Smart Start Oklahoma has awarded Success by 6 a $79,878 grant to fund programs in the Norman area. The grant will help finance community projects designed to address the needs of families with young children under 6 years of age, officials said.

Norman is one of 18 Smart Start Oklahoma communities. Smart Start Oklahoma is a statewide early childhood initiative designed to ensure that every child will arrive at school safe, healthy, eager to learn and ready to succeed.

Smart Start provides funding to local community coalitions that bring people and resources together to create lasting, positive change for young children neighborhood by neighborhood. Communities then develop projects tailored to their specific community's needs and focus on making sure families with young children are given the support and resources needed to raise successful, productive children.

"Success by 6 Norman provides our community with an avenue to address the needs of our youngest citizens in a collaborative, efficient way," said Kristin Collins, president of the United Way of Norman. "Research has shown time and again that investing in quality early experiences for children pays dividends in the future. With the United Way of Norman's focus on both prevention and response to community issues, Success by 6 is a perfect fit. We are fortunate to have the partnership of Smart Start Oklahoma in serving Norman's families and their young children, and are proud to be a Smart Start community."

Success by 6 Norman plans to use the Smart Start Oklahoma grant to support and/or start up several projects including:

· The Bi-Annual Norman Child Watch Tour -- Babies Brains Under Construction

· Success by 6 quarterly meetings

· Food and Shelter for Friends Early Childhood Enrichment Center

· OPAT (Oklahoma Parents as Teachers) Hispanic Program

· Norman Young Artist Series. In partnership with Firehouse Art Center and Performing Arts Studio, the series will arrange performing and visual art experiences for young children in child care.

· Early Care Provider Accredited Trainings.

Over the past six years, Success by 6 Norman has been able to develop and sustain the following projects with the help of Smart Start Oklahoma, community partners and donations:

Norman Reads; Raising A Reader; Rx for Reading; Books for Babies; Family Expo; Immunization Campaign; Pre-K/Kindergarten Healthy Youth; Obesity Initiative; Early Care Health Screenings; Healthy Steps; Early Childhood Directors Quarterly; Family Resource Development; OU College of Education, practicum opportunities; COFEE (Central Oklahoma Friends of Early Education); The Little Thursday Folder Project and the annual CHAMPIONS For Children Recognition Event.

Success by 6 is an initiative of the United Way of Norman. For more information about Success by 6 Norman, contact Kathy Sala at 364-3800 or ksala@unitedway-norman.org.