Holly Nett completes CCR&R Leadership Development Program

Holly Nett, Child Care Consultation Manager at Lakes & Prairies Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), completed a 3-year leadership development program offered by the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).  Nett was one of four individuals selected nationally for the intensive mentoring, training, internship, and service opportunities program in the Child Care Resource & Referral field.  During those three years, Nett completed two, 2-week internships.  One focused on child care consultation at the Indiana Association of Child Care Resource & Referral in Indianapolis, IN, in 2010 and a national public policy internship in Washington D.C. in 2011.  Nett has been with Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership, CCR&R for 17 years.  The CCR&R program provides services in northwest Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.  

Lakes & Prairies VITA Tax Site Receives Generous Support from Bank of the West

Bank of the West Branch Area Manager Scott Green (left) and
Moorhead Branch Manager Kari Saurdiff (2nd from right)
present two checks totaling $5,000 for our Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance Program.  Receiving the checks are Joe Pederson,
Lakes & Prairies Executive Director and Brenda Maaninga,
Tax Site Coordinator and Director of Finance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lakes & Prairies Free Tax Site is now in its 7th year.  During these years the tax site has grown from serving 84 to now more than 650 households annually.  Last year households received more than $1.65 million in refunds and saved an estimated $150,000 to $200,000 in tax preparation fees.  Eligible households also received information about federal benefits and other opportunities that could further leverage their income.  The growth of the tax site to what it is today could not have taken place without the financial support of individuals and businesses in our communities.  The gifts presented by Bank of the West (BOTW) will help cover costs related to tax site operations and outreach to help low and moderate income families in their efforts to achieve family economic stability and success.

Child Care Resource & Referral receives Star Award

Pictured at the award ceremony (from left to right) are: Dr. Joel Haugen, Dakota Medical Foundation Board Chair, Sonya Fisher - CCR&R Professional Development Manager, Linda Lembke - CCR&R Director, and Pat Traynor, CEO, Dakota Medical Foundation

Pictured at the award ceremony (from left to right) are:
Dr. Joel Haugen, Dakota Medical Foundation Board Chair,
Sonya Fisher - CCR&R Professional Development Manager,
Linda Lembke - CCR&R Director, and
Pat Traynor, CEO, Dakota Medical Foundation

Child Care Resource & Referral was awarded a Star Award from Dakota Medical Foundation to recognize leadership in promoting healthy eating and active living in regional child care programs.  GoFar was also featured in their annual report.

Congratulations, Sonya and Linda and the entire CCR&R team!

Going to Harvard!

Well, for a few days anyway.   Lakes and Prairies Head Start staff are excited to be part of a Professional Learning Community on Parent, Family and Community Engagement.  Pam Bernstein, Head Start Program Director, Kristin Phillips, Early Childhood and Special Services Manager, and Shanna Grefsrud, Transportation/Parent Involvement Manager, will travel to Boston, MA  in late March to work with other Head Start Staff at the  Harvard Family Research Center.  

Dakota Medical Foundation - $5,000 Match Grant

Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership has received a match grant in the amount of $5,000 from Dakota Medical Foundation to support an initiative called "Putting Healthy Options Within Reach."
The match grant will work to:

PROVIDE HEALTH COVERAGE INFORMATION AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE FOR LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIORS, INCLUDING MINNESOTA CARE, MEDICARE, AND MEDICARE PART D. 

INCREASE AWARENESS OF ELIGIBILITY FOR HEALTH CARE AND FOOD-NUTRITION SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AMONG LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIORS THROUGH THE USE OF THE CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND BENEFITS CALCULATOR – "BRIDGE TO BENEFITS."

INCREASE THE NUMBER OF INCOME ELIGIBLE SENIORS PARTICIPATING IN THE NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SENIORS.

PROMOTE THE USE OF THE "FILE OF LIFE" INFORMATION SHEETS THAT PROVIDE EMERGENCY CONTACT, MEDICAL DATA, MEDICATION, MEDICAL CONDITION, ALLERGIES AND MEDICAL INSURANCE INFORMATION.

OFFER HEALTH AND SAFETY PRESENTATIONS FOR SENIORS.



Dakota Medical Foundation, Fargo, ND, focuses its efforts on improving health and access to medical and dental care in the region, with a special emphasis on children. Since 1996, the Foundation has invested over $42 million to 387 nonprofit organizations in the region. For more information, see www.dakmed.org. Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership is a nonprofit organization. Its programs include Family & Community Services, Clay County Seniors, Child Care Resource & Referral, Rainbow Bridge, Clay-Wilkin Head Start, and the Lakes & Prairies Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site.