2012 Vision for “Empowered and Connected Parents”(Fifteen-In-5 Early Childhood Initiative)

Overview of Vision: By 2012 we would like to see a strong parent education and family support system established in LinnCounty which would effectively involve all parents of young children. We envision a systemic approach that would engage parents early on and offer them numerous and varied opportunities for parent education and support in a variety of forms (including parenting classes, home visits, local on-line parenting forums, peer support groups, etc.). Here are some of the specifics of our vision:

Engaging Families In 2012:

  • Initial outreach to parents during pregnancy (through contacts with OB-GYNs, birthing classes, WIC, etc).
  • Contact with new parents in the hospital to welcome their child into the community and let parents know that help and support is available to them. Information would be provided about the parent education/support opportunities that are described in this document. (This contact in the hospital could be made by professional staff or by trained parent volunteers).
  • Follow-up contact in a few weeks after birth, when initial flurry of activity for the family has subsided.
  • A strong public outreach effort to engage all parents of young children in the community in the expanded parent education system (including a strong on-line presence and use of other new technologies).

Parenting Groups In 2012:

  • Widespread availability of parent education groups for all families with young children
  • Promotion of research-based, effective parenting practices
  • High percentage of parents of young children participate in at least one parenting group during their child’s preschool years
  • Some specialized parent education groups are developed related to child age/ special needs/ family situation/ other factors.
  • There is variability in the structure/ frequency of contact/ scheduling of groups (in ways that do not undermine effectiveness) to meet the varied needs of families.
  • Support and resources for self-organizing parent groups is readily available. (Self-organizing groups may start in a variety of ways, including as local on-line parenting forums or as follow-ups to group parenting series).
  • Parents in group sessions make a linkage with the local “myvillage” virtual community and other emerging technologies so that parents can be in contact between group sessions and maintain contact with one another even after the group ends.

Home Visitation In 2012

  • Home visitation available to all families who wish to receive it. It is offered free for families who cannot afford to pay for the service and offered at a reasonable cost for families with higher incomes.
  • Use of established research-based models and curricula for home visitation programs.
  • Home visitation approaches will be individualized and adapted to meet the needs of the specific families involved.
  • Parents in home visitation service also link with parenting groups and local “myvillage” virtual community to increase their sources of informal support and reduce social isolation.

Encouraging Family Friendly Workplaces In 2012

  • Local employers that offer family-friendly workplaces and benefits will receive special public recognition.
  • 80% of LinnCounty employers will be introduced to information on the benefits of creating family friendly workplaces, including detailed information on the following:

○Flextime schedules/ job sharing/ compressed work weeks

○Combining vacation, sick and other designated types of leave into a more flexible “paid release” system.

○Dependent care assistance programs (including child care and elder care) offered as a pre-tax “cafeteria” benefits plan

○On-site child care for large employers

○Employee Assistance Plans

○Work Site Seminars and Lunch Time Workshops on child/family issues and balancing work/family demands.

○Options for various types of practical supports (laundry facilities at workplace/ option for purchasing prepared family meals etc)

Use Of New Technology To Benefit Families In 2012:

myvillage: “every family needs a village of support”

Studies show that parents today have fewer people to turn to for support than families did in previous generations. Close relationships with other parents, friends, extended family and neighbors increase the stability and resilience of families. And ironically, with the internet it is now easier to find someone with a shared interest who lives thousands of miles away, than it is to get in touch with other local parents.

The primary goal of the myvillage “virtual community” will be to use 21st Century technology to make it easier for parents of young children to develop and maintain these positive social connections in a busy world. (Note: The term “21st Century technology” includes the use of interactive web-sites, pod-casts, web-casts, on-line media files, e-mail systems, instant messaging, on-line surveys, social networking software and other emerging technology.)

February 2007

Dear Community Member:

As a member of the Linn County Community Indigent/Low-Income Services Committee, I am pleased to present you with this “revised” set of Resource Sheets. These sheets were produced four years ago to replace the Resource Information Cards previously developed by the Healthy Linn Care Network and the “Emergency Needs & Homeless Services in LinnCounty” booklet. The Resource Sheets have recently been updated to reflect any changes that may have occurred since they were published last year. New in 2007 is a “Parent Education” Resource Sheet.

Each Resource Sheet Set consists of 15 different Resource Sheets as noted below:

1) Affordable Housing9) Financial Resources

2) Basic Needs Resources10) Food Assistance Resources

3) Child Care Resources11) Health Resources

4) Counseling & Therapy Resources12) Legal Assistance Resources

5) Education Resources13) Parent Education Resources

6) Emergency Shelters14) Transitional Housing Programs

7) Employment Resources15) Transportation Resources

8) Family & Youth Resources

Unfortunately, funding for printing & postage is limited. Therefore, we are requesting your assistance in helping us with the distribution of these Resource Sheets throughout the community. We ask that you copy and distribute a set of these Resource Sheets to each of your workers, staff, volunteers and others, or reproduce them for direct distribution to those you serve. If you are mass-producing copies of the Resource Sheets, feel free to add your logo and a statement acknowledging your agency’s involvement in the printing and distribution of them. This is a community effort and we appreciate your support in this endeavor.

You may also access these Resource Sheets via LinnCounty’s web site at When you arrive at the web site, click on the link to “Human Services” under the “Quick Find” section at the left of the page. That link will take you to Linn County Community Services web site. Then click on the “Community Resource Charts” link on the left side of the page, which will take you to the Resource Sheets documents. We would also be happy to forward the Resource Sheets to you electronically. Please follow the contact directions in the final paragraph below.

When using these Resource Sheets, it is important to know that despite the great number of resources that are available in this community, those resources are finite. There is no guarantee that the programs listed will be able to provide any or all of the assistance that you or others might need. Many of the programs and services listed have eligibility guidelines or criteria. Encourage those using these sheets to read the service description before contacting the resource to help them avoid frustration. These Resource Sheets are intended to be a starting point to help individuals and families attain the assistance they need to stabilize their situations and ultimately become more self-sufficient.

Finally, while every effort has been made to make these Resource Sheets as accurate and inclusive, as possible, we all know that “things change.” If you notice any errors or omissions, please contact LinnCounty Community Services at 892-5600. A list of the changes will be maintained for the next update, which will take place next year.

We hope that you will find these Resource Sheets helpful!

Sincerely,

Robin Robinson

Member of the LinnCounty Community Indigent/Low-Income Services Study Committee

Name & Location
/ Phone Number / Hours/Days / Services Provided
Cedar Rapids Housing Services
1211 Sixth Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 / 286-5872 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Housing Rehabilitation - Financial assistance to home owner and landlords for rehabilitation to property. Must apply.
Section 8 housing – Provides monthly rent subsidy for eligible tenants. Must apply.
CedarVillage Apartments
193 Jacolyn Drive NW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 / 396-9083 / Assistance available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. / Low income elderly, 62 years of age or older. 30% of adjusted gross income. Rental fee includes all utilities excluding cable and telephone. Visiting nurse, quiet location. Delivered meals available, lots of tenant activities.
Five Seasons Senior Housing
1225 42nd Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 399-1550 / Assistance available Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. / Housing for seniors. 30% of income is charge. All utilities but phone and cable are paid.
GenevaTower
310 Fifth Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 / 366-0454 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. / Low income elderly – handicapped – mentally challenged – Section 8 – 236 – market rent – 30% of adjusted gross income – utilities included in rental fee – non-profit grocery store on property operated by tenants – active tenant council – newly renovated – new heating/air conditioners – new laundry equipment, new stove & refrigerator in every unit.
Glenbrook Apartments
4845 Johnson Avenue NW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 / 396-7785 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to4:00 PM. Closed during noon hour. / HUD subsidized – low income families – must have rental history – 30% of adjusted gross income – garages and storage available – 3 and 4 bedroom town houses – tenant is responsible for all utilities including telephone and cable. Owner pays waterand trash. 1, 2, 3 & 4 bedroom apartments.
HACAP Permanent Housing/Chronically Homeless Program
1225 Second Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 739-0599
521-6118 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Opening in summer 2007. Eligibility: Families that meet the homeless and low-income guidelines. Homeless families with Section 8 and families that are in transitional housing program that are in compliance and seeking permanent housing. Families that have graduated from a transitional housing program. Chronically homeless is an unaccompanied individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more OR has had at least 4 episodes of homelessness in the past three years. The person must have been on the streets or in an emergency shelter (not transitional housing) during these episodes.
Hawthorne Hills
2263 C Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 / 365-1497 / Assistance available 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM. / HUD subsidized – low income – low income with families – 62 years of age and older – 30% of adjusted gross income. Family units (2-3 bedroom) have washer/dryer hook up. All utilities provided except telephone and cable.
Linwood Apartments
4845 Johnson Avenue NW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52405 / 396-7785 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. / Call for appointment. HUD guidelines – low income – 55 years of age and older or totally mobility impaired– 30% of adjusted gross income. All utilities provided except phone and cable.
Margaret Bock Housing
1021 3rd Avenue SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 361-6871
366-2651 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM through 3:00 PM. / Low income single room occupancy (efficiencies). No cooking, shared baths. Month to month, all utilities paid. $100deposit, start at $210 per month. Subject to change.
Memorial Meadows
1030 Memorial Drive SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 365-8444 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. / HUD subsidized – low income – 62 years of age or older – 30% of adjusted gross income – all utilities included in rental fee. Community Room – Outdoor patio – Central laundry room.
Mid America Housing Partnership (MAHP)
905 3rd Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 / 365-6247 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM. Office closed from noon to 1:00 PM. / Producing and providing housing people can afford to rent or own.
Moundview Manor
2501 Hwy 13
Marion, IA 52302 / 373-8302 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to noon. / 62 years of age or older - $23,600 for one person, $27,000 for two persons income independent disabled – all utilities paid except cable and telephone. Stove and refrigerator furnished – community room – library with computer on internet – central elevator – beautiful building – warm and friendly atmosphere. HUD subsidized.
Oak Hill Manor
1301 15th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 / 362-6378 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. / HUD subsidized – all utilities included in rental fee – secured entry – elevator – activity center.
OakVillage
101 South 11th Street
Marion, IA 52302 / 377-1347 / Assistance available Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Seniors 62 years of age or older – HUD subsidized – 30% of adjusted gross income – all utilities included in rental fee, except phone & cable.
Oak ParkVillage
1350 15th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 / 362-7759 / Assistance available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. / Families with children – 30% of gross income. Tenant responsible for all utilities – town house – garbage disposal – patio – storage shed.
Project Independence
4002 Sherman Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 / 393-0220 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Housing for the disabled. HUD subsidized – income guidelines. 19 units. 1 & 2 bed apartments.
Rapids Aids Project
P.O. Box 10375
6300 Rockwell Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 / 393-9579 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. 24 hour hotline. / Funding available for persons with HIV/AIDS only. Case management, housing/emergency referral services. Income guidelines apply, call for information.
Village Place at Marion
345 Marion Blvd
Marion, IA 52302 / 377-6958 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Senior independent housing – continental breakfast 6 days per week – evening meals Monday through Friday – 10 evening meals a month by coupon which is included in rent – bus service to market – once a week outings – transportation to appointments – 7 floor plans – studio $480. This will be market rate as of 1/1/05. Will no longer accept Section 42. Call after 1/06 for current rental rates.
Westover Manor
205 40th Street DriveSE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 363-3086 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AMto 5:00 PM. / Seniors 62 years of age or older – HUD subsidized – 30% of adjusted gross income – all utilities included in rental fee. Handicapped accessible units available to anyage. Have exercise room, library and community room, and laundry room. Allow pets under 25 pounds.
Name & Location
/ Phone Number / Days/Hours / Services Provided

BABY ITEMS

Aid to Women

701 Center Point Road NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 / 364-8967 / Assistance available Monday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Free used clothes for pregnant women and babies, infants and children to size 7. Free pregnancy testing and counseling. To receive free clothing, you must attend classes. Information about prenatal health and living skills available.

Birthright, Inc.

375 Collins Road NE, Suite 107
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 / 393-3251 / Assistance available Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Thursday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM;and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. / Maternity closet and layettes for newborn infants for those women who had their pregnancy testing done at Birthright. Other assistance may be provided to newborns during times of extreme need. Free pregnancy testing – no appointment necessary.

Helping Hands Storeroom

First Presbyterian Church
802 12th Street
Marion, IA 52302 / 377-7309 / Assistance available Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. / Baby layettes and baby clothes. Must be referred for service. Call for additional information. Pastor, school nurse, social worker, food bank, etc.
Olivet Clothes Closet
230 10th Street NW
Cedar Rapids, IA52405 / 364-7946 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM; and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. / Layette program offers free layettes for low-income parents.
Wee Care Shop at Cedar Christian Church
205 12th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 364-8909 / Assistance available by referral from Young Parents Network. / Provides necessary baby items for teen parents. Will serve only those with a referral from Young Parents Network.

CLOTHING & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Aid to Women Free Clothes Closet
701 Center Point Road NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 / 364-8967 / Assistance available Monday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. / Free used clothing for adults and children. Must be attending Aid to Women classes to receive free clothing. “Treasures,” a second hand store, is located behind the office building (see entry below).
American Red Cross Emergency Services
6300 Rockwell Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, IA52402 / 393-3500 / Assistance available 24 hours a day for victims of fire and natural disasters. / Clothing & household items for victims of fire and natural disasters based on damage assessment.
First Presbyterian Church Thrift Shop
310 5th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 / 364-6148 / Assistance available Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. / Clothing & household items at a minimal cost.

Goodwill Industries of SE Iowa

  • West Store
2000 Scotty Drive SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
  • East Store
5520 Council Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 / 654-9585 (West)
or
378-0393 (East) / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Saturday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM; and Sunday from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. / A variety of used clothing & household items at reasonable prices.

Harambee House

404 17th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403 / 366-1408 / Assistance available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. / Free used clothing for adults and children.

Helping Hands Storeroom

First Presbyterian Church
802 12th Street
Marion, IA 52302 / 377-7309 / Assistance available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. / Free used clothing & smallhousehold items available by referral only. Pastor, school nurse, social worker, food bank.
MadgePhillipsCenter
318 5th Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 / 366-7999 / Assistance available to women and children Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. / Clothing for low-income and/or homeless women and children.