There Are 32 Municipalities in the 4-County Area

“Providing services collaboratively to families and children from birth to 18 years of age for the purpose of improving the quality of life for families with children

Our vision is that our community members will have a greater understanding of the needs of our families with young children, and that they all take part in supporting them. Our children will thrive and have the opportunity to live in a nurturing environment that is healthy, safe and stable. All community members and service providers will treat children and families with compassion and respect. Parents will be prepared to rear, teach, and love their children unconditionally, and children will be ready for life’s challenges of school, relationships, and work. Quality and accessible childcare will be readily available to enable families to financially support themselves. In-home parent education services, comprehensive child care training, and in-home visitations of newborns and their parents are some of the essential services that will be provided in our community’s support system to families with young children. Innovative and collaborative efforts amongst our community members and service providers will continue to insure the needs of children and families come first in an ever changing environment.

There are 32 municipalities in the 4-county area :

* 69% of the cities have a population under 1,000

* 85% of the cities have a population under 1,500

Sixteen (16) public and private school districts within the four counties.

Two Area Education Agencies and two Community Colleges cover the 4-county area.

The four counties (Clay, Dickinson, O’Brien, Osceola) of Lakes Area Empowerment (LADE)are located adjacent to each other in Northwest Iowa and cover approximately 2,700 square miles. Two of the counties, Osceola and Dickinson, border Southwest Minnesota.

Over 15,000 acres of glacier carved lakes provide a backdrop for the prairies, wetlands and farmland of this northwest Iowa territory.

The economic base of the region is supported largely by agriculture. DickinsonCounty supports a tourist population in the summer, translating to a seasonal workforce of low paying jobs.

Lakes Area Empowerment

Clay, Dickinson, O’Brien, Osceola

* Des Moines

The total population of the Lakes area is 55,901. The 0-5 populations vary from 34% in DickinsonCounty to 11% in OsceolaCounty.

POPULATION

Child and Family Data for Decision Makers-U.S Bureau of Census 2000

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census / Clay / Dickinson / O’Brien / Osceola /

TOTAL

Total Population / 17,372 / 16,424 / 15,102 / 7,003 / 55,901
% Of 4-County Total Population / 31% / 29% / 27% / 13% / 100%
Under 1 Year / 213 / 260 / 161 / 77 / 711
% Of 4-County
Under 1 Year / 30% / 37% / 22% / 11%
1 & 2 Years / 419 / 483 / 359 / 161 / 1,422
% of 4-County
1 & 2 Years / 30% / 34% / 25% / 11%
3 & 4 Years / 422 / 453 / 369 / 173 / 1,417
% Of 4-County
3 & 4Years / 30% / 32% / 26% / 12%
5 Years / 217 / 226 / 182 / 66 / 691
% Of 4-County
5 Years / 31% / 33% / 26% / 10%
Total 0-5 Years / 1,271 / 1,422 / 1,071 / 477 / 4,241
% of 4-County
0-5 Population / 30% / 34% / 25% / 11% / 25% Avg.

POPULATION HISTORY:

ClayCounty is a non-metropolitan county in northwest Iowa. The total population in the county decreased 1.2 percent from 1990 to 2000. At the same time, the population under the age of 18 in ClayCounty decreased 10.7 percent. Statewide, total population increased 5.4 percent and the population under 18 increased 2.1 percent during that period.
DickinsonCounty is a non-metropolitan county in northwest Iowa. The total population in the county increased 10.2 percent from 1990 to 2000. At the same time, the population under the age of 18 in DickinsonCounty increased 2.7 percent. Statewide, total population increased 5.4 percent and the population under 18 increased2.1 percent during that period.
O’Brien County is a non-metropolitan county in northwest Iowa. The total population in the county decreased 2.2 percent from 1990 to 2000. At the same time, the population under the age of 18 in O’Brien County decreased 9.3 percent. Statewide, total population increased 5.4 percent and the population under 18 increased 2.1 percent during that period.
OsceolaCounty is a non-metropolitan county in northwest Iowa. The total population in the county decreased 3.6 percent from 1990 to 2000. At the same time, the population under the age of 18 in OsceolaCounty decreased 7.7 percent. Statewide, total population increased 5.4 percent and the population under 18 increased 2.1 percent during that period

Family Profile- Single Parent Families

Child and Family Data for Decision Makers-U.S Bureau of Census 2000

LOCATION / 1990 / 2000 / - + Change
State / 16.6% / 21.2 / +4.6
Clay / 14.1% / 20.4% / +6.3%
O’Brien / 9.5% / 13.7% / +.2%
Dickinson / 15.1% / 19% / +.9%
Osceola / 9.2% / 12.4% / +3.2%
4-County Avg. / 11.9% / 16.3 / +.4%

The 4-County average percentage living in single-parent families however, increased from 12 percent in 1990 to 16.4 percent in 2000, a 4.4% increase.

ClayThe percentage living in single-parent families however, increased from 14.1 percent in 1990 to 20.4 percent in 2000.

O’BrienThe percentage living in single-parent families however, increased from 9.5 percent in 1990 to 13.7 percent in 2000.

DickinsonThe percentage living in single-parent families however, increased from 15.1 percent in 1990 to 19.0 percent in 2000.

OsceolaThe percentage living in single-parent families however, increased from 9.2 percent in 1990 to 12.4 percent in 2000.

Employment of Parents

Child and Family Data for Decision Makers-U.S Bureau of Census 2000

LOCATION / % of children under 6 years of age who had all parents in the labor force
State / 71.4%
Osceola / 77.1%
Clay / 75.7%
O’Brien / 70.9%
Dickinson / 68.4%
4-County Avg. / 73%

The statewide percentage of children under 6 years of age who had all parents in the labor force*in 2000 was 71.4%. The counties of the Lakes Area are as follows:

Osceola/The majority of children under 6 years of age in OsceolaCounty (77.1 percent) had all parents in the labor force. *

Clay/The majority of children under 6 years of age in ClayCounty (75.7 percent) had all parents in the labor force. *

O’Brien /The majority of children under 6 years of age in O’Brien County (70.9 percent) had all parents in the labor force. *

Dickinson/The majority of children under 6 years of age in DickinsonCounty (68.4 percent) had all parents in the labor force. *

*This includes all children in this age group living in single-parent families with that parent in the labor force, as well as children in married-couple families where both parents are in the labor force.

Median Family Income

Child and Family Data for Decision Makers-U.S Bureau of Census 2000

LOCATION / 1989 / 1999 / - + Change
State / $31,659 / $48,005 / +16,346
Dickinson / $30,659 / $47,739 / +$17,080
O’Brien / $28,519 / $42,959 / +$14,440
Clay / $30,346 / $42,769 / +$12,423
Osceola / $28,599 / $41,997 / +$13,398
4-County Avg. / $29,531 / $43,866 / +$14,335

Median wages in the four counties range from $41,997 to 47,437. What the numbers do not tell us is the influx of tourists that come to our area in the summer months (in-particular DickinsonCounty). It is estimated that the population grows to100, 000 plus during this time period. Work is seasonal, wages are low, and housing costs are in this resort area are some of the highest in the state. These conditions make the community vulnerable for increased substance abuse, poverty, and homelessness even though some of the wealthiest people in the state vacation in the area. Many prosperous residents do not live in the community full-time (most have second homes here) and do not work in our community.

The four counties in the Lakes Area are extremely rural. The decision makers at our state capitol in Des Moines would need to travel approximately over 200 miles and four hours to reach our community.

One quarter (25%) of our population is age 0-5 years.

Up to 77% of our children reside with parents who both work outside the home.

Wages are 9% less than the state average

Resources stemming from collaborations take time and nurturing to develop. Principles versus personalities are the groundwork for emerging, continuing and increased sharing of resources. LADE continuously assess its resources, trends and initiates new partnerships to support children and families.

Being a merged four county Empowerment and Decat Board has been a challenge at times but the benefits have been much greater, in particular the opportunity to jointly plan for services and share resources. The weaving of many organizations and funding streams forms a web of services that can withhold the inconsistent and unpredictable allocation and granting of funds.

Over the past three years we have expanded training opportunities for early childhood providers by blending, braiding and sharing resources. Some of been via natural potential partnerships such as Head Start, other Empowerment Areas, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Decategorization, Pre-schools etc.More non-traditional partners have been CountyNaturalists, private foundations (originally art specific but because of cultivated relationships were expanded to early childhood)and Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and RegentsResourceCenter.

An upcoming training has been the most expansive and comprehensive community wide endeavor that we have been instrumental in implementing. The three sessionLove and Logic Workshops by Dr. Charles Fay will involve the majority of school districts in our four county area (in particular 4 school districts will have almost 100% of their staff participating), AEA 8 and NW AEA, churches, Empowerment programs (Best Care for Better Babies, Hand in Hand, K.I.D.S.), Parent Partners, University of Northern Iowa Student Teachers, and countless parents. The registrations for the training to be held on September 13 & 14th continue to grow and could easily reach over 1,000 people that touch the lives of children ages 0-5 on a regular basis.

As the economic status of communities continues to decline and dollars are reduced for programming it will be even more crucial to support programming for early childhood in creative shared ways. We will have to plan more, adjust expeditiously, and further diversify. Alternative methods, problem solving and expansions of relationships will need to be on the forefront for future success.

Public & Private
Funding Sources / SERVICES / AMOUNT
Estimate of
Prevent Child Abuse Iowa
Prevention Councils, Clay Dickinson, O’Brien, Osceola / Respite Care, Parent Education, Sexual Abuse Prevention / $46,500
Prevent Child Abuse Iowa CBCAP Grant / Love and Logic Classes / $15,000
Upper Des Moines Community Action Agency / Outreach, Head Start, CCRR, Heating, WIC / 225,000
Decategorization / Programs to support Child Welfare / $190,000
Community Partnerships / Parent Partners
Family Team Meetings
Policy and Practice
Network Neighborhoods / $35,000
Parent Partner-
Federal Grant / Mentoring At Risk Parents / $500,000
University of Iowa Child Health Specialty Clinics / Early childhood Physical(0-18)
Mental Health(0-2) / $800,000
Iowa Department of Human Services
Clay, Dickinson, Osceola, And O’Brien / Case Management, Child Protection, Medicaid, Childcare Assistance, Food Assistance / $2,000,000
4 Department of Public Health Agencies / Immunizations Clinics, State Grants, Car Seats / $123,650
Good Neighbor Fund / Social Service Grants / $75,000
IowaLakesCommunity College / Early Childhood Conference / $12,000
NorthwestIowaCommunity College / Early Childhood Conference / $7,000
PrairieLakes AEA 8 / Early Childhood Services, Special Ed, Early Access, etc / $750,000
Northwest AEA / Early Childhood Services, Special Ed, Early Access, etc / $600,000

Please note that that some of the information is an estimate. Some exact dollar figures were not readily available.

Public & Private
Funding Sources / SERVICES / AMOUNT
Estimate of
Dickinson County Conservation Board / Outdoors Let’s Explore, Nature Explorers / $25,000
REAP Grant / KinderNature / $5,000
O’Brien County Conservation Board / KinderNature / $2,500
Dickinson County Conservation Foundation / Outdoors Let’s Explore / $2,000
Patrice Leary Foundation / Outdoors Let’s Explore, Fellowships / $2,000 - $4,000
Friends of Lakeside Lab / Outdoors Let’s Explore / $1,000
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and Regents Resource Center / Outdoors Let’s Explore / $4,000
ISU County Extension / Nature Explorers, Training for Childcare Providers, Outdoors Let’s Explore / County Extensions were recently reorganized and local information is not available at this time
Libraries located in the four counties / Programming for children 0-5 / $10,000

Please note that that some of the information is an estimate. Some exact dollar figures were not readily available.

Collaborations and partnerships are thefoundation for the sustainability and success of the Lakes Empowerment early childhood programming. The merging of the Decat and Empowerment initiatives strengthened supports and services that have positioned our community as a leader in quality early childhood programming. We firmly believe our success is directly related to the relationships and partnerships that we have linked. Below are some examples of collaborations that have been extremely effective.

1. Family Support Certification - The Lakes Area Decat/Empowerment was the sponsor of the application for certification. The certification involved the collaboration of three Empowerment Areas, active participation by their board members and community partners, Prairie Lakes AEA which serves the three Empowerment Areas/5 counties and Northwest AEA which serves one of the Empowerment Areas/2 counties.

The Lakes Area (Clay, Dickinson, O’Brien, and Osceola) has a joint contract with Prairie Lakes AEA that covers the counties of Clay and Dickinson and Northwest Iowa AEA which covers the counties of O’Brien and Osceola counties to provide Family Support Service Program in all four counties. The staff is employed by Prairie Lakes AEA, and NW AEA provides in-kind for the program. This joint venture is the only one of its kind in Iowa as traditionally AEAs do not provide services outside of their respective geographic boundaries.

The KIDS program operated by the Prairie Lakes AEA has earned the honored distinction of being the first Iowa Family Support Credentialed program. Iowa is the only state in the nation to have such a rigorous credentialing process in place that ensures high quality services are delivered to families.The Iowa Family Support Credential is based on the most up to date, evidence based practice standards in the family support field. The KIDS program diligently worked toward meeting all of the 104 standards over the course of more than a year with the assistance of a technical assistance mentor. A Peer Review was conducted by trained peers from eastern and central Iowa to validate the program’s adherence to the standards. The Iowa Family Support Credential is valid for five years.

The KIDS Program provides family support and parent education services to over 400 children per year in seven rural Iowa counties: Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Kossuth, O’Brien, Osceola, and Palo Alto. The program receives funding from Lakes Area Empowerment, Emmet Empowerment, Palo Alto-Kossuth Empowerment, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa and the Iowa Department of Education.

This credentialing partnership has resulted in the best possible investment with our limited financial resources and avoids duplication of services. By providing this high quality family support service we have been able to enhance our efforts with a multitude of partners through comprehensive planning and foresight.

Additional examples of collaborative relationships with K.I.D.S. which have resulted in benefits for families include:

The following partners, Shared Visions/Department of Education, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, and Prairie Lakes AEA 8 Early ACCESS grants together with Empowerment dollars fund a the K.I.D.S. in-home parent educator positions.
Enhancement and expansion of the KIDS program has been implemented with empowerment funds. This collaboration allowed KIDS to increase its staff and funded Parents As Teachers training, as well as other staff development opportunities.
KIDS collaborates with the local child abuse prevention councils in the counties served to provide KIDS services without age or risk-based criteria for eligibility. This has filled a gap in the programming available to families and is a successful expansion of KIDS services.
KIDS collaborates with Community Partnerships for Protecting Children areas, allowing staff to access Family Unity/Family Team meetings, as well as mediation services, for the families we serve.
KIDS partners with local school districts and Prairie Lakes AEA 8 to provide child development screening clinics, an excellent method of early identification of potential developmental delays.
KIDS staff attends monthly WIC clinics, offering and completing developmental “prescreens” to determine if further screening is warranted.
KIDS staff serves as service coordinators with training and mentorship provided by the Region 8 Early ACCESS staff and council. This enhances the comprehensive services KIDS provides to families.
KIDS staff is actively involved in a variety of community groups, such as child protective multidisciplinary teams, community resource groups, Decategorization and Empowerment local planning groups. This results in community visibility, linkage, awareness, and support.
KIDS continues to work with other regional groups and schools on grant proposals. Although not always funded, the joint efforts strengthen the collaborative relationships between KIDS and other agencies.

2. Parent Education- In our rural isolated community we had been struggling to locate and/or financially support much needed parent education programming. Lakes Area Decat/Empowerment took the lead in forming a partnership with several initiatives and organizations that also had similar parent education needs to include Community Partnerships for Protecting Children, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, Department of Human Services, local churches, and area schools.

It was a consensus that Love and Logic classes would be a good fit for the partnership as we were looking for practical solutions to some of the most common challenges facing parents, teachers, and anybody who cares for kids. Over 100 parents, 72 families and 73 children were served by the Love and Logic Program at 11 different sessions in the four county area throughout the year. Parents were offered the support and guidance they need to feel more confident as parents.