quarterly newsletter of little dixie community … · quarterly newsletter of little dixie...

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF LITTLE DIXIE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC.

J U L Y - S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 V O L U M E 1 4 , I S S U E 3

AgencyReceivesState FarmNeighborhoodAssist® Grantto Help TurnCaring IntoDoing

Assist grants,” said Allison Bertsche,Public Affairs Director at State Farm. At least one submission wasreceived from each of the 50 states.The State Farm Review Committeeselected the top 200 finalists from2,000 submissions. In the seven yearsof the program, more than 250 causeshave received a total of $7 million toenact change in their communities. For a complete list of this year’stop 40 causes, please visit:www.neighborhoodassist.com.

02 Region 2 Self-Help Housing News

04 Around the Agency

10 Early Childhood Programs

Broken Bow, OK (September 25,2018) – In just 10 days in August,167,000 people cast 4.5 million votesin support of their favorite causes. Asa result, 40 communities, in 19 states,including Little Dixie CommunityAction Agency’s SoutheasternOklahoma Improving Childhood

Education Initiative, will begetting assistance from State Farm. State Farm is proud to announce theTop 40 vote-getting causes will eachreceive a $25,000 grant to improvetheir communities. State Farm Neighborhood Assistis a crowd-sourced philanthropicprogram that empowers communitiesto identify issues in theirneighborhoods. Non-profits affiliatedwith each of the top 40 causes receivegrants to address them. This initiative will strengthen andimprove the educational environmentat LDCAA’s Broken Bow EarlyLearning Center by incorporatinginnovative approaches to learning.The agency will utilize these funds topurchase developmentally-appropriate technology solutions toimprove education achievementlevels of children enrolled. Overall,this initiative will assist children instrengthening their foundation forschool readiness and success. “State Farm is here to help life goright in neighborhoods all across thecountry. We look forward to seeingthe changes in these 40 communitiesbecause of these Neighborhood

08 Court Appointed Special Advocates

15 Housing Programs

17 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

18 Victim Services Programs

20 Self-Help Housing

22 Youth First

L I T T L E D I X I E D I G E S T P A G E 2

Universal Housing Development Corporation of Russellville, Arkansas, began theirself-help housing program in 1976. Over the past 42 years they have assisted 1,301families to achieve the American dream of homeownership.

Pictured above, representatives from Universal Housing DevelopmentCorporation, Rural Development and Little Dixie CAA watch Kimberly Miller,Executive Director of Universal Housing, sign the new grant agreement.

Universal Housing Signs New Grant Agreement

The self-help program assists families to qualify for long-term, low-interest loans through U.S. Department ofAgriculture - Rural Development or other lenders. Then Universal Housing teaches them the skills necessary to constructand maintain their homes. The grantee provides a Construction Supervisor to oversee the work performed during the

Courtesy of NCALL Research, Inc. Self-Helper Fall 2018, Vol. 138 The certified packaging process now has a dedicatedwebsite for packagers and intermediaries. The siteincludes upcoming certified packaging training sessions,trainings on program/packaging topics, resources (suchas a link to the intermediary coverage map), and the LoanPackaging Express newsletter. Visithttps://www.rd.usda.gov/direct-loan-application-packagers to view the new site!

Region 2 Self-Help Housing News

construction of the homes. By participating in the constructionof the homes, families are able tomove into the new home with anaverage equity of $29,800. Theamount of equity realized will varyfrom home to home depending on thehouse plan selected, the tasksperformed by the families, the regionof the county the grantee is operatingin and many other factors.

Section 502 Direct Packaging Website

Courtesy of NCALL Research, Inc. Self-Helper Fall 2018, Vol. 138 Reminder: USDA Rural Development has partiallyrevised Handbook-1-3550. This year, USDA’s Single Family Housing (SFH) DirectDivision published an update to Handbook-1- 3550, in twoProcedural Notices (PN). The handbook changes aim tosimplify and make more efficient the process of SingleFamily Direct Loans and Grants, as well as to clarify programrequirements. Partial revisions were made to some areas, includinghomeownership education training, packager’scertification, packaging fees, appraisals, RD’s letters, coverletter, credit score range, income verifications, houseinspections, insurance (builder’s risk, hazard, flood) andtimelines. Attachment 3- A was entirely revised;Attachments 3-G, 3-H and 3-J were partially revised and/orreorganized.

USDA Changes to RD Handbook-1-3550 You can access Procedure Notice (PN) 508, released onFebruary 2, 2018, at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/pn508.pdf , and Procedure Notice (PN) 513, releasedon June 4, 2018, at https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/pn513.pdf. These PNs show the changes. Downloadthe updated HB -1-3550 here https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/hb-1- 3550.pdf. One of the moreimportant chapters that grantees deal with is Chapter 3,which can be accessed here, https://www.rd.usda.gov/files/3550- 1chapter03.pdf.

See what everyone is

saying about

#SELFHELPHOUSING


The Spotlight website, www.selfhelphousingspotlight.org, is a national website that was created andis maintained by the T&MA Contractors for Self-Help Housing grantees. The Spotlight works to link all Self-Help granteesnationwide, highlight successes, and assist in connecting interested parties to programs in their area. The Spotlightwebsite has recently undergone some important updates, as follows:

Updates to the Spotlight Website

• The Spotlight now has a SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate to encrypt transmitted data and make it secure, identified by “https:” at the beginning of the website address. • By having a SSL certificate, the Spotlight should start to rank higher in search results, which will translate into increased numbers of visitors to the website. Currently, the website has at least 1,500 visitors per month—with 75% of traffic to the website attributed to Google searches—and is a great tool to help promote your program. • The Spotlight now has an added Google Translate feature (located in the bottom right-hand corner of each page) and translates text between English and Spanish. • Additional links have been added to the “In the News” page located under the “Media” tab, which include online stories about self-help housing that have been published across the nation. Please let us know if your organization is published in a news story online so it can be linked to the Spotlight.

Four families in Volga, SD, are hoping to have the bestChristmas ever. It will be their first Christmas in their brandnew homes. These homes are split-level, when you enterthe home you can go up the stairs to the main level or downthe stairs to the lower level. The basements are notcompletely below ground level so that legal requirementsfor ingress/egress can be met and they are unfinished. However, plumbing is stubbed in so that a bathroom andbedrooms can be installed easily should the family grow andrequire additional rooms.

Region 2 Self-Help Housing News

Inter-Lakes CAP Nearing Completion of Second Group of Homes Supervision of the work being done on the homes isbeing provided by Inter-Lakes Community ActionPartnership, headquartered in Madison, SD. These homeswill complete the seventh new construction grantoperated by ICAP and they are already starting on the nextgrant. ICAP also operates a Repair and Rehab program,also funded through USDA Rural Development, to helpkeep the existing housing stock safe, comfortable andenergy-efficient.

These homes are being builtthrough the mutual self-helphousing program administeredby USDA Rural Development. Homeowners are required toprovide 65% of the labor neededto build the homes and they arerequired to work together oneach other’s homes.

Also, remember to send success stories to feature on the Spotlight website. The success story should be two or threeparagraphs in length and can include a photo, if available. Success stories and any updates to your organization’s pageshould be submitted to [email protected].


Over the last year, agency staff have worked on a complete re-design of the website to coincide with a very importantmilestone—LDCAA's 50th Anniversary. Generous funding support provided by NeighborWorks® America, the SarkeysFoundation, and USDA Rural Development has helped to make this hard work and vision a reality. The result is a moreaccessible, appealing, and user-friendly website for customers, partners, board members and employees. The new websiteprovides a secure online portal to accept donations, as well as allow employees to conduct business more efficiently. Asignificant impact will be the benefits the new website can convey to our customers, who will be able to submit applications

New Website Design Unveiled

and discover availableresources—all at theclick of a button. Inaddition, the new sitehas a Staff Portal whichserves as the accesspoint for all agencyforms, policies,announcements, andother guidance. If youhave not already doneso, please visit the newwebsite located at thefollowing address: https://littledixie.org/.

LDCAA staff attended the Oklahoma Association ofCommunity Action Agencies (OKACAA) Annual Conference inSeptember. This conference serves as an opportunity forCommunity Action Agencies across the state to cometogether in collaboration and discuss various topics that arerelevant in the Community Action world. Staff wereeducated in a variety of topical areas, including: UniformGuidance, Weatherization, Rx for Oklahoma, CurriculumFidelity, Training for Boards, Mental Awareness andPreparation for Critical Incidents, Cyber Security, FraudWatch, HOME Program Match and many others.

Staff Attend Trainings, Receive Awards During Annual Conference In addition, LDCAA employees were honored for theirservice during the OKACAA Awards Banquet on the last dayof the conference. Staff recognized for their years of serviceto Community Action included the following: 10 YEARS

Tori Crawford Tonya Finley Edward Jackson Amanda McGuire

Randall Pruitt Ashley Read Sandra Maynard Tonja Tomlinson

15 YEARS

Jerri Mitchell Kristy Priddy

20 YEARS Karla Luginbill Johnny Pennell

Amanda Perry Ronald Reese

25 YEARS Radonda Moffatt Teresa Young

30 YEARS

Anita Bruce

HousingProgramsSecretaryAmandaPerry (left)stands withExecutiveDirectorRebeccaReynoldsafterreceivingher 20-YearServiceAward.


Retired andSenior VolunteerProgram DirectorKarla Luginbill(left) stands withExecutiveDirector RebeccaReynolds afterreceiving her 20-Year ServiceAward during theOKACAA AwardsBanquet.

Pictured with BoardChairman BrentFranks (left) andExecutive DirectorRebecca Reynolds(right), RaymondGary State ParkManager JohnnyPennell isrecognized for 20years of service tothe agency duringthe August Board ofDirectors Meeting.

Self-HelpHousingGroupWorkerLindaMartinreachedher five-yearmilestonein July2018.

Self-HelpHousingConstructionSupervisor KeithEggenberg washonored for fiveyears of serviceto the agency inAugust 2018.

Head Start TeacherRadonda Moffatt wasrecognized for 25 yearsof service to the agencyduring the August Boardof Directors Meeting.

New memberCathrine Olivawas elected tothe LDCAA Boardof Directors bythe Head Start/Early HeadStart/EHS-ChildCare PolicyCouncil. As thePolicy CouncilLiaison, sherepresents theLow-IncomeSector.

New memberRandySpringfield wasappointed tothe LDCAABoard ofDirectors by theChoctawCountyCommissioners.As such, herepresents thePublic Sector.

New Members Welcomed to LDCAA Board of Directors


Around the Agency

New Faces at the LDCAA Administration Office

The AccountingDepartmentwelcomed itsnewestBookkeeper,Amy Wilson, inJuly 2018. Sheis proving to bean "asset" tothe agency andwe are happyto have her.

Welcome to the team!

The LDCAA Employeeof the Month for July2018 was NikkiMcAdams. Nikki is theEducation AssistantSpecialist for the HeadStart, Early Head Start,and EHS-Child CarePrograms.

Employee of the Month Awardees

July AugustSeptember

The LDCAA Employee of the Month forAugust 2018 was Pam Price. Pam (above,center) is the Grant Specialist for theTechnical and Management AssistanceProgram and is pictured with BoardChairman Brent Franks (left) andExecutive Director Rebecca Reynolds.

The LDCAA Employee ofthe Month for September2018 was Sandy Carper. Sandy is a Teacher withthe Head Start Program.She teaches at the ForestGrove Head Start Center.

Congratulations to our monthly winners, who are chosen by their peers!

In August, Dawn McDaniel (center) wasnamed LDCAA's Human Resources Director. She will be assisted in all HR-related mattersby Human Resources/Benefits/InsuranceSpecialist Maria Herron (right) and HRAssistant Darlene Wood (left), who joined thedepartment in September. The HR team willwork to ensure staff are supported in andaware of all issues related to theircompensation and benefits, as well as assistwith recruiting and hiring, employeeonboarding, and training requirements.

Myrl Redmanbecame theagency's newestAssociateDirector inAugust 2018. Hewill be providingoversight for ourearly childhoodprograms, RuralIMPACT,Housing andmore.

WF Grammar, LDCAA'sRisk Manager, willconcentrate his effortstowards developingan effective programof risk managementand mitigation. Thisprogramming willwork to protect theagency, while limitinginjury as well aspotential and actualrisk.


Around the AgencyStory courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce New Pioneer, 2018 Issue 9, Pages 4-5 https://issuu.com/newpioneerok/docs/pioneer_issue-9-2018/4 Published September 3, 2018

Little Dixie Community Action Agency (LDCAA) is one of 19community action agencies serving all 77 Oklahoma counties inOklahoma. LDCAA has been assisting low income people since 1968.Anti-poverty programs implemented by Little Dixie have substantiallydecreased poverty in southeast Oklahoma. LCDAA serves threeprimary counties Choctaw, McCurtain and Pushmataha and providesassistance from programs to eight additional counties. Commerce spoke with Becky Reynolds, Executive Director of LCDAA,to get a closer look at the functions and effectiveness of the actionagency. Tell us about LDCAA. We are passionate about the work of community action and webelieve in the shared mission of “Helping People. Changing Lives.”Our work does make a difference – not just in Little Dixie, but throughthe more than 1,000 CAAs across the U.S. We all make a difference inthe lives of the people we interact with on a daily basis. Which programs are the most utilized in your area? Do theseprograms have the funding and volunteer base needed to serveall those in need? Head Start, housing and transit are the most popular. The transitprogram has suffered significant cuts over the last two or three yearsresulting in the loss of several routes once operated. Tell us about National NeighborWorks Week, an event LDCAArecently participated in. LDCAA participates in National NeighborWorks week every year. Thisyear, we chose to revitalize and renovate the Broken Bow EarlyLearning Center in Broken Bow, Okla. Twenty-seven volunteers representing various agency programstraveled to Broken Bow and spent the day laying mulch, plantingflowers and shrubbery, pulling weeds, raking leaves, cleaningplayground equipment, laying gravel, hanging cabinets andorganizing classrooms. Additionally, LDCAA was fortunate to have theexpertise of various community partners including Heady Truckingand Kiamichi Landscaping and Irrigation. Despite the Oklahoma heat,the volunteers banded together in order to improve conditions at the Broken Bow ELC for the staff, childrenand families that are positively impacted by the center. Tell us about of the housing programs LDCAA offers? We offer a variety of housing programs, including Self-Help Housing,Single Family New Construction, Weatherization,Purchase/Rehab/Resale, Speculative Housing, Housing Counseling,Homebuyer Education, Credit Counseling, Residential & CommercialLending, Loan Packaging and others. The Mutual Self Help Housing program has been in operation since1974 and LDCAA has built nearly 2,000 homes through this program.Through this program, families are able to achieve the dream ofhomeownership through volunteering their time and skills towardactual construction phases of the home, referred to as sweat equity.

This contribution, along with low fixed interest rates, makehomeownership a possibility for families with low incomes. What prenatal services do you offer? Healthy Start provides moms-to-be with education and resources,serving pregnant women as well as children under age two years.Families are assisted with medical care, resources and educationneeded to promote the wellness of the mother and baby before,during and after pregnancy. Care coordinators work individually withfamilies and experts are brought in and utilized to provide classesover topics to include SIDS, nutrition and more. What programs in your community are people least aware of thatthey might find helpful? Rx for Oklahoma and the loan programs are probably two thatimmediately come to mind. What do people look to CAA for that are actually run by otherentities? People often contact CAAs for SNAP (supplemental nutritionassistance program); health care (as in funding to pay for doctorvisits); Section 8 rental vouchers and “out of area” transportation. What advice would you have to CAA’s in other areas to make themost of their programs? Marketing is key to reaching people who represent the populationsmost likely to need your services. Most individuals and families havesmart phones so it’s important for CAAs to utilize social media and toupdate your posts often; reach out to people in a timely manner; tryto place employees in satellite offices via partnerships with schools,libraries, etc. so as to be able to make access to your programs andservices easy for your customers. Not everyone is on board with socialmedia so it’s important to utilize radio and newspapers. Make sureyour staff are courteous and helpful and represent individuals with a passion for helping others because those individuals represent thetypical CAA customer. What are some of the services LDCAA implements? • Prenatal, Children & Youth - Prenatal, Children and Youth: Little Dixie Community Action Agency offers a wide-array of services for expectant mothers, infants, toddlers, children, youth and parents or primary caregivers. From education, nutrition, substance use prevention and mentoring to improving child safety and well-being, the provision of services for our most vulnerable populations has historically and continues to be a priority of the agency. • Housing - We offer a wide variety of housing choices. Whether you are looking to build a new home, purchase an existing home or if you prefer to rent, we are here to help you with your housing needs. • Financial & Lending - We offer financial resources for families to support both residential and commercial needs. We offer low- interest affordable loans with terms ranging from five to 30 years. • Intermediary Program - Our Certified Loan Packagers provide training and technical assistance as well as direct loan-packaging services for eligible entities working with the USDA/Rural Development Section 502 housing loan program. • Technical & Management Assistance - Since 1980, Little Dixie has held a Technical & Management Assistance (T&MA) contract with USDA Rural Development for the region II. • Volunteer - Little Dixie has multiple opportunities for individuals to become involved as volunteers and give back to their community. For more information of a full list of services and programsimplemented by DCAA visit littledixie.org. To find your localCommunity Action Agency, visit okacaa.org/agencies.

Community Action Agencies Make a DifferenceInterview with Executive Director of Little Dixie Community Action Agency

"We are passionate about the work of community actionand we believe in the shared mission of ‘Helping People.Changing Lives’.” Our work does make a difference – notjust in Little Dixie, but through the more than 1,000 CAAsacross the U.S. We all make a difference in the lives of thepeople we interact with on a daily basis.”

~ Becky Reynolds, Executive Director, Little Dixie Community Action Agency


Court Appointed Special Advocates Program

Newly-trained CASA VolunteerAshley Self (right) is sworn in by

Hon. Judge Jana Wallace,Associate Judge of the DistrictCourt of Pushmataha County.

New CASA Volunteers complete their final training.

McCurtain County CASA Volunteers Emily Fuller and Karen Fuller are sworn in byHon. Judge Michael D. DeBerry, District Judge of Judicial District 17.

CASAAdvocate

CoordinatorMarissa

Jordan (atright)

attends theannualCrimesAgainst

ChildrenConference

in Dallas,Texas.

CASA Advocate Coordinator MarissaJordan and Sexual Assault NurseExaminer Penny Rodgers wait for asession to begin at the CrimesAgainst Children Conference.

CASA is the only volunteer organization that empowers everyday citizens as appointed members ofthe court to provide a voice for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteer advocates in Choctaw,McCurtain, and Pushmataha Counties typically handle just one case at a time, and commit to staying onthat case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASAvolunteers provide a constant support that children need in order to thrive.

This project is supported by VOCA Subgrant No. 2017-VOCALittleDixie CAA-048 awarded by the U.S. Department ofJustice through the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council.


Court Appointed Special Advocates Program The CASA Program's annual "Cutest Kids in Camo" event was held September 29, 2018 at the Deer Festival inAntlers, Oklahoma. Boys and girls ranging in age from birth through 10 years competed in four categories. FourCASA volunteers had the honor of serving as judges for the event, which was sponsored by Antlers Masonic Lodge#39. All proceeds from the fundraising event are used to support CASA Program operations.

JaceWilliamswon 1stplace inthe 0-11Months

agecategory.

RyfleCampbellwon 2ndplace inthe 0-11Monthsagecategory.

All winners of the 2018 "Cutest Kids inCamo" Contest pose for a group photofollowing the event. Sadie Rains won

2nd place in the4-6 Years age

category.

At left, BrittanyTrotter won 1stplace in the 7-10Years age category.

The "Cutest Kids in Camo" Judges Panel included (left to right): KarenFuller, Sharon Johnson (back row), Emily Fuller, and Annette Lewis.

And the winners are...

Liam Smithwon 1st

place in the1-3 Years

age categoryand also

won Overall.

Mi’NiyaWoodallwon 1stplace inthe 4-6

Years agecategory.

Below right, ClaireFenley won 2ndplace in the 1-3 Yearsage category. Shealso won MostPhotogenic.

This project is supported by VOCA Subgrant No. 2017-VOCALittleDixie CAA-048 awarded by the U.S. Department ofJustice through the Oklahoma District Attorneys Council.

L I T T L E D I X I E D I G E S T P A G E 1 0

Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Impact Program

In July, ECCS welcomed the Help Me Grow National Center to ourtri-county area. We held a community meeting in Hugo, and a statemeeting in Oklahoma City, to discuss advancing developmentalhealth, and the challenges we face when linking families to servicesand resources in our communities. Aietah Stephens, the StateDirector of Sooner Success, presented at the Community TeamMeeting on how Sooner Success strives to promote a comprehensive,coordinated system of health, social and educational services forchildren and youth with special needs, along with addressing thebarriers they face within our state. Tina Spence, with Oklahoma StateDepartment of Education, presented at the State Team Meeting overtrends they are seeing in developmental health for children three toeight years of age at the state level, and how they are addressingthese concerns. Our keynote speaker, Kimberly Martini-Carvell, theExecutive Director of the Help Me Grow National Center, presented onhow implementation of the Help Me Grow System Model can helpadvance our efforts of addressing developmental concerns andhelping each family access resources and programs available withinour community and state. We were very excited to host both meetingsand help move forward our efforts of implementation of the Help MeGrow System Model in Oklahoma. ECCS has been involved in several community events in the lastfew months. We have participated in the Choctaw County Fair, Voiceof Hope Fun Run, and the Pushmataha Coalition Glow Run. At eachevent, we were able to hand out our Early Childhood and FamilyResource Bundles, along with age-appropriate books for the children. ECCS also added on another child care center to implement theAges and Stages Questionnaires Developmental Screenings. Lil DawgsChild Care in Valliant, which is located within McCurtain County, haspartnered with us to incorporate the screening process within theirchild care center. We are very excited to have them on board and lookforward to working with them to improve the developmental healthof the children they serve. ECCS attended our Annual Learning Session in Washington, D.C.in July. We had the pleasure of bringing our community partner,Mehlenie Adamson, the Director of Project G.A.I.N. (pictured, bottomright), and also a parent partner, Heather Ellis, with Choctaw NationHead Start (pictured, bottom left). Both bring a unique perspectiveand are instrumental in the success of our efforts at ECCS. During theLearning Session we had the opportunity to learn from other statesand share the work we have been doing within our place-basedcommunities. This was very exciting for our team and we absolutelyloved being able to include our community and parent partners.

Community meeting held in Hugo, Oklahoma

State meeting held in Oklahoma City, OK

ProgramCoordinatorAshlyn Finchworks theChoctawCountyCoalitionbooth duringthe ChoctawCounty Fair.

At left, the programbooth at Voice ofHope Fun Run.

Below, program staffand partners attendthe Learning Sessionin Washington, D.C.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health andHuman Services (HHS) under Grant Number H25MC30343, Community-Based Integrated Service Systems (Local/State)/ECCSImpact for $426,600. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the

official position of policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government


Head Start, Early Head Start, EHS-Child Care & Early Learning Centers

Idabel Head Start, Early Head Start, and EarlyLearning Center once again won FIRST PLACE

in Art and Education for their age division(pictured, at right) during the McCurtain

County Free Fair held in September.

Little Dixie Early Head Start and Early Learning Centeremployees were able to attend the 2018 Oklahoma EarlyChildhood Program Kickoff Summit for 2018! During the

summit, the staff were able to attend training on dataimprovement, thinking skills and also hear about updates

in the world of Oklahoma early childhood.

First Place!

Great Job!

The projects described were supported by Grant Numbers 06CH7099 and 06HP0017 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,Administration for Children and Families. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of

the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


Head Start, Early Head Start, EHS-Child Care & Early Learning Centers

Battiest Head Start visited the Pickens Community Library fortheir 1st monthly trip. Rachelle Elliott, an AmeriCorps VISTAworker (pictured at left), read "Ten Apples on Top" and hadthe children color an apple coloring sheet. The children thenchose a book to check out and bring back to the center for our'Helper of the Day' reading time throughout the month.

Now

Recruiting!

Patricia Choate, library worker,is shown below checking out abook to Head Start studentMerrick Lacy. Merrick is the sonof Mickey Lacy, who is thePolicy Council Representativefor the Battiest Head StartCenter. Ms. Price and Ms. Cindyare the staff for this center.

The projects described were supported by Grant Numbers 06CH7099 and 06HP0017 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,Administration for Children and Families. Contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of

the Administration for Children and Families or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.


Healthy Start Program Little Dixie Healthy Start has had a verybusy summer working community events, andall the parades in our surrounding counties.We love our community and strive to be apositive impact in the lives of those we touch. In 1991, the Health Resources andServices Administration of the U.S.Department of Health and Human Servicesfunded 15 urban and rural sites incommunities with infant mortality rates thatwere 1.5 – 2.5 times the national average tobegin the Healthy Start Initiative. Theprogram began with a five-yeardemonstration phase to identify and developcommunity-based systems approaches toreducing infant mortality by 50% over the five-year period and to improve the health andwell-being of women, infants, children andtheir families. Currently, there are 100 federally-fundedHealthy Start projects located in the UnitedStates, and five main types of Healthy Startgrants: Perinatal Health, Border Health,Interconceptional Care, Perinatal Depressionand Family Violence. There are currently fourHealthy Start programs In Oklahoma. By joining Healthy Start you will beintroduced to your very own coordinator thatwill follow you through your pregnancy. Theycan assist with anything you need help with,whether it be insurance, finding a doctor,transportation assistance, social serviceassistance or just a support person to listen toyou if you need to talk. You will receive manyeducational experiences to help prepare youfor the birth of your new baby. We recognizethe importance of fathers and encouragethem to be an active part if the program.There will also be training opportunitiesoffered for fathers only, as well asopportunities for one-on-one experiences asthe community comes together to hostfather/child events. Becoming a part of Healthy Start is easy. Itis a free voluntary program and there is onlyone requirement: you must be pregnant. Noapplications to fill out and no incomerequirements. Come join our program today!

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)under HC49MC27826, Healthy Start Initiative-Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities, $680,250. This information or content are those of the author

and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA or the U.S. Government.


Healthy Start Program September is recognized as Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Healthy Start staff were busy visiting with areabusinesses and organizations to promote the #babiesmatter campaign. Purple campaign ribbons with cards detailinginfant mortality rates for 2017 within the tri-county area were handed out to help raise awareness of the prevalence ofhow many babies are lost too soon. As the cards were handed out, community members were asked to take a photowearing the ribbon and post it on social media with the hashtag 'babiesmatter'. Community members from all threecounties participated and helped raise awareness of this important issue. Healthy Start staff also helped work Choctaw,McCurtain, and Pushmataha County Fairs during September.

Hugo Police Officer Donna Sims (above,right) presented Healthy Start DirectorPam Waugh with a purple stained glassInfant Mortality Awareness ribbon thatshe made. The ribbon now hangs onthe front door of the Healthy StartOffice in Hugo as a constant reminderthat babies matter.

ThePushmataha

CountyCoalition(pictured

above) weartheir ribbonsin support of

InfantMortality

AwarenessMonth.

Pictured above, Hugo Rotary Club members showtheir support for Infant Mortality Awareness Monthand the #babiesmatter campaign.

Pictured below, LDCAAemployees from the HugoHomeownership Officewear their ribbons insupport of Infant MortalityAwareness Month.

At left, Choctaw CountyCoalition members showingtheir support for the#babiesmatter campaign.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)under HC49MC27826, Healthy Start Initiative-Eliminating Racial/Ethnic Disparities, $680,250. This information or content are those of the author

and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA or the U.S. Government.


Housing Programs

In July of this year,NeighborWorks® Americaannounced Little Dixie CAAwas one of 10 organizationsacross the Nation selectedto participate in the “Safeand Sound” Initiative. TheSafe and Sound program,funded by Wells FargoFoundation, provides grantfunding to organizationsworking to strengthen ruralcommunities and improvelives by rehabilitating orreplacing sub-standardowner-occupied homes.

Partnership Between Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Wells Fargo Foundation and NeighborWorks® America Results in

“Safe and Sound” Housing for Area Homeowners

and Sound opportunity announcement came just in time, wewere able to stack resources-weatherization and Wells Fargofunds-and combined, that allowed us to complete all therepairs…the family is living a much more comfortable life andtheir home has been preserved.” Part of the rehab included replacement of windows withLow-E vinyl energy efficient units; replacement of both the oldwall furnace and window air conditioning units; blowninsulation in all exterior walls; replacement of both exteriordoors; weather stripping/caulking and the home got a nicefinished look with new exterior trim around all windows anddoors. According to the homeowners, the need for insulation andother repairs had resulted in their home being nearlyimpossible to heat and cool. To keep the home “comfortable”the heat and/or air needed to run continuously tocompensate for the lack of insulation and other issues withinthe home. This was not an option as the family could notafford increased utility costs. Instead, they adjusted to theconditions. Now, following the improvements, their home issafer and more affordable. They are able to adjust thethermostat to settings that keep them comfortable and withthe new energy efficient measures in place, they are alreadyenjoying decreased utility costs. Much thanks toNeighborWorks® America and the Wells Fargo Foundationwhich made these activities possible.

This opportunity was a great fit as Little Dixie has servedto address housing needs in its service area of Choctaw,McCurtain and Pushmataha counties dating back toinception in 1968. A few housing programs operated by theagency include: Self Help Single Family New Construction,Owner-occupied rehabilitation, Weatherization, Apartmentrentals, Senior Supportive Housing and more. “Theseservices are critical in the communities we serve. Homemaintenance is expensive and when a family doesn’t havethe resources for repairs, before you know it, a smallproblem becomes overwhelming and families feel helplessas they watch their homes deteriorate around them”…stated LDCAA Executive Director, Rebecca Reynolds. The Safe and Sound award of $45,500 providedresources adequate to complete moderate rehab on fourhomes in LDCAA’s service area. One family, whose home(pictured) was built in the 1940’s, had applied to the agencyfor Weatherization services a few days prior to the awardannouncement. The owners, a disabled couple living on afixed income were doing all they could to maintain the 1,292square foot home. But lack of resources combined with timeand the elements had taken their toll, evident in the exteriorand interior of the home. When LDCAA’s weatherization crewinitially met with the family, they knew the homes’ needswell exceeded the weatherization program’s resources.Terry Wren, LDCAA’s weatherization auditor said: “The Safe


Housing Programs

LDCAA joined Public Service Companyof Oklahoma, a unit of American ElectricPower, to observe Home Energy AidMonth within Choctaw, McCurtain, andPushmataha Counties. Karen Burton (atleft), Housing Coordinator, andHarolynn Wofford, External AffairsManager for PSO and LDCAA BoardMember, held an awareness event onAugust 1st at the Post Office in Hugo. The event worked to promoteawareness and support for Oklahomansfacing the need for energy aid.

LDCAA Housing Coordinator CindyCockerham works the agency'sinformation booth during ChoctawElectric Cooperative's AnnualMeeting in September.


Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance works to promote community service on 9/11 as anannual and forward-looking tribute to the victims, survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attackson that fateful day. As a "Do Something Good" project for the National Day of Service and Remembrance, RSVP partneredwith Antlers Elementary School to collect non-perishable items for the local food bank. Since the First Baptist ChurchFood Bank in Antlers provides food for needy families and is also an RSVP station in which volunteers provide service, thiswas a fitting project for 9/11.

RSVP Holds Donation Drive for Local Food Banks in Honor of September 11th

National Day of Service and Remembrance

RSVP food bank volunteers (left to right)Robert Boren, Sarah Boren, DwightSatterfield (and LDCAA Board Member),Glenda House, Connally House, BrotherAaron Reed and Little Dixie RSVP DirectorKarla Luginbill sort the donations.

Pictured above, RSVP volunteers, program staff, Antlers Elementary School Principal Kassy Watson and students posewith the truckload of donations. In all, students collected a total of 850 items for the First Baptist Church Food Bank inAntlers. Food bank representative Robert Boren stated that the items collected will help serve 140 additional families.

The food driveresulted in enoughfood to fill the backof a pickup truck(pictured at left). Like Senior Corps,this project workedto inspire a spirit ofservice and improvethe quality of life forall generations.


Safe Place Healing Hearts Program The overall aim of the Safe Place Healing Hearts Program is to enhance the safety of rural victims of sexual assault,domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. To accomplish this, the program works towards the goal of enhancingcollaboration between and building the capacity of service providers in our communities to appropriately respond, improvethe rate of prosecution, coordinate service delivery, and assist victims in cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, datingviolence, and stalking. As a part of the technical assistance provided to partners, the Safe Place Healing Hearts Program has provided area lawenforcement agencies with needed resources during the first year of the project (pictured below), including such items as: Evidence Kits, Alternate Light Source Kits, Sexual Assault Evidence Kits, cameras, and a dog collar for the Canine Unit. Acamera and printer were also provided to the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner who performs SANE exams for adult victims. These resources will work to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of investigations and support evidence-basedinvestigation of sexual assault and domestic violence crimes. Pictured below are the program's law enforcement agencypartners receiving resources for evidence-based investigation, which include the Antlers, Broken Bow, Hugo, and IdabelPolice Departments, as well as the Choctaw, Pushmataha, and McCurtain County Sheriff's Offices.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2017-WR-AX-0046 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and

do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.


Safe Place Healing Hearts Program & Victim Advocacy Services

The Victim Advocacy Services and Safe Place Healing Hearts Programs partner with the following agencies to assist withproject development and implementation: the Coordinated Community Response Teams/Sexual Assault Response Teams(CCRTs/SARTs) in Choctaw, McCurtain, and Pushmataha Counties; Choctaw, McCurtain and Pushmataha County Sheriff’sOffices; County Health Departments and Hospitals; Kidz Kottage Child Advocacy Center; the Multidisciplinary Teams inChoctaw, McCurtain, and Pushmataha Counties; the Police Departments in Antlers, Broken Bow, Hugo, and Idabel; and SOSfor Families. Through this coordinated community effort, all partners engage in discipline-specific and multidisciplinarytraining, collaboration, and information sharing to increase their capacity to work with child and adult victims. With support from the Victim Advocacy Services Program and District Attorneys Council, the CCRTs for Choctaw,McCurtain, and Pushmataha Counties (pictured below) have been established to address and improve the community’sresponse to crime and the needs of victims. These individual task forces meet monthly and are comprised of project partnersspecific to the county they serve, including professionals and laypersons affiliated with organizations such as the DistrictAttorney’s Office, law enforcement, local government, public schools, counseling centers, Department of Human Services,and other community programs.

Pictured at left, Sandra Thompson, VOCAGrant Monitor for the District AttorneysCouncil, provided training for the CCRT/SART in Choctaw County. The CCRT/SARTfor each county works to support andassist victims of sexual assault anddomestic violence, as well as to enhanceinvestigation and prosecution in order tohold perpetrators accountable.

This project is supported by VOCA Subgrant No. 2017-VOCA-Little Dixie CAA-210 awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice through theOklahoma District Attorneys Council.

This project was supported by Grant No. 2017-WR-AX-0046 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and

do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

A jointpartnership

meeting washeld in

September tofurther

developcoordination

of services forvictims ofdomestic

violence andsexual assault

In July,members of the

PushmatahaCounty

CCRT/SARTattended a

trainingconducted by

Sandra

Victim and YouthPrograms staff (fromleft) Tonya Finley(SPHH Coordinator),DeeDee Atwood(Victim ServicesCoordinator), MarissaJordan (CASA

Thompson, VOCAGrant Monitor

with the DistrictAttorneys Council.

in the tri-county area. Pictured above(left to right) are: Laura Wise (SOS forFamilies), Melissa Blanton (OklahomaAttorney General's Office), Liz Vaughn(SOS for Families), Sandra Thompson

(District Attorneys Council), Doris Long(LDCAA), and Johnny Moffitt (LDCAA).

Advocate Coordinator), Doris Long (Victim and Youth Programs Director), andJodie Allen (SPHH Coordinator) with VOCA Grant Monitor Sandra Thompson(second from right) following a successful VOCA Grant monitoring visit in July.


Self-Help Housing ProgramOne Step Closer to Becoming a Homeowner...

Pictured at left, theSuddreth family loanclosing on July 6, 2018.

Pictured below (left to right) are RuralDevelopment Specialist Zach Williams, Group

Worker Sommer McMurtry, Ashlyn Bruce, DiannaHorner (new homeowner), Self-Help Housing

Terri Harless, and Construction Supervisor GradyFord at the final inspection on July 17, 2018.

Pictured above (left to right) are ConstructionSupervisor Grady Ford, Group Worker SommerMcMurtry, Jennifer Cross (new homeowner) andchildren, and Rural Development Specialist ZachWilliams at the final inspection on July 17, 2018.

Pictured (left toright) are RuralDevelopmentSpecialist ZachWilliams, BobbyWoods, Jenna Loyd(new homeowner),Tyler Woods, JoplinLoyd, Jovi Loyd,Group WorkerSommer McMurtry,and Self-HelpHousing DirectorTerri Harless duringthe final inspectionon July 25, 2018.

The Jackson familyloan closing onAugust 24, 2018.

Pictured (left to right) are Suzy Burns (new homeowner), IssacBurns, Group Worker Sommer McMurtry, Robert Burns (newhomeowner), Georgia Burns, Jocelyn Burns, ConstructionSupervisor Grady Ford, and Rural Development SpecialistZach Williams during the final inspection on August 31, 2018

The Yeager familyloan closing on

August 24, 2018.


Self-Help Housing ProgramOne Step Closer to Becoming a Homeowner...

The final inspection for a new LDH2 house inCarter County was held August 9, 2018. Picturedabove (left to right) is Rural DevelopmentSpecialist Zach Williams, Construction SupervisorKeith Eggenberg, Program Secretary MichelleDorer, and new homeowner Christy Krohn.

Jesus and Kaila Gonzalez(pictured below) closed ontheir loan on September 4,2018. They are pictured atleft with their children atthe groundbreaking. Thefamily is building a LDH2in Carter County.

Pictured (left to right) during thefinal house inspection on August9, 2018 are Rural DevelopmentSpecialist Zach Williams,Construction Supervisor KeithEggenberg, Program SecretaryMichelle Dorer, new homeownerDevyn Smith, new homeownerTaylor Morgan and their child. They built a LDH2 in Love County.

Madalyn Crook completespaperwork during her loanclosing on September 14,2018. She will be buildinga LDH5 in Carter County.

New homeowner MonicaCopeland (pictured at left) andson had their final houseinspection on September 27,2018. She built a LDH2 in CarterCounty.

Arbuckle Closing Agent Cindy Museworks to complete the loan closing forAmy Thurman (pictured above, right) onSeptember 5, 2018. She will be buildinga LDH1 in Carter County.


Youth FirstYouth Firstparticipantsandprogramstaff attenda healthycookingclasssponsoredby the OSUExtensionOffice.

From left, LDCAA HousingCoordinator Paula Dillishawand Youth First CoordinatorAJ Henslee with a batch ofhome-grown pumpkins shedonated to the program. Youth First participants willdecorate the pumpkinsduring an upcoming groupevent.

Youth FirstCoordinator

AJ Hensleeconducts

group trainings with

participantsand their

families usingthe evidence-

basedStrengthening

FamiliesProgram.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department ofAgriculture civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies,

offices, and employees, and institutions participating in oradministering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based

on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal orretaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity

conducted or funded by USDA.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDAProgram Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:

How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letteraddressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information

requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call(866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the AssistantSecretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [email protected].

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

M/F/Vets/Disabled and other protected categories.

Youth Firstparticipantsand theirfamiliesenjoy a fungroup trip tothe localmovietheater.

Little Dixie Digest

Helping People. Changing Lives.

Rebecca Reynolds EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brent Franks, Board Chairman David Hawkins, Vice-Chairman

William Smith, Secretary/Treasurer Choctaw County

Jimmy Brandon, Kevin Cory, Clinton Crawley, MelissaCress, Cathrine Oliva, Leah Savage, Wade Scott, William

Smith, Randy Springfield, Harolynn Wofford McCurtain County

Tina Foshee-Thomas, Trilla Frazier, Jim Freeny, WaltFrey, David Hawkins, Andrea Henkel, Sharon Jernigan,

Sandra Meeks, Vicky Wade Pushmataha County

James Branam, Brad Burgett, Brent Franks, VickieLeathers, Dwight Satterfield, David Smith

A quarterly publication of Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc.

Newsletter Contact: Kathy James Email: [email protected]

209 N. 4th St. Hugo, OK 74743 (580) 326-3351

https://littledixie.org/

This project is financed in whole or in part by funds from theU.S. Department of Justice as administered by the Oklahoma

Office of Juvenile Affairs.

quarterly newsletter of little dixie community … · quarterly newsletter of little dixie...

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