September 2023 Volume 33; Issue 12

September is the last month of the agency fiscal year. Our finance staff are very busy preparing for the year-end. Auditors were in Remsen the week of September 11 to look at internal control procedures. This involves looking at service/program requirements to make sure that we followed regulations in those areas. They will also look at our processes related to financial matters to see that good internal control is in place. Audit work on the financial numbers will take place in December.

I will be preparing an application to the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation (Casino) to assist in renovating our Rock Rapids facility. We were fortunate to receive funds two years ago for some of the work. Applicants should know in October if they have a successful application.

Mid-Sioux, along with the other 15 community action agencies in Iowa will be conducting a client needs assessment over the next few months. A survey will be sent to agency program participants to get their input into needed services. That survey should come out within the next week or two. Results will be used in making decisions about how to best use our agency resources and where gaps in services are present.

Outreach staff are preparing for holiday activities. We usually adopt several hundred individuals at Christmas time and provide food boxes to families at Thanksgiving. Staff are preparing for the energy assistance (LIHEAP) program as well. 

A decision on the federal budget beginning on October 1, 2023, has not yet been made. It seems that members of the House of Representatives have some distance to go before coming to an agreement. I am hopeful for a budget agreement in the next few weeks.

Harvest season has started. Please take care when driving. The harvest in our area looks to be a good one.

Sincerely,

Dick Sievers

Executive Director

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FAMILY DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Are you a family needing a little extra support? 

The Family Development & Self-Sufficiency Program (FaDSS) has expanded eligibility guidelines and you may now be eligible for this free program! Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. provides FaDSS services in Ida, Cherokee, Plymouth, Sioux, and Lyon Counties.

In Fiscal Year 2023, which ended June 30, 2023, a total of 56 families received services. Supporting families as they seek and obtain employment is a cornerstone of the FaDSS model. The FaDSS program provides a number of formal and informal supports related to employment. The figure below provides a detailed look at these types of activities that were provided last year.

This is just one area in which the FaDSS program may be able to assist your family. The Core Program Components include the following:

• Structured home visits conducted by skilled Family Development Specialists
• Assessments that support healthy self-exploration
• Science-informed goal pursuit designed to build core skills
• A framework and process for career development
• Connecting families to stabilizing supports and opportunities in the community

Call 712-786-3483 for more information on the program and to see if you may be eligible.

SIOUX COUNTY OUTREACH

Hello from the Sioux County Outreach office!

It’s been an eventful summer here in Sioux County. With the extreme temperatures and then the 10+ inches of rain that Sioux Center received (all at once), it has kept us very busy! On August 6, Governor Reynolds issued a Disaster Proclamation for Sioux County. The deadline for Disaster applications was September 20. To date, Sioux County Outreach staff have received 44 Disaster applications for assistance. Clients must be within the 200% poverty level to be eligible for the assistance. If they are eligible and within the disaster area, we can assist them with up to $5,000. This money can be used for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and temporary housing expenses.

The food pantry has been successful. We are handing out over 100 food boxes every month. We are getting food and monetary donations regularly which helps keep our shelves stocked.

Recently, we finished up our Back-to-School program. We were able to provide 90 backpacks and school supplies to income-eligible children in grades K-8. Funding for the backpacks and supplies was donated from local businesses and individuals. We are very thankful for the people and businesses of Sioux County who are so giving and supportive of our programs.

Ready or not…here comes Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) season! Letters were recently sent out to begin the early applications for LiHEAP for the elderly and disabled in the middle of September. They will be eligible to apply starting October 1. Everyone else will be able to apply beginning November 1.

This fall, we hope to hold our Holiday Meal Program again. Information on this program will be sent via letter on October 1. As we prepare for this program, we will be asking for donations to purchase hams, turkeys, and all the fixins’. Income-eligible clients can sign up for this meal for either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Christmas letters will also be sent out on October 1, and in addition to asking families to sign up to receive gifts, we will be looking for sponsors to purchase gifts for our low-income individuals and families.

If you or someone you know is interested in donating to any of our programs or need any assistance, please have them contact our Sioux County office at 712-722-3611.

Pam Ericson, Outreach Coordinator

Amy DeGroot, Intake Staff

Outreach: www.midsioux.org

418 S. Marion Street | Remsen, IA 51050 | 712-786-2001 | 800-859-2025

www.midsioux.org