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outhwestern innesota
pportunity ouncil, Inc.
Serving Southwestern Minnesota for 50 years
2014 Annual Report
“This administration today, here
and now, declares unconditional
war on poverty in America.” President Lyndon B. Johnson
State of the Union Address, 1964
Front row: (from left) Brent Groen, Jeannie Swanson, Gina Graff, Cherie Bauer.
Back row: (from left) Paula Boehrs, Gayle Bierman, Linda Griffith, Doug Mead, Carrie Shaffer, Kathy Carlson.
A Message from our
Executive Director
On July 9, 2015, Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, Inc. (SMOC), a private nonprofit
Community Action Agency (CAA), will observe 50 years of existence and service to the residents of
Southwestern Minnesota. The following is a very brief history of how SMOC came to be.
The President's Council of Economic Advisers' Annual Report, published in January 1964, focused on
the "Problem of Poverty in America," pulling together compelling statistics and showing that in a
period of unprecedented prosperity, one-fifth of all families and nearly one-fifth of the total U.S.
population—33 to 35 million people—were poor, having incomes below the poverty line (then $3,000 for
a family of four)
A “War on Poverty” was declared by President Lyndon B. Johnson in his State of the Union Address on
January 8, 1964: "This administration today here and now declares unconditional war on poverty in
America. I urge this Congress and all Americans to join me in that effort...."Poverty is a national
problem, requiring improved national organization and support. But this attack, to be effective, must
also be organized at the State and local level.”
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, authorized the formation of local Community Action Agencies
as part of the War on Poverty. The act was amended in 1967, stipulating that local elected officials had
the authority to designate the official CAA for their areas. Only after such official recognition could
funding a CAA become a reality.
Following the passage of that amendment, county commissioners from Rock, Pipestone, Murray and
Nobles Counties began working with community organizers and other interested parties to develop and
incorporate a CAA to serve the residents of their respective counties. On July 9, 1965, Southwestern
Minnesota Opportunity Council, Inc. became that CAA. There are currently 27 CAA’s in Minnesota,
serving every county in the state, and over 1000 CAA’s nationwide.
Over these fifty years, SMOC and CAA’s in general, have developed many programs unique to the
needs in their service areas. Eligibility for service is typically based on household income. Some SMOC
programs have run their course and disappeared. Some were spun off and continue to operate under
the auspices of other agencies. Many continue to be delivered by SMOC. Early programming included:
Child Development Programs (Head Start), Neighborhood Youth Corps, Employment and Training
programs like Operation Mainstream, Green Thumb, On the Job Training, Farm Management, New
Careers and Retired Senior Volunteer Programs. Later additions included: Energy Assistance, Home
Weatherization, Child Care Resource & Referral, Public Transportation, Home Rehabilitation,
Emergency Crisis Assistance and Family Planning.
Over the past fifty years, hundreds of people have touched SMOC in positive ways by serving on our
volunteer board of directors, or working and volunteering for the agency. Thousands of residents of
Southwestern MN have been helped by SMOC in a time of need. To all the residents of Southwestern
MN, we extend our gratitude for your support over these fifty years.
Visit our website at www.smoc.us to learn more about SMOC and the program services it delivers.
Table of Contents Executive Director’s Message .............................................................................................................. 1
SMOC History ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Organizational Chart and Board of Directors ................................................................................... 4
Family Planning Program .................................................................................................................... 6
Prairieland Transit System and Nobles County Heartland Express ............................................... 7
Head Start Program ............................................................................................................................. 8
Family Connections Collaborative..................................................................................................... 10
Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and Weatherization Program (WX) ...................................... 11
Energy Assistance History .................................................................................................................. 12
Housing Programs ............................................................................................................................... 14
Emergency Housing Programs........................................................................................................... 16
Homemakers Program and Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) .......... 18
Region 8 Child Care Aware ................................................................................................................ 19
Expenditures Summary ...................................................................................................................... 20
SMOC History Highlights .................................................................................................................. 22
Cost of a new house ~ $13,600
Rent ~ $118 month
Cost of a new car ~ $2,650
First class stamp ~ 5¢
Loaf of bread ~ 21¢
Car gas ~ 31¢ per gal
Average income per year ~ $6,450
Mandated health warnings on cigarette packages begin
First person walks in space
USA yearly inflation rate ~ 1.59%
LBJ signs Social Security Act, creates Medicare &
expands his war on poverty
2
50 years ago . . .
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Incorporation: July 9, 1965 in Pipestone County, MN
Incorporators: Milo Fodness E. W. Eggers
Roy Satter Lee R. Anderson
H. R. Cleland John A. Schoen
Annie Ebbinga Kathleen Stower
Robert L. March LeRoy Atwood
Walter Silvernale Mildred Paulsen
Executive Directors: Gerald Melcher 1965 – 1968
Herbert Brown 1968 – 1970
Donald Johnson 1970 – 1970
Donald Shannon 1971 – 1985
Lavonne Remme 1985 – 1987
Martin Rickers 1987 – 1994
Neal W. Steffl 1994 – present
Corporate Offices: Pipestone 1965 – 1969 Voorhees Building - Pipestone County
Slayton 1969 – 1970 John Deere Building - Murray County
Worthington 1970 – 1970 Army Reserve Armory - Nobles County
Worthington 1971 – 1979 Fleet Office Building - Nobles County
Worthington 1979 – 1989 Kilbride Medical Building - Nobles County
Worthington 1989 – 1998 Ed Yepsen Building - Nobles County
Worthington 1998 – present Peoples Natural Gas Building - Nobles County
Years of Service: Doug Mead 34 years
Pamela Clauson 30 years
Rose Sorenson 26 years
Karen DeBoer 25 years
Shirley Anderson 24 years
Deanna Andersh 24 years
Gayle Bierman 24 years
Paula Boehrs 24 years
Valerie Veen 24 years
Darla Faber 22 years
Brent Groen 20 years
Cheryl Miller 20 years
Neal Steffl 20 years
Roberta Iwen 19 years
Joyce Gengler 18 years
Sandra Burke 17 years
Nelson Bonilla 15 years
Nedra Fueston 15 years
Dawn Noerenberg 14 years
Peggy Schuur 13 years
Kathy Carlson 10 years
Maria Paez-Sievert 10 years
Maria Kutzbach 10 years
Jodie VanderLinden 10 years Colleen Dolph 10 years
1960 census data for our four county area: 63,577
2010 census data for our four county area: 49,386
3
Public Sector Mr Robert Demuth Jr Mr William Johnson Mr Jody Reisch Mr Dave Thiner Mr Marvin Zylstra
Vice Chair Director Director Secretary Director Nobles County Pipestone County Rock County Murray County Nobles County
Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Serving since 2011 Serving since 2011 Serving since 2013 Serving since 2013 Serving since 2002
Private Sector Mr Dale Carlson Ms Norma Johanning Ms Ruth Stoakes Mr Marv Tinklenberg Mr Gene Winter
Director Director Treasurer Director Director
Nobles County Nobles County Rock County Pipestone County Murray County
Serving since 2009 Serving since 1995 Serving since 2011 Serving since 2013 Serving since 2001
Community Sector Mr Terrie Gulden Mr James Priester Ms Linda Sanchez Ms Brenda Schultz Ms Kathy Stoel
Chair Director Director Director Director
Rock County Pipestone County Nobles County Nobles County Murray County
Serving since 1999 Serving since 2003 Serving since 1991 Serving since 1991 Serving since 2013
222000111444 SSSMMMOOOCCC BBBoooaaarrrddd ooofff DDDiiirrreeeccctttooorrrsss
Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, Inc.
Organizational Chart by Department
4
Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity council, Inc. is a private non-profit agency designated as a 501 ( C ) 3 by the IRS.
Community Action Agencies are not part of the state, federal, or county government and SMOC’s employees are not state or
federal employees. The SMOC Board governs the Agency and applies to various federal and state organizations and
foundations to obtain funding and grants to meet the needs of the local communities. Through the efforts of area citizens,
SMOC was incorporated on July 9, 1965 in Pipestone, MN.
Administration Brent Groen, MIS Coordinator
Neal Steffl, Executive Director
Kathy Carlson, Finance Director
Community
Development Dept Front row (from left):
Cherie Bauer,
Doug Mead, Dept Head,
Paula Boehrs
Back row (from left):
Gayle Bierman,
Linda Griffith,
Jeannie Swanson,
Carrie Shaffer,
Gina Graff
Child Care Aware Sandra Wilson and
Karen DeBoer,
Child Care Aware Director
5
Original 9 Counties SMOC has served the 9 southwestern
counties in Minnesota for over 40 years.
2007 Expansion - 5 counties In 2007, the 5 counties in the Countryside
Public Health service area were added.
2010 Expansion - Redwood/Renville In June 2010, services began through a
mobile clinic site in Redwood Falls.
SMOC
The Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council began
its Family Planning Program in January of 1971. It started
by serving an initial 9 counties and has expanded over the
years to serve 15 counties. Today the Family Planning
program has grown in the numbers served and the services
provided.
Services provided include all types of birth control methods
available on the market, such as: intrauterine
contraceptive, implants, Depo-Provera injections, patch,
ring, oral contraceptive pills. They provide sexually
transmitted infection testing and treatment, annual exams
for women and men, Gardasil immunizations, and one on
one education. They also provide educational presentations
to schools, community groups, and organizations upon
request.
Serving approximately 500 unduplicated persons each year.
SMOC Family Planning is a Title X clinic, which means
they use a sliding fee scale based on the patient’s ability to
pay, as determined by income and family size according to
the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Family Planning is designated as an Essential Community
Provider since 2013, which notes providers with
commitment to low-income/underserved. This is important
in identifying family planning in terms of payments
received from insurance companies.
Our funding sources include the Federal Title X grant,
Minnesota Family Planning Special Projects Grant, and the
Minnesota Family Planning Program. We also receive
reimbursement from Medicaid, other State funded and
private insurances.
Family Planning
SW MN Service Area
The Staff
Donna
Erbes, RN,
Family
Planning
Director
Nichole
Dillon,
LPN
Elizabeth
Bunjer,
RN
Brenda
Conley,
Program
Assistant
6
Nobles County Public Transit Highlights:
Weekly, twenty routes are provided in Nobles County with two Nobles County Heartland
Express buses.
Nobles County Heartland Express bus service is available to each of the fourteen
communities in Nobles County five times each week through morning or afternoon routes.
Reduced fare taxi rides are provided in the City of Worthington through the Prairieland
Transit System Central Dispatch. These reduced fares are provided through a contract
with the Nobles County Joint Powers Transit Authority.
PPPrrraaaiii rrr iiieeelllaaannnddd TTTrrraaannnsssiii ttt SSSyyysssttteeemmm ~~~
NNNooobbbllleeesss CCCooouuunnntttyyy HHHeeeaaarrr ttt lllaaannnddd EEExxxppprrreeessssss Providing Public Transportation in Nobles County for 42 Years
Bus drivers Jim Kremer and Jim Syverson
In 1973, Nobles County purchased a
van to be used to provide
transportation for Senior Citizens in
the county. SMOC was chosen to
supervise the system.
July 1, 1989 marked the date when
Nobles County began to receive funds
from the Minnesota Department of
Transportation.
The very first handicapped accessible
Nobles County Heartland Express
vehicle was purchased March 6, 1990.
Since then, Nobles County has received
a total of six replacement vehicles to be
used in the public transit system.
In 2012, the Office of Transit at MNDOT wanted
to alter how local transportation services were
provided throughout Minnesota. An initiative
called “Transit for the Future” was funded. In
2013, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock
counties submitted a $280,000 proposal to begin
working collaboratively. Buffalo Ridge Regional
Transportation provided cross-county
transportation through this project. The grant
ended December 31, 2014.
Karen DeBoer, Transit Director,
and Maria Kutzbach
7
SSSMMMOOOCCC HHHeeeaaaddd SSStttaaarrrttt
History . . . January 8, 1964, President Lyndon Johnson declares a “War on Poverty”.
As a result of a report by Dr. Robert Cooke, in which he set up a committee to discuss how to give
disadvantaged children a “head start”. Head Start was launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson, on
May 18, 1965, and officially began in the summer of 1965. It served more than 560,000 children and
their families in an eight-week summer program.
Based on the success of the summer program, Congress decided to fund Head Start for a full school
year. The first school year programs began in the fall of 1965.
. . . and Today The SMOC Board of Directors is made up of community members, and the Head Start Policy Council,
which is made up of current parents of children enrolled in Head Start, are the governing bodies of Head
Start. As required by Head Start Performance Standard,
45 CFR 1304.50, they receive training annually on their
roles and responsibilities.
SMOC Head Start serves 195 children and their families
in Home-Based, Combination or Center option. These
children are funded by a combination of a Federal grant,
State grant and Early Learning Scholarships awarded to
Head Start. Head Start serves children who are three to
four years old by September 1st, and is tuition free to
families that are accepted. 90% of families must meet
income guidelines and the other 10%, must be made up
of children with special needs, regardless of income status.
This past year parents, teachers and staff planned 91 Family Fun Nights for 13 classrooms. The topics
discussed on these Family Fun Nights were: Pedestrian and Bus Safety, Nutrition, Mental Health
(emotions), Winter Survival, Fire Station, Math and Science, Make It, Take It Night and Gym Time.
Primary medical providers completed physical exams on 215 children for a total of 91%, and because
we include children who were dropped, we’ll never achieve 100%. All head Start children received a
developmental screening as well. 200 children received a dental exam or oral assessment from a dental
provider for a total of 94%, which also includes
children who were dropped.
Nutrition Information forms for all children
enrolled in the program are reviewed by a
registered dietician.
Head Start uses the High Scope Curriculum with
Child Observation Record (COR) to document a
child’s progress in the following eight areas:
Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional
Development, Physical Development and Health,
Language, Literacy, and Communication, Mathematics, Creative Arts, Science and Technology and Social
Studies. These are based on the dimensions of school readiness. The High Scope Curriculum meets
Minnesota state standards and is used by one-fifth of all Head Start programs. Parents receive COR reports
on their child’s progress throughout the school year.
8
Parents whose children are enrolled in Head Start
complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social
Emotional (ASQ:SE). This helps identify any
concerns they have about their children’s social
and/or emotional development. The ASQ:SE
provides developmental and social-emotional
screening for children, and helps deliver effective
child development services that strengthen families,
and improve school readiness.
Since Head Start has a large diverse population, we
employ
interpreters
as needed for home visits to ensure that families understand
the importance of working with their children.
Head Start employs qualified staff and all receive at
least 20 hours of professional development training
each year.
This past year Head Start had a total of 407 parent and
community volunteers. They worked 23,358 hours and
generated $282,234.97, in non-federal In-kind match,
exceeding the required amount, and documenting
community support for our program.
All services that Head Start provides are designed to prepare children for kindergarten so they can be
successful in school and in life.
SMOC Head Start strives to assist parents in developing their skills for their role as the first and
most important teacher in their child’s life.
Head Start Back row: (from left) Sara Schirmacher,
Cheryl Miller,
Jessie Gaytan,
Dawn Easterday
Front row: (from left) Ramon Ramos-Reyes,
Lori Gunnink,
Head Start Director, Julie Steenstra,
Joan Lupkes
9
1994 - 2014
Family Connections consists
of various committees and task
teams that are organized to
implement the established goals and
objectives. The core membership of
this collaborative includes
representatives from 13 different
organizations / programs:
~ Adrian Community Schools
~ Brewster/Round Lake Public School
~ District 518 Community Education
~ Ellsworth Public Schools
~ Fulda Public School
~ Nobles Community Corrections
~ Nobles County Board of Commissioners
~ Nobles County Family Services
~ Nobles Public Health Services
~ SMOC – Head Start
~ Southwestern Mental Health Center
~ SW MN Opportunity Council
~ Worthington District 518 School
The Nobles County Collaborative
encourages and supports improved
outcomes for children through
mental health services. It also
coordinates and assists with
identifying the social and emotional
needs of very young children, birth
to five years, and their families for
early intervention.
The historical development of Family Service
Collaborative dates back to 1991; Governor
Arne Carlson created the Action for
Children Commission. This state-wide task
force, which included representation from
nonprofit organizations, children’s advocacy
groups, the business community and
government, was asked to create a vision for
Minnesota children and families. As part of
its charge, the Commission agreed to
recommend needed changes in service
delivery systems.
In order to receive a family service
collaborative grant, a minimum of one
county, one community action agency, one
school district and one public health entity
must formally agree to establish a
collaborative and commit resources to an
integrated fund. These collaboratives are
expected to have broad community
representation, which may include other
municipalities, existing culturally specific
community organizations, local foundations,
businesses and community action agencies.
The Nobles County Family Connections
Collaborative was established in 1994, when
it received its initial planning grant. Family
Connections encourages all organizations
and individuals within Nobles County to
work together to improve services for
families.
Nelson Bonilla, Community
Connector
FFaammiillyy
CCoonnnneeccttiioonnss
CCoollllaabboorraattiivvee
10
The Energy Assistance Program is designed to assist income
eligible households with their home heating energy payments
by reducing consumption and costs without relieving the
household of the responsibility of making energy payments.
Staff are available to assist households with disconnects, help
with making payment arrangements and assist with cold
weather rule applications.
Households are also assisted with repairs or replacement of
unsafe heating systems if they qualify.
The goal of the Weatherization Program is to provide energy conservation measures to low-income
homeowners and renters. Reducing home heating expenditures through weatherizing, insuring safety of
mechanical heating systems and working with homeowners to modify their energy conservation habits leaves
households with more discretionary income and lessens their reliance on subsidy programs such as fuel
assistance. Due to increased regulations and certifications required of staff, a weatherization collaborative
was formed in SW Minnesota by Western Community Action (Marshall), Prairie Five (Montevideo), SW MN
Opportunity Council (Worthington) and Heartland Community Action (Willmar). This has helped to address
the regulations and specialization required to continue to provide weatherization services to the 18 counties
with limited funding streams.
Before
and
After
Community Development Department
Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
Weatherization Program (WX)
The Programs under Community Development include Energy Assistance, Weatherization, Senior Employment, Homemakers, Small Cities Development, MHFA Rehab Loan and the emergency housing programs which consist of Transitional Housing, Family Homeless Prevention and FEMA Emergency Food & Shelter.
Jeannie
Swanson
and
Linda
Griffith
Gayle
Bierman
and
Carrie
Shaffer
11
1980 - 2015 Energy Assistance Program History
12
13
SMOC
Housing Dept
Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity
Council works with Southwest Minnesota
Housing Partnership, who applies for the
Small Cities Development Program (SCDP)
fund from the State of Minnesota
Department of Employment and Economic
Development (DEED). These funds are
awarded through a competitive grant
application process.
SCDP projects must
meet certain criteria.
Projects must
either 1) Benefit
low and moderate
income persons
2) Prevent or
eliminate slum and
blight or 3) Alleviate urgent
community development needs. SCDP
projects administered by SMOC during
FY2014 include the City of
Rushmore/Adrian (two cities combined) and
the City of Worthington. The City of
Rushmore/Adrian grant ended on December
31, 2014. A total of 10 households – rental
and owner-occupied, were served benefiting
47 people. The City of Worthington was
funded in 2014 and will continue through
December 31, 2015. This grant was awarded
for rental and owner-occupied properties.
The MHFA Rehabilitation Loan Program
and Emergency Loan Program assist low to
moderate income homeowners in financing
home improvements that directly affect the
safety, habitability, energy efficiency, and
accessibility of their homes. Applicants for
this program must own and occupy the
home to be rehabilitated. Income limits are
based upon the size of the household.
MHFA funds are part of a regional pool.
The maximum loan amount is $27,000 per
household project. The Rehabilitation Loan
Program has a 15 year term with loan
repayment deferred until the borrower sells,
transfers title, no longer
lives in the property or
at the end of the 15
years.
A total of 29
households
were assisted
using MHFA and
SCDP funds in 2014, in
the amount of $494,055, and eight
rental units were assisted with SCDP funds
in the amount of $144,700.
The Housing Department administers programs to rehabilitate existing homes using funds from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). There are two programs under MHFA – Rehabilitation Loan Program and Emergency Loan Program. DEED funds are available
through the Small Cities Development Program (SCDP).
Gina Graff,
Housing & WX Auditor
Cherie Bauer,
Housing Coordinator
14
Before . . . and After
15
Family Homeless Prevention
Assistance Program (FHPAP) Services are targeted to families, single adults and youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and include: assistance in locating housing, direct assistance with rent, security deposits, and budget counseling. A case manager works with participants to establish goals and develop money management skills in addition to providing access to mainstream and other community resources.
Emergency Housing Programs
funds from Minnesota Housing, Minnesota OEO, Salvation Army and United Way of Nobles County are used to provide homeless prevention, transitional housing and emergency housing as well as counseling, budgeting, advocacy and referral services to individuals and families that are economically challenged to help stabilize their housing. In 2014, emergency housing services were provided to 53 households impacting 154 beneficiaries to either prevent them from becoming homeless or assist them in securing housing.
Salvation Army Service
Extension Emergency
Assistance Funds are used to provide immediate temporary emergency assistance to families and individuals who cannot receive assistance from any other sources. Assistance is varied according to the needs of the family or individual and may include: emergency rent, emergency transportation, winter clothing, furniture and food.
Transitional Housing (THP) The Transitional Housing Program provides scattered site housing and supportive services to homeless families and single adults to facilitate long term independent housing. Participants receive assistance to find suitable housing, direct assistance with rent and security deposits, as well as intensive case management including establishing goals and objectives and development of money management skills in addition to providing access to mainstream and other community resources necessary to stabilize their situation.
FEMA Emergency Food &
Shelter Program (EFSP) EFSP is governed by a National Board that selects jurisdictions for funding. Local Boards are convened in qualifying jurisdictions to determine the highest need and best use of funds and to select recipient organizations that are able to provide emergency food and shelter services. Each year, needs are assessed in an effort to respond to changes in the community. EFSP funds must be used to supplement local feeding, shelter and utility assistance efforts. In 2014, the local EFSP Local Board chose to allocate $14,426 to support the Fulda Food Shelf, Luverne Food Shelf, Pipestone Food Shelf, Slayton Food Shelf, Worthington Christian Church Food Shelf, Manna Food Pantry and the Nobles County Senior Nutrition Program.
United Way Funds Funds are used to supplement emergency housing assistance provided to families, single adults and youth who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and include assistance in finding housing, direct assistance with rent, security deposits, and budget counseling.
16
Nakayla explained that
their lives had changed
dramatically since moving
to Minnesota.
Nakayla came into our office at Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, Inc. (SMOC) last month seeking assistance to pay past due rent. She, and her husband Lindsey, had received an eviction notice to vacate their apartment within five days. She was desperate, and frightened that she and her family would lose their housing again.
Prior to moving to Worthington last summer, Nakayla, her husband and their two daughters had lived in a homeless shelter in Chicago for more than a year. Nakayla explained that their lives had changed dramatically since moving to Minnesota. In Chicago, they were homeless and lived in a dangerous neighborhood where drive by shootings, drug dealers and gangs were part of their daily lives. A life they did not want to repeat.
In Worthington, Lindsey has a good paying job at a manufactured home company. Nakayla works part-time at a nursing home, which enables her to be home to care for her daughters after they return home from school. They were able to pay all their expenses and were proud to say that they had been able to purchase a used vehicle. Unfortunately, Lindsey injured his hand and had not been able to work for the past month. He applied for short term disability and was denied. They applied for cash assistance, but were found ineligible because of past income. In the meantime, the only income was from Nakayla’s part-time job which was not enough to pay all of their expenses. They fell behind in their rent and knew that they would not be able to pay their rent again this month.
In the course of the interview and application process, our case manager reviewed income and expenses with Nakayla and found that they had a good understanding of where their money was being spent, but did not have a written budget. She found that they were not aware of the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) and she assisted them in completing an application which was submitted to EAP staff. Upon approval, they received assistance to help pay for their heat. She also discovered that as a cost saving measure, they had cut back on food purchases and had very little food on hand. She connected them with the local food shelf where they were able to get an emergency supply of food. She spoke to their financial worker at the county and determined that they had not applied for emergency assistance. The county financial worker agreed to meet with Nakayla that same day. With Nakayla’s permission, our case manager faxed a copy of their eviction notice and other verifications to the financial worker. Nakayla’s application for emergency assistance was subsequently approved. Our case worker negotiated with the manager of the apartment complex to delay eviction process. After much discussion, it was determined that both emergency assistance and FHPAP were needed to resolve the situation and prevent eviction of the family.
Eventually, Lindsey was given a release by his physician and returned to a normal work schedule. Nakayla and Lindsey worked with the case manager to develop a written budget. They are grateful for all the assistance they received to save their housing, assist with their heat bills and feed their family.
On a personal note . . .
17
The Senior Community Service Employment
Program (SCSEP) seeks to provide work
experience through a job training program for
seniors wanting to enter the workforce. Eligible
applicants, 55 years of age or older, who have
little or no current work experience, are assigned
to non-profit worksites suited to their
qualifications and needs.
Participants typically work 20 hours per week
and are currently paid a minimum hourly wage
of $8.00, with an increase to $9.00 effective
August 2015.
SMOC administers the SCSEP in six
southwestern Minnesota counties: Cottonwood,
Jackson, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone and Rock.
There is currently 27 slots funded through the
program.
Recertification Meeting
Senior Community Service
Employment Program (SCSEP)
Nobles County Clients 16
Revenue $44,941.00
Homemakers 10
Cottonwood County Clients 52
Revenue $83,157.09
Homemakers 22
Homemakers
Program For 2014
The Homemaker Program is to help residents stay
independent, comfortable, safe and to be able to
remain in their home by providing dependable
assistance with light housekeeping and related tasks. A
few of the services we provide are dusting, vacuuming,
sweeping, laundry, food preparation and errands.
Services can be weekly or monthly based on the client’s
needs. We serve the residents of Cottonwood and
Nobles Counties.
Referrals for clients requesting homemaker services
come from Cottonwood Social Services and Nobles
Social Services. SMOC employs caring people who
work very hard to provide the best possible services
and support for our clients. Southwestern Minnesota
Opportunity Council is licensed and registered with the
State of Minnesota and Minnesota Department of
Health to provide homemaker services.
Paula
Boehrs,
Community
Services
Coordinator
Doug Mead,
Community
Development
Department
Head
18
19
On December 15, 1989, SMOC received the
award letter from the Department of
Human Services to implement Child Care
Resource and Referral services in Murray,
Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock. On June 6,
1990, a staff person, Karen DeBoer, was
hired and the service began. On June 15,
2001, SMOC won the contract from the
Department of Human Services to provide
CCRR services throughout all of Region 8;
adding the counties of Cottonwood, Jackson,
Lincoln, Lyon, and Redwood. On July 1,
2004, the Department of Human Services
implemented a new CCRR service delivery
system. SMOC SWCCRR became one of
fourteen “baseline” CCRR programs in
Minnesota – focusing services on our local
communities. January 1, 2013 CCRR in
Minnesota became the 5th state in the nation
to change its name to Child Care Aware.
Region 8 Child Care Aware continues to serve the nine
counties of Region 8:
Cottonwood, Jackson,
Lincoln, Lyon, Murray,
Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood
and Rock. We provide
consultation, coaching, and
technical assistance to child
care providers and child care
programs as well as parents,
businesses, and community
organizations.
In September 2013, Region 8 Child
Care Aware was chosen to administer
the Early Learning Scholarship
program funded by the Minnesota
Department of Education. Over $1
Million in scholarship funds has been
awarded to families, school districts,
and early childhood programs in our
area.
January 1, 2015, all counties in Minnesota
became eligible to participate in Parent
Aware, Minnesota’s Quality Rating System.
This is not a new concept; every state in the
nation (with the exception of MO) has some
form of a quality rating and improvement
system for early childhood. Minnesota’s
system began in 2009 and finally reached the
child care programs in our area in 2015.
Programs that choose to participate have an
opportunity to earn a star-rating and eligible
families enrolled in the program can access an
Early Learning Scholarship.
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1990 ~ 2015
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SSSMMMOOOCCC EEEXXXPPPEEENNNDDDIIITTTUUURRREEESSS ––– FFFIIISSSCCCAAALLL YYYEEEAAARRR 222000111444
Federal/State Programs: Funds: %: Includes:
Child Care $1,015,826 16.3 Childcare Aware, Family U, SW Initiative Grant, Early
Learning Scholarships
Community Services $411,070 6.5 CSBG/MEOG/ Family Connect/Homemakers/United Way
Energy Programs $1,496,626 24.0 Energy Assistance Program
Head Start $1,616,215 25.9 CACFP (Food Programs)
Health Program $463,590 7.4 Family Planning
Homeless & Shelter $74,753 1.2 Emergency Services: EFSP/THP/FHPAP
Housing Programs $183,797 2.9 MHFA/Small Cities
Job Training $264,069 4.2 SCSEP
Transit $515,362 8.3 Transit
WX Projects $203,430 3.3 DOE/EAP WX/MN WX/Propane/Project Care
Total Expenses: $6,244,738 100
Southwestern Minnesota
Opportunity Council, Inc.
2014
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21
1965 Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, Inc.
(SMOC) comprised of the four southwestern counties of
Nobles, Rock, Pipestone, and Murray is incorporated.
Original office is located in Pipestone MN.
1966 Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) grants SMOC
$36,148 to administer Head Start Program.
1968 Farm Management Program started training farm
families to meet their needs.
- Operation Up-Grade - Senior Citizens Grant provides full-
time assistance to help Senior Centers become operational
with recreational and social facilities.
- Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) Program is started. It
employs 90 boys and girls, placed in local communities to
provide services to help create better living standards for the
poor. The purpose is to encourage these kids to finish school.
1969 SMOC moves main office to Slayton.
- SMOC’s Head Start now has one center that runs full year
and is located in Worthington.
- Senior Citizens Grant of $74,842 provides expansion into
Outreach and Housing Programs.
1970 SMOC moves to Worthington Armory Building.
- New Careers becomes a SMOC program. This is an
employment training program and provides training to place
individuals in civil service positions.
- Good Neighbor Program started. This will provide
homemaking skills to the poor.
1971 SMOC moves into the Fleet Office Building on Oxford
St in Worthington.
- SMOC Family Planning Program begins with $25,000 grant
from the State Dept. of Health.
1972 RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) begins.
Grant of $38,344 reimburses senior volunteers for their
expenses.
- SMOC Head Start now operates four centers. Three run
August to March and the fourth January to August.
- Nobles County Housing Authority has been approved.
- NYC increases to 173 employment slots and involves 30
villages and cities in the four counties.
- New Careers increases to 178 enrollees and expands into the
Cities area.
1973 Self Help Housing Project begins. “Build a home for
$15,000” is the grant requirement.
- Community Organization has helped 22 Senior Centers get
started and is helping set up youth centers in rural towns.
- SMOC is granted additional counties of Jackson and
Cottonwood for Family Planning.
- SMOC begins administration of Nobles County Senior
Citizen Transportation Program.
1974 New Careers Program is phased out.
- NYC will now be CETA and be administered by the State
Employment Agency.
- OEO is phased out.
- SMOC Head Start Centers operate in Wilmont, Adrian,
Luverne and Hills.
1975 Nobles County purchases a 14 passenger bus for
transportation services in Nobles County.
- SMOC Energy Assistance Grant of $1,856 received.
- Community Organization begins Recreation Programs,
Weatherization and Nutrition.
1976 Worthington Transportation Grant of $5,000 (City of
Worthington) will allow 50¢ credit toward fare for senior
citizens.
- Emergency Food & Energy Program Grant for $16,750
received.
- Head Start runs full year and is now switched to home based.
- MN Housing Finance Agency Grant of $108,875 for housing
loans is introduced in Murray, Nobles and Rock Counties.
- Family Planning is subcontracted from HEW to Planned
Parenthood. SMOC will pick up the counties of Redwood,
Lincoln and Lyon.
- OEO now will be called Community Services Administration
(CSA).
- Summer CETA and Governor’s Youth Employment make
195 jobs available for youth in the four counties.
1977 SMOC Head Start increased to 76 children with total
funding $104,206.
- Home Improvement Program now covers nine counties.
1978 SMOC Senior Community Services Employment
Program, (SCSEP) offering employment for seniors over 50
years of age, begins with grant of $32,000. There are eight
eligible slots for this program.
1979 SMOC office moves to the Kilbride Medical Building
on 11th St in Worthington.
- Voluntary Action Center Program funded by CETA begins.
- Summer Youth Employment employs 120 youths at 59
worksites.
- SMOC Senior Employment Program is expanded to 10
clients and $40,300.
- Youth Community Conservation Improvement Project
(YCCIP) grant of $51,000 employs high school drop-outs and
youngsters with special needs.
- SMOC Family Planning now covers nine counties
- The 1979 EAP Grant of $250,000 served 1,200 families.
- Murray and Pipestone Counties are awarded grants to
organize volunteer transportation. SMOC will administer the
program.
1981 Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) grant of
$71,000 provides consumer education and crisis assistance. - SCSEP Grant of $92,800 has 23 enrollees in the six county
area.
- Murray/Pipestone County Volunteer/Transportation Program
of $22,217 expands into Nobles and Rock Counties to provide
meal site transportation.
SMOC History Highlights
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now resides at the former Peoples Natural Gas Building.
1999 In April, SMOC’s new Head Start Center opens in
Worthington on 11th St.
- The Nobles County Joint Powers Transit Authority, a
partnership between the City of Worthington, Nobles County
and SMOC was created in June.
2000 SMOC offers Family Assets for Independence in MN
(FAIM) to assist households in building assets to purchase a
home or start a small business.
2001 SMOC becomes the CCRR grantee for the nine county
area of Region 8 as of July.
2002 An expansion grant was received from MNDOT and
on Jan 2nd, Prairieland Transit began providing public
transportation through a centralized dispatch system.
2004 Transition year for EAP as it prepared for a new
internet based processing and reporting system called eHEAT,
with the Dept of Commerce.
- SMOC’s Family Planning moves into their new location on
4th Ave in Worthington.
2005 SMOC observes 40th Anniversary.
- A Family Planning clinic setting was opened in Marshall.
2007 SMOC transitioned from a mainframe IBM AS400 to a
PC based server system.
2008 Economic downturn is in full swing. Our Emergency
Shelter Grant, Rural Housing Assistance and Transitional
Housing Programs are providing crisis relief to keep people in
their homes.
2009 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) is signed into law. SMOC receives close to $2
million in ARRA funding, mostly in Weatherization but also
in Head Start, SCSEP, CCRR and the Food Shelf Programs
2010 SMOC’s Small Cities Development Program has three
grants serving Worthington, Wilmont, Round Lake, Slayton,
Hadley, Luverne, Hills and Jasper. This activity rehabbed 49
homes and generated $1.2 million spent at local area
businesses, helping the local economy.
2011 SMOC’s Family Planning continues to provide services,
education and counseling at its five clinic sites in Worthington,
Marshall, Ortonville, Montevideo and Redwood Falls.
2012 SMOC is faced with budget reductions and the MN
state shut down.
2013 SMOC receives funds for the Buffalo Ridge Transit, a
collaboration of four transit systems in southwestern MN.
- SMOC also receives funding and administers the MN Early
Learning Scholarships for children in Region 8.
2015 SMOC celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
- Volunteer Services and Dial Line Grant of $18,424 provides
information on Community Services.
1985 USDA Commodities Grant of $3,887 provides for
distribution of surplus cheese, milk products and other
government subsidized products.
1986 Garden Seed and Carrier Alert Programs are funded by
CSBG dollars.
- Self Sufficiency Grant of $32,637 begins pilot program to
teach budgeting and employment skills.
- Emergency Food & Shelter Grant of $4,601 is received.
1987 Insurance Forms Assistance Program is started with SW
Initiative Fund Grant of $7,000.
- Federal Dollars for Emergency Assistance (FEMA) totals
$19,000.
1988 Senior Companion Program is funded through CSBG
dollars.
- Emergency Community Service Homeless Grant (ECSHG)
of $4,515 is received.
1989 SMOC moves main office to the Ed Yepsen Building on
10th St in Worthington.
1990 Nobles County Heartland Express is supported by a
Nobles County and MNDOT combined grant. A 16 passenger
bus is purchased for the second vehicle.
- Emergency Homeless Program (EHP) Grant of $7,645 is
received.
1991 SMOC’s Child Care Resource and Referral Program
(CCRR) begins with grant of $45,000.
1992 SMOC, Western Community Action, Prairie Five CAA
and SW Regional Development Commission form SW MN
Housing Partnership.
1993 Chandler and Lake Wilson Urgent Threat Grants
address tornado damage in those communities.
1994 The SW Region Family Loan Program serving 18
counties completed 32 loans for $48,000, mostly for car
repairs or purchases.
1995 SMOC observes 30th Anniversary.
1996 SMOC delivers more than 15 different programs to
our communities with an office in each of our four counties.
- In partnership with utility companies such as Minnegasco,
Peoples Natural Gas and Interstate Power Company, 179
homes were weatherized in our four county area.
1997 The Home Stretch Program issued 110 certificates to
families to help with purchasing homes in the six county area.
1998 An 18 month long facilities campaign resulted in the
purchasing and occupying of a new, larger office facility in
Worthington. SMOC had tremendous support in this
campaign from area organizations, private and public. SMOC
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The mission of SMOC is to end poverty in our
communities by strengthening our people
through opportunities and service.
We are committed to helping our families who
are trapped in poverty and to prevent the
conditions of poverty for future generations.
outhwestern innesota pportunity ouncil, Inc.
1106 3rd Ave ~ PO Box 787
Worthington MN 56187
P 507-376-4195 ~ F 507-376-3636
www.smoc.us