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Tama County Empowerment Board Meeting

Thursday, September 5, 2006 – 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.

ISU Extension Office

Voting Members Present:

Richard Arp, North Tama School District Representative Deb Schlichting, proxy for Michelle Gethmann

Rick Vesely, Clergy Representative Larry Vest, Board of Supervisor Representative

Annette Dunn, Department of Human Services Greg Tingley, Business & Industry Representative

Joyce Legg, Department of Public Health Representative Jill Herink, Meskwaki Settlement School Rep.

Angie Knowles, South Tama Co. School District Representative

Others Present:

Darla Thiessen, Kids’ Corner Childcare & Preschool Cindy Skopec, AEA 267

Frank Albertsen, ISU Extension Lori Johnson, Tama County Empowerment Coordinator

Anita Kasal, Tobacco Coalition Coordinator Angela Dreesman, Child Care Resource & Referral

Pat Shank, Royce Hickie, Annie Downing, Mid-Iowa Community Action

Apologies: Michelle Gethmann Jana Enfield Jerri Leighton Dal Lynn Sherburne

New Board Member Lists were disbursed.

Chairman, Larry Vest, called meeting to order.

Joyce Legg made a motion to approve the July meeting minutes as presented. Greg Tingley seconded the motion. Motion passed.

One addition to the agenda was noted. Rick Vesely made a motion to approve adding “Approve Vision/Mission Statement” to today’s agenda. Richard Arp seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Financial reports – were shared, with a note from Fiscal Agent, Laura Kopsa, regarding an adjustment that had to be made. Richard Arp made a motion to approve the Financial Reports as presented. Greg Tingley seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Provider Reports –

· Angie Dreesman, Child Care Resource and Referral provided Consultant Activity Report and updated the Board on trainings being planned. Several new providers have contacted her and are going through the registration process. They will be placing an ad in the yellow pages, and are currently working with Marshalltown Community College to provide training opportunities.

· Kids Corner – Darla shared that they are in their new building now, and several Board members took a tour prior to today’s meeting. They have had an increase of 40 more enrollees since they have opened at their new site. They will be attending training opportunities starting in September, and is in the process of interviewing for open positions.

· Pied Piper – Ms. Schlichting reported that they would be hosting the Program for Infant and Toddler Caregivers classes. They currently have 26 infants, 19 toddlers, 19 three year olds, and 36 four year olds attending their facility. North Tama School District on average has 40+ children attending kindergarten a year. They are hoping to have the school district make their facility a bus stop so children attending school can ride the bus to school, as this is being done at Kids Corner. They do have a waiting list of 10 – 15 children for toddler and younger slots.

· Joyce Legg, Tama County Public Health & Home Care, reported that the Stork’s Nest is continuing to grow, and has seen an increase in the home visit program as well. Currently they have 4 occasional interpreters and are hoping to hire another occasional employee.

· Lori Johnson reported she would be attending the state coordinators meeting next week. She has met with the new business manager at STC School District, the new County Auditor, and will be meeting with the new principal, vice-principal, and Angie Knowles (new Voting Board Member) tomorrow to update them on Empowerment.

· Infant Toddler Specialist, Annie Downing, provided information regarding their caseloads, and an infant massage class they held. Annie also notified the Board that today would be her last meeting, as her has taken a principal position in Lisbon and they will be relocating September 15^th. All those in attendance shared our best regards and also noted that she will be greatly missed!

· Dental Hygienist – there will be some staff changes, but there is to be no interruptions of service provided.

· FNP and Parenting Class - Frank Albertsen, ISU Extension, reported that Tiffany has returned, and they have received positive feedback regarding the services she is providing, and continues to receive several referrals for service.

· Scholarships/Developmental Testing Services – Cindy Skopec shared services continue to be provided, with one emergency respite being provided. Ms. Johnson reported that four children have qualified for preschool scholarship funding to STC Elementary School.

· Happy Bear – no report given

· Tobacco Funding – Anita Kasal reported they have been approved for funding for FY 07, and have applied for additional funding for training. She shared an article from the Washington Post regarding cigarette nicotine levels increasing, and their “Clear the Air” campaign, with pledge cards and incentives being provided.

· Professional Development and Low Income Preschool – no additional reports given

Old Business – There is a vacant seat on the board for a Consumer/Citizen Representative. Ms. Johnson had not been able to contact the suggestion given, but will do so before the next meeting.

Quality Improvement Funding – handout provided showing what was submitted to the State Empowerment Office. Ms. Johnson shared she had had Deb Schrowether and the Funding committee members review the document prior to it being sent to the State.

New Business:

New Item: Approve Vision/Mission Statement was reviewed with 3 corrections noted. Rick Vesely made a motion to approve the Vision/Mission Statement, with noted corrections. Ms. Herink seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Approve and Authorize Fiscal Agent to Sign Early Childhood and School Ready Financial Statements for FY 06. Joyce Legg made a motion to approve the Fiscal Agent to sign the above-mentioned financial statements. Richard Arp seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Approve Annual Report and Approve and Authorize Chairman and Fiscal Agent to Sign Annual Report – July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006. Annette Dunn made a motion to approve the Annual Report and to approve and authorize the Chairman and Fiscal Agent to sign the Annual Report. Greg Tingley seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Approve Showcase Report – Joyce Legg made a motion to approve the Showcase Report, with corrections noted under the Vision/Mission Statement. Deb Schlichting seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Updates from the State – Ms. Johnson shared the following handouts:

Safety During Home Visits Training Opportunity
Adoption Saturday – November 18^th. Annette Dunn shared more information regarding this. Tama County adoptees will be processed at the Hamilton Court House that day.
State Iowa Empowerment Newsletter.

Correspondence – none presented

Reminder November Meeting Date will be November 7^th at the Traer City Council Chambers at noon

Adjournment – Greg Tingley made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:30 p.m. Annette Dunn seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Johnson, Tama County Empowerment Coordinator

EMPOWERMENT AREA