Helping People. Changing Lives. |
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June 2022 Volume 32; Issue 9
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From the Executive Director's Desk |
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June is the last month of the state fiscal year. The legislature has adjourned and the Governor is reviewing bills to determine if she will sign them or not. Iowa’s Governor has veto power over a number of legislative actions. I believe Governor Reynolds will sign most of the bills brought to her desk.
Head Start classrooms are closed for the summer. We had a very successful school year. Thanks to the staff for their hard work.
Gasoline prices are on everyone’s mind these days. With prices close to $5/gallon, the impact is being felt by everyone. High prices will most definitely cause many of us to change our spending habits. Some economist estimate that families will see an additional $300 dollars per month in expense thanks to inflationary prices. That amounts to $1.73 per hour in earnings just to pay for the added costs. We are seeing more families requesting crisis and food assistance. I am hopeful that prices will begin to fall soon.
The COVID-19 Pandemic did teach us that we can accomplish many things through the use of electronic media. We will continue to look at technology as a way to increase service delivery options.
Some of our local grants come available in the summer months. Community Foundations, United Ways and Foundation grants are very important to our work. These resources will be evaluated in hopes that we can compete for some of those dollars.
The weather is heating up as temperatures are already in the upper 90s. Please take precautions during these hot days.
Respectfully,
Dick Sievers
Executive Director
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Click the ICAA Logo above to find out what's happening in statewide Community Action. |
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HEAD START / EARLY HEAD START |
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Sign up now for the FREE Head Start & Child Development Center Preschool Programs!
Kindergarten readiness for 3 and 4 year old children
Give your child a “Head Start” in their education!
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Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is a Community Action Agency. While many of you know this, our state and federal level systems may not be familiar to you.
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created a system of Community Action Agencies nationwide. Mid-Sioux was created in 1965 with employment services being the focus. Primary funding came directly from the federal government through the Community Services Administration. That funding was eliminated in 1982 and replaced with a block grant to the states called the Community Services Block Grant. That block grant system exists today.
There are 16 Community Action Agencies in Iowa and over 900 nationwide. Each agency is different. Most are private non-profits which means donations to us are tax deductible. Services vary depending on the individual agency. Mid-Sioux provides Child Care Resource & Referral services and most other CAAs do not.
We have a state association called the Iowa Community Action Association. This entity helps to provide training to our group and serves as a voice with elected officials. At the national level we have the National Community Action Foundation which serves as a liaison with federal elected officials (Congress). The National Community Action Partnership is the training and education entity for CAAs across the U.S.
Being a part of the Community Action network is very important. We have a voice in the political arena and we have the opportunity for training which is relevant to the services we provide.
Administratively this is very beneficial as we can share in costs related to our work and assist each other in providing efficient services to families.
Thank you for your part in supporting our Community Action network.
Respectfully,
Dick Sievers
Executive Director
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IDA COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE |
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We are currently taking applications for past due rent or utility assistance as well as past due water bills. We can also assist with Head Start and Early Head Start applications and are still taking applications for next school year. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Although summer is just getting under way, we are already preparing for our Back to School program! We will once again be providing income-eligible families a back pack as well as some supplies to start the school year. These items will be dispersed to families in August. Letters have been sent out to potential sponsors and families in Ida County. If you know of a family that could use some assistance, send them our way to complete an application.
We are able to provide some supplies along with a back pack to families for approximately $30/child. The feedback received in past years from the families as well as the schools has been quite positive. If you or someone you know would like to sponsor a child in need this year, please contact our Central Office at 1-800-859-2025 and ask to speak to Laura.
Along with a Back Pack, the supplies also include the following items:
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3 folders
2 Glue Sticks, Dries Clear
2 spiral notebooks
2 Erasers
1 pkg. wide rule filler paper
1 bottle of washable school glue
1 box of Kleenex
1 Dry Erase Marker
1 box of washable markers
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1 Scissors, 5 ¼”, Pointed Tip
1 box of colored Pencils, 12 ct.
1 Ruler, Plastic, 12″, Inches & Metric
1 Pencil Case, Heavy-Duty, with zipper
1 Highlighter
1 box of Crayons
1 Pencil Sharpener
1 pkg of #2 pencils
3 Blue/Black Pens
3 Red Pens
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Laura Benson
FaDSS/Outreach Director
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2022 Annual Meeting
May 6, 2022
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Tom Letsche, Board President and Dick Sievers, Executive Director presented Annual Service Awards to the following Staff & Board Members: |
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5 Years
Amanda Penning, Angela Langel, Kayla Stubbe, Lucy Sanchez Torres
Not Pictured: Bailey Hill
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10 Years
Tom Letsche & Linda Daggett
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15 Years
Lori Feller, Melany Roling, Dawn Ericson
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25 Years
Tom Letsche & Deb McPherson
Not Pictured: Shannon Hofmann
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10 Years
Barry Thompson pictured with Tom Letsche
5 Years
Not Pictured: Kecia Hickmann & Ray Drey
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Richard Hatz Scholarships |
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Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. is pleased to announce Jori Harskamp, a 2022 graduate of Sioux Center High School and Katelynn March, a 2022 graduate of Kingsley-Pierson High School have each been awarded a $500 Richard Hatz Scholarship. Recipients are chosen based on their prior service to their community and their plans to further that service through educational advancement.
Jori Harskamp is planning to attend Northwestern College in Orange City pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the health field.
Katelynn March is planning to attend the University of South Dakota in Vermillion pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and then obtaining her Masters of Business Administration.
We congratulate Jori and Katelynn on their scholarship award and wish them success in their future careers.
The Richard Hatz Scholarship was developed in honor of Dick’s dedication to Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. The scholarships are funded through donations and contributions from staff and board members of Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc.
For more information please contact Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. at 1-800-859-2025 or visit our website at www.midsioux.org. Be sure to like us on Facebook.
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Tom Letsche, Board President presents Jori Harskamp the Richard Hatz Scholarship Award |
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Tom Letsche, Board President presents Katelynn March the Richard Hatz Scholarship Award
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Thank you Gotto Construction for 32 years of support to our Weatherization program; Tri-State Plumbing & Heating for 13 years of support to our Weatherization program; Dr. Juan Uribe, DDS of Sioux Center for his support to low-income families in need of dental care; and Corteva Agri Science of Cherokee for your contributions to our food bank and back to school items. |
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Tom Letsche & Robert Gotto
Gotto Construction
Remsen, IA
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Tom Letsche & Phil Horstman
Tri-State Plumbing & Heating
Doon, IA
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Tom Letsche & Wendy Devos, Robin Mulder
Dr. Juan Uribe, DDS
Sioux Center, IA
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Not Pictured: Corteva Agri Science of Cherokee |
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418 S. Marion Street | Remsen, IA 51050 | 712-786-2001 | 800-859-2025 | www.midsioux.org
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