Good News! Volume 2, Issue 1 - Hinds County Human Resource Agency Newsletter

GOOD NEWS!

HINDS COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCY

Vol. 2 - Issue 1

Welcome to Hinds County

Human Resource Agency’s quarterly newsletter, “Good News!” Inside this edition, we highlight our activities, projects, goals and objectives met during the last quarter of 2018.

Part of our ongoing mission was accomplished as we endeavored to help families and strengthen communities.

Vol. 2 - Issue 1

HCHRA Makes $30,000 Investment in Community Landmark

In October 2018, Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) invested $30,000 in the replacement of the roof at the Edwards Neighborhood Service Center. Formerly the Edwards Attendance Center, the Edwards Neighborhood Service Center is a wellknown landmark that now serves as the home for HCHRA’s Congregate Meals Program in Edwards, Mississippi. Seniors from throughout the community come to the center each weekday to enjoy a hot, nutritious, “sit-down” style fellowship lunch with their peers.

Due to the normal and usual exposure to the elements and the impact of father time, the 50-year-old building began to experience roof leaks that were beyond repair. Given the importance of

the Congregate Meals Program to the livelihood and wellness of the area seniors, HCHRA dug deep and made a huge financial commitment to replace the roof to ensure that the center remained open. “Every program we operate is vital, but our senior programs are among the most important,” said Kenn Cockrell, president and chief executive officer of HCHRA. “Seniors are extremely vulnerable. Without the meals and socialization opportunities provided at our congregate sites, many of them would live in isolation and suffer from malnutrition and undetected health risks. Although there’s no type of reimbursement funding available for the $30,000 we spent on the roof

replacement, there was never a question about whether it should be done. The safety and well-being of the seniors was and is our number one priority.”

HCHRA also operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs on the same campus as the Congregate Meals Program in Edwards.

While the roof replacement is underway, seniors gather in a portion of the Head Start center’s cafeteria to partake in their meals, education seminars, and socialization activities. The temporary move did not dampen the mood nor the activities that the site manager, Vivian Johnson, and her seniors enjoy. Seniors from

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the surrounding areas continue to congregate and revel in a sense of independence and meaningful interaction, which contribute significantly to their health and happiness. Cockrell explained that HCHRA is always exploring opportunities to strengthen its community presence and enhance the services it provides. Though plans have not been finalized, the agency is looking at turning the Edwards Neighborhood Service Center into a full-service location where, in addition to providing the Congregate Meals Program and other senior services, area residents can also receive utility payment, rental, tuition, and employment assistance.

The Edwards Neighborhood Service Center is one of three sites in Hinds County at which HCHRA offers the Congregate Meals Programs. The other sites are the Little Bethel Neighborhood Service Center and the Mt. Wade Congregate Site, both located in Terry. To participate, seniors must be 60 years of age or older and reside in Edwards, Terry, Raymond, Utica or Bolton. Transportation for all participants is provided by HCHRA. Funding for the Congregate Meals Program is provided by the Mississippi Department of Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services through the Central Mississippi Area Agency on Aging. For more information or to sign up, call (601) 923-3930.

Healthy Me! HCHRA Teams Up with OrganWise Guys for Early Childhood Health

Alphonso Lee Nutrition Services Specialist

Hinds County Human Resource Agency’s Head Start program has teamed up with America’s number one nutrition education organization - The OrganWise Guys - to provide Head Start centers with impactful resources that will teach the students about the organs in their bodies and how to keep them healthy and working properly.

HCHRA received a portion of a $1.14 million grant from W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded to the Mississippi Food Network to improve health equity and literacy in children ages 2-10 in various low-income communities of Jackson, East Biloxi and Sunflower County, that would effect change through practical application by using evidence-based programs and resources. HCHRA used the unrestricted, non-federal grant funds to purchase Early Childhood Kits for each of its 16 Head Start centers. The age-appropriate kits are designed to be shared by the teachers, and they are re-usable. They include OrganWise Guy and Gal dolls, organ beanies, calendars, videos, posters, and access to the Foods of the Month website for monthly resources and downloadable activities.

HCHRA Nutrition Services Specialist Alphonso Lee states, “The OrganWise Guys focuses on combating childhood obesity and helps kids to be healthy from the inside out. It’s an evidence-based program and has been proven to be an effective teaching tool.” Health Services Specialist Anupria Davenport agreed, “The program teaches children about the organs and their nutritional needs, how their organs work, how certain foods interact with the inside of their bodies, and how proper nutrition helps their bodies grow.” Director of Children’s Services Dr. LaTessa Long added, “Our center administrators and teachers have been trained on how to use the kits and implemented the program in the classrooms at the start of the 2018-19 school year. They are using it to help our kids learn more about the organs of the body in a fun, educational way, while also teaching them how to keep their bodies healthy. The OrganWise Guys were recommended by the Mississippi Department of Education through its Office of Child Nutrition as a great learning tool for students. We are grateful to have received a portion of the grant to serve our Head Start community.” To learn more about HCHRA and its Head Start programs and services, visit www.hchra.org/programs or call 601.923.3930.

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HCHRA’s 2018 Community Strengths and Needs Assessment: Invoking Change

The Hinds County Human Resource Agency met with its employees November 1, 2018 to discuss the findings of its 2018 Community Strengths and Needs Assessment (CSNA). The purpose of the CSNA meeting was to endeavor to shift HCHRA’S focus from not only managing programs and providing short-term solutions to low-income individuals within the Hinds County community, but also to better understand its clientele in order to create success plans and offer opportunities that would positively strengthen and transform a family’s well-being long-term.

The Community Strengths and Needs Assessment is a community-wide report released each year to idenitify the strengths and resources available in the community to meet the needs of children, youth, and families of Hinds County. The assessment focuses on the needs as well as the capabilites of the community, including citizens, agencies and organizations.

HCHRA used the report to identify the more specific needs of the citizens of Hinds County in order to help lift its citizens out of poverty conditions through the various services they offer to seniors, those with disabilities or low-income individuals.

The HCHRA CSNA meeting provided a comprehensive assessment to its employees on the ongoing quantitative and qualitative needs within the Hinds County community. David Kinght, executive vice president and COO for HCHRA, stated, “We want to ensure that we are all aware and can communicate to and advocate for the people and communities we serve. In order to do that at top capacity, we must be up to date on our strengths and needs associated with our service areas.” Roger Lutrell, vice president of planning & development, added, “We first identified the demographic composition of the county to identify HCHRA’s primary constituents. Secondly, we collected surveys from those constituents as well as community partners and better understood what areas ranked as priorty within the community. We will use this information to strengthen constituent relationships and continue to be an agent of change in Hinds County.”

Mr. Knight also stated that this year’s CSNA advanced to be one of HCHRA’s strongest assessments to date. Based on the research and analysis of data gathered, in order to alleviate poverty, HCHRA must not only provide safety net programs, but also treat the trends and conditions of poverty. HCHRA believes that the best position to achieve results would be to focus on employment, education, and housing during the next 2-3 years.

To access the full 2018 Community Strengths and Needs Assessment, visit www.hchra.org and go to Reports & Plans under Popular Topics.

HINDS COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCE AGENCY RECEIVES DONATION TO PROMOTE LITERACY

HCHRA’s Early Head Start program received a cash donation and a collection of children’s books from Ms. Mary S. Jones to help promote early childhood literacy. Jones, standing on the left, is photographed presenting a $200 donation to Dr. LaTessa Long, HCHRA’s director of Children’s Services, in support of the agency’s Early Head Start literacy program.

Jones said she wanted to make the donation because she enjoys helping children. She specifically requested that the books be donated to The Della J. Caugills Early Head Start, which was named in honor of her sister, Mrs. Della J. Caugills, who worked at HCHRA for more than 41 years and served as education director for the agency’s Head Start programs.

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Driving You to Success: HCHRA Offers Commercial Driver’s License Training Program

HCHRA is now accepting applications from individuals who are interested in enrolling in a training course to receive their Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL) certification. The training program is provided at absolutely no cost to participants, and upon successful completion of the program, immediate CDL positions are available.

HCHRA initially introduced the training program on November 6, 2018 at the Health & Art Expo that was held at the Jackson Medical Mall. “The program is now part of an initiative to provide training and employment opportunities to help put individuals on the road to success,” said Kenn Cockrell, the president and chief executive officer of HCHRA. The training is available to Hinds County residents only, and certain requirements must be met for participation. Eligibility is based on a household income at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Participants must be 21 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and a valid driver’s license. Applicants will be asked to provide Social Security cards for all household members, picture IDs for all adults 18 years of age and older, and proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement, to determine if they qualify.

“We have students in training now. Classes can take up to 90 days to complete and they can work at their own pace or develop their own track,” says Cornelius Beasley, vice president of the Department of Family Opportunities. “ We look forward to having our first class of graduates complete the program and assisting them with securing employment.”

Anyone interested in enrolling in the CDL training program is encouraged to call HCHRA and speak with an opportunities advisor to learn how to get started on a new career path.

THIS COULD BE YOU! For more information, contact the Department of Family Opportunities at 601.923.3930.

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HCHRA Holds IMPACT Training

I M P A C T

Hinds County Human Resource Agency Project Head Start conducted its “Together, Let’s Make an IMPACT” In-Service Training on November 19, 2018, at the Jackson Marriott Hotel. IMPACT is acronym that stands for integrity, motivation, professionalism, accountability, change, and teamwork. Participants received useful information on engaging and interactive processes during the training that can be readily applied to their daily tasks.

The workshop included training sessions on effective class concepts and strategies, health and safety practices, conflict resolution strategies, best practices for nutrition services, and instruction on the Virtual ROMA system as well as the ROMA (results-oriented management and accountability) Cycle.

Several in-service training sessions are held throughout each school year for Head Start staff, which is part of the agency’s ongoing commitment to ensure that staff is accurately trained and equipped with the tools that provide the best possible environment for children and families who are a part of the Head Start program at HCHRA.

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2018 Employee Appreciation - A Day of Stars: The Red Carpet Event

SERVICE, TALENT, APPRECIATION & RECOGNITION OF STAFF

HCHRA’s 15th Annual Employee Appreciation Event held at the Hilton Jackson on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, was nothing short of outstanding! The agency’s more than 350 employees came together to celebrate each other’s accomplishments and share in the holiday season.

One could tell by the vibes in the air that it would be a great event. The day began with a VIP gathering of the agency’s nearly 400 employees. As employees entered the Hilton Jackson, they strolled the “red carpet” runway, where they were met by a professional photographer. Smiles were everywhere and the employee were like stars shining brightly. Community partners BankPlus, Jackson Area Federal Credit Union, AFLAC and UnitedHealthcare were set up along the red carpet to provide information on employee benefits and services.

The employee appreciation event is organized by the Personnel Department each year to recognize exemplary employees who have provided outstanding service to the agency and its clients. Seventeen employees were recognized as shining stars for their many years of service and for their invaluable contributions. There was also an amazing display of talent by staff and an elegant and delectable lunch enjoyed by all that made the day even more spectacular.

“It was a nice gesture by the agency to show appreciation to the employees for all the hard work they bring to the Agency,” said Justin Warfield, graphic reproduction specialist. One of HCHRA’s very own celebrities, Rachael Campbell, children’s services specialist, humorously graced the stage as program guide. “Without the commitment of each individual employee, our clients would not get the service they need on a daily basis. We truly thank those who have gone above and beyond to reach the needs of our community,” said Kenn Cockrell, president & CEO.

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Let’s Have CLASS!

It’s not always easy to ace an exam, let alone conquering it on the first try. That’s what was accomplished when a group of HCHRA staff persons took a CLASS oberservation training course December 5-7 2018, to become a CLASS certified observer or monitor for their Head Start centers’ classrooms.

CLASS stands for the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, an observational instrument developed at the Curry School Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning that measures the quality of interactions between teachers and students in PK-12 classrooms.

Those observations are then rated using a manual of behaviors and responses. The CLASS can be used to reliably assess classroom quality for research and program evaluation and also provides a tool to help new and experienced teachers become more effective.

According to the CLASS trainer, nearly all the teachers passed the CLASS Reliability exam on the first try with high scores ranging from 90-95. The agency invested in 34 staff persons to attend the training - 17 became CLASS Reliable, five of which were Center Administrators. The remaining 17 will become CLASS Reliable in the spring. According to Chelsea Luster, HCHRA’s associate vice president of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs, “Our teachers are now qualified and certified to observe other teachers’ interactions with their students. It will also help organize teacher’s expansion of the students’ knowledge and regard for students’ perspectives. It is great to see our staff elevate to a new level of reaching our students in the classroom.”

HCHRA Receives $20,000 Innovative Community Project Award

Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) was selected by the Mississippi Department of Human Services and the Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies (MACAA) to receive the 2018 Innovative Community Project Award.

The Innovative Community Project Award was established by the Mississippi Department of Human Services to encourage Community Action Agencies throughout the state to accurately identify community needs, strategically develop solutions to the needs identified, and in turn, deliver high-quality services that yield measurable outcomes.

A panel made up of representatives from MDHS and MACAA reviewed the project submissions and selected HCHRA based on the merit of their application and program excellence. Candace McDermott, executive director for MACAA, says Hinds County Human Resource Agency was the clear frontrunner for the award.

“They continue to show excellence in their projects and the impact they have on communities,” said McDermott. “They consistently meet organizational standards reviews, produce results and exhibit accountability. They are a good role model for other agencies.”

After going through a stringent review process which looks at total program operations, ingenuity and service delivery, HCHRA was chosen from among 18 agencies in the state of Mississippi to receive the $20,000 Innovative Community Project Award, which will be used to support ongoing operations and expand services.

HCHRA was announced as the recipient of the award at the MACAA Annual Conference held in December.

HCHRA is a public, non-profit Community Action Agency dedicated to helping families and strengthening communities.

For more than 41 years, HCHRA has built its solid reputation in eradicating poverty by empowering disadvantaged Hinds County citizens to become self-reliant and realize their full potential.

Through its Head Start, Early Head Start, congregate and home-

delivered meals, home energy assistance, rural transportation, and case management programs, HCHRA continues to improve the conditions of children, families, single adults, the elderly and the disabled throughout Hinds County. For more information on HCHRA programs and services, visit www.hchra.org.

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Phase Training Promotes Success of HCHRA Head Start Program

Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) completed Phase IV Training on January 12, 2019, where Head Start Parent Committee Officers, the Head Start the Policy Council, and members of the HCHRA Board of Directors participated in a day full of sessions to learn more about Head Start Program performance standards, ongoing monitoring of the program and continuous improvement.

As indicated by its name, Phase Training is a series of training sessions provided to HCHRA’s governing bodies to make sure that new and returning members understand program operations, their roles in governance, and how to effectively impact program outcomes. Training begins shortly after the start of the new school year once new Policy Council and Parent Committee members are seated, and the sessions are conducted throughout the school year to make sure there is ongoing monitoring through proper oversight and correction, which ultimately result in performance and progress towards meeting program goals.

Phase I training was conducted in August of 2018 at the very beginning of the school year. It provided an overview of the Head Start program; rights, roles and responsibilities; conducting effective meetings; and the benefit of parental involvement.

To ensure effective operations, Phase II Training was offered in October. During this session, attendees focused on the Head Start Program Performance Standards and how they related to the successful operation of each program component.

Phase III Training, on Head Start Program Governance, was held over the course of three days from November 30 to December 2, 2018, and provided an in depth look at the responsibilities that members of the governing bodies hold for overseeing the Head Start program. It highlighted the importance of the governing body’s full participation in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of the Head Start program, and also covered how data is to be used to identify program strengths and needs, develop and implement plans that address program needs, and continually evaluate compliance with program performance standards to ensure continuous improvement.

HCHRA’s Phase Training is built around the idea of “maximum feasible participation.” It is the belief that lowincome citizens should take an active role in designing and developing programs that benefit them because they can determine what helps them the most. As called for by Head Start legislation, HCHRA understands that the participation of our Head Start parents in governance gives our families a strong voice. “HCHRA uses these training sessions to not only mold parents into leaders, but to also empower them to be decision makers, and to learn empowerment strategies to become catalysts for community action efforts,” said Kenn Cockrell, president and CEO for HCHRA.

HCHRA understands that in order to be successful, it is essential that the Head Start Program reflects the community as a whole and is very well versed on operations, governance, ongoing monitoring, and adherence to performance standards. HCHRA has a Board of Directors that shares responsibility for the delivery of high-quality Head Start services to children and families. The Policy Council is the policy making authority and is made up of Head Start parents elected by parents of children enrolled in each center and community representatives selected by the Board of Directors and approved by the elected parent representatives. The Parent Committee is comprised exclusively of parents of children currently enrolled at each center. “We invest a lot of time and resources in providing training to our governing bodies. It is our goal to make sure they are well equipped to oversee our continuous improvement and success.”

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Hinds County Human Resource Agency Hosts 26th Annual Christmas Smorgasbord Luncheon Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) held its 26th Annual Christmas Smorgasbord Luncheon at its Central Office location on December 19, 2018. The agency came together to celebrate the Christmas holiday season, and to fellowship with not only employees, but also with community leaders and elected officials throughout Hinds County, and with corporate partners from around the state.

Close to 300 guests enjoyed a wonderful holiday feast which consisted of turkey, ham, dressing and a variety of sides and desserts. HCHRA gave away door prizes that ranged from gift cards to ceramic dishes, bed sets and wall lamps – all donated by friends and supporters of the agency. While the Smorgasbord has built up quite a reputation for having good food and gifts, the biggest attraction seems to be the Christmas decorations.

Each year, HCHRA holds an annual Christmas decorating competition among each department at Central Office to see which one comes out on top. Administration, Children Services, Department of Family Opportunities, Fiscal, Head Start Administration, and Personnel were all a part of the competition. The first place winner receives three days off with pay, second place receives two, while third place receives one. Individual staff persons also have the opportunity to decorate their offices and office doors in hopes of winning a day off for a first place reward. An independent panel of judges is selected from outside of the agency, and departments are judged on theme, creativity, originality, showmanship and special effects. “While decorating is a serious competition among colleagues, the contest was created as a fun way to promote team building and create a festive environment for our employees as well as our guests to enjoy,” said Kenn Cockrell, HCHRA president and CEO. The theme for the competition – “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas” – really lived up to its name. “Staff came together and totally transformed Central Office into all things Christmas,” said Cockrell. Administration won first place, with Children’s Services coming in second, and Head Start Administration coming in third. Linda Norwood, purchasing specialist, won first place for best individual office, and Carlene Parker, communications specialist, won first place for best individual door.

The Christmas Smorgasbord came to a close with everyone joining in to sing Christmas carols, but not before the agency’s CEO shared words of appreciation and well wishes for the new year.

“I would like to thank everyone for coming here today and for the role that each of you plays in helping HCHRA remain successful. I appreciate your hard work and dedication.

Let’s continue to reach new heights in 2019.”

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Good News!

Nonprofit Organization U. S. Postage PAID Jackson, MS Permit No. 614

Vol. 2 - Issue 1

www.hchra.org Hinds County Human Resource Agency 258 Maddox Road Jackson, MS 39212

A NOTE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Community support is the lifeline for disadvantaged citizens in Hinds County Mississippi. You can help free someone from poverty’s grip and usher them into a life of self sufficiency.

Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA) continues to seek community support in order to continue helping families and strengthening communities. A solid base of support helps us plan for the future and increase services for our community. We ask you to please consider making a donation to HCHRA. Your contribution will truly make a difference in the lives of children and families in our community.

HCHRA is a public nonprofit Community Action Agency. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the IRS. To see a complete list of programs and services, and/or make a donation, visit our website at www.hchra.org. To speak with someone about giving opportunities, call 601.923.3930 and ask for Planning and Development.

Kenn Cockrell President & CEO

HCHRA