Great Plains Youth & Family Services, Inc. Receives Funding to Identify and Improve Services for Families, Toddlers and Preschoolers
Great Plains Youth & Family Services, Inc. (GPYFS) is participating in a statewide project designed to identify needs of families with children born from 2019 through May 2023 in an effort to develop new or improve existing community resources and services. The project is known as Know and Grow Oklahoma: Building Resilient Children, Families & Communities.
“This is exciting because we know the pandemic presented challenges for all of us, no matter who we are or where we live. One such challenge for families with children born, adopted, or fostered during the pandemic is that these children did not experience the first few years of their lives like most children. Just as we work diligently to bring our world back to a new normal, here at GPYFS we are focused on discovering what those new needs are for these families and their children,” says Kody Suanny, Executive Director.
The short-term, $10,000 contract with the Potts Family Foundation (PFF) based in Oklahoma City allows for GPYFS to bring together a coalition of known providers that serves families and children in our community. GPYFS will work with community members to initiate engagements, build relationships and collect feedback. GPYFS may host a booth at a community event; conduct one-on-one interviews with parents, grandparents, other caregivers and community leaders; circulate surveys, or host focus groups.
Being pregnant and caring for an infant or toddler in an unfamiliar world presented unprecedented challenges for parents, caregivers and families. It was also unfamiliar and challenging for those who typically provide parenting supports. However, with all difficulties, there are also new experiences that bring positive changes and growth. “This is what we want to learn from our fellow community members who had these experiences. We want to know how the children and their families are doing and if there are unmet needs that individuals and/or groups in our community can respond to in support of our children and their families,” commented Suanny.
“What is most exciting about this project with PFF is that rural communities are often overlooked when projects such as this are implemented. Many in our coalition have expressed appreciation to PFF for developing a statewide project focused on creating a better quality of life for all Oklahoma children and families. GPYFS is 1 of 15 partners statewide serving a total of about 34 counties of which the majority are rural communities. This is very exciting,” said Suanny.
As part of its mission focusing on early childhood initiatives, the Potts Family Foundation received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) appropriated by the Oklahoma legislature and in collaboration with the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The focus of this project is to improve the well-being of and build resilience in children born right before or during the pandemic.