A Holiday Thank You

The following letter of thanks was delivered to the Housing Department with a festive plate of homemade Holiday goodies:

“Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to the Boss and all the guys who worked on my old house … who done just a good job on it and made it so much better and nicer for me.  You guys did a wonderful job and it’s so warm now and to think this summer I can open my windows and doors which I’ve never been able to do.  Thanks again guys and hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Your great admirer,  … …”

This elderly homeowner has three part-time jobs to pay the utility bills for the home she has lived in her entire life.  Through the Weatherization Assistance Program her home received attic and sidewall insulation, a new furnace and new windows and doors.  She shared with the crew that she has never had anything new in her life, as the addition to the home was built with used materials.

Hopefully, the weatherization measures will not only make her home more comfortable, but allow her to eliminate one of the part-time jobs!

Jackie Harpst - Housing

In the Spotlight - January Edition

In the SPOTLIGHT this month

RSVP DIRECTOR – Cheri Theesen

VOLUNTEER SERVICES

Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska’s Volunteer Services include the following programs:  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Compassionate Connections, and the Senior Companion Program (SCVP).

RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for people age 55 and over.  Join RSVP and you join nearly 500,000 volunteers across the country who are tackling tough issues in their communities.  RSVP offers a full range of volunteer opportunities with thousands of local and national organizations.  There are several places in Buffalo and Kearney Counties that RSVP volunteers can serve to meet the needs of the communities.  Volunteers are given the flexibility to serve as much or as little as they want, according to their schedules and lifestyles.  Volunteers can learn new skills or use the ones they have already acquired.  The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program came to the Buffalo and Kearney County area in 1998 when Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska received a grant to fund the program from the Corporation for National and Community Service.  There are currently 165 volunteers who served approximately 20,000 hours last year.

Compassionate Connections is a program that provides services to individuals so they are able to remain independent in their homes.  When a referral is made an initial assessment is completed.  If appropriate, a volunteer is placed to assist the individual.  Services provided include friendly visitation, light housekeeping during recovery, errands and transportation needs for shut-ins.  There is currently a need for more volunteers in Compassionate Connections as the request for assistance has surpassed the ability of our current volunteers.  New volunteers are needed!!

A new outreach of RSVP and Compassionate Connections is the Independent Living Support Class.  RSVP received a permanent increase in funding to incorporate this opportunity into the program.  This class teaches volunteers the skills needed to be an effective support to individuals in their homes.  This class will be taught in Kearney, Ravenna, Minden, and Wilcox twice a year.  The class currently being taught is in Kearney at the Peterson Senior Center.

The Senior Companion Volunteer Program is funded by Health and Human Services.  It is a program designed for the limited income senior who is 55 plus years old.  A small tax free stipend, mileage reimbursement and other benefits are offered.  The mission of the SCVP is to recruit and train volunteers to assist individuals in maintaining their independence.  Whether it is someone lonely and isolated, physically or mentally disabled, or living with Alzheimer’s disease, Senior Companions help people in ways true friends help one another.  Senior Companions can be placed in private homes or independent living facilities.  Currently there are 49 senior adults being served by 4 Senior Companions.  We are currently looking for new Senior Companions to serve in this capacity.  If you know of someone, please contact Mary Jane McLaughlin at 865-1354.

The Love Dare

Happy New Year everyone!  

     January is the time when so many of us set resolutions for the upcoming year.  We see the New Year as a time for new beginnings - a fresh start.  The problem is we often set out to do a complete 180 degree turn and when we fail, we abandon the resolution completely. 

     Why does this happen?  Often we identify the goal or outcome we want to reach, but we don’t determine what steps we will take to reach that goal.  I often have parents tell me that they want to be a better parent or spouse.  They are usually able to tell me what it would look like if they attained that goal, but are unable to tell me what changes they plan to make to get there. 

     There is a recently published book called, ‘The Love Dare’ by Alex & Stephen Kendrick.  If you saw the movie Fireproof, the book was the blueprint Kaleb (main character) used to make changes in his marriage.  It is a 40 day challenge to make changes. 

     For example, day one calls for the reader to make no negative comments toward his spouse.  Day two also challenges that no negative comments are made and in addition, one nice gesture be made.  The gesture could be as little as pouring a cup of coffee for a spouse, or warming up a vehicle. 

     Each of the forty days has a specific step toward the ultimate goal of improving the marriage relationship.  Each step is something that can be accomplished in one day.  If you have the opportunity to take a look at ‘The Love Dare’, it is a great example of how a life change can take place one day at a time, one step at a time.  We often tell people that changes must be made in their life, but fail to help them map out how to make those changes.  I’ve failed to make changes in my own life because I didn’t have a plan.  Good intentions were quickly replaced by frustration.  I love the quote, “a failure to plan is a plan to fail”. 

     So if you have a goal for 2010, or are working with families to bring about change, increase the odds of success by decreasing the odds of failure.  Break it down into tasks, get an accountability partner for support, and stay the course. 

     Helping people, changing lives…one step at a time.

    by Lisa Follmer

Helping people, changing lives, and making communities a better place to live – one house at a time…

WEATHERIZATION WORKS!

“I am really enjoying my new home!!!! I just can’t believe that this is the same house”, stated a homeowner in Perkins County who benefited from the collaboration of the Making Homes Accessible (MHA) Program, USDA-Rural Development (USDA-RD) Housing Rehabilitation, Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation (SWNCBC) Owner-occupied Housing Rehabilitation, and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WX).  By working together these agencies were able to provide the following improvements to his home:

• New roof and gutters (SWNCBC)
• Vinyl siding (SWNCBC)
• New windows and doors (SWNCBC)
• Electrical upgrades (USDA-RD)
• Plumbing upgrades (MHA)
• New furnace (WX) with central air conditioning (USDA-RD)
• Water heater replacement (USDA-RD)
• Kitchen cabinets with under counter storage, and a sink and faucet (SWNCBC)
• New flooring in the kitchen, living room and one bedroom (MHA)
• Replacement of the bathtub with a handicap accessible shower unit (MHA)
• Attic and sidewall insulation (WX)
• Ramp to the front door for accessibility (MHA)

This elderly gentleman who will now be able to remain in his home safely and comfortably was very grateful for all of the assistance he received.  In a Thank You note, he stated, “This would never have been possible without all of you.  I just want you to know how much I appreciate all of the time, effort and financial assistance.  Thank you very, very much.”   

Jackie Harpst - Housing

Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska

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