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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL --- A recent survey of more than 300 families participating in SoonerStart showed that 95 percent were very satisfied with the program and felt their child’s development showed improvement. And nearly all the families surveyed said SoonerStart needs no improvements and were very happy with SoonerStart staff.
SoonerStart is Oklahoma’s early childhood intervention program for infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who have developmental delays or have a physical condition such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy.
Since 2002, the number of families receiving help through the SoonerStart program has increased nearly 20 percent. In fiscal year 2004, more than 9,300 infants and toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays were served.
“Every year we have more and more families come to SoonerStart seeking assistance in enhancing their child’s development,” said Terry Johnsen, SoonerStart early intervention coordinator. “And even with an ever increasing caseload, SoonerStart staff have worked hard to provide excellent service to Oklahoma families.”
SoonerStart services include evaluation, case management, family training and counseling, nursing and nutrition services, special instruction and occupational, physical and speech-language therapy.
“SoonerStart is not an income based program,” said Johnsen. “There is no direct cost to the family regardless of their income. SoonerStart staff also make it easy for parents by providing services in the home, daycare or other locations in the community.”
SoonerStart is a nationally recognized model for interagency collaboration and is a joint effort of the Oklahoma State Departments of Education, Human Services, Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth and the Oklahoma Health Sciences Tolbert Center.
For more information on SoonerStart, call Terry Johnsen at (405) 522-5167, or click on http://www.OKDHS.org.
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