July 2023 Volume 33; Issue 10

The next several months will determine how changes within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will impact Mid-Sioux. HHS officials have hired a consulting firm to gather information on the various service regions and how those regions may be combined/changed for increased efficiency. It is likely that a report will be generated by this fall. There will be opportunities for input. 

The state fiscal year begins July 1^st which means our state contracts will have their program year renewing on that date. Funding is stable with our state services.

The federal budget agreement has provided some limits on expenditures. It is too early to know the details but our budgets for 2024 will be funded at 2022 levels with a small increase allowed during the 2-year agreement. I am estimating level funding in most cases, but the discussions are just beginning.

Management staff are evaluating the current needs assessment and using that information to develop a draft 3-year plan. Once finalized, it will be presented to the Board for approval. That process will most likely take us through September 30^th of this year. 

The Iowa Community Action Association will be hosting its annual conference July 24-27. We will have several staff and board members attending. This is an excellent opportunity for training and sharing with the other 15 Community Action Agencies in Iowa.

July in Iowa means county fairs and community celebrations. Have a wonderful start to your summer.

Respectfully,



Dick Sievers

Executive Director

Quick Links

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I-Smile^TM Website

CCR&R Website

Mid-Sioux Locations

Mid-Sioux Board of Directors

CCR&R

Ensuring a child's success starts from the early years. Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is committed to helping Iowa child care businesses reach their full potential. CCR&R Child Care Consultant’s work closely with providers to develop effective strategies that enable them to create a high-quality program. Together, we are working towards building a bright and promising future for Iowa's children. Check out the new video put together by the Community Development Team. It targets new and existing providers talking about the support CCR&R can provide. Special thanks to Statewide Communication Specialist, Bobbi Riedemann for all the work put into this video. https://youtu.be/UbIJmuQeIYE

HOUSING/ENERGY SERVICES

You just need to love Iowa! We go from really cold weather to “hotter than heck” weather! Loving the “hotter than heck” weather!

Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP)

ECIP will assist household’s energy-related emergencies, as follows:

• Non-working heating unit
• Temporary need for alternate shelter
• Disconnection from utility service
• Disconnection from utility service imminent
• Empty liquid propane (LP) tank
• LP tank less than 30% remaining
• Window/portable air conditioning unit or repair of existing central air unit, when medically necessary

We have processed 385 applications since January 1, 2023.

Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP)

This summer we are getting ready for next season. Accounts are reconciled, summer purchase contracts are being worked on, forms are being updated, Clinics set up, budget updated, and we are busy updating advertising documents.

Weatherization

Mid-Sioux rated 4^th in the State of Iowa for yearly average energy savings according to a report provided by Dalhoff Associated, LLC from Wisconsin. Mid-Sioux’s yearly average is $503 which is $80 higher than the state average. Our goal is to be #1 again in the state. Since we no longer replace appliances, our chance of achieving that goal is minimal.

Riverboat Grant

The Lyon County Riverboat Foundation awarded Mid-Sioux $3,000 to be used for emergency assistance to eligible Lyon County households. Mid-Sioux was one of the lucky agencies picked from a drawing.

United Way Grant

Mid-Sioux received $8,000 from the United Way in Le Mars to provide rent and utility assistance for clients who reside in Plymouth County. Many thanks go out to the United Way Board for choosing us as one of the recipients of their money.

Head Start and Early Head Start utilizing the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment system to assess and analyze informative data recorded on children birth-five years of age served by the program. The assessment is research-based and aligns with state early learning standards and the Head Start Early Learning Framework. The GOLD assessment system streamlines planning for classroom instruction and individualization for children. The data in the table shows the growth of children served, birth-age five years.