Oklahoma
How the INTEGRIS Health daycare closure compares to hundreds of other closures across Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy told News 9 this week that INTEGRIS Health’s decision to close its childcare programs this August shares similarities to and differences from the hundreds of other center closures around the state.
Integris Health announced earlier this week that it would end its childcare in August.
Joe Dorman, Chief Executive Officer for the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy said he is disappointed by the move, but not surprised.
“This was a wonderful thing the hospital provided, but ultimately they have to keep their doors open and cover for patients.”
With the rising costs of living and a reduction in subsidies, hundreds of childcare centers in Oklahoma have had to close their doors since last November.
“We’ve seen daycares shut down left and right that are private businesses, and this has really been the next line of what we’re seeing with those business-run childcares closing their doors,” Dorman shared.
When businesses are faced with cuts, he said, “this is one of those things that will go away first, because it was a benefit for the families. It wasn’t something that they viewed as an essential part of the work.”
Dorman said parents losing care from INTEGRIS Health face a growing problem – finding a new, licensed provider.
“It’s a struggle to find one that’s close to you, and then you have to look at the affordability. We have some families that simply can’t find one that’s affordable.”
Add in wait lists… Dorman compared the cost of childcare to the cost of college.
“We’ve seen individuals who have had to quit their jobs just because they can’t afford childcare.”
Dorman acknowledged in some situations, older kids miss school to watch younger siblings.
He added that he expects more closures from private pay and employer-run daycares.
“That’s going to be a cut back that many businesses will consider.”
Anyone struggling to find childcare should contact their state representative, Dorman finished.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma City fire crews responded to a commercial fire in SW Oklahoma City on Wednesday afternoon.
The Oklahoma City Fire Department said crews responded to a fire at a vacant restaurant near SW 29th and South Miller Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
Crews extinguished the flames, which were shooting up through the roof, according to OKCFD.
No injuries were reported, and OKCFD is working to determine the cause of the fire.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Authorities say one woman was taken to the hospital following an early morning house fire in northeast Oklahoma City.
Around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Oklahoma City firefighters were called to a house fire near N.E. 13th St. and Missouri.
When crews arrived, they found the victim on the front porch of the home.
“When they got off the rig and initiated offensive fire attack, found one victim on the front porch. Appeared she was maybe suffering from smoke inhalation. The fire was relatively small. It was contained to one bedroom in the back. The patient was transported, was treated here, and then transported to OU,” said Batt. Chief Brad Smith, with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
Officials said the fire originated in the back of the house, in a back bedroom near the closet.
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However, the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Kaysville (Utah) Davis athlete Bode Sparrow cut his list to four back in May and has now locked in his commitment date.
Sparrow is a tremendous player on both sides of the ball and checks in as the No. 77 player nationally in the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.
He will make his long awaited college choice this Friday, May 25 from a final four of BYU, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.
In handicapping this race, two schools jump out for us. The first is Oklahoma. I put a commit prediction in for the Sooners back in March and there was some buzz that he could commit around that time.
Sparrow decided to hold off making an early decision in order to take his official visits. Oklahoma was the first visit locked in and for awhile, the only visit that was set, giving even more credence to the Sooners being the team to beat.
“They really believe in me and have a vision for me there,” Sparrow told us after his official visit. “They show me so much love and I have such great relationships with the coaches there.
“I also really like the town of Norman and the plan in place for me from a safety/scheme standpoint. They really have everything I’m looking for in a school. Brent Venables is great, a defensive minded head coach and I just love the all around fit.”
Sparrow followed up his visit to OU with trips to Oregon, Utah and BYU. The Ducks made a big impression and should be considered a dark horse. They are easily one of the toughest schools to recruit against and it would surprise no one if Sparrow ends in Eugene.
Saying that, the school that is gaining a lot of momentum and looks to be Oklahoma’s biggest challenger is BYU. For months we talked to some close to Sparrow, college coaches and trainers who all said the same thing, ‘don’t rule out BYU in the end.’
No one has recruited Sparrow longer than the Cougs. He has been on campus more than any other school, he’s strong in his LDS faith and he has a great connection with the BYU staff including head coach Kalani Sitake.
BYU was able to get the final visit over the weekend and there is some quiet confidence in Provo as well as from a few other recruits/commits who were also on the visit. With the church connection, we’ve long said in a head to head battle, BYU is very tough to beat, especially for an in-state player.
Saying that, there are still Sooner commits we’ve talked to convinced Sparrow is still headed to Norman. That’s why this recruitment has become one of the more fascinating ones to follow this cycle, it’s one of those rare instances where days away from a decision, it could still go in multiple directions.
For now, my commit prediction remains on Oklahoma but BYU is closing fast and this one close to a toss up with a decision quickly approaching.
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