Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST)

The Birth through Eight Strategy for Tulsa (BEST), an initiative of the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), is dedicated to providing an equal opportunity for young children in Tulsa through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement.

BEST works shoulder-to-shoulder with parents, caregivers, and community leaders to enable families to access programs and services that nurture strong brain development and adult-child experiences, putting children on a path toward lifelong success. BEST envisions a day where all of Tulsa’s children living in economic poverty have equitable access to the opportunities and resources they need and deserve.

Nationally distinctive in its size, scope, and depth of partner engagement, BEST takes a comprehensive and integrated approach that knits together programs and services to create a seamless continuum of support for children and families. BEST is a network of more than 80 public and non-profit agencies that are delivering health, education, criminal justice and social services to children and families in Tulsa. The 13-member GKFF-BEST team collaborates closely with fellow team members, others at GKFF and BEST partners to advance the goals of BEST with financial resources, coordination and convening.