing research-informed practice and practice-informed research to support and improve early childhood systems and maximizing public/private partnerships. To learn more about The Clearinghouse, please visit https://www.okclearinghouse.org/.
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