About CCR&R: Staff Positions and Directory

Mid-Sioux Opportunity
 
Child Care Resource & Referral
418 S Marion Street
Remsen, IA 51050
: 800-859-2025
: 712-786-3250
 
 
Open Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm
Melissa Juhl
CCR&R Regional Director
CACFP Director
: 712-786-3480
: 712-786-3250
: mjuhl@midsioux.org
 
As the Regional Director for Child Care Resource & Referral I am the direct liaison with the Department of Human Services. I am responsible to support and guide the work of CCR&R staff to parents, providers, and the community.


Jessica Tentinger
Administrative Assistant
: 712-786-3486
: 712-786-3250
: jtentinger@midsioux.org
 

I oversee project budgets. I am also the contact for ChildNet certification for 22 counties in Northwest Iowa.

Jane Ortmann
Parent Services Coordinator/Secretary Sioux City Office
: 712 277-1180
: 712 277-5998
: jortmann@midsioux.org
 
I assist parents in seeking quality child care in Woodbury County.  Also work on various projects.


Sarah Smith
Regional Training Coordinator
: 712-786-3429
: 712-786-3250
: srsmith@midsioux.org
 
I approve all CCR&R core trainings and cosponsored trainings for the 22 counties of Region 1and manage training registration process for Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, Cherokee, Woodbury, Ida, BV, Crawford & Sac.  I ensure consistency with training coordination and policies & procedures. I create a quarterly Child Care Newsletter and maintain an ongoing training calendar.
Karmin Boeve
Regional Data/Parent Services Coordinator
: 712-786-3489
: 712-786-3250
: kboeve@midsioux.org
 
Parents call me looking for child care options in their area. Also, I keep our child care provider database up-to-date according to the latest additions and changes.


Cynthia Scott
Provider Services Coordinator
: 712-277-1180
: 712-277-5998
: cscott@midsioux.org
 
I coordinate training details, market training, and recruit participants for CCR&R series trainings for Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, Ida, Cherokee, Woodbury, Buena Vista, Crawford, and Sac Counties. I deliver monthly CCR&R New Provider Orientation training throughout the 9 counties.
Anna Letsche
Regional Quality Rating System (QRS)
Specialist
: 712-786-3427
: 712-786-3250
: aletsche@midsioux.org
 
I review QRS applications, provide technical assistance for the QRS application process, and inform providers, parents & community about quality child care indicators. For more information about QRS, please contact me.


Megan Kerkmann
Regional Child Care Home Consultant
Local Child Care Home Consultant - Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, Ida, & Cherokee Counties
: 712-786-3497
: 712-786-3250
: mkerkmann@midsioux.org
 
The Child Care Home Consultant responds to individuals interested in becoming a registered child care provider. The consultant remains in contact with the home providers providing technical assistance through home visitation.
Retta Mitchell
Local Child Care Home Consultant - Buena Vista, Crawford, & Sac Counties
: 712-662-4255
: 712-662-7862
: rmitchell@midsioux.org
 
The Child Care Home Consultant responds to individuals interested in becoming a registered child care provider. The consultant remains in contact with the home providers providing technical assistance through home visitation.


Cheryl Ferrie
Local Child Care Home Consultant - Woodbury County
: 712-786-3482
: 712-786-3250
: cferrie@midsioux.org
 
The Child Care Home Consultant responds to individuals interested in becoming a registered child care provider and remains in contact with the home providers providing technical assistance through home visitation.  The Home Consultant also coordinates the Quality Rewards program for Woodbury county.
Kim Schroeder, RN, BSN
Regional Child Care Nurse Consultant
: 712-786-3493 - 800-859-2025
: 712-786-3250
: kschroeder@midsioux.org
 
The Regional CNCC works with local CCNCs and Child Care Providers to help improve the health and safety of the child care environment. Local CCNCs work directly with child care providers through phone, email, or on-site consultation to improve the quality in child care. CCNCs can help child care providers through the health and safety portion of the Quality Rating System.


Deb Baldwin, RN
Local Child Care Nurse Consultant - Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth, Ida, & Cherokee Counties
: 712-786-3490
: 712-786-3250
: dbaldwin@midsioux.org
 
I work directly with child care providers through phone, email, or on-site consultation to improve the quality in child care. I can help child care providers through the health and safety portion of the Quality Rating System.
Fankie Konz
Regional Infant & Toddler Specialist
: 712-786-3499
: 712-786-3250
: fknoz@midsioux.org
 
I cover 11 counties which include: Lyon, Sioux. Plymouth, Woodbury, Osceola, O'Brien, Cherokee, Ida, Crawford, Dickinson & Clay counties.  I coordinate Region 1 Iowa Program for Infant and Toddler Care (PITC) training program. I also provide onsite consultation/technical assistance regarding setting up appropriate environments and developmentally appropriate interaction techniques.


Heather Johnson
Infant & Toddler Specialist (Fort Dodge)
: 515-576-7994 x206
: 515-955-3601
: hjohnson@midsioux.org
 
I cover 11 counties which include: Hamilton, Humboldt, Wright, Webster, Calhoun, Pocahontas, Buena Vista, Sac, Emmet, Palo Alto, and Kossuth.  I provide onsite consultation and technical assistance to centers and homes regarding quality care for infants, toddlers, and twos. This includes environmental needs, guidance and discipline, responsive interaction, and general development information. I also promote the Iowa Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) training series.  
Clydene Canady
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
: 712-786-3492
: 712-786-3250
: ccanady@midsioux.org
 
As a CACFP coordinator, I help providers earn more money while not raising rates. CACFP reimburses providers for providing nutritious meals and snacks, enhances provider professional development through nutrition training opportunities, and encourages networking with other providers and nutrition sources.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Upper Des Moines Opportunity
 
Upper Des Moines Opportunity
Child Care Resource & Referral
101 Robins St.
P.O. Box 519
Graettinger, IA 51342
: 800-245-6151 or 712-859-3885
: 712-859-3892
Jeanine Hough
CCR&R Program Director
: 712-859-3885 Ext. 117
: 712-859-3892
: jhough@udmo.com
 
I am the program director for all CCR&R program: parent referrals, training, home consulting, nurse consulting, and the CACFP. I manage budgets, contracts, staff, and seek opportunities to enhance our services and programs.


Kayla Helget
Office Manager
: 712-859-3885 x128
: 712-859-3892
:khelget@udmo.com
 
Providers contact me for training information and registration in Clay, Dickinson, Osceola, O'Brien, Emmet, Palo Alto, Kossuth, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Hamilton, Calhoun, Webster, & Wright counties. I am also the contact for parents and providers regarding Preschool Scholarships offered by Lakes Area Decategorization Empowerment in Clay, Dickinson, Osceola, and O'Brien counties.
Kieja Evans
Child Care Specialist -Emmet County
CCR&R Child Care Specialist
: 712-859-3885 x129
: 712-859-3892
: kevans@udmo.com
 
Child Care Specialists of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. conduct monthly one-on-one visits with child care providers in their home, center, or preschool to support the quality of early learning environments. Child Care Specialists mentor, coach, and offer approved training opportunities. Books and incentive materials are given to providers and theme totes can be checked out.


Carrie Calhoon
Child Care Specialist - Clay County
: 712-262-9590 or 877-863-3352 toll free
: 712-262-9590
: ccalhoon@udmo.com
 
Child Care Specialists of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. conduct monthly one-on-one visits with child care providers in their home, center, or preschool to support the quality of early learning environments. Child Care Specialists mentor, coach, and offer approved training opportunities. Books and incentive materials are given to providers and theme totes can be checked out.
Shakira Meyer
Child Care Specialist - Dickinson County
: 712-336-4679
:
: smeyer@udmo.com
 
 
Child Care Specialists of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. conduct monthly one-on-one visits with child care providers in their home, center, or preschool to support the quality of early learning environments. Child Care Specialists mentor, coach, and offer approved training opportunities. Books and incentive materials are given to providers and theme totes can be checked out.


Linda Daggett
Child Care Specialist - Osceola & O'Brien Counties
: 712-957-3063
:
: ldaggett@udmo.com
 
Child Care Specialists of Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc. conduct monthly one-on-one visits with child care providers in their home, center, or preschool to support the quality of early learning environments. Child Care Specialists mentor, coach, and offer approved training opportunities. Books and incentive materials are given to providers and theme totes can be checked out.
Julie Kuhlmann
Amber Hansen
Child Care Specialists - Webster, Calhoun and Pocahontas Counties
: 515-576-7994 x 207  (Julie)
: 515-576-7994 x 208  (Amber)
: 515-955-3601
: jkuhlmann@udmo.com
: ahansen@udmo.com
 
We serve 3 counties: Webster, Calhoun and Pocahontas. We create parent referrals for parents looking for child care options in our 3 Counties. We communicate training details, market training, and recruit participants for CCR&R series trainings. We deliver monthly CCR&R New Provider Orientation training throughout the 3 counties. We assist individuals interested in becoming a registered child care provider and remain in contact with the home providers providing technical assistance through home visitation. We will also work with the community to meet the needs of child care.


Ann Jensen
Child Care Specialist - Hamilton, Humboldt and Wright Counties
: 515-832-1791 x203
:
  : ajensen@udmo.com
 
I serve 3 counties: Hamilton, Humboldt and Wright. I create parent referrals for parents looking for child care options in my 3 Counties. I communicate training details, market training, and recruit participants for CCR&R series trainings. I deliver monthly CCR&R New Provider Orientation training throughout the 3 counties. I assist individuals interested in becoming a registered child care provider and remain in contact with the home providers providing technical assistance through home visitation. I will also work with the community to meet the needs of child care.
Trish Dillard, RN
Local Child Care Nurse Consultant - Dickinson, Emmet, O'Brien, and Clay Counties
: 712-580-5595
:
: tdillard@udmo.com
 
I work directly with child care providers through phone, email, or on-site consultation to improve the quality in child care. I can help child care providers through the health and safety portion of the Quality Rating System.


Paula Shryock and Dawn Grimmius
Parent Services Coordinator
Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
: 712-859-3885 ext. 101
: 712-859-3892
: pshryock@udmo.com
: dgrimmius@udmo.com
 
We create parent referrals for parents looking for child care options and keep our child care provider database up to date according to the latest additions and changes for Clay, Dickinson, O'Brien, Osceola, Emmet, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Kossuth, Calhoon, Humboldt, Wright, and Hamilton. As a CACFP coordinator, we help providers earn more money while not raising rates. CACFP reimburses providers for providing nutritious meals and snacks, enhances provider professional development through nutrition training opportunities, and encourages networking with other providers and nutrition sources.