1 Welcome: Joann Gieselman Coordinator/Backbone for DCC

Last Month’s Meeting Notes / June 22, 2017 /

Present: Kim Wilson/Jackson Recovery, Jim Steele/SSC Chamber,Rita DeJong/BOOST-FF, Britney Book/ Siouxland Cares, Sandy Nation/Central Navigator for CR, Tonya Bauman/Building Blocks, Dawn Kimmel/SIMPCO/ KNNB, Abbie Engel/ESU#1,Stacy Schenk/ NDHHSEA,Prevention,Christa Yoakum/Nebraska Appleseed, Christine Wolf/ SSC Chamber,Lance Hedquist/City Administrator, Matt Ohman/SHIP,Sara Arguello/Haven House, JerushaGuene/ STARS,Brooke Watson/LSI, Mike Carlson/Probation, Kristine Bornholtz/Women Aware,Pastor Douglas Dill/First Lutheran Church,Kelly Flynn/City of SSC,Kim Jenkins/SHIP, Lisbeth Ramirez/Haven House, Julie Elbert/Catholic Charties,Debbie Ferguson/Haven House, Amy Munderloh/Haven House, Jill Sokness/ISU &Nebr, Extension,Cyndi Hanson/Northeast Community College, JoAnn Gieselman/SHIP &DCC,Stacy Gritten/Siouxland Community Health, Bernice Beaulieu/NNJHA (Simpco), Patty Lyon/Probation, Marian Bernett/Crittenton Center, Matt Ohman/SHIP,Kim Bovee/DCVAP, Johnny Nash/Beyond the Bell, Blake Jackson/City ofSSC, Josh Martin/DHHD, Janie Snieder/ A Better Way Therapy, Cassi Stark/A Better Way Therapy, Nicole Cusick/WellCare of NE, Linda Phillips/Siouxland Cares,

Dakota County Connections (DCC)-Common Agenda (Mission Statement): Improving the quality of life and social-emotional well-being of children birth to 21 and their families in our community.

Purpose for our meeting: (Mutually Reinforcing Activities) Working together to collectively address our community’s needs and strengthen each other. Together we have a common agenda (mission) in mind!

Dakota County Connections (DCC) Community Goal: To reduce the rate of juvenile arrests 0-18 years of age in Dakota County in the next 5 years by 10%. (Start date Nov. 2015)

#1 Welcome: JoAnn Gieselman coordinator/backbone for DCC

Congratulations- We celebrated Mike Carlson’s years of service and the best part was his director shared he remains so positive in his work!

Collective Impact is about a committed group of different individuals and agencies working together as a well-oiled machine, one solid group. It has five important functions 1)-A Common Agenda, 2)-Continuous Communications, 3)-Mutually Reinforcing Activities, 4)- A backbone agency, 5)-Shared Measurement Systems

#2We focused on Mutually Reinforcing Activities- As a Collaboration this does not mean we are all going to do the same activity at the same time, it just means we are all doing things that help achieve our common agenda, we are a team that works together to support each other and our activities anytime we can.

This is the “real work” of Collective Impact, getting all our resources together to achieve our Common Agenda!
We are always trying to be mindful of those we work for and how we can work together to support our children, families and community:

 (1)multi-challenged individuals-people facing multiple issues at once

 (2) multifaceted challenges-these are challenges that can affect persons at different times in their lives

 (3)a combination of both

Our plan of support always is to:

Building upon existing efforts and discouraging duplication (team work)

Supporting and helping with each other’s efforts (updates and connections)

Distributing activities to take advantage of existing skills, passion & expertise (focus groups)

Using data as the foundation for a learning system focused on the continuous improvement

#3 We Reviewed Handouts:

*DCC Collaboration Effectiveness Survey (Continuous Communication) A very important part of our communication is getting your feedback on how effective the collaboration is at supporting the community, yourself, and your agency.

*Common Agenda Statement: this is a combination of our Mission Statement and Purpose for our meetings. This does not commit you to anything, rather it shows a united understanding of our vision and our joint approach to solving challenges as they arise.

New and updated Community Resource Guide for 2017 available again today!!- You can get your hard copy with your Common Agenda Statement, for any additional copies you may need I would be happy to email you an electronic version.

#4DCC with the YMCA on a new Focus Group to help prepare for newcomers to our community with Seaboard Triumph Foods: Currently we are working on meeting with a few individuals that can help us start pulling the funding and corporate and governmental partners together we will need. Then we will begin to establish focus groups that can work on different parts of the transition for new comers.

#5Connecting:BriefUpdates: Group sharing-(Communication) so others know what is going on with our agencies, business, or club this month! (We always remind friends that Event sharing forms on tables!We don’t ever want to miss anything, please put anything you share on the forms as well, that information goes out to all group members) See notes below:

Siouxland CARES- Tulip Fundraiser! You can Pre-order Tulip Bulbs now until July 7th the cost is $1.00 per bulb. You can go to Siouxlandcares.org to find an order form.
Siouxland CARES-Wiffle Ball Tournament! This is for Siouxland CARES 30th Anniversary celebration. It is Sunday Sept. 10th Noon -3:00 pm, at Miracle Field, Riverside Park, Sioux City. If you would like more information please go to
Building Blocks for Community Enrichment/ Foster Care- There is a strong need for Foster Care Families if you have ever considered becoming a foster Care family please contact Tonya Bauman to find out more information.
ResCare- JOB DESCRIPTION -Opening for a: Case Manager in South Sioux City, this would include Direct Care/Operations
North East Community College- will be moving classes for ESL and Adult Basic Education (GED) to the College Center location this fall. (previously held in the library)
Heartland Counseling Services -Job Openings

Day Rehabilitation Case Manager for The Life Center$31,000-$39,000 DOE Full TimeThis person is responsible for the implementation and delivery of the day rehab center. They perform the roles of instructor, advocate, and case manager for the consumers. Mental Health Office Clerk Part time 1pm-8pm M-ThBilingual plus! $11.50/hourProcesses and maintains varied records and written materials through the use of established clerical procedures (such as scanning, data entry,

School Based Therapist$52,000! Macy, NebraskaAs a Mental Health Practitioner, you will be providing direct therapeutic counseling services in the Macy Community Schools and in collaboration with our social services team with the goal of delivering the best possible care.

STARS – Par for The Horse Golf Classic! September 8that Whispering Creek! Contact:
Siouxland Community Health of Nebraska- Would like to partner with agencies who can help them find air conditioners for patients with children or medical conditions. Please contact Stacy Gritten at:
Crittenton Center- Fundraiser-Yoga in the Park- July 1st, Saturday, 9 am Grandview Park at the Rose Garden, free will donation, Check out their website at
First Lutheran Church-Vacation Bible School -7:30 -8:30 at First Lutheran Church! This is wonderful, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, the 1st Presbyterian Church, and First Lutheran are all working together to present this Bible School! Please get the word out it will be great!!
First Lutheran Church-7th Annual Cardinal Flea Market. Aug 11th-13th, 8/11/17- 9 am-5 pm, 8/13/17- noon-4 pm at the First Lutheran Church
Keep Northeast Ne Beautiful- If your group would like to do a cleanup project around Dakota County talk to Dawn Kimmel @ She can help with the needed supplies.
Justice for our Neighbors Brought “know your rights” cards in Spanish and English if you have a family that could use them you can pick them up at our next meeting!
June is Immigrant Heritage Month-Be sure to lift up the benefits of immigrants and their contributions. Tell your immigration story whether generations ago or recent. View Nebraska stories at Facebook- Nebraska Is Home or Nebraska Appleseed
National Welcoming Week is September 15th-24th, Celebrate immigrant contributions- host a bridge building activity of welcoming and Inclusion.
Haven House- If you need their main office it is located behind Subway in South Sioux City.
Big Brothers Big Sisters We have over 40 Littles waiting for a Mentor! Call us at 712-239-9890 today to learn about becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Couple or Big Family!
Siouxland Chamber- Sam Wagner joined us today to share about some of the challenges Siouxland faces and is looking for ideas and way to collaborate, especially on the issues of housing.

#6Presenter: Brenda Sale:Dakota City UNL Extensionoffice- “Voices for Food”

It is estimated that around 11 percent of Dakota County households are food insecure. The Voices for Food project works on community-based strategies to increase the availability of and access to nutritious food to families in our community. Ultimately, the focus of the grant is to develop and implement sustainable solutions that will increase availability and access to healthy food choices in these rural communities. Brenda shared they are always looking for volunteers and new members on their committee.

Please add dakotacountyconnections.com as a link from your website to ours to help expand access to the DCC resources information.

Upcoming Focus Group Meetings
Safe and Healthy Youth/Community Resource Center-We are working on some details next meeting in a month or so
Rooted in Relationships-Parent Engagement and Education- June 21st, 9:00 @ the SFC
Community Response-June 21st 10:00 am @ the SFC
Street Project-The Super Shelter Committee met on 5/31/17, to see updated information look under The SHIP website
Safe and Healthy Youth/Community Resource Center: Partners with DCC/Leaders in the Siouxland Community have formed a steering committee that has been committing energy and expertise toward the concept of building a Community Resource Center in South Sioux City that will help brighten the future for our youth, our community, and each other! They are now tackling the many discussion/detail items involved in doing this with the hope it will eventually lead to the building of a Community Resource Center as well as cooperating with others who are working on a Sports Center.
Rooted in Relationships(RIR) -Parent Engagement and Education: RIR is a Nebraska Children and Families initiative that partners with communities to implement evidence based practices that enhance the social-emotional development of children birth to 5. The DCC Focus group is currently wrapping up all their classes and beginning to make plans for the fall. The group has also taken on health as an area to support and are looking at ways to provide our families with health and education information. The group is also currently working on a parent corner at the SSC Library.
Community Response (CR):is now accepting referrals from community partners and non-profits. If your agency, non-profit, or service club would like a presentation on what Community Response is and how to make a referral, contact Sandy Nation at402-494-3337, extension 22or email .
CR is a system that helps families connect to community resources before they are in crisis to meet the goals they set for themselves. Sandy’s office is located at Heartland Counseling.
Beyond the Bell (BTB): Recently DCC was awarded a 21 Century grant to help support those students who are at risk and would benefit from this wonderful program. BTB is a program that focuses on education, as well as safety and other extra fun curricular experiences. The program also supports children with homework and studies in a safe environment. They currently do not have a summer program and will start again in the fall.
Gateway for Growth: Wewill be teaming with the YMCA to form a group to help support new families to our community, please stay tuned plans and meeting dates they are coming soon. We will begin to establish focus groups that can work on different parts of the transition for new comers.
Street Project: A Leadership Siouxland project group along with members of the Siouxland community have completed a trial run to provide outreach and coordination of a day warming shelter for those who are homeless.
The DCC Work Plan is continually updated…I always have a copy at our meetings if you would like to review it.
Looking for Brochures, Handouts, and Information- Come check out our Resource table! Bring your flyers and information and add to it as well!

Next Meetings: Time 9:00-10:00 (EVERY 2nd Thursday of The Month)

July 13th@ Cardinal Conference Center

August 10th @ Cardinal Conference Center
September 14th@ Cardinal Conference Center
October 12th@ Cardinal Conference Center
November 9th @ Cardinal Conference Center
December 14th@ Cardinal Conference Center

Speakers for Upcoming Meetings: Please note slight change in order of presentations

July 13th 2017: Amy Chabra- Mary Treglia

August 10th 2017: Becky Skoglund with Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

September 14th 2017: Jessica Harris-DHHS - Children and Family Services Supervisor

October 12th 2017: Jeff Hackett- Boys Town

November 9th2017: Scott Lambrecht- Parent to Parent Network

December 14th 2017: Stacy Schenk-Community Support Specialist NE DHHS Children & Family Services

Dakota County Connectionsbelieves that strengthening our community requires all of us working together. This includes:

Maintaining open communication with our partners and the community
Identifying community strengths and needs
Actively coordinating and sharing lessons learned
Defining common outcomes
Aligning individual community needs and resources to meet those outcomes
Seeking additional resources to help reach our goals
Using evaluation and community data to strengthen our programs

Dakota County Connections does not provide programs, it serves to provide a common table for community partners to gather around and collectively address community needs. We support all the organizations and individuals that are directed toward our common outcomes.

For more information, please see our Website at: dakotacountyconnectins.com

Common Agenda Statement

I/We ______(Name of individual/agency/business) understand that Dakota County Connections is a community collaborative located in Dakota County Nebraska that unites partners from all around Siouxland. Our purpose is to improve the quality of life for all our children, families, and community members, while continuing to support each other in expanding and enhancing the existing efforts of our collaboration. Our mission statement reads: “Improving the quality of life and social-emotional well-being of children birth to 21 and families in the community”.

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