Last Month’s Meeting Notes Feb 8th, 2018
Attendees:
Melinda Arguello/Mercy Housing/RSCSara Arguello/Haven House
Tonya Bauman/Building Blocks
Bernice Beaulieu/NNJHA(Simpco)
Kristine Bornholtz/Women Aware
Amy Chabra/Mary J. Treglia
Cody Cline/Longlines
Nicole Cusick/WellCare of Neb.
Sarah Deck/Juvenile Diversion
Rita DeJong/BOOST
Corbin Delgado/Center for Rural Affairs
Erica DeLeon/One Siouxland
Pastor Douglas Dill/First Lutheran
Becky Eckhardt/South Sioux City Schools
Julie A. Elbert/ Catholic Charities
Ben Esquivel/Heartland Counseling
Abagail Engel/Educational Service Unit
Sister Shirley Fineran/Briar Cliff College
Jim France/ Community
Jeremy Fontain/Immigrant Legal Center
JoAnn Gieselman/DCC SHIP
Dearra Godinez/Immigrant Legal Center
Stacy Gritten/Siouxland Comm Health/NE / Jim Gunsolley/ESU#1
Jeff Hackett/Community member
Kim Green-Hailey/SSC Library
Cyndi Hanson/NE Community College
Lance Hedquist/South Sioux City
Katie Hagen/Mary J Treglia Community House
Heather Henning/United Way
Kim Jenkins/SHIP
Dawn Kimmel/KNNB & SIMPCO
Lee Kreimer/Nebraska Appleseed
Steve Larson/Dakota County Methodist Church
Lindsay Lusk/Warming Shelter
Ed Mahon/South Sioux City Police Dept.
Becky Mathis/SSC Housing Authority
Lisa Monk/NENCAP
Diane Neri/Goodwill
Sandy Nation/DCC-Central Navigator
Jennifer Post/Community Monitoring Serv.
Andrea Paret/Mary J. Treglia
Sally Reinert/ Community
Brenda Sale/Extension / Stacy Schenk/NDHHSEA
Amy Seaton/ResCare
Jill Sokness/ISU & UNL Extensions
Jim Steele/SSC Chamber
Todd Strom/ South Sioux City Schools
Rebecca Tangeman/National Able
Cristina Topete/Unity in Action
Alma Villicana/Tyson
Susan Vonar/Opportunities Unlimited
Mohammed Warsame/SugalConsulting
Robyn Watchorn Newbrey/Therapist
Brandie Wenham/Center for Siouxland
Kim Wilson/Jackson Recovery
Christine Wolf/SSC Chamber
Christa Yoakum/NE Appleseed
Guests:
Dakota County Connections (DCC)-Common Agenda (Mission Statement): Improving the quality of life and social-emotional well-being of children birth to 21 and their families in our community.
Purpose for our meeting: (Mutually Reinforcing Activities)Working together to collectively address our community’s needs and strengthen each other. Together we have a common agenda (mission) in mind!
Dakota County Connections (DCC) Community Goal:To reduce the rate of juvenile arrests 0-18 years of age in Dakota County in the next 5 years by 10%. (Start date Nov. 2015)We Practice Collective Impact which is a committed group of individuals and agencies working together as a well-oiled machine, one solid group. It has five important functions 1)-A Common Agenda, 2)-Continuous Communications, 3)-Mutually Reinforcing Activities, 4)- A Backbone Agency, 5)-Shared Measurement Systems
#1 Welcome:From JoAnn Gieselman, Director for DCC, through SHIP- (Siouxland Human Investment Partnership) (the Backbone Agency)
Picture table: -Please take pictures of your friends at different tables or your own? (Thank you for the fantastic pictures in Dec!) These always go on our DCC Facebook and now an upcoming video!
Reminders: Put your new monthly information on “Hot Topics” and “Family supports” tables! Brochures go on the other 3 table tables.(Please check the brochure table, your brochures are going fast!! We don’t want anyone to miss your information)
#2 On your table: There are more opportunities and ways to share and connect! Please fill out any or all of the items below and put them in the large envelope on your table.
- Presentation Survey: fordata/measurement
- Priority Focus Areas Survey: Need your input, of the nine areas on the Priority survey, rate your top 5 on order.
- Common Agenda Statement: this is a combination of our Mission Statement and Purpose for our meetings. This does not commit you to anything, rather it shows a united understanding of our vision and our joint approach to solving challenges as they arise. If you have not had a chance to fill one out would please do so.
- Input and ideas sheet: DCC always welcomes conversations, emails, or phone calls if you have ideas for our group. If you think of something today, please write it down.
- Event Sharing Forms: Please write down any and all information you want to share with our larger group and put it in the yellow envelope on the table. The information will be emailed out to over 240 partners and growing.
- Invitations to DCC meetings: Please feel free to take some and invite others!
#3 Focus groups:Please be sure to check out what is going on in our different focus groups and keep up on what is happening. You are always welcome to join a group at any time! Update from-Brenda Sale on “Voices for Food”,shared their impact statement and part of that was that 6,567 pounds of produce were put back into the food system in 2017. Produce delivered to 3 mobile sites, serving 3,660 households, representing 13,723 individuals (Food Bank of Siouxland). She also encouraged anyone who gardens to grow a row to donate.
#4 New Focus group to start: Human Trafficking-Sister Shirley Fineran–A Signup sheet was on the sign in table if you are interested in being a part of this focus group please let JoAnn know and she will add you to the list.
#5 Bring up Nebraska next steps-Our State’s First Lady,Susanne Shore’s,will visit the DCC Collaboration on April 12th! Pleaseset aside an hour and a half on that day, it will be a great opportunity to share with the First Lady about our wonderful DCC collaboration and the outstanding things you all do. We also want her to share with us her passion for bring up Nebr. and how she sees Collaborations like ours working together with the state! I will be reaching out to all of you in different ways for your ideas/help in support of this event. Starting today with our survey on your table today. I know they are all important areas of focus, but please rate you top 5. (Check out the fact sheet for some helpful data)
#6 Ponca Express-They now have a full-time driver Monday through Friday,8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.The driver will pick up at the client's home and transport within a 3-hour radius of Sioux City. Call877-769-3111to schedule. Since they now have a full-time driver, they have more openings, but clients need to call as early as possible to get on the schedule.
#7 DCC Connecting:BriefUpdates: Group sharing- (Continuous Communication)Due to the wonderful size of our collaboration I will ask you to share your name and/or agency, business, or club name. The hope is this will leave you time after our meeting to visit and connect more! Please put current information and/or family needs on the “
Dakota County Connections updates for February 2018
- Center for Siouxland’s VITA program
If you have earned $54,000 or less in 2017, you may be eligible to receive Free tax preparations. You may also be eligible for the Earned Income Tax credit (EITC) or Child Care Tax Credits.
What to bring:
Valid Photo ID for taxpayer and spouse
Social Security cards for all on tax return
Copy of last year’s tax return or tax transcript
Proof of income and interest statements
Bank information for direct deposits
If married filing joint return, both spouses must be present
- Community Benefit Funds still available for temporary/short term assistance to pay for transport to medical
Contact: Dawn Kimmel 712-224-8905
This extends to residents in Mercy Medical Center service area
- NENCAP Head Start/Early Head Start
Beginning to Actively Recruit and set up applications for 2018/2019 school year…though they are always taking applications throughout the year.
Call :494-1282 or 494-6755- to help clients set up an application time.appt.
- Blanket Drive-February 12th-16th(Wrapping the community in Kindness)
Please donate new blankets to help share the warmth this winter.
Drop off locations: At all South Sioux City Schools, Absolute Screen Art, City Hall, Chamber offices
- Warming Shelter Benefit February 18th,2018
Come to Buffalo Alice from 4:30-7:00pm and all tips go to the warming shelter!
- Warming Shelter Benefit and Guitar Raffel: February 18th, 2018
Hey Guys! The Marquee is teaming up with The Warming Shelter to raise as much $$ we can for them. We are planning an event for Feb. 18th to be held at The Marquee. It’s $5.00 a ticket, you have a chance to WIN a Gibson SG Special Faded 2008 Guitar. Come down to see it for yourself. All proceeds from the tickets will go to the Warming Shelter.
- We are Dreamers Documentary-Feb 20th, 2018
Location: Mary J. Treglia Community house (900 Jennings St. Sioux City)
Time 12-1pm
Contact: or 712 258-5137
Location: South Sioux City Public Library (Unity in Action)
Time:6pm
Contact: or 402-412-3333
- Let’s Talk Human Trafficking-February 21st
6:00pm-8:00pm at the South Sioux City Public Library Café
Contact Cristina at- 402-412-333
- ESL/Bilingual Job Fair-February 22ndat Mary J. Treglia Community House 11:00am-3:00pm
This Event is an opportunity to connect with Local applicants who are bilingual or speak linited English.
For questions or to get signed up contact:
Cassy Bennett-
or Victor Palacios-
- Kindness Rocks! -Rock Painting-February 24that 11:00 am & 26th at 5:00 pm
South Sioux City Public Library
- Beginning Conversational Spanish Classes Spring 2018- Northeast Community College
This is a beginning course especially designed for persons who have not had any previous exposure to the Spanish language. Designed to help the novice develop basic vocabulary and good pronunciation skills.
Monday & Wednesday, February 26th, 28th, March 5th, 7th, 12th, 14th
Time: 5:30-6:30
Instructor: Carmen Stark
Location: room 208
Cost: $60.00
Call 402-214-6400 or 888-698-6322 to pre-register
- Race Privilege and Our Community-February 27th6pm-9pm
Held at the Sioux City Public Museum
Sponsored by the Sioux City Human Rights commission and Sioux City NAACP
RSVP-279-6985 by Feb. 23rd
Light meal provided /Free to the public
- A Free Mental Health First Aid Training (Region 4 Behavioral Health Systems)
Presented by Bob Lowe and Mike Carlson
Tuesday March 13th, 2018 8am-5pm
South Sioux City Public Library
Registration Deadline is March 7th, 2018
Phone 402-316-1787 or email
- Women of Excellence Awards! March 27th
Recognize the women and men in your life who excel in their volunteer or leadership roles. Contact Women Aware to get a nomination form.
Select from 6 categories
Men of Excellence Award, too
$55 entry fee (includes nominee’s dinner)
Deadline: March 2nd, 2018
505 5th St. #422
Sioux City IA 51101
Contact Katie for more information -712 258 4174
- Tacos, Tequila & Togetherness -March 23rdPresented by Mary J Treglia House
Enjoy a night of international tastings, entertainment, and desserts and Help grow their preschool.
Friday March 23rd Doors Open at 5:30 pm
Country Celebrations 5606 Hamilton Boulevard
Purchase tickets at marytreglia.org/fundraising/
- Haven House “Frontline Training Conference” March 28th-29th2018
This will be held in Wayne Ne
Look for flyers on the “Hot Topic table next month” You can also call Haven House for more information. Phone: (402) 494-7592
- Makerspace coming March 26th thru August 13th, 2018
What is a Makerspace? It is a work space for making learning, exploring and sharing tools and equipment. It is open to adults, kids, entrepreneurs and inventors. Equipment available can provide you the opportunity to try tools such as 3D printer, embroidery machine, laser cutter, vinyl heat press and more. The Equipment is free you just need to purchase the supplies.
- Early Childhood Family Night- March 29th5:00pm-7:30 pm at the South Sioux City Library:
Childcares
Early Childhood Screenings
Family Supports
Library Card Sign-up
Would your organization or business like to have a table to reach out to families with young children in our community. Please contact Odessa Meyer 402-494-7545
- Attention Gardeners!!
Over 1,700 people in our community are considered food insecure; about 500 of those are children. In 2017, Voices for Food collected and distributed over 6,500 pounds of produce which were donated to families at the food pantry.
You can help feed a family and a community simply by growing an extra row of produce and donating to families in need.
It’s Easy!
“Grow an Extra Row”
Locate a produce collection site at
or call Nebraska Extension at 402-987-2140
Drop off your produce
- Dakota County Connections April 12thmeeting (Be sure to attend, everyone is always welcome at every meeting!)
The First Lady of the State of Nebraska, Susanne Shore, will be attending our meet along with others. It will be a great time to show our collaboration Spirit and to share with our state partners!
- Friends of Recovery Banquet-Jackson Recovery Centers
The event will be April 21stat the Sioux City Convention Center! A flier will be coming with more information.
- SSC Schools share their annual “Keys to Success “event:
The Event is April 27th8am -11:30 am
They need Mock interviewers sit at tables spread out in the school library and allow the interested students to practice their interviewing skills. You can come when it works for you, no need to sign up for a certain time slot, just let Maryann Slobin know if you think you can help.
- 2018 Choose KIND Sticker for your door or window
If you would like this years updated Choose Kind sticker please contact Erica Bowman.
- Volunteers Needed:
Unity in Action is looking for volunteers to help with their “Get out to Vote Campaign” for the 2018 elections.
For more information contact Cristina at 402-412-3333 or
- Dakota County Health- Colorpalooza-5K Fun Run/Walk & Community Event- June 2nd, 2018 -9am-2pm. If you have questions, please contact the Dakota County Health Dept. 402 987 2164
#8 Today’s Presenters: Thank you to our wonderful speakers!
Nicole Cusick- Well Care of Nebraska:
WellCare of Nebraska rewards members as part of our Healthy Behaviors Program. It’s based on your own health care needs. Members qualify for rewards when they join and check off items on their preventive care list. Some examples of healthy behaviors with rewards include: ■ Childhood visits and immunizations ■ Pregnancy and postpartum visits ■ Well-woman visits ■ Diabetes visits and blood work ■ Dental visits ■ Health risk assessment
Christa Yoakum-Nebraska Appleseed and Dearra Godinez-Immigrant Legal Center
Nebraska Appleseed is a nonprofit organization that fights for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. We take a systemic approach to complex issues – such as child welfare, immigration policy, affordable healthcare and poverty – and we take our work wherever we believe we can do the most good, whether that’s at the courthouse, in the statehouse or in the community.
Immigrant Legal Center-Welcomingimmigrants into ourcommunities with high-quality legal services, education, and advocacy.Our attorneys and accredited representatives specialize in immigration law.Their comprehensive knowledge of this area of the law allows them to accept complex cases and boast a 98% success rate.
Please add dakotacountyconnections.com as a link from your website to ours to help expand access to the DCC resources information. Please check it out the Dakota County Resource Guide is on there for you!
Upcoming Focus Group MeetingsSafe and Healthy Youth/Community Resource Center- awaiting updates
Rooted in Relationships-Parent Engagement and Education- Feb. 26th 10:00 @ the SFC (4th)(3rd Monday of the month)
Community Response-Feb. 7th, 10:00 am @ the SFC (2nd Wednesday of the month)
Beyond the Bell Advisory group- TBD (often the 1st Monday of each month)
Street Project- (Super Shelter committee meeting TBA)
Voices for Food- February 21st Third Wednesday of each month at the Iowa/Nebr. Bank
One Siouxland-Welcoming new immigrants and families-dates for committees to come
Safe and Healthy Youth/Community Resource Center: Conversations continue toward the concept of building a Community Resource Center in South Sioux City this center would help brighten the future for our youth, our community, and each other! We continue to look at different possibilities that we hope will eventually lead to the building of a Community Resource Center. We will certainly keep people involved as it grows!
Rooted in Relationships(RIR) -Parent Engagement and Education:RIR is a Nebraska Children and Families initiative that partners with communities to implement evidence-based practices that enhance the social-emotional development of children birth to 5. There is a PIWI (Parents Interacting with Infants/Toddlers) class going currently in Wakefield. This RIR group has established a parent corner at the SSC Library with fun educational games, toys, books and handouts, we appreciate all the SSC Library’s support!
The RIR group has also taken on health as a new system and we are looking at ways to provide our families with social emotional books, information about the Dolly Parton Imagination library, and Community Response support information in a variety of languages distributed through our SLCHN medical providers.
Community Response (CR):is now accepting referrals from community partners and non-profits. If your agency, non-profit, or service club would like a presentation on what Community Response is and how to make a referral, contact Sandy Nation at402-494-3337, extension 22or email .
CR is a system that helps families connect to community resources before they are in crisis and support them in setting and meeting the goals they set for themselves. Sandy’s office is located at Heartland Counseling. Sandy also is working with a new System of Care grantthat can help assist individuals and families in accessing needed behavioral health prevention services and resources in the community.
Beyond the Bell (BTB): DCC was awarded a 21 Century grant to help support those students who would benefit from this wonderful program with after school support. BTB is an after-school program here in SSC that focuses on education, as well as safety, with lots extra fun curricular experiences.
One Siouxland:Erica DeLeon is taking the lead with this, (here are some possible groups that could be develop as we go) Local Government • Not just supportive but supported and central to welcoming, Equitable Access • Reduce barriers to services, participation, Civic Engagement• Everyone actively participates in civic life, Connected, Safe Communities • Build relationships among immigrants, long-time residents, law enforcement/safety organizations, Education • Ensure all Siouxlanders have the education needed for school/work, Economic Development • Harness full potential of new and existing talent.
If you are interested in any of these please let Erica know, currently only the data and research committee is holding meetings.
Street Project: Working as a community to address support our homeless population-Three committees have been formed: The Super Shelter committee (To have a shelter open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and
provide outreach to the homeless population during Day Shelter hours for 2017-18 season), the Detox committee, and the Marketing committee.
Voices for Food: Working together to eliminate food insecurities in our community.Options they are considering:
1)Green House
2)Garden (Cooperative Learn Garden) Supplies (plants)
3)Increase Education- activity
4)Container gardening- community or business
5)Community Buckets/container gardens – (could be a promotion or fundraiser)
The DCC Work Plan is continually updated…I always have a copy at our meetings if you would like to review it.
Looking for Brochures, Handouts, and Information- Come check out our Resource table! Bring your flyers and information and add to it as well!
Next Meetings: Time 9:00-10:00 (EVERY 2nd Thursday of The Month)