Tri-Valley April Newsletter

April Newsletter

2019

First off, my apologies for a delayed newsletter this month. Between me being on the road and Coach Bakken trying to find a dry field for the Pirate baseball team to play on, we haven’t been in the same place much….unless you want to count the training we both attended in St. Paul this week.

Anyway, on to the updates. I know that I had shared last month that I was hoping to give updates on a couple of projects we have in the works but unfortunately, I can only talk about one of those projects. Most readers know that we have been hosting a Family Partner pilot project for the NW Council of Collaboratives. Missy and Brandi are still finding their way but have managed to already compile a solid record of positive interventions that have benefitted kids and families that we are working with. To complement the pilot project, we have again partnered with the NW Council of Collaboratives to apply for additional funding that would allow us to operate a parallel project that would have a slightly different focus and look to it in terms of how we reach families. Our region didn’t fit the RFP to a “T” but we gave the application our best shot. Fingers crossed! Whether we are successful with this grant or not, we will continue to seek funding to more broadly deploy Family Partners in our region.

I was able to spend some time with Head Start staff at their spring get together. I love being able to visit with co-workers that I only get a chance a see a time or two in a given year. I saw many new faces and some I have being seeing for a while. Thanks to all who took a second to say “Hi”, I appreciate making connections with those who contribute to our mission from hundreds of miles away from Crookston.

One of the items I reported to the Head Start folks about was our new Administrative Office. After many fits and starts, work is happening at a fast pace now. The second floor space that Tri-Valley will occupy is completely demolished and ready to be reconstructed. We will definitely put some pictures in future newsletters to keep readers updated once walls start to go up.

Your May update is reserved to honor staff who have achieved years of service milestones. I will be back to share news with you around the end of June.

In This Issue:

In This Issue:

* CEO News and Notes * Thank You Volunteers! * Elysian Center Recruiting * Upcoming Events * Solis Earns CDA * Carlson Visits Senator Johnson * Boudreaux and Hedden Present at Parent Engagement Conference

* Advertise on T.H.E. Bus * Tri-Valley at Health Fair * Tri-Valley at Wellness Fair * Staff Deliver Meals on Wheels * Tri-Valley at Celebrate the Young Child Event * Lee Receives Scholarship to Attend Conference * Foster Grandparent In-Service * Tri-Valley Board of Directors

Thank You Volunteers!

April was National Volunteer Appreciation Month! We at Tri-Valley can’t say THANK YOU enough to all of our wonderful volunteers. You make a difference in so many lives and we appreciate everything that you do!

Elysian Center Out Recruiting The Elsyian center kicked April off by working hard on recruiting great staff. On Tuesday, April 2, Cynthia Strand (Center Manager) and Coua Xiong (Education Supervisor) attended a job fair at South Central College in Faribault. On Wednesday, April 3, they attended a job fair in Mankato. They had quite a few prospective employees stop and talk and they were able to do some networking with community partners. Pictured are Xion and Cecilia Torres Parres (Preschool Teacher). Cecilia volunteered to come help. Way to be part of the team Cecilia!

Upcoming Calendar Items: * May - Community Action Month! (send in stories) * May 14 - Board of Directors Meeting * May 22 - Elgin Center Open House * May 27 - Memorial Day (Offices closed)

Carlson Visits Senator Mark Johnson

Congratulations Abigail!

Abigail Solis (Infant Teacher) at the Crookston center received her Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. By earning your CDA, you gain the skills and knowledge to deliver more high quality learning opportunities and services for young children. We are so proud of all your hard work and dedication to the program Abigail!

Are you seeking a career with purpose? Tri-Valley is a rapidly growing organization and is always looking for qualified employees; we seek highly motivated, talented candidates to join our staff. Tri-Valley offers a supportive work-environment and a competitive benefits package to our employees. Apply today at Tri-Valley! https://careers.tvoc.org/

Tri-Valley CEO Jason Carlson met with Senator Mark Johnson in early April. Senator Johnson serves the communities of Kittson, Marshall, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau Counties. From Johnson’s Legislative Update, “Glad to meet up with Jason Carlson from Tri-Valley. He works hard for the community and has a great perspective on the uses of public private partnerships. We had a few minutes to tour some of the capital and take a picture in the Senate Chamber.” Thank you Senator Johnson!

Boudreaux and Hedden Present at Parent Engagement Conference Cindy Boudreaux (Health Services Manager) and Melody Hedden (Family & Community Services Manager) presented at the 2019 Parent Engagement Conference in Brainerd, MN on April 9. The title of their workshop was Safe and Sound. The workshop provided parents with useful skills and methods to secure safe environments for children. Topics included mealtimes, car seat safety and safe sleep. Cindy and Melody’s straightforward approach cut through the clutter surrounding each topic area and provided information in an interactive setting. This left parents with daily practices to ensure safe environments for their children.

Advertise on T.H.E. Bus Are you looking for a unique and eective way to advertise and have your business seen thousands of times a day? Then call Cindy Gjerswold at 218281-0700 ext. 2637 and ask about our bus wrapping!

Tri-Valley Attends Senior Citizens Health Fair Marcia Haglund (RTC Program Manager) and Jean Halvorson (Foster Grandparent Coordinator) attended the Karlstad Senior Citizens 2019 Health Fair on April 26. There were informational booths for the great turnout of seniors that attended. Pictured is Jean Halvorson.

Tri-Valley Attends Celebrate the Young Child Event

Tri-Valley Attends Senior Wellness Fair Tri-Valley Senior Programs and Transportation Programs attended the 8th Annual Senior Wellness Fair in Crookston on Tuesday, April 23. There were numerous community information booths along with blood pressure and blood sugar checks. A free pulled pork lunch was offered and T.H.E. Bus provided free rides to the event.

Tri-Valley Staff Deliver Meals on Wheels Missy Janssen (Data Systems Specialist), Diane Littlefield (Executive Assistant) and Melody Hedden (Family & Community Services Manager) enjoyed the sunshine delivering meals on Tuesday April 10 for the Meals on Wheels Program. Missy said, “It’s so rewarding to see the smiling faces of the recipients, they always have something positive to say.”

Tri-Valley Transportation Programs, Head Start, Child and Family Programs and Community Assistance Programs attended the Celebrate the Young Child with the Power of Kindness Family event on Thursday, April 25 at the Crookston High School.

Children were able to explore a variety of stations for children and enjoy a free meal. Each child received a free puppet and T.H.E. Bus. provided free transportation. Thank you to the Celebrate the Young Child Collaborative, Crookston Early Childhood Summit and Otto Bremer Foundation for putting on the event.

Foster Grandparent In-Service

Tri-Valley’s Jami Lee awarded scholarship to attend National Child Nutrition Conference Courtesy of the Crookston Daily Times The National CACFP Sponsors Association has awarded 15 scholarships to the National Child Nutrition Conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois from April 23-26.

On April 5, Tri-Valley Foster Grandparents attended an in-service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. In the morning session, they had the privilege of learning from Trish Floyd from North Dakota Assistive. Trish shared various ways and different technologies to adapt daily activities that may become more difficult throughout the aging process. In the afternoon, the Foster Grandparents learned from Crookston Police Chief Paul Biermaier (pictured). He shared various tips and information on identity theft, robocalls and scams.

There were over 1,800 submissions and all of the applicants’ passion and commitment to the children and adults they serve was evident and moving.

The National Child Nutrition Conference Midwest Sponsor Scholarship was awarded to Jami Lee of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. in Crookston.

Showing a strong dedication to continual improvement through professional development, Lee will join over 1,700 members of the child nutrition community for an incredible few days of training, networking, and learning opportunities.

About the National CACFP Sponsors Association Since 1986, the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) is the leading national organization for sponsors who administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We provide education and support to thousands of members in the CACFP community and to sponsors of all sizes from across the country. We strive to improve communication between families, care givers, sponsors, and their supervising government agencies.

Agassiz Townhomes are Ready to Rent Agassiz Townhomes have units ready to rent! If you or somebody you know is looking to relocate to Crookston, be sure to check them out! Two and three bedroom units available. Call 218-547-3307 for more details or check us out online at www.dwjonesmanagement.com/crookston.