NOW INTRODUCING: A NEW WAY TO GIVE

We recently launched our donation page on our website!

We understand that everyone has different ways of supporting our mission of, "helping people, changing lives," so we strive to make giving as easy and convenient as possible for you. If you'd like to support Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc., please visit our NEW donation page:

or call us at: 712-786-2001 to discuss your gift.

CHILD CARE CENTER DIRECTOR

TRAINING PILOT

Research studies show that every day a child is in a high-quality learning environment is an opportunity for that child to learn and excel. Building strong relationships with families helps set the foundation for success and collaboration early. The goal of the early childhood director is to make their child care program visible within the community and to their families providing data-based information about services.

Collaboration with external stakeholders is providing an opportunity for a new outlook in building those high-quality child care environments throughout our region. The Child Care Center Director Training Pilot, a new Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) contract in fiscal year 2025, is a 46-hour series of courses directly related to administrative tasks and director relationships in their own early childhood settings. Early childhood work is rewarding; however, it may be a difficult task to maintain licensing compliance or deal with behavior challenges. Staff and leadership spend so much time planning, developing programs and curriculum, it’s also important for each to take time for themselves to reduce burnout and turnover. This course series focuses on policies that support the welfare of young children and staff including:

• program standards assessment
• staff improvement and development plans
• problem-solving guidance
• child development and social emotional learning
• building relationships with young children and families
• developmentally appropriate play-based learning and expectations
• licensing inspection resource binder
• healthy and safe environment
• mindful strategies
• leadership styles

Although child care center director classes are available through other approved agencies, this course series provides coaching program visits to correlate with the classroom materials. A combination of in-person learning with coaching visits and mentoring gives an opportunity for the child care leader to proceed with confidence, providing safe and appropriate experiences to encourage children’s independence and self-regulation in the center setting. This creates a solid foundation for successful learning and builds a high-quality early learning environment.

This new training is being developed under the guidance of Dr. Margaret Holland, CCR&R Statewide Professional Development Specialist - Special Projects, and Monique Ortiz, Statewide Behavior Health and Professional Development Specialist Supervisor. The Child Care Center Director Training will be offered as a pilot in northwest Iowa starting in January and will be available for statewide access beginning July 2024.

HUMAN RESOURCES

LYON COUNTY OUTREACH

Happy Fall from the Lyon County Outreach Office!

Update on Flood Recovery Efforts in Sioux and Lyon Counties

As we continue to address the ongoing impact of the June floods, particularly in the Rock Rapids and George areas, our community remains in need of substantial support. While FEMA has provided some assistance, it is clear that the demands far exceed the resources currently available.

In response, I am actively involved in the Long-Term Flood Recovery Committee, working alongside local agencies to connect individuals with additional resources and aid. One of the highlights of our recovery efforts has been a generous partnership with Elderbridge – The Agency on Aging, which has teamed up with our offices in Sioux and Lyon counties to offer $300 Fareway vouchers to those aged 60 and older who were affected by the flooding.

This thoughtful initiative has made a significant difference, and we have seen overwhelming gratitude from recipients who are deeply appreciative of this vital support. We are grateful for the continued collaboration among community partners and the unwavering generosity of our donors, whose contributions are making a tangible impact on recovery efforts.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to rebuild and restore our communities.

Update on LiHEAP Application Process

We are excited to announce the launch of two new computer systems in our office, which will enhance our ability to serve the community. While we are still in the process of learning and adapting to these systems, it has slightly impacted the speed of our Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LiHEAP) application process.

In October, we were able to prioritize LiHEAP applications for individuals aged 60 and older, as well as those with disabilities. As of November 1, we have expanded the application process to include all eligible individuals. This has resulted in a significant increase in activity at our Outreach office, and we are working diligently to process all applications as efficiently as possible.

For those who have submitted automatically eligible applications by mail, please note that there has been a slight delay in entering these into our system. Rest assured, we are working to address this backlog and will follow up with you as soon as we are able. We greatly appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these temporary delays.

If you or someone you know is in need of heating assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at 712-472-3746. Thank you for your continued support and patience during this busy time.

Christmas Outreach and Food Pantry Support

The holiday season is in full swing here at our Outreach office, and we are excited to continue our annual Christmas program. We have begun receiving the sponsor and client letters that were sent out in early October. Our next step will be to match clients with their sponsors and notify them through follow-up letters. This is always a heartwarming time of year as we work to bring joy and support to those in need within our community.

Additionally, our food pantry has been exceptionally busy, as the high cost of groceries and ongoing flood recovery efforts have placed a strain on many families. As a result, we are seeing an increased need for supplemental food assistance. If you or someone you know is in need of food, or if you are interested in donating to help support our pantry, please contact me directly at 712-472-3746. Your generosity is greatly appreciated as we work together to meet the needs of our neighbors.

Dashboards

Welcome to Mid-Sioux's Dashboards!

Stakeholders can now dive into our intuitive program dashboards for comprehensive data and insightful analysis. Let us guide you through the key trends and insights of our services.

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

www.midsioux.org