Present: Jeff Hackett/Boys Town, Sally Reinert

Dakota County Connections Meeting Notes from:

Date/Time of Meeting: January 14^th 2016 @ 9:00 am

Location of Meeting: College Center South Sioux City

Present: Jeff Hackett/Boys Town, Sally Reinert/Board member, JoAnn Gieselman/SHIP &DCC, Sandra Davila /NENCAP, Abagail Engel/NENCAP, Mackenzie Reiling  /Heartland Counseling, Dawn Schulz/Foster Care Review, Janie Snieder/A Better Way Therapy, Eldon Benson/ Boys Club, Dave Mixdorf/South Sioux City Library, Corrin Poland/YMCA, Kelli Smith/Dept. Health & Human Services, Heather Hennings/United Way, Sarah Paulos/Neb. Extension, Leticia Caballero/Goodwill of the Great Plains, Mackenzie Reiling/Heartland Counseling, Allie Mousel/Heartland Counseling Allison Liska/The Salvation Army, Jason Duncan/The Salvation Army, Jessi Maxwell/Siouxland Community Health Center, Sharon Skinner/Boys & Girls Home, Sarah Deck/Juvenile Diversion, Nancy Oates/Res Care, Carol Schuldt/City of South Sioux, Becky Eckhardt/South Sioux City Schools, Mary Furnas/ Foster Care Review, Cheri Matthews/ESU#1, Rita DeJong/BOOST, Robyn Watchorn Newbrey/Private Therapist, Margarita Ramirez/ CAASA, Matt Ohman/SHIP, Lisa Topf/Cubby Care, Tracie Sininger/Cubby Care

Agenda Item #1 Welcome/Introductions and updates:

Discussion:

Group sharing: Everyone introduced themselves and told about the agency they work with.

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  Reminder to sign retirement card for Chief Scot Ford
  
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  Discussed South Sioux City’s work on a comprehensive plan to help guide the growth and development of the community. Everyone has an opportunity to participate by going to www.envisionsouthsioux.mysidewalk.com and sharing your thoughts and ideas for the community.
  
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  Heartland Counseling shared they will be having their golf fundraiser on April 22^nd
  
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  Boys & Girls Home -Sharon Skinner introduce herself as the new Director of Marketing. She shared BGH is supporting advocacy for Mental Health supports and bills in the legislature.
  
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  Dave Mixdorf director of the SSC Library shared they had received 8000 dollars to support youth in the arts and that they could take children to the Orpheum in Sioux City.
  
• 
  Erica Carter with Center for Siouxland shared that the tax season is here and they do free taxes for those who meet the financial guidelines.
  
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  Abbie Engle share we have started a new PIWI Class and there is still room if anyone is interested.
  
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  Janie Snieder with A Better Way Therapy shared our PCIT therapist continue to offer services to families. Also that she, Robin and Penny continued coaching for the Pyramid model and have a module training this Saturday.
  
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  Kelli Smith with DHHS shared that statistics are showing there is a reduction of risks for children in our community because of the good support of the many agencies in our area.
  
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  Heather Henning with United Way shared that their annual campaign is wrapping up but there is always still time to give. She also shared that there will be a Women’s Power Lunch coming up to raise money for scholarships for single moms that want to go back to school. Heather shared they have 31 programs going right now. She shared their newest one has some small grants for people who are starting something new in their community.
  
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  Becky Eckhardt with the South Sioux City Schools shared about the Quintuplets (we have been looking at ways of supporting their mom), were able to start Early Head Start this week for 90 minutes a day. She also shared that Preschool and Kindergarten round up will be soon and it is free for SSC residents.
  
• 
  Rita DeJong shared information about the BOOST program, they serve youth 14-24 years of age that need to get their diploma or learn a skill to use in the work force. She shared that a majority of youth involved in the program have been involved with the juvenile courts but not necessarily all.
  
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  Jessi Maxwell with Siouxland Community Health shared that their new facility is now open in South Sioux City.
  
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  Corrin Poland with the YMCA shared they are very busy right now with lots of people working on their New Year’s Resolutions. She also shared they are gearing up for summer programs as well and to check them out.
  
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  Leticia Caballero with Goodwill of the Great Plains introduced herself as the new employment specialist. She shared about the many programs they offer to help people find employment.
  
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  Mary Furnace with the Foster Care program shared that if anyone is interested in Scholarships for College they can Google “Susan Buffet Scholarship” and find out the requirements and amounts.
  
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  Sarah Paulos with the Nebr. Extension office shared she works with the Early Childhood STEM if anyone needs more information on that.
  
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  Lisa Topf and Stacie Sininger with Cubby Care shared they are working on the Step up to Quality program. They also shared they see a lot more single parents now that really can’t afford preschool. That parents need our support.
  

Agenda Item #2: After School Programing/Youth Center

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  JoAnn shared there have been lots of conversation in our area about the need for a Youth/Community Center that can provide a central place for our youth, that can provide more than just sports, a place where kids can feel supported, safe, and learn and grow.
  
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  We recognize there are many wonderful agencies who currently step up to support our youth to the capacity they can and we are so appreciative.
  
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  We discussed with SSCs Comprehensive Strategic Plan that they are working on the need for a Community Youth Center came up in the focus groups.
  
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  We discussed the ideas to bring all these ideas, partners, and voices together and put together a business plan that would spell out how we would develop and sustain a Youth Center.
  
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  Nebraska Children and Families has kindly said we could use some funds to help write this business plan.
  
• 
  Alexcia Boggs with HoChunk has been so helpful in providing information and ideas on how to go about this.
  

Agenda Items # 3: RIR request for funding to support year 3 of community Implementation

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  Introduced what Rooted in Relationships is-an initiative that partners with communities to implement evidence based practices that enhance the social-emotional development of children, birth-8.
  
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  Discussed Request options-#1-Pyramid Model Continuation #2-Pyramid Model Expansion
  

Action:

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  The group had the opportunity to vote on three options:
  

1. 
   Not to request any funding to support year three
   
2. 
   To support Pyramid Model Continuation
   
3. 
   To support Pyramid Model Expansion
   

* The group unanimously agree to support the Pyramid Model Expansion and discussed possible places that the expansion could occur.

Agenda Item # 4: Child Directed Interaction (CDI) classes

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  Janie shared she has had the opportunity to present these classes at Cubby Care, Head Start, and Early Head Start. She shared there are a couple other centers that have expressed interest in offering these classes as well.
  

Agenda Item #5: Al’s Caring Pals

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  A new class started on January 12^th with 9 in-home providers attending!
  

Agenda Item #6: PIWI Update

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  A new class started January 7^th at the SSC Library, there are still a few spots available
  

Agenda Item# 7: Resource Booklet

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  Lori Warner and members of the South Sioux City Chamber are updating the booklet
  

Agenda Item #7: SHIP Up-Dates-None at this time

Agenda Item #8: Goal for Dakota County Connections

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  “To Reduce the Rate of Juvenile Arrests 0-18 years of age in Dakota County in the Next Five Years by 10 Percent”- Sarah Deck and Linda Phillips developed a wonderful indicator to help measure our new goal each year. They broke it down in a very easy way to understand: 58.4 out of 1000 youth are arrested each year, so if we reduce that statistic by 3 youth every year that will be 2% less youth arrested over 5 years which will meet our 10% goal. We will still want to individualize as we review the goal and look at why youth are being arrested and other other factors.
  

Agenda Item #12: Presentation by: Jason Duncan and Allison Liska with the Salvation Army

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  Emergency Food Pantry
  This program provides groceries and hygiene products to qualifying clients (3) times per year.
  To apply: Picture ID, proof of income, address and soc. sec. card or birth certificate for each person. Passports are acceptable.
  The food pantry is open Mon. thru Fri. 9-3:30. [phone] for further information.
  
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  Furniture/Clothes Voucher
  Vouchers for clothing are given out twice a year to all clients who need it. Vouchers for household items and furniture are given to clients who have transitioned from either the shelters or homelessness. We also work with referrals.
  
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  Other Emergency Services
  When funds are available The Salvation Army also works with other agencies to assist with utility bills, rent, travelers aid, bus tokens, prescriptions and shelter.
  
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  Thrift Store
  The store is at 1901 Cornhusker Dr. in So. Sioux City, NE. We sell good quality used clothes, furniture, household items and many other misc. items. For pickups call [phone].
  
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  Disaster/Fire/Flood
  Families who are in emergency situations and need help with clothing, household or furniture can receive a voucher to our thrift store. Clients first meet with a case worker to determine eligibility.
  
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  Community Service
  Students and adults work in a supervised environment. They will learn basic work skills while working with others. This will provide them with the necessary skills needed to become a productive member of our community.
  
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  For The Spirit
  The Salvation Army has caring and compassionate pastors who are available for spiritual guidance and counseling to anyone in need.
  
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  Vouchers for clothing and household goods are given to families in need.  The vouchers are redeemed at the Salvation Army thrift store in South Sioux City.
  

Agenda Items of written information only:

Early Childhood Screenings: South Sioux City Schools-will provide free screenings for children birth to 5 in overall development throughout the year, Janie Snieder, Robyn Watchorn Newbrey, and Elly Keller, all mental health therapists – will offer The Ages and Stages Social Emotional Screening at those screenings. Dakota County Juvenile Services Team updates: Sarah Deck coordinates these meeting (Their meetings will follows ours quarterly, the next one will be at our February meeting)

Next Meetings: Time 9:00-10:00

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  February 11th @ Law Enforcement Center
  
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  March 10^th @ College Center room126c
  
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  April 14^th @ College Center room126c
  
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  May 12^th @ Law Enforcement Center
  
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  June 9^th @ College Center room126c
  

Speakers for Upcoming Meetings:

February: Ellie Schunk- Office of Public Guardian NE Supreme Court

March: Janie Snieder

April: Nebraska Children and Families

May: Jeff Hackett

June: Matt Ohman- SHIP

July: Lance Martin- Juvenile Justice Ministry

August: Nancy Oates-Res Care

September: Sarah Deck- Dakota Co. Juvenile Diversion/Teen court

October: NENCAP- Head Start/ Early Head Start

November: Jennifer Jackson-Heartland Counseling Services, Inc.

December: