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SIEDA NEWSLETTER May 2012
FISCAL SIEDA is no longer using the red forms to replace sick time with vacation time. Please refer to the Personnel Policy on page 42 for the proper procedure. Please refer to your prior paycheck stub or your supervisor for the amount of accrued time you have available. HEADSTART We are studying outer space and decided to transform the dramatic play area into a "space ship." The kids love playing in it. On the floor we added strips of bubble wrap so the kids could feel what it's like to "walk" in space. We also add cloud dough to our sensory table that is made out of flour and baby oil, the kids absolutely love playing here (but it's a little messy) and it smells amazing. We also have black playdough with silver glitter that smells like grapes. The kids and the staff are all enjoying our week in outer space. Meghan—Wapello McCarroll Center Our space ship “control panel”. We transformed our kitchen set by using aluminum foil, duct tape, as well as pictures from outer space. A “jet pack”, was made of plastic juice boxes and duct tape. NEW HIRES 4/2/12 Jennifer Ades MIECHV Family Service Worker Appanoose
Resignation/Terminations 4/9/12 Rosalinda Rivera HS HS FSW Wapello 4/9/12 Lisa Davis SAS Counselor Central
BIRTHDAYS 5/13 Kathy Chamra 5/14 Barbara Wagner 5/15 Hayley Wright 5/16 Kitty Bogle 5/23 Ned Van Nostrand 5/25 Noreen Maxwell 5/25 Tracey McCracken 5/30 Alyssia Long Healthy KIDS FAIR On April 28, 2012 the Family Alliance in collaboration with the YMCA presented the Healthy Kids Fair. Several SIEDA offices and other agencies were present to share their programs with the public. Included in these were Shelly Hornaday, Parents As Teachers, Ilene Johnson, Prevention Specialist, Cindy Glasford, Tobacco Specialist, Charlotte Head, SPF SIG and Peg Hume, Head Start. Approximately 150 youth along with their parents were in attendance. This year’s theme was focused on healthy snacks and activities that families can do at home with little to no cost. The Healthy Kids Fair has been a yearly activity for Appanoose County Family Alliance for 10 plus years. This has been an event where SIEDA has been able to collaborate with community organizations to bring awareness to Appanoose County families. FAMILY DEVELOPMENT LIHEAP has now ended and Resource Center staff continues to provide assistance to individuals facing utility disconnects. Result from the May 4th all staff in-service. 100 Total responses 98 positive 2 neutral 1 negative Quality of service: Very Good Location: Excellent Speaker: Excellent Handouts/Presentation Materials: Very Good Presentation help you better understand community action: Excellent Thank you to everyone who participated in completing an evaluation. Service awards DEDICATION AND RESULTS: Southern Iowa Economic Development Association (SIEDA) the Community Action Agency serving Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Monroe Counties took pride in awarding dedicated staff service awards for reaching out to individuals requiring assistance in promoting economic and social opportunities and reaching self-sufficiency . From bottom – left to right- Angela Maeder (Health and Nutrition Coordinator 15 years); Ilene Johnson (Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist 20 Years); Peg Hume (Head Start Site Supervisor 35 Years); Teresa Evans (Head Start Teacher 15 Years); From Top - left to right- Bill Brand, Director of Iowa Division of Community Action Agencies (who presented the awards); Barb Wilson (Head Start Center Aide 10 Years); Sara Whitlow (Education Disability and Enrollment Coordination 10 Years); Kathy Chamra (Director of Child Development 10 Years); Kitty Bogle Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist 10 years); Fred Whitman (Executive Director of SIEDA Community Action) Not pictured Sandra Pope (Head Start Teacher 15 years.) Sas The Jefferson County Alcohol Consumption Task Force (ACT) presented an Underage Drinking Town Hall meeting on April 12, 2012 at the Fairfield Arts and Convention Center. The meeting was a panel discussion of the risks and costs of underage drinking with SIEDA professionals Ms Kitty Bogle, SAS and Mr Mike Champ, SAS participating on the panel. Sixty-one youth and fifty-eight adults attended the meeting as sixty Fairfield area sponsors provided food and door prizes. The event received front page coverage in the Fairfield Ledger newspaper and was recorded by the Fairfield Media Center. The meeting is available for viewing on the internet/youtube.com. On April 19, 2012, the Appanoose County Collaboration Council hosted a Town Hall Meeting to increase awareness about the negative consequences of underage drinking and discuss proven steps the community can take to prevent underage drinking. This event, which was supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), in collaboration with Appanoose County Collaboration Council and SIEDA Community Action Agency on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, provided information to impress how serious alcohol abuse is and what can happen when caught. According to the Department of Public Health, twenty-three counties were identified as needing assistance in the areas of underage and binge drinking. Appanoose was ranked as the number one county for binge drinking and number nineteen for underage drinking. “Underage drinking is a pressing health concern that affects not only our youth but also our communities,” explains Charlotte Head, Strategic Prevention Framework State Incentive Grant (SPF SIG) Coordinator. Participants heard about alcohol abuse prevention, effects, consequences and responsibilities the public has in Appanoose County. With assistance from Troy Seeley, the Jefferson County Juvenile Court Officer acting as the facilitator, the seven member panel included, Mr. Dan Howington, Mr. Allen Buckallew, Mr. Corbin Shy, Mrs. Ilene Johnson, Rev. Mark Waits, Mr. Dennis Peter, and Ms. Patty Timmens. The Town Hall Meeting educated parents, teachers, officials, youth and other community members about the impact that underage drinking has on the community. When asked what happens to one’s driver’s license when underage drinking occurs, former Centerville police chief Dan Howington replied, “Those under the legal age of twenty-one that are caught, are asked to take a breathalyzer test, if you bomb the test, you lose your license for six months. You have a right to refuse the test, but if you do, you automatically lose your license for twelve months and for a second offense, the consequences double. The blood alcohol limit is pretty low, .02, so if you’re thinking I’m ok with just one beer, you might want to think again.” Together, participants explored tangible measures found to be effective in reducing and preventing underage alcohol use in other communities. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Since the last time I communicated in this newsletter we had the Staff In-Service. I would like to thank everyone on this fine event. I feel very privileged to work with staff who show such enthusiasm to Southern Iowa Economic Development Association’s mission to promote a safe, stable and nurturing environment for individuals and families through Community Action. SIEDA, the Community Action Agency, was founded in 1965 under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as the Wapello County Executive Development Association. A year later the Agency changed its name to Southern Iowa Economic Development Association with the addition of Appanoose, Mahaska and Van Buren counties. Later Davis, Jefferson and Keokuk counties joined the Agency’s service area. Over the years the Agency has grown in numbers and types of services, and we look forward to continued growth in services to the counties we serve and opportunities for staff. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm helping those households most in need in the counties we serve.
Fred Whitman, Executive Director
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