15 0116 PP Planning Committee Meeting

Promise Partners, Pottawattamie County’s Alliance for YouthPlanning Committee Meeting January 16, 2015 Attendees: Janna Ahrenolt-Girl Scouts, Barbie Bluml-Children’s Square, Amanda Carp

Promise Partners, Pottawattamie County’s Alliance for Youth

Planning Committee Meeting January 16, 2015

Attendees: Janna Ahrenolt-Girl Scouts, Barbie Bluml-Children’s Square, Amanda

Carpick-LFS, Audrey Clauson-Family Connections, Sarena Dacus-FAMILY, Inc., Jessie Dewaele Griffis-WCCA/EHS, Lee Heithoff-Iowa Legal Aid, Katie Kieffer-Catholic Charities, Sandy Kirchhoff-VNA, Deb Kissel-Youth & Families, Jo Lightner-VNA, Jeannette Linnenburger-WCCA/CCRR, Jessie Lusero-HFS, Heather

Loutzenhiser-Promise Partners, Tisha Moore-Loutzenhiser-Promise Partners, Jordan Morse-WIC, Lorelle Mueting-HFS/PMP, Susan Pawloski-LFS, Carrie Potter-Catholic Charities, Patricia Russmann-Promise Partners, Natalie Samson-Boys Town, Jim Schalley-JCS, Dustie Shepley-DHS, Judy Showers-Promise Partners, Jaymes Sime-Boys Town, Jessica Rayment-Promise Partners, Greg Smith-Kids & Co., Jeff Spiehs-MAPA, Kristyn Vorthmann-WCCA/EHS, Janice Wright-FAMILY, Inc

Introductions/Community Updates:

The meeting was called to order by Patricia Russmann at 9:04 AM

Audrey Clauson-Family Connections is hosting “Teen Talk: Surviving the Teen Years” an interactive parenting class on Wednesdays February 11, 2015 thru May 20, 2015 from 6:30-7:30pm for teens ages 12-18 and parents, guardians, and family members Location

is 500 Willow Avenue, Suite 305, Council Bluffs, IA

Dustie Shepley- Department of Human Services (DHS) is training 8-10 parents as parent partners to families involved in the DHS system that have been reunited with their

children

Jordan Morse-WIC has a front desk position open at their office Contact the

Pottawattamie County WIC office for details

Susan Pawloski- Lutheran Family Services (LFS) has two new rounds of parenting classes starting in February for parents with children under 5 English classes begin Tuesday, February 3, 2015 and the Spanish class begins on Thursday, February 5, 2015 Contact Lutheran Family Service at 712-242-1040 or their website www.lfsneb.org Barbie Bluml-Children’s Square is hosting an information session on foster parenting on Tuesday, January 20th Children’s Square is facilitating a task force to brainstorm ideas to recruit foster parents at the Council Bluffs Church of Christ on Monday, January 26th from 11:00AM-1:00PM contact Barbie at bbluml@childrenssquare.org for more

information

Greg Smith-Kids & Company is collecting stuffed animals to distribute to Nursing Homes in the area on Valentine’s Day for more information email Greg at

gsmith2@cb-cef.org

Janna Ahrenolt-Girls Scouts is hosting a Fun Night of Dancing for recruiting girls

kindergarten through 5th grade, bring a dad, uncle or grandpa The location is Wilson Middle School, 715 N 21st Street, Council Bluffs, IA from 6:00pm to 7:30pm The event

is free, membership for Girl Scouts is $15.00 (scholarships are available) for more information contact mholland@gsiowa.org

Carrie Potter-Phoenix House is expanding now serving 9 counties Seeking safe housing in Atlantic, Shenandoah, and Red Oak.

Sarena Dacus-FAMILY, Inc., is hosting an open house at their Avoca Office, Tuesday, February 17th from 4:00-6:00PM with a free spaghetti dinner Location is 170 Elm Street

in Avoca, Iowa

Lee Heithoff-Iowa Legal Aid has been promoted to Deputy Director He is leaving Council Bluffs and will be located at the Des Moines office

Heartland 2050

Jeff Spiehs, Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA) presented the following:

The Heartland 2050 region encompasses the entire Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area, including eight counties, two states and all communities By coming together as part of this regional planning effort, we learn to see how everyone involved-governments, businesses, and individuals-are part of a larger, interconnected system, where over time, small actions lead to great impacts

Counties include: Cass, Douglas, Harrison, Mills, Pottawattamie, Sarpy, Saunders, & Washington

Activities in the first year are the following:

1 Establish an executive committee to oversee the preparation and execution of a work plan for the first year of implementation

2 Convene six implementation committees (working groups) to address each of the Heartland Vision goals

3 Reestablish an equity and engagement committee to ensure that under-represented populations are included in the implementation of the vision goals

4 Establish a monitoring system to track the region’s progress in implementing goals and strategies

5 Roll out a near-term action plan-Heartland 2050 Action Plan-to highlight

strategic, near-term implementation steps that can be undertaken quickly to move the Vision forward

6 Celebrate progress and major milestones to share the progress made each year toward achieving the Heartland Vision

Goal topic areas:

1 Economic Development-Together, our region will strengthen its robust economy

to encourage business expansion, job training and growth, and become a national magnet for a young and highly skilled workforce

2 Education-Together, our region will have the highest quality education system that educates the work force of the future

3 Health and Safety-Together, our region will be noted for its healthy living, safe neighborhoods and exceptional healthcare providers

4 Housing and Development-Together, our region will be known for welcoming, connected and lively communities that offer residents a range of housing choices and locations

5 Infrastructure-Together, our region’s investments will develop efficient

infrastructure that supports economic development, provides more transportation choices, and reduces energy consumption

6 Resources-Together, our region values, protects and utilizes our natural features and systems to provide access to green space and resilience from natural disasters Anyone interested in a seat on the Executive Committee, applications will be accepted until April 30, 2015 The website for applications and further information is:

www.heartland2050.org

STARS Scholarship Program:

Brenda Moran shared the STARS Scholarship provides up to $2000 per year to non-traditional students who are parents wanting to go back to school for a Bachelor’s

Degree, an Associate’s Degree, license or certification This scholarship provides money

to cover expenses not covered by financial aid or other programs

The STARS Scholarship may be use at Iowa Western Community College, Kaplan University, EQ School of Hair Design, Metropolitan Community College, ITT Tech, UNO, Buena Vista University and other schools offering a minimum of a one year program

The STARS Scholarship Program is generously funded by the Iowa West Foundation and administered by the CB Community Education Foundation

National Drug Facts Week/Local Drug Trends:

Lorelle Mueting-Prevention Means Progress (PMP)/Heartland Family Service shared the following:

 There is a need to focus on education of all substances

 Middle/High school youth: highest use includes alcohol, marijuana, and synthetic drugs

 Use of tobacco continues to decline

 Other substances can be used in e-cigarettes, not just tobacco

 22 states have legalized marijuana for medical use; this is confusing to young people

 Emergency room visits are on the rise for children ages 1-14 for ingesting

marijuana candy, cookies and drinks

 Increase in marijuana seizures on I-80; January through May 540 lb of marijuana were seized

 Nationwide the use of K-2 and bath salts has decreased

 Abuse of prescription drugs is an area of concern

 Heroin is cheaper and has the same effect as pain killers

 ADHD drug abuse has risen

 Increase in meth seizures; October through September 230 lb of meth were seized in Nebraska and 140 lb in Iowa

The DEA is no longer sponsoring prescription drug take back events, but the Youth & Families Committee would like to sponsor one locally We are looking into possibilities

Updates:

Patricia shared the next Governance Board meeting is Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the Micah House from 1:00-3:00pm; these meetings are open to the public Before the Board Meeting, an Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) orientation will be held at 11:30 AM presented by Shanell Wagler from the State Office It is intended for new board members but community partners are welcome to attend An invitation was sent via email Please RSVP if you would like to attend Lunch will be provided

Tisha Moore shared for the first full year of the Coordinated Intake program:

 643 families were asked to participate

 436 referrals were made

 81 enrollments

All home visiting programs that are funded through the Promise Partners Board are at or near capacity

On January 27th at 4:00 PM there is a Family Support Meeting at WCCA Omni Center location

On February 24th at 2:00 PM at the Red Cross is a meeting to plan for advocating for Early Childhood at the day on the hill Please let Tisha know if you plan to attend Her email is tmoore@cbcsd.org

Jessie Rayment wanted to invite everyone to attend the Youth Work Methods Series for adults who work with children and youth that includes 2 workshops:

1 Structure & Clear Limits

2 Building Community

Flyers are available today Register at www.promisepartners.org or call Jessie at 712-256-9920

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 20, 2015 from 9:00-10:30 AM at the Red Cross

The next Governance Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2015 from1:00 to 3:00PM at the Micah House

Meeting minutes respectfully submitted by Judy Showers, Administrative Assistant