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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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) 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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
