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Helping People. Changing Lives.
June 2018 Volume 28; Issue 9
From the Executive Director's Desk
It has been a busy spring and summer. We have submitted renewal applications for WIC, Maternal/Child Health and the Community Services Block Grant. Thanks to everyone involved in the preparation of these documents.

There have been a number of meetings in our area centered on child care and the decrease in the number of providers. The Iowa Women’s Foundation, Early Childhood Iowa and Child Care Resource & Referral are working together to improve the provision of child care in Iowa. It is great to be working with them. Iowa has lost 40% of its childcare providers over the past 5 years. This will be a major point of discussion over the next few years.

Our golf tournament in Sioux Center was a success once again. We had over 25 sponsors and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to golf at such a beautiful course. Thanks to Melany Roling for her work with this event.

The next few weeks will be spent completing our self-assessment process for the Community Services Block Grant. We have a lot to be proud of as our compliance with the 58 standards required under the law is being met. 

Thanks to everyone for a very good annual meeting in May. It was great to recognize staff, board members and community partners.
Early Head Start
Early Head Start  is a free federally funded program for low-income families with pregnant women, infants, and toddlers up to age 3. Both home-based and center-based services are offered to families in the five county area.

Early Head Starts goal is to promote healthy parental development as well as a stimulating home environment through enrollment in the program. Early intervention significantly impacts the child’s growth and development. Six Family Advocates in five counties work with parents in their home to increase parental support for language and literacy. Staff works with families providing education to assist meeting their needs such as social, economic and child development needs. Family Advocates develop a supportive relationship with parents and children in order to help them focus on goals and help them build better relationships. 

Home based services are offered year round in Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Plymouth and Sioux Counties. Center-based programs for toddlers are located in LeMars and Sioux Center.

For more information on the Early Head Start program call 1-800-859-2 025 .
The Early Head Start program in Sioux County had a social this April at the Rock Valley parks. They went on a nature walk, played at the park and had a picnic!

Parents and children then planted an Early Head Start tree at Kiwanis Trail Park. The families can watch the tree and their children grow together for many years to come!
Housing/Energy Services
Weatherization:
  • Weatherization funding was increased by over $20 million to $251 million this year. In 2017 we received $228 million so this was a nice surprise. To date we have received 55% of the funding and should be receiving the rest of the funding soon.
  • This program is always changing and can be a challenge to manage. A state meeting is being scheduled for this summer to introduce more changes. Regardless, the weatherization program has been a blessing to many families in helping them to lower their utility bills.
Low-income Home Energy Assistance Money (LiHEAP):
  • LiHEAP funding was increased by $250 million to $3.64 billion. This is up from $3.39 billion in FY 2017.
  • Many thanks to our outreach for staff for all of their efforts. Mid-Sioux exceeded last year’s application count by 57 applications. Our outreach staff in Plymouth County was able to increase their numbers by 41 applications. Way to go ladies!!!
Crisis Programs:
  • Improvements continued to be made to our software program. This summer we will be implementing paperless crisis applications from the outreach staff. The outreach will no longer need to send the crisis applications our way. We will be able to download the applications directly off the computer. Our goal of becoming paperless continues to become more of a reality.
  • Outreach staff has taken over 110 crisis applications since April 1, 2018. The winter moratorium protection law ended April 1st and utility companies have been sending out disconnection notices for unpaid balances on winter utility bills.
 
United Way:
We are pleased to announce that Mid-Sioux have been awarded $10,000 from the Le Mars United Way. Funds received will be used to provide eligible families with assistance with rent, utilities, food assistance, and medical costs. MidAmerican Energy Company has generously matched the funds received with another $2,500 in utility assistance.
Child Care Resource & Referral
NW Iowa CCR&R - Region 1

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) dedicates many hours assisting child care providers in meeting their professional goals and achieving a higher standard of quality in their program. During on-site consultation, child care consultants help providers with a problem they are having or assist with areas they’d like to improve.
 
Consultants across the state are going through the I-Consult training program developed by Iowa State University to provide effective consultation services. Child Care Consultants, Sarah Harson and Bailey Hill received their Level 1 I-Consult Credential. Business Development Specialist, Rebekah Hungate received her Level 2 Recredential and Child Care Consultant Supervisor, Heather Hinds received her Mentor Credential. I-Consult is a system of relationship-based professional development competencies to provide on-site consultation and coaching services to early child care programs.
 
Congratulations to Sarah, Bailey, Rebekah, Heather and all of our consultants who are putting forth additional efforts to make consultation more effective!
To learn more about the free services offered to providers and parents
by Child Care Resource & Referral, visit their website at www.iowaccrr.org . 

  CCR&R is committed to ensure that Iowa’s vision is met: “All children, beginning at birth, will be healthy and successful.”

CCR&R of NW Iowa | www.iowaccrr.org
Funding provided by the Iowa Department of Human Services through the Child Care Development Fund
Lyon County Outreach
Hello from the Lyon County Outreach Office!

I have been back from maternity leave for over a month now. I had a beautiful girl named Avery on February 5. She is now 4 months old and is already keeping us on our toes. It’s been a joy to become a parent.

Things have slowed down a little now that LiHEAP Season is officially behind us. In Lyon County we served 222 households for LiHEAP this year. Thanks to everyone who helped out while I was gone on leave.

Although things have slowed down for LiHEAP we have been busy taking reduced pool pass applications for Rock Rapids residents only. If you have any clients interested in applying for the reduced pool pass, please have them contact us at 712-472-3746 or 712-722-3611.

With pool pass applications being taken, it means it is summer! Below are some of the upcoming events in Lyon County this summer.

·        Farmers Market in Rock Rapids on June 18.
·        Featured business at Rosewood Heights on June 22 from 9:30am to 10:30am
·        Lyon County Fair July 15-19

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns. Have a great and safe summer!

Haeley Faber – Outreach Coordinator                        Janet DeLeon- Outreach Assistant
418 S. Marion Street | Remsen, IA 51050 | 712-786-2001 | 800-859-2025