Programs Available Through Mid-Sioux Opportunity

Children and Families

Child Care Resource and Referral Program (CCR&R)
Provides referral of child care providers in a six county area to parents of all income levels. Child care providers are offered technical assistance, training, newsletters and a resource lending library. Parents receive information and technical assistance to help them make informed decisions when choosing child care. Statistical information on the affordability, accessibility and availability of child care is available for community planning and resource development. Healthy Child Care Iowa provides the services of a child Care Health Consultant to child care providers and parents for training and technical assistance on health and safety issues in the child care environment. Iowa Program for Infant and Toddler Caregivers (PITC) training helps caregivers design environments which are healthy and safe for infants 0-18 months, and yet offer developmental challenges.

Child & Adult Care Food Program
Reimburses registered child care home providers for a portion of costs incurred for serving nutritious meals to children in their care. Our primary goal is to improve the diet of children 12 years old of age or younger by meeting USDA nutrition standards.

Healthy Child Care Iowa
Provide guidance and technical assistance to child care providers regarding the health and safety of children in care. On-site visits, staff training and supervision of children are examples.

Iowa Program for Infant Toddler Caregiving
Training and technical assistance to help caregivers in knowledge of infant/toddler needs. Propose of project is to improve quality and availability of infant and toddler care.

Benefits for Beginners
Provides incentives, trainings and follow-up visits to help caregivers meet children's developmental needs by enhancing their interaction techniques and environment. BFB's mission is to improve the quality and quantity of child care available in Sioux, Lyon, Plymouth and Cherokee counties. Child care providers can also earn FREE toys, books and equipment through "Quality Rewards!"

Quality Rewards for Infant Care
Empowerment funded incentive program with focus on 0 - 18 month age group. A point system is used to recognize and reward registered home child care providers and licensed centers for accomplishments to improve infant care.

Ida County Empowerment
Provides preschool grants to families who qualify to help pay preschool fees. Also provides grants to child care providers to meet health/safety requirements.

Head Start
Head Start is an early childhood program for children ages 3 and 4, with a school year from September to May. Head Start provides children with activities that will help them grow academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. The children also receive medical and dental support, have healthy meals and snacks, and enjoy indoor and outdoor play in a safe setting. Head Start provides a comprehensive approach to family needs through education, health, nutrition, social service, and parent involvement. It is free for income eligible families based on 100 percent of the federally mandated guidelines with some allowances for higher income families with special needs.

Child Development Center (CDC)
The Child Development Center (CDC) is located in Hawarden, Iowa, and is funded by the Shared Visions grant from the State of Iowa. It is a child development program for children ages 3 and 4, with a school year from September to May. As with Head Start, CDC provides a comprehensive approach to family needs through education, health, nutrition, social service, and parent involvement. CDC is free for income eligible families based on 130 percent of the federally mandated guidelines with some allowances for higher income families with special needs.

Early Head Start (EHS)
Early Head Start (EHS) is a year-round infant/toddler development program that works with pregnant women and children from birth to age 3. They promote education and self-sufficiency for families along with social services, health, dental, nutrition, mental health, and parent involvement. Home-based and center-based services are available. EHS is currently available in the counties of Cherokee, Plymouth, and Sioux, with Toddler Centers in Le Mars and Rock Valley, Iowa. EHS is free for income eligible families based on 100 percent of the federally mandated guidelines with some allowances for higher income families with special needs.

EHS has two Teddy Bear Dens located in Le Mars and Orange City, Iowa. EHS families can accumulate points by attending medical and dental appointments and parenting classes. These points can them be redeemed at the Teddy Bear Den for items such as clothing, diapers, and other supplies for children.

Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS)
Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) is a supportive service to assist Family Investment Program (FIP) families with significant or multiple barriers. Families are provided one-on-one strength based support that promotes, empowers, and nurtures families toward economic and emotional self-sufficiency. FaDSS provides services through regular home visits where the Certified Family Development Specialist emphasizes the strengths of the family and builds upon those strengths by setting and attaining goals. Participants are eligible if they receive cash FIP benefits.

Community Service

Outreach Services
Mid-Sioux Opportunity, Inc. operates seven outreach offices in the five county area, with at least one office per county. These offices serve as a local contact point for persons needing assistance. Applications for nearly all services are taken at these sites. Most offices have a food pantry and clothing center on-site. Local donations allow for emergency services such as assistance with rent and utility bills. Families can also receive information on other community services, which may be of benefit to them. Coordination of services with other agencies is a priority. Over 10,000 individuals are served each year through these offices.

The Mid-Sioux Outreach Offices are often referred to as the eyes and ears of the agency. This local contact makes access to services easier and provides for a local approach in service delivery.

Clothing Centers
Families in need can receive free second-hand clothing. Clothing centers are located in most Mid-Sioux Outreach Offices. This program operates entirely on community support. If you’re interested in donating to your clothing center, please contact your local Mid-Sioux Outreach Office.

Emergency Food Pantries
A three-day supply of food is provided to families who are out of food and money. Emergency food pantries are located in each of the Mid-Sioux Outreach Offices. This program operates entirely on community support. If you’re interested in donating to the food pantry, please contact your local Mid-Sioux Outreach Office.

Food for Life
Families in need can receive packages of frozen meat that are donated by local livestock producers. Guidelines and availability of meat may vary between counties. Please contact your local Mid-Sioux Outreach Office for more information.

Energy

Housing
Safe and affordable rental housing units are available to low-income households in the communities of Hawarden and Sioux Center, Iowa.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP aids qualifying low-income Iowa households (homeowners and renters) in the payment of a portion of their residential heating costs for the winter heating season. Additional funds for energy services may be available through Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and other similar programs. Eligibility is based on 150 percent of the federally mandated income guidelines.

Weatherization
Weatherization purpose is to make the homes of low-income households more energy efficient, therefore reducing their fuel bills. Priority for service is given to households with the highest heating usage and containing persons who are elderly or have disabilities and households that contain young children. Eligibility is based on 150 percent of the federally mandated income guidelines.

Health and Nutrition

Child Health Program
Families receive case management services to assist them in providing well-child care for their children. Vouchers are given to take their children to their local physician and dentist for well-child exams and annual dental check-ups. Nutritional and social assessments are completed. Lead screenings and immunizations are provided. Eligibility is based on 200 percent of the federally mandated income guidelines.

Maternal Health Program
Pregnant women receive services that may include payment for prenatal care, prenatal vitamins, prenatal classes, nutritional, dental, nursing and social assessments, and education. Eligibility is based on 200 percent of the federally mandated income guidelines. Presumptive eligibility for Medicaid is available to pregnant women at 200 percent of the current federal income guidelines.

Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Food Program (WIC)
WIC provides nutrition education, health screenings, referrals, and food vouchers to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children ages 0-5. Eligibility is based on 185 percent of the federally mandated income guidelines. Foster children and Medicaid recipients are income eligible.