The Iowa Smokefree Air Act became law on July 1, 2008 requiring that places of employment and public gatherings be smoke free. Although all of SIEDA’s facilities are already non smoking, there are additional restrictions that must be observed under the new law.

• Smoking is not allowed around the entrances or exits of any SIEDA facility, including sidewalks, sitting or standing areas immediately adjacent to the building, a patio, a deck, a courtyard or any other outdoor area used in the course of providing the business of the agency.
• Smoking is not allowed on the grounds, in the parking lots or in private cars in the parking lots of any SIEIDA facility housing a Head Start classroom.
• Smoking is not allowed in agency-owned vehicles.
• All agency employment applications forms must carry a notice that SIEDA observes the Smokefree Air Act.
• All agency facilities and vehicles must display an official sign declaring the facility to be non-smoking.
• Employees whose job requires them to visit clients in their private homes may schedule the visit in an alternate smoke free environment if they desire.
• Employees may smoke in their own private vehicles while conducting agency business.
• Employees may smoke in the parking lots of agency facilities that do not house Head Start classrooms, unless prohibited by the owner of the building.

Tiffany Baker, Sexual Abuse Prevention Specialist reports that progress for the SAP program is being made in Van Buren County with the help of SIEDA Board Chairperson Sandy McClain. The SAP program will now be presenting to different organizations in the County.

Two new power points have been developed: "Internet Dangers and How to Protect Your Kids", "Texting, IM’s, Chatting, Do you know the Dangers". These power points focus on how the internet has become a new place for predators to find victims and the new ways they can violate a child.

If you have any questions or requests for the SAP program please feel free to contact Tiffany by phone 641-682-8741 or

Teach your children that their private parts are covered by your swim suit, and no one should touch them.

Only 1 in 10 victims of sexual abuse report it.

WAPELLO COUNTY NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER

The Wapello County Extension office and Nest families celebrated the beginning of summer on June 24^th with Papa Murphy pizza and home-made ice cream. The extension office was sad to inform the moms they would have to cancel the cooking classes until September. Both parties will be anxious to resume these classes in the fall!

Carrie Jordan, Tiffany Baker, and Ramona Vaux participated in the Family Festival June 29^th at the Greater Ottumwa Shelter House. Tiffany provided a bean bag toss game, and the Nest had a Duck Pond game. Approximately 200 children played the games and won prizes. There were several Nest families that enjoyed this community family fun day.

Tiffany and Ramona both attended the ICAA conference in Des Moines June 23rd -25^th.

FaDSS

Becky Falck, Christina Garr-Kime, Anita Aguilar and Chris Kaska successfully completed the Partnering with Parents:  Walking the Journey Together through ISU Extension in June 2008.

Individual Development Accounts

Thanks to a collaboration with local Credit Unions, FaDSS is offering families the opportunity to establish an Individual Development Account (IDA). An IDA is a savings account connected to services to help individuals and families eventually acquire an economic asset toward long-term financial stability. Money that individuals deposit in an IDA are matched by Community First Credit Union (formerly John Deere Credit Union)   Branch locations in Oskaloosa, Ottumwa, Fairfield, Bloomfield and Centerville. Other branches within the area include Albia, Pella and Washington.

IDAs can be used to purchase a home, pursue higher education or job training, start a small business or purchase an automobile

At this point, FaDSS is creating a listing of potential eligibles for the Credit Union.  If anyone has a family that is interested, they should sign the SIEDA Community Resource Referral Form and send it to Becky Falck. Becky is serving as the liaison with the Credit Union and will make the contact with the family/individual to explain the program.

Homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes, as well as private non-profit organizations affected by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding beginning May 25, can register for assistance using the toll-free number open 24 hours or online.

All PAT staff that attended the ISU combined training are now Certified Family Development and Parent Education Specialists! Congratulations! Your hard work is greatly appreciated!

ADLM PAT was again funded by Empowerment to provide services to families in Appanoose, Davis, Lucas and Monroe counties. PAT will begin to offer Parent Education Meetings every month in all four counties. Although the program will be designed by staff, the Common Sense Parenting Curriculum for Toddlers and Preschoolers, along with the new PATNC and MELD Group Meeting Curriculum will be utilized.

Staff will pilot it this year and look forward to being successful.

BIRTHDAYS

Delbert Wilkins 07/01

Vicki Paris 07/01

Alice Beeson 07/04

Lynn Godwin 07/10

Wanda Graham 07/13

Jennifer Barker 07/14

Heather Gooden 07/14

Angela Fox 07/16

Joan Nydle 07/20

Judy Songer 07/25

Tom Wilt 07/30

Jeff Kingery 07/31

Joyce Parker 07/31

NEW HIRES

None

TERMINATIONS

Jenny Hahn 07/02/08 Child Dev-PAT Educator- Keokuk Co

Jenna Conners 07/09/08 Child Dev-PAT Educator- Wapello Co