MSO Happenings - Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc.

V O L UM E 2 3, I S S UE 1 0
MID- S IOUX OPP ORT UNIT Y, INC.
J UL Y / AUG UST 2 0 1 2
MSO Happenings
I N S I D E T HI S IS S UE :
Notes from the Director’s Desk
This month saw some changes in our outreach office
hours. We will be reducing hours in Ida and Lyon
counties to 1 day per week and to 2 days per week in
Plymouth County. Cherokee county will be open 3 days per
week. Sioux county hours did not change. Applications for
LIHEAP will be taken by appointment only. These changes
are necessary due to budget considerations.
We will also be starting Head Start classes this month. Our
numbers are looking good as far as filling classrooms,
although we seem to have a high number of drops due to
families moving.
This month is also the end of the agency fiscal year. We
have had a very good year despite the uncertainty in the
federal budget. The coming months will most likely see a
continuing resolution taking us through January. Cuts
and/or tax increases will be needed at that time in order to
avoid across the board cuts in most government services.
The coming year is stacking up to be one of the most
eventful in our history.
The fall harvest season is here already due to the drought
and warm temperatures. We wish the best for our farmers
and communities as we are all dependent upon agriculture
in Iowa. We hope for a safe and successful harvest season.
Dick Sievers
Executive Director
CACFP
2
Administration
3
Outreach Hours Change
4
Making Your Workplace
Tobacco-free
5
Outreach Happenings
6-7
Two Credentialed In New
Consultation Model
8
Floyd Valley Hospital Health
Notes
9
Consumer Advisory
10
Employee Anniversaries
11
WIC/MCH CLINIC
CALENDAR
Sept. 4 & Oct. 2 - Ida Grove
Sept. 5 & Oct. 3 - Cherokee
Sept. 11 & Oct. 9 - Sioux Center
Sept. 12 & Oct. 10 - Orange City
Sept. 18 & Oct. 16 - Rock Rapids
Sept. 19 & Oct. 17 - Le Mars
Sept. 25 & Oct. 23 - Rock Valley
Sept. 26 & Oct. 24- Hawarden
The mission of Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is to meet the needs of communities and families
through the provision of services which will enhance the well-being of all people in need.”
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CACFP
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ADMINISTRATION
Recently the administrative department has taken on a new contract. This will involve
providing accounting services for the Iowa Community Action Association or ICAA. ICAA is
the state entity that represents the 18 community action agencies in Iowa. They have a
budget of approximately $500,000.00 and 3 staff persons. This contract will provide some
additional income to Mid-Sioux and allow us to branch out into the world of financial services.
Thanks to the administrative staff for taking on this new challenge.
Other activities the department is working on include the updating of personnel policies,
evaluating social media options, and preparing for the annual audit.
Mid-Sioux will also be evaluating the potential to place a new day care facility at our site in
Rock Rapids. The Rock Rapids Development office will be helping us with this project.
Administrative staff includes the following:
Tammy Nilles/Bookkeeper, Shannon Hoffman/Bookkeeper, Melany Roling/Bookkeeper
Sharon Heidesch/Fiscal & Human Resource Director, Dick Sievers/Executive Director,
Beth Tentinger/Receptionist
Not Present: Connie Galles/Custodian
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OUTREACH HOURS CHANGE
Effective September 1, 2012, the Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. Outreach office hours will
change.
Beginning September 6, 2012, the Ida Grove office will be open on Thursdays each week
from 9AM to 4PM. Please call the local office at 712-364-2175 if you have need of
services in Ida County.
Dick Sievers
Executive Director
In addition to the change in office hours, the Ida area Ministerial Association which
includes Odeboldt will be taking responsibility for the establishment of a food pantry
serving the area. Details are yet to be worked out and more information will be forthcoming.
Persons wishing to access services on days when the Mid-Sioux office is closed may contact the
Cherokee Mid-Sioux office at 712-225-3322. Office hours in Cherokee are 8 AM to 4:30 PM on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week beginning on September 1, 2012.
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Rock Rapids Outreach office will be open on Wednesdays from 9 AM to 4 PM. People may contact
our Sioux County office at 712-722-3611 on the days when we are not in Lyon County.
Food pantry, Back to School, Thanksgiving Baskets and our Christmas program will be operated by
ATLAS of Lyon County beginning this year. Their office in Lyon County will serve as the contact
point for the services mentioned above and Mid-Sioux will continue to work with them to provide
referrals, information and support to families. The ATLAS telephone number is 712-472-9016.
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The office hours for the Plymouth Mid-Sioux Outreach office will go from 3 days per week to 2 days.
The office will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week from 9 AM to 4 PM. The telephone
number is 712-546-6603. We will still provide the same services that we always have with the
exception of the food pantry and holiday programs. The Christian Needs Center will serve as the
primary food pantry outlet in Le Mars. They have graciously agreed to be the primary source for
Thanksgiving and Christmas programs as well. We very much appreciate their partnership and will
continue to work closely with them on referrals and coordination of services.
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“We regret that funding dictates this change,” says Dick Sievers, Mid-Sioux Executive Director. “We
are excited about the partnerships we have established and want residents to know that services
from Mid-Sioux will still be available to them.” The Mid-Sioux central office in Remsen is open 5
days per week from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. That telephone number is 800-859-2025.
Applications for LIHEAP or Energy Assistance will be by appointment only this year. More
information on that service will be provided.
TM
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JULY OUTREACH HAPPENINGS
Hello from Lyon County.
Summer hit us with hot, humid weather. Now it seems to be back to normal Hot and humid.
With school starting, we have been gathering supplies for our students. Again
this year the response has been overwhelming. Happy kids going back to
school, right? Once again the dentist donated new toothbrushes and
toothpaste. This year, I requested different size brushes, that way the older
students didn’t received brushes meant for the little ones.
Shirley Long
Lyon County Outreach
In May, the city of Rock Rapids provided discounts on swimming pool passes, from 50% to
90% off a family pass, normally costing $100.00. A number of our families received
passes for $10.00. This is fantastic.
I only have a few days left here at Mid-Sioux. The last 5 years have been the most
rewarding years of my life, even with LiHEAP. There have been ups and downs, but
mostly ups. Every day something new. I’ve heard some strange stories why the rent
wasn’t paid or the electricity has been shut off - but the cell phone bill was paid. Watching
children receive a new book bag filled with school supplies or one of our elderly clients
picking up the Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings, knowing that they would now be able
to have a Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. The parents picking up the
Christmas gifts. The tears, hugs, and smiles made every day worthwhile.
I will be volunteering for Atlas, but mostly spending time with family and friends and
catching up on things that have been put on the back burner.
Gert will be in Rock Rapids and Sioux Center until the end of September . She has kept
this office running smoothly for the last four years, everything organized. She made our
lives so much easier. A big THANK YOU to Gert.
I also would like to thank all of our sponsors. Without them, many of our projects
wouldn’t have been possible. Especially, Pastor Lint for all of his hard work with the Lyon
County Council and bringing fresh meat for the Food for Life program.
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LE MARS OUTREACH HAPPENINGS
My name is Sara Lively and many of you know me as Joan Forcier, Cherokee
County Outreach Coordinator’s assistant. Joan has retired and I have been
given the task of filling her shoes so to speak.
I am the new Outreach Coordinator for Cherokee, Plymouth and Ida County. I
have a new assistant and would like everyone to welcome her to our offices.
Courtney Johnson comes to us from Sibley, IA and is a welcomed addition to
our family.
Sara Lively
Outreach Coordinator
Ida, Cherokee
& Plymouth
Le Mars office will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00.
Both Courtney and I will be covering, as Plymouth is a very large county but I
am confident that we will be able to still provide the same service as before. Times are hard
for everyone right now. More and more people are losing jobs or are unable to find jobs. It is
sad to hear the stories of so many new families but am glad they are finding their way into our
agency so we can help direct them in a positive direction.
LiHEAP is fast approaching and we have been very busy getting our ducks in a row and
anxious to begin the new season. This year we are trying something new. Starting November
1, LiHEAP applications will be taken by appointments. It is still a first come-first serve
program so make sure to call in October to set up an appointment if you are planning on
doing a LiHEAP application.
We are continuing to look for families to sign up for Early Head Start and Head Start. These
are wonderful programs for families. Early Head Start actually begins with a pregnant mom
and goes until the child is 3. Head Start is a free pre-school that has been around for 40+
years. If you know of anyone who would like to sign up for either program in the area, have
them give us a call at 712-546-6603!
We continue to be busy with WIC (Women Infants and Children) as well. WIC almost always
meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Our next clinic is Wednesday, September 19 at the
Le Mars Convention Center.
It was nice to see you all again! Stop in the office and
say hi if you are in the area!
P AG E 8
TWO CREDENTIALED IN NEW CONSULTATION
MODEL THAT BUILDS ON PROVIDER STRENGTHS
We’ve all heard it before. For every weakness, focus on three strengths.
At Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) we’re doing just that during on-site consultation
with child care providers by using I-Consult strategies.
Two of our Child Care Consultants received credentials from Iowa State University as part of
their I-Consult strategy training in July, 2012. Megan Kerkmann, Child Care Consultant,
received the I-Consult Mentor Credential. Kim Schroeder, Child Care Consultant Health
Specialist, received the I-Consult Child Care Consultant Credential.
I-Consult is a system of relationship-based professional development programs developed by
ISU to support agencies like CCR&R with providing on-site consultation and coaching services
to early child care programs. During on-site consultation, child care consultants usually help a
provider with a problem they are having or something they’d like to do differently.
Consultants help with the solution or implement a change.
For example, a program has books available in the two-year old room. Except the books are
all tossed into one big box. The consultant might focus on the strength that the program does
have the books. But the consultant would also help the caregiver see the significance of
purchasing a bookcase to display the books and give the children easier access to them.
Consultants across the state are going through I-Consult training program to provide effective
consultation services.
From the Left: Megan Kerkmann, Kim Schroeder
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Employee Anniversaries
Apologies to Devi Ray for missing her July Anniversary. Thank you for 7 years of service in the Ida Grove
Outreach.
August 2012
Years of
Work
Employee
Service
Program
Location
Donni White
23 Years
Head Start
Le Mars
Sandra Ostercamp
22 Years
Head Start
Cherokee
Darla Reppe
22 Years
Head Start/EHS
Remsen
Jean Waldschmitt
17 Years
WIC/MCH
Remsen
Betty Steenblock
17 Years
Head Start
Orange City
Patricia Ericson
16 Years
Head Start
Akron
Karmin Jeltema
14 Years
Child Care Resource & Referral
Remsen
Michelle Ostermyer
14 Years
Head Start
Le Mars
Cathy Reed
13 Years
Head Start
Cherokee
Suzanne VandeHoef
12 Years
Early Head Start
Le Mars
Clydene Canady
11 Years
Child Care Resource & Referral
Remsen
Kelli Wood
8 Years
Head Start/EHS
Remsen
Laura Benson
7 Years
FaDSS
Remsen
Jessica Tentinger
7 Years
Child Care Resource & Referral
Remsen
Sonja Heronemus
5 Years
Head Start
Rock Rapids
Emily Schroeder
5 Years
Head Start
Le Mars
Chris Jansen
5 Years
Head Start/EHS
Remsen
Kendra Rensink
5 Years
Head Start/EHS
Remsen
Megan Kramer
4 Years
Head Start
Rock Valley
Janie Ballard-Harry
3 Years
Child Development Center
Hawarden
Rachael Knight
3 Years
Early Head Start
Rock Valley
Robin Harvey
3 Years
Head Start
Cherokee
Megan List
2 Years
Outreach
Sioux/Lyon
Lisa Konopasek
2 Years
Early Head Start
Le Mars
Amanda Nunn
2 Years
Early Head Start
Rock Valley
Katie Gannon
1 Year
Child Care Resource & Referral
Remsen
Kelly Phelps
1 Year
Child Care Resource & Referral
Fort Dodge
Jody Lehman
1 Year
Child Care Resource & Referral
Dakota City
Amber Ziesman
1 Year
Child Care Resource & Referral
Fort Dodge
Becky Berkenpas
1 Year
Head Start
Le Mars
Kassie Carpio
1 Year
Early Head Start
Orange City
Kristin Zerse
1 Year
Head Start
Sioux Center
Aileen Donovan
1 Year
Head Start
Orange City
September 2012
Years of
Work
Employee
Service
Program
Location
Sharon Heidesch
34 Years
Administration
Remsen
Sue Miller
17 Years
Child Development Center
Hawarden
Deb McPherson
16 Years
Head Start
Akron
Marti Meissner
15 Years
Head Start
Le Mars
Anita Penning
15 Years
WIC/MCH
Remsen
Cindy Van Hill
15 Years
Head Start
Rock Rapids
Shari Smith
15 Years
Head Start/EHS
Remsen
Kim Schroeder
14 Years
Child Care Resource & Referral
Remsen
Jane List
12 Years
Head Start
Orange City
Carri Koele
10 Years
Head Start
Akron
Courtney Loutsch
7 Years
WIC/MCH
Remsen
Dale Schmith
6 Years
Head Start
Rock Valley
Liz Schmith
4 Years
Head Start
Rock Valley
Edna Frisch
4 Years
Head Start
Akron
Deb Baldwin
4 Years
Child Care Resource & Referral
Hinton
Megan Kerkmann
3 Years
Child Care Resource & Referral
Le Mars
Verenice Islas
3 Years
Head Start
Orange City
Julie A. Colling
1 Year
Early Head Start
Le Mars
Edith Small
1 Year
Head Start
Akron
Welcome: Courtney Johnson, Intake Staff, Outreach, Cherokee
Sandra Lerdal, Assistant Teacher, Child Development Center, Hawarden
Jolene Johnson, Child Care Consultant Supervisor, Remsen
James Chapman, Family Advocate, Sioux County
Sarah Kraayenbrink, Team Leader/Teacher, Rock Rapids Head Start
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Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc.
Toll Free # 1-800-859-2025
Cherokee County Outreach
Mon,Wed, & Fri
921 Second Street
Cherokee, Iowa 51012
Phone # 712-225-3322
Fax # 712-225-1083
Administrative Offices
418 S. Marion Street
Remsen, Iowa 51050
Phone # 712-786-2001
Fax # 712-786-3250
Plymouth County Outreach
Mon., Wed. & Fri.
180 10th Street SE; Box 1
Le Mars, Iowa 51031
Phone # 712-546-6603
Fax # 712-546-6603
Lyon County Outreach
Meghan List
(M,W,F 9 am - 4 pm)
302 South Lincoln
Rock Rapids, Iowa 51246
Phone/Fax # 712-472-3746
mlist@midsioux.org
Ida County Outreach
Mon, Wed., & Fri.
703 W State Hwy 175; Ste. 1
Ida Grove, Iowa 51445
Phone # 712-364-2175
Fax # 712-364-3792
Sioux County Outreach
Meghan List (M, T, Th, F)
313 N Main Avenue
Sioux Center, Iowa 51250
Phone # 712-722-3611
Fax # 712-722-3611
mlist@midsioux.org
www.hawk-i.org or
contact Courtney Loutsch at
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc.
1-800-859-2025 or 712-786-3494
fax: 712-786-3250
cloutsch@midsioux.org
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Tom Letsche, President
Caryn Barry, Vice-Chair
Carol Van Gelder, Secretary
Joe Cronin, Treasurer
Low-Income Sector Representatives
Ann Cole-Nelson, Plymouth County
Caryn Barry, Cherokee County
Evelyn Baldwin, Lyon County
Carolyn Salberg, Sioux County
Vern Beernink, Sioux County
Finance Committee
Caryn Barry
Joe Cronin
Tom Letsche
Dean Schmidt
Private Sector Representatives
Jean Miller, Cherokee County
Betty Knudson, Cherokee County
Carol Van Gelder, Sioux County
Gordon Smith, Lyon County
Personnel Committee
Tom Letsche
Merle Koedam
Jean Miller
Public Sector Representatives
Tom Letsche, Plymouth County
Don Kass, Plymouth County
Barry Thompson, Plymouth County
Dean Schmidt, Cherokee County
Al Bloemendaal, Sioux County
Joe Cronin, Ida County
Merle Koedam, Lyon County