February 2023 Volume 33; Issue 5

You can view the complete newsletter here.

From the Executive Director's Desk

February is the 5th month of the agency fiscal year. We have final funding numbers for our federally funded services. There are freezes in some areas while others have received some increases. We are grateful for the continued financial support.

The Governor’s office and Iowa legislature are implementing a realignment of state government offices. Almost every state office is impacted in some way. In general, I feel this change is good as changes will put similar services in the same arm of government. It is likely that these processes will be completed over the next 12 to 24 months.

Mid-Sioux will be developing its community needs assessment document over the next few weeks. After that process is complete (June), we will be working on our five-year strategic plan. Our world is not the same since the COVID-19 pandemic. We have learned how to operate some services remotely and funding agencies have taken a more technology-driven approach to service delivery. All of those experiences will help us to create a new vision for the agency.

Our annual meeting will be taking place on May 5th. Management staff are developing ideas for staff training. We will be presenting staff, board and community partnership awards as part of the events for the day. It is good to be able to meet in person once again.

Inflation is still impacting all of our lives. Some prices have leveled off a bit which is a positive sign. I do expect that the summer months will bring some positive relief to higher prices.

Warmer days are not far off. It will be good to get back to some outdoor activities.

Respectfully,
Dick Sievers
Executive Director

Head Start/Early Head Start

Free Preschool Programs for your 3 & 4 year old. Centers are located in Akron, Cherokee, Ida Grove, LeMars, Orange City, Rock Rapids, Rock Valley and Sioux Center. A Child Development Center is located in Hawarden.

Check the picture to go to our webpage for more information and to apply.

Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS)

FaDSS staff Laura Benson, Katie Vis, and Christy Eral, along with Board President, Tom Letsche and Executive Director, Dick Sievers attended the annual FaDSS Day on the Hill on January 10th at the State Capitol in Des Moines. We were excited that one of our FaDSS participants was able to join us at Day on the Hill this year. Hearing from those that have received services gives a much clearer picture of what the program really entails.

FaDSS supports families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, family stability, and empowers families to develop informal support networks. The FaDSS program not only saves the state of Iowa money, but it also creates a culture of economic independence benefitting families, communities, and the state for years to come. FaDSS helps people enter the workforce by overcoming or minimizing barriers. With many programs to fund, each year we do our best to show the positive impact FaDSS has on the Iowa economy and on Iowa’s most fragile families. Some highlights of Mid-Sioux’s FaDSS program are below:

• Return on investment is around $2.26 for every $1.00 invested in the program.
• 54% of families left the program with an increase in their income.
• 62% of families were involved in activities to increase their work preparedness skills.
• 11% of families were employed at time of entry and 33% were employed at exit.
• FaDSS staff completed 316 home and quality visits with families, along with 722 significant contacts.

Plymouth County Outreach

Hello from the Plymouth County Outreach office!

With these cold temperatures we have been busy with LIHEAP applications and emergency propane assistance. If you have not come in and applied for LIHEAP, you still have time to call and schedule your appointment. This program goes until April 30th.

We have begun taking applications for school year 2023/24 Head Start enrollment. We will be in full swing with Head Start applications for the next several months. Head Start, is our free pre-school program for 3 and 4-year old’s. We will be taking applications by phone or in-person. We will hold an enrollment night February 23rd from 4:00 - 6:00 PM at the Le Mars Head Start Center. Akron Head Start Center enrollment night will be February 28, 2023, from 4:30 –5:30 PM. You can apply for Head Start and LiHEAP at the same time!

As a reminder, the Akron Outreach office and food pantry is open the second Tuesday of the month from 9:30 - 11:30 AM or you can call us at 712-546-6603.

The Le Mars Outreach office is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM. You can reach us at 712-546-6603 or 1-800-859-2025. You can always reach us on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in our Cherokee office at 712-225-3322.

We recently received another generous donation from Britton Chiropractic. They held their 19th Annual Food/Funds Drive for the Akron outreach crisis and food pantry programs.