available in the community for children ages 0-5. They work with local educators to assist youth who are struggling with literacy by providing on-site programs that focus on reading, with books available in the Community Center libraries and homework tutoring assistance after school Monday through Friday for youth of all ages. Family and youth residents also enjoy the benefit of our partnership with the Tulsa County Library System and access to the mobile book service on a bi- monthly basis, as well as on-site registration assistance to acquire library cards. The Tulsa Housing Authority has a grant through the George Kaiser Family Foundation, in collaboration with the Tulsa Children’s Museum, that allows educators from the Tulsa Children’s Museum to provide on- and off-site programming. This grant enables youth and their families to enjoy presentations that focus on STEM curriculum (science, technology, engineering and math). Families and youth enjoy fun, interactive programs on-site and through off-site field trips to the Tulsa Children’s Museum. This year, the curriculum has expanded, and select family sites are piloting a special program called “Cookies and Bookies,” focusing on health and wellness for caregivers and their kids. The Tulsa Housing Authority is also a part of the Anti-Bullying Coalition, a program operated through the Parent Child Center that focuses on national evidence-based practices proven effective to bring youth together and reduce bullying behaviors. This curriculum is currently being taught in Tulsa Public Schools and the Social Service Coordinators received a special train-the-trainer presentation so they can teach the curriculum to youth on-site throughout the year. Community Policing, Fire Prevention and Neighborhood Watch Programs Elderly/Disabled and Family/ Youth: The Social Service Coordinators have partnered with local police departments to provide resident education to establish neighborhood watch programs. Local fire departments provide on-site resident education regarding prevention of fires, the importance of establishing a safety/escape plan, as well as attend community safety fairs. Youth also participate in the annual Fire Safety Poster contests on a local and national level. The Tulsa Police Department attends many of the Health and Safety Fairs as well as Summer Block Party events, allowing residents to see K9 units perform, sit in the police cars and interact with officers. The Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department has partnered with THA Social Service Coordinators to tailor two programs: TCSO’s Junior Deputy Program and the Secret Sheriff Program. Both programs provide mentorship opportunities where youth forge close relationships with their law enforcement mentors through activities that include lunches, touring the local police department, holiday celebrations and gift exchange, and pen pal programs. Family Social Service Coordinator Grant Family: Six of our family properties receive case management services under a HUD Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency Social Service Coordinator grant. Interested residents can sign up for case management services to help achieve specific goals such as education, job training and other specific, important life goals directed at self-sufficiency. 9 8 The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation. – BERTRAND RUSSELL library space in each of the high- rise sites and partner with the Tulsa County Library System to bring a mobile book service to the properties on a bi-monthly basis. In addition, they provide access to on-site registration assistance to acquire library cards and access to check out books and other educational materials that can be mailed back to the library free of charge. Family/Youth: The Social Service Coordinators work with external agencies to raise resident parent awareness of the importance of early childhood education