Et cetera : Benton and Tama County Early Childhood Iowa Board Members discuss

Benton and Tama County Early Childhood Iowa Board Members met and had discussions under the newly formed Better Tomorrows Board, as part of the States “Lean Design”. They will be a joint Governing Board beginning July 1, 2012.

Topics of discussion were Board Member Application, ECI Area Name, By-laws, Transition Plan, Conflict of Interest Forms, RFP for Fiscal Agent, RFP for Programs, and Community Plan.

Better Tomorrows Board strives to assure that children, ages 0 – 5, in Benton and Tama County are healthy; ready to succeed in school; have a safe, safe and supportive community; secure, nurturing child care; and have a safe, secure, nurturing home.

“There have been several “tough” meetings this past year with the State’s “Lean Design” and there will be more challenges and/or exciting endeavors in the coming year,” stated Ms. Johnson, Tama County Co-Director. “We wouldn’t be able to provide the services that we do without such dedication.” stated Ms. Schminke, Benton County Co-Director.

Some of the services currently provided are: parent education, funding for children to attend preschool, child abuse prevention awareness, child care provider classes, and childcare and preschool environment evaluations.

If you are interested in becoming involved in Better Tomorrows Early Childhood Iowa, please contact Heidi Schminke at 319-472-4543, e-mail:ccc@becemopowerment.com; or Lori Johnson at 641-484-4788, ljohnson@tamacounty.org.

Those pictured were:

Front row (L) to ® - Larry Vest, Vice-Chair/Tama Co. Board of Supervisors; Cindy Skopec, Citizen; Kathy Koehn, business; Sue Gates, citizen; Nancy Farmer, health representative;

Back row (L) to ® - Nathan Hesson, member of the public/citizen; Frank Albertsen, consumer; Richard Arp, faith; Darla Thiessen, human services; and.Ron Buch, Chair/Benton Co. Board of Supervisors.

Absent: Tim Sanderson, education.