Septembernewsletter2015

September Newsletter

2015

I will start this month with a couple of updates from the September Board of Directors meeting.

The first update is regarding the 401(k) retirement services RFP. For those who do not know, the board has decided that Tri-Valley will go out for bid on various insurance products, audit services and 401(k) services on a scheduled basis. 2015 is the year for us to look at 401(k) service providers.

We received bids from Empower Retirement (our incumbent provider), Mutual of America and Bremer Wealth Management. (It is important to note the Bremer proposal was made using the Empower Retirement platform.) After careful consideration, the board decided to utilize Bremer Wealth Management. What does this mean for plan participants? It means that we will have access to the same mutual funds as before and will also be able to use the Empower website as you do now.

Bremer has committed to several retirement education meetings every year we work with them. Otherwise, the bulk of the change revolves around advising services and trust functions that plan participants do not see.

The second update from the board meeting concerns health insurance. The board decided to leave our plan design the same for 2016 with cost sharing also unchanged. Information about rates for each plan will go out with Open Enrollment information.

I was recently informed of the results of our Migrant and Seasonal Head Start environment review. The information was extremely positive as there were no findings or areas of concern! Great job Head Start Team! Recall that reviews like the environment review determine whether or not Tri-Valley will be invited to write a new five year grant for Head Start services without competition or if the program must compete with other agencies for the grants.

With recent staff changes in Community Services, Maureen Hams has taken the opportunity to assess how staffing patterns are meeting the needs of those we serve. She has come up with a plan that deviates from our current situation. Information on the changes will be shared with staff as the plan is fully implemented. Please be supportive of Maureen as she works to create a team that is better able to carry out the mission of Tri-Valley.

I will close with one final staffing note. We have hired a new Administrative Assistant for the Administrative Office. Diane Littlefield will hopefully start her new duties with Tri-Valley on October 12th. Diane brings a wealth of interesting experiences in her past professional life that I feel will be very beneficial to Tri-Valley.

In This Issue:

In This Issue:

* CEO News and Notes * East Grand Forks Open House * Hutchinson Open House * Winnebago Open House * Grafton Open House * Glencoe Open House * Monticello Open House * Hendrum Open House * Crookston Open House

* New Tri-Valley Signage * Head Start Takes a Tour * Spirit Week in Monticello * Celebrating the Transportation Team in Danube * Upcoming Events * Rochester Parent Meeting * Danube Training * Tri-Valley Employees Receive Their CDA * Glencoe Training

State Rep. Kiel Visits East Grand Forks Open House State Rep, Deb Kiel attended the Tri-Valley Head Start Open House in East Grand Forks on Tuesday, August 11.

Center Manager, Kristen Waechter, and Program Area Manager, Jessica Flores, took her on a tour of the facility where she got the opportunity to visit with children during meal time.

Winnebago Open House The Winnebago Center had their open house on Wednesday August 19th in honor of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council’s 50th Anniversary. They had the local newspaper come and do an article on them and took pictures of staff and children on his visit. They served coffee, juice, cupcakes and cake. It was a great day had by all!

Hutchinson Open House The Hutchinson Center held their 50th Anniversary celebration for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. and Head Start on Thursday, August 20th. They served fruit, muffins, coffee, and lemonade. They displayed recruitment materials, photos, and a powerpoint presentation.

Bloggers Wanted!

If you are interested in writing an occasional blog article for the Tri-Valley blog page, please email Mitch at mitch.bakken@tvoc.org.

Grafton Open House The Grafton Center held their 50th Anniversary celebration for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. and Head Start on Thursday, August 27th. In attendance were parents and several community partners and local businesses including MET, Migrant Legal Services, Job Service, Migrant Health, Morgan Printing, US Bank, and the Walsh County Record. Refreshments were also provided.

Glencoe Open House The Glencoe Center held their open house for Tri-Valley and Head Start’s 50th Anniversary on August 19th, 2015.

Refreshments were served. Tables were set up to correlate with some of the activities that the center does with the children in the classrooms. There was a powerpoint presentation for viewing. The Community Assessment survey was also set up for partners to complete.

Hendrum Open House The Hendrum Center held its Open House on Wednesday, September 16. Norman County West (NCW) teachers, community members and parents stopped in to have some refreshments and spend time in the classroom. It was a great time had by all!

Crookston Open House Monticello Open House The Monticello Center held a 50th Anniversary Open House on Friday, August 28. At the event, community partners joined together to learn more about one of Tri Valley’s Head Start Programs that serve families working in agriculture. Those in attendance and pictured include (L-R) Anoka County Commissioner Julie Braastad, Anoka County Commissioner Robin West, Alejandra Henriquez representing U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer, Head Start Center Manager Lindsay Vokaty.

The Crookston Center held a 50th Anniversary Open House on Thursday September 17th at the Community Family Service Center. They had the University of Minnesota Crookston Registrar Ken Myers, and Disability Specialist, Gail Myers attend. Highland Elementary School Principal, Chris Trostad, Crookston Public Schools Superintendent, Chris Bates, and Kathy Stronstad, Special Services Director also attended. Others attending the celebration included Tri-Valley employees from other programs, various community members, and Head Start parents and families. It was a great time!

New Tri-Valley Signage The new signage is up at the Community Family Service Center in Crookston and the Tri-Valley Transit Building s in Crookston and Thief River Falls. The signs look great!

Tri-Valley Head Start Takes a Tour The Tri-Valley Head Start, Child and Families Programs took a tour to the Owatonna Head Start center, two Migrant camps in Owatonna, and the Elysian Head Start center. The members meet at the Apple Valley Administrative office on Thursday, August 27, 2015 and spent the day learning about our Migrant Head Start families. Members that joined the Tri-Valley staff were Hue Nguyen, Jeanne Dickhausen, Julie Chi, Avisia Whiteman, and Noemi TreviĂąo from Minnesota Department of Education; Dave Snyder and Meghan Holmquist from Minnesota Asset Building Coalition; Haregewoin Tsegaye from Minnesota Department of Human Services; and the President Teresa Luque and Vice President Diana Escamilla from the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council.

Did You Know?... * You can receive more information on Tri-Valley’s programs and services by calling 218-281-5832 or 800-584-7020. * You can keep up with Tri-Valley news on the TVOC website at www.tvoc. org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TVOCInc and on Twitter at @TriValley_TVOC. * Everyone can receive the Tri-Valley Newsletter. If you know of anyone who would like a copy please have them contact Mitch Bakken at 218-281-5832 or mitch.bakken@tvoc.org.

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. (TVOC) is a community action agency headquartered in Crookston, MN. It is our Mission to provide opportunities to individuals and communities in order to improve the quality of our lives. In existence since 1965, TVOC provides services in 84 counties in Minnesota and Northeast North Dakota. For more information on services offered by TVOC please call 218-281-5832 or 800-584-7020. This information is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Contact us at 1-800-5847020 or by calling the Telecommunication Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.

Rochester Parent Meeting Spirit Week in Monticello Spirit week was celebrated the week of August 24th at the Monticello Center in celebration of 16 Head Start Children moving into kindergarten. Pictured are some teachers and classroom advocates in on wacky day. The center also took part in Cowboy/Cowgirl day, Pajama Day, Beach Day and Dress Up Day!

On August 27th Rochester Migrant and Seasonal Head Start held their monthly parent meeting. We had a representative from the Rochester Public Library attend. She brought puppets and books. She did a small puppet show and read books to the parents and children. The parents were able to take literacy activities to do at home with their children.

The Transportation Team at Danube Rocks!

The Transportation Committee and the Danube Center held an appreciation for the staff members that were involved in the Bus Accident on July 13th, 2015. Cake and punch were provided along with thank you cards. The Danube staff members also got together and made gift/hospitality/care baskets for the four staff members that were involved in the bus accident. We thanked them for recalling their training and reacting as needed to keep everyone safe!

Danube Mid-Season Training

Upcoming October Calendar Items: * Oct. 5 - Migrant and Seasonal Head Start/Early Head Start Policy Council * Oct. 7 - Tri-Valley Senior Programs Recognition Banquet * Oct. 13 - Tri-Valley Board of Directors meeting

On August 28th, the Danube Center held its Mid-Season Training. The staff received Wellness training by Tara Morrison, Program Area Manager. They played a Jeopardy game including questions from our Head Start Policies and Procedures, led by Center Manager Stacy Wachsmuth, received Health updates from Tiffany Beerbower, Health Services Specialist, and played “minute to win it� games!

Tri-Valley Employees Receive Their CDA Several Tri-Valley Head Start, Child & Family Programs employees completed their Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). They include Tiffany Whitlow (Winnebago), Anaiza Martinez (Grafton), Jennifer Ramirez (Winnebago), and Wendy Arreola (Owatonna). Congratulations to you all!

Tiffany Whitlow

Jennifer Ramirez

Anaiza Martinez

Wendy Arreola

Glencoe Mid-Season Training The Glencoe/Hutchinson Center held its Mid-Season Training on August 21st. Nancy Mellesmoen, Center Manager trained on active supervision. Tara Morrison, Program Area Manager, trained on wellness, stress relief and transportation. DeeDee Vos and Emily Hadley, Education Disability Specialists, trained on PATHS. Diana Martinez, Family and Community Services Specialist, trained on recruitment. Anotonia, Center Nurse and Tiffany Beerbower, Health Services Specialist, trained on health items.

Other activities included listening to TED talks, socializing over a potluck, writing what you appreciate about others. The day ended with a team building game of kickball!!