Oklahoma City Educare was created through a partnership among Inasmuch Foundation, Sunbeam Family Services, Inc., Community Action Agency of Oklahoma and Canadian Counties and Oklahoma City Public Schools. Each of the partners is represented on the Educare Board of Directors, along with other contributors and early childhood advocates.

PARTNERS:

Inasmuch Foundation has provided leadership in the development of the private-public collaboration necessary to bring Educare to Oklahoma City. Inasmuch Foundation staff members are also securing funds to construct the center and provide an endowment for future building maintenance.

Sunbeam Family Services, Inc. is the managing partner and the grantee agency for Early Head Start program, which serves children birth through age three. Educare will have 64 Early Head Start eligible children, and Sunbeam will contribute annually to support these children. After the center opens, Sunbeam staff will be the operating manager responsible for day-to-day administration.

Community Action Agency is the grantee for Head Start, which serves children ages three through four. Educare will serve 136 Head Start eligible children, and Community Action Agency will provide the funds to support these children.

Oklahoma City Public Schools has collaborated with Educare on the overall space planning required for the Educare property to be adjacent to a planned new elementary school, Cesar Chavez Elementary. The two buildings will comprise an attractive campus, birth through sixth grade.  The 68 four-year-old children at Educare will be enrolled in Oklahoma’s Pre-K Program, and Oklahoma City Public Schools will pass on the applicable funding to Educare.

United Way of Oklahoma City makes a contribution to Sunbeam, who makes that money available to Educare.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman
Bob Ross, Inasmuch Foundation

President (ex officio)
Ray Bitsche, Sunbeam Family Services, Inc.

Treasurer
Bob Harbison, Consultant to Inasmuch Foundation

Members
Mike Burke, Buffett Early Childhood Fund
Liz Eickman, Kirkpatrick Family Fund
Annie Koppel Van Hanken, George Kaiser Family Foundation
Phil Lance, Integris
David Matthews, Trail Blazer Capital
Pat Potts, Potts Family Foundation
Lisa Price, Community Volunteer
Sandra Park, Deputy Superintendent, Oklahoma City Public Schools
Berta Faye Rex, Community Volunteer
William J. Ross, Inasmuch Foundation
Ira Schlezinger, Community Volunteer
Jim Sconzo, Community Action Agency of Oklahoma City
Chris Brewster, Principal, Santa Fe South High School

We must pay tribute to John Rex, who dedicated himself to improving education in Oklahoma. Rex brought Smart Start to our state and inspired Inasmuch Foundation leaders to invest their funds in education. Oklahoma City Educare is an example of his legacy.