A Stress Free Christmas To All!

Merry Christmas everyone!  I can’t believe the year is almost over.  I did a presentation for Head Start families on how to recognize triggers and responses to stress.  I focused on the difference between stress and distress and how parents sometimes allow distress to hinder their relationship with their kids.  Since this is a hectic time of year for all of us, I’ve included a stress scale that can help each of us determine how much stress we are really experiencing:

Life Event: 

Death of spouse-100       Divorce-73                                   Marital separation-65

Jail term-63                  Death of close family member-63   Personal injury or illness-53

Marriage-50                  Loss of job-47                              Marital reconciliation-45

Retirement-45               Change in health of family member-44  Pregnancy-40

Intimacy or sexual difficulties-39    Gain of new family member-39          Business readjustment-39    Change in financial state-38  Death of close friend-37                   Career change-36

Increase in # of marital arguments-35                A mortgage or loan over $40,000-32

Foreclosure of mortgage-30              Change in responsibilities at work-29  Child leaving home-29                        Trouble with in-laws-29                     Outstanding personal achievement-28

Spouse loses job or starts new job-26                 Begin or finish school-26               Change in living conditions-2

Change in personal habits-24             Trouble with boss-23                         Change in work hours/conditions-20

Change in residence-20                      Change in school/college-20               Change in recreation-19

Change in Church-19                            Change in social activities-18             A loan or mortgage over $10,000-17

Change in sleeping habits-16              Change in # of family get-togethers-15  Change in eating habits-15

Vacation-13                                         Christmas-12                                      Minor violations of the law-11

Scoring:

300 plus - You have a very high risk of becoming physically affected by your stress (ex. headaches, heartburn, or other illness) in the near future

150-299  - You have a moderate chance of becoming ill in near future

Less than 150 Congrats, you have only a low chance of becoming ill in the near future

Notice that Christmas is included in the stress producing categories.  For many, Christmas is not a joyous time.  Even for those of us who enjoy the Holiday, it can be a hurried, stressful time.  Our ability to cope with demands is key to our experience with stress.  For example, starting a new job might be solely an exciting experience if everything else in your life is stable and positive.  But if you start a new job when you’ve just moved into a new house, or your spouse is ill, or you’re experiencing money problems, you might find it harder to cope.  My most recent divorce workshop revealed that attendees are experiencing stress both due to divorce and to the anticipation of a lonely Christmas.  Identifying how much stress you’re experiencing can help you cope and carry it with less detriment to your health, your parenting and your relationship with others.                              I wish you all a blessed and stress free Christmas!

by Lisa Follmer

Sam - a success story

     An interested member of the Hispanic community called the Lexington Mid PHONE nurse to inquire what could be done for this 4 year old child who “just laid there and did nothing” but wasn’t really sick.  The family members were all undocumented and new to the USA within the last month and had no financial means.  An appointment was made for Sam to be seen at the next Lexington Well Child Clinic and for his mother to sign up for WIC.  When seen by the WCC ARNP, the child was observed to be quite disabled from “brain damage at birth” and was found to be on seizure medication prescribed in Mexico which was almost gone.  He was also observed to be dehydrated, malnourished and thin, and suffering from chronic constipation.   The ARNP and PHONE nurse consulted and it was decided he needed to be seen by a pediatrician as soon as possible.  The PHONE nurse set up an appointment with a pediatrician for the next day, completed a Presumptive Eligibility application beginning that day and made arrangements for prescriptions to be filled for pediasure and multivitamins immediately.  

     The doctor made a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy with quadraplegia and seizure disorder, continued the seizure medication and pedisure and recommended starting an aggressive physical therapy program as soon as possible.  The Lexington PHONE nurse contacted HHS Medically Handicapped Children’s Program and the application process for financial assistance thru that program was started.   Sam was also referred to the Lexington School Systems Learning Disabilities Center and a physical therapy/occupational therapy consult was done immediately and plan of care established with assistive devices ordered.   Arrangements were also made for Sam to go thru the Cerebral Palsy Clinic in North Platte. 

     The PHONE nurse and WIC dietician and nurse worked with the mother on nutrition, feeding, and hydration issues and will continue to monitor and teach as indicated thru regular WIC visits.  This is a wonderful example of the programs that Mid offers such as Well Child Clinics.  This clinic made a huge difference in the life of this child and his family.

WIC & BFPC - There to help and support

In July, WIC (Women, Infants & Children) implemented a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program to help WIC mothers give their babies the best nutrition possible: breast milk.  The Breastfeeding Peer Counselors (BFPC) are available outside of the normal working hours to talk with moms about breastfeeding and give ongoing education and support over the phone, in person, and in the hospital.  Take a look at one of our success stories below to see how the Peer Counselors are making a difference in WIC families’ lives.

There was a WIC  mom who really didn't want to talk with a BFPC.  She basically, in a very kind way, told me not to call because this was her 4th child and she knew what she was doing.  I have made sure to be at Connections and Le Leche League breastfeeding support groups because I knew that she would be there and we have been building a relationship because of this.  As it turned out after the baby was born she really needed help because her baby was a preemie and couldn't latch on to breastfeed well.  Later he developed terrible colic.  By attending these support groups, we have built a wonderful relationship.  I think that she is appreciative now.  She is now asking for my advice and she sits next to me at the support groups.
by Charity Allan

Peace, & A New Start

Our office met ‘Susie’ a few years ago.  She and her kids came in for a few years and then we sort of lost track, which sometimes happens when clients move on, gain employment and are on an even keel.  Susie once again came into the Franklin office very close to the New Year as a victim of domestic violence with the hope of moving back into the area, immediately.  We were able to find a place and assistance through HPRP funds and have the landlord sign off on the family within hours.  The children were able to find clothes for school and mom has now applied for eight jobs.  It was nice to have an option for this family and to help them know where they will be before the next school semester starts for the children.

by Bev McNiff

Community Services Coordinators

Not a Black Sheep!

Recently we saw a chain reaction that brought a smile to our faces.  A client came in requesting assistance to pay her utilities before they were disconnected. She told us of her life being the black sheep of her family and then she talked about her mother who is gravely ill.  The client had been taking care of her mother and did not think she was going to survive much longer. 
She went on to tell us about how no family member had ever thought she would amount to anything - she had not completed high school.  While filing out our intake form she noticed the poster regarding how we can provide funding to pay for G.E.D. testing.  She had an idea.  To surprise and honor her mother the client is going to complete her G.E.D.  Not only were we able to help short-term with utility assistance, we will be able to help her long term by paying her G.E.D. testing fees when she is ready.

by Katie Shaw

Community Service Coordinator

Hastings and Clay Center Area

Helping Small Businesses

SEED (Small Enterprise Economic Development) was started in 1994 as a program whose mission was to enhance family income through a new or expanding business venture. The objective is to create or retain employment for a minimum of one full or part time person. SEED is available to persons who have developed training or skills through employment, hobbies or working outside of their current jobs. Loan funds are available for equipment purchase, marketing and operating expenses.

One of the businesses featured was a sign company. The owner had experience as a graphic designer, had started her business at home and needed to expand into a retail location. SEED provided funds for the purchase of a computer and software program for preparing signs. The loan included operating expenses for six months. The loan was repaid promptly and the business has expanded to four full time employees.

The second business opened in 2007 for sales and service of small engines, primarily lawn mowers, large and small, chain saws, snow removal equipment and all equipment powered by small engines. The business had financing for start up, but as the owner did not have business experience, he needed advice about starting a new business and self employment. The SEED program partnered with SCORE to counsel the owner in the areas of record keeping, business insurance, registering with the State of Nebraska, remittance of sales tax, marketing and legal structure. The business is year around and has three full time employees. SEED is available to persons who want to start or expand their business. www.communityactionmidne.com

We are here to help. Call me, Bob Hobbs, 308-865-5675 or mncaloans@mnca.net or go to

A Fixed Income With Nowhere To Go

Early in February an elderly couple came to my office.  At first glance, you could tell “Ben and Susan” were desperate.  She was carrying a small portable oxygen tank and he had a fistful of overdue bills.  They explained that they had never asked for anything before, but now they were faced with eviction and disconnect notices for both electric (they are all electric) and water services.  Additionally, the phone was due to be disconnected and there were several overdue medical bills.  Both were on a fixed income of SSDI and had been able to make it until Ben was diagnosed with cancer a few months prior.  Since they live outside of Kearney, the added travel expenses for numerous treatments had really taken a toll on a very fragile financial system.  HPRP was the only answer for Ben and Susan’s numerous needs.  Over the next 6 months, the couple was able to re-stabilize with the help of HPRP and budgeting.  Just one week after exiting the HPRP program, the couple received a housing voucher from Kearney Housing which decreased their rent by $68 a month.  Ben’s cancer is now in remission.  I often wonder what would have happened to the couple if they had not walked into our agency.

by Denise Rice

Community Services

Case Management Success Story

Submitted by Mid’s  LIFE Coordinator

A family of five was initially referred to me by the Community Service Coordinator after voicing their concerns about their financial situation.  The family initially sought budgeting assistance through another agency but were turned away because, according to the credit counselor, they were in too much debt.

The father had just lost his job and the mother was working as many hours as possible to pay the bills.  They had two children under the age of six so Mid was able to provide nutritional assistance through the WIC Program.  They were working on getting a mortgage modification so they could afford to keep their home.  I met with the family and helped review and change their budget.  The husband recently secured full-time, permanent employment and the family now has a financial plan in place to use their tax refund to pay down much of their existing debt.  Mid helps customers find hope in what seems like hopeless situations.

Meredith Collins

Planning Director

Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska

Welcome!

We are reaching out to spread our mission via social networking - we will be sharing our mission and how our many programs have helped people in our community. 

Childhood Immunization Program

 

Mid is a community action, non-profit agency.

 

We were established in 1965 as a part of Lyndon B. Johnson's "War on Poverty" which worked to develop positive solutions to poverty. The main purpose of our agency is to provide diverse services and programs that will have an postive impact on indivudals, families, the elderly and disadvantaged populations of Nebraska. Throughout the history of the organization the agency has established solid programs that benefit the entire community. Head Start, WIC, Weatherization, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, transportation, immunization clinics, Food Bank, case management, affordable housing, micro-loans, and senior centers are the major programs that we operate. Ninety-five percent of total revenues from Mid-Nebraska are applied to direct program services.



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Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

So - visit often, link to us, and hear how we positively affect lives and how you can be part of our fight against poverty!

Janice