Sen. Carri Hicks receives Friend of Young Children Award

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, has been honored for her work promoting policies important to the development of young children throughout the state. The Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children (OKAEYC) has recognized Hicks with their Friend of Young Children Award.

Stephanie Hinton, Ed. D., is president-elect of OKAEYC.

“Each year we request nominations from our membership for this award to go to a strong advocate for young children in our state,” Hinton said. “We were thrilled to be able to honor Senator Hicks for her work in promoting and solving issues related to education and well-being of young children in Oklahoma.”

Hicks, assistant Democratic leader of the Senate, is a professional educator and holds a master’s in early childhood education. She also serves on the Senate Education Committee, and this year she authored a new law to better support children with dyslexia. In addition to her work in education policy, Hicks has also authored legislation to improve the health of infants and young children, including a 2022 law expanding the required list of disorders for newborns to identify and address health issues sooner.

“As a senator, teacher, and mother of three, I am passionate about doing everything I can to support the safety, health, and academic success of Oklahoma’s children,” Hicks said. “I applaud the work of the Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children, and I am honored to receive their Friend of the Young Child Award.”

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CUTLINE: Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, is this year’s recipient of the Friend of Young Children Award from the Oklahoma Association for the Education of Young Children.

For more information, contact:  Sen. Carri Hicks at 405-521-5543 or Carri.Hicks@oksenate.gov