Social Worker Newsletter
Samantha Kluesner, School Social Worker ; May 2021
Boletin del trabajador social
As we near the end of the school year I wanted to share some information about summer camp opportunities for students. You an find information about them in the flyers below. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me.
If you are in need of food assistance, there are several organizations that are offering food assistance or meals throughout the year. You can find those in the links below.
As always, if you and your family are in need of any support at this time, please feel free to check out these resources or connect with me personally. I am happy to help in any way! :)
Hola y Feliz Primavera!
A medida que nos acercamos al final del año escolar, quería compartir algo de información sobre las oportunidades de campamentos de verano para los estudiantes. Puede encontrar información sobre ellos en los folletos a continuación. Si tiene alguna pregunta, no dude en comunicarse conmigo.
Si necesita asistencia alimentaria, hay varias organizaciones que ofrecen asistencia alimentaria o comidas durante todo el año. Puede encontrarlos en los enlaces a continuación.
Como siempre, si usted y su familia necesitan apoyo en este momento, no dude en consultar estos recursos o comunicarse conmigo personalmente. ¡Estoy feliz de poder ayudar de cualquier manera! :)
Youth Camp Opportunities / Oportunidades de campamentos juvenil
Resources for Parents/Caregivers / Recursos Para Padres/Cuidadores
Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Opportunities through United Way
Education/Events/Workshops
· Oakridge Neighborhood - HOPE for Stable Families is a one to two year high touch case management program designed to help low income families work toward self-sufficiency. The program works with families to set goals with a focus on keeping children at their current school and families secure long-term stable housing, employment and work toward financial independence. Flyer attached. For more program information and eligibility requirements, please contact our office at (515) 244 -7702 ask for Veleta or email: aabdalla@oakridgeneighborhood.org.
· Oakridge Workforce Resource Center – Adult & Family Programs: Oakridge Neighborhood Services is proud to offer adult and family programs that focus on helping people prepare themselves for employment – first jobs and better jobs. Our programs and services are open for all. Some of our services include, reducing barriers to employment and addressing immediate needs, facilitating job readiness, assisting with job placement, developing skills to aid in job retention, encouraging continued education for job advancement. We offer a number of services – for English speakers and other languages, including Arabic, Nuer, Somali, Swahili and Tigrinya. Flyer attached. For more information please contact us at (515) 244 -7702 or email: aabdalla@oakridgeneighborhood.org
· Please Pass the Love – Bilingual Support Group: This has been a tough school year for teens, that's why we are offering a FREE bilingual virtual support group for teens! This will take place every Thursday from 5-6pm via Zoom. Hosted by Please Pass The Love, led by Carol King, LMFT. Register at https://www.pleasepassthelove.org/recursos-biling%C3%BCes
· UWCI Homework Helpers Hotline: United Way is now offering a FREE telephone-based homework help from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. It will offer quick homework help to students, or adults who are supporting students, grades K-12. For homework help, call 2-1-1 from your telephone. You will be prompted to select “7” to speak with a United Way Homework Helper. Homework helpers will do their best to assist students in all instances, however, these volunteers may not have the same level of access to support every assignment a teacher may give. Based on call volume, Homework helpers may need to limit the number of problems they can address in a single call. Students may call back for additional support with other problems. Questions about Homework Helpers Hotline? Contact HomeworkHelper@unitedwaydm.org. View the attached flyers for more information.
Clothing Assistance
· Clothes Closet at Adel First Christian Church! (218 North 9th Street, Adel – corner of Kinnick Drive/Rapids Street). Fee full selection of children’s clothing a few adult-sized winter coats and all are welcome! Call (515) 401-2571 for “shopping” appointment.
Energy Assistance
· IMPACT to Accept Applications for Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) For All Eligible Households - IMPACT Community Action Partnership will be taking applications for the 2020-2021 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning November 1, 2020 for all eligible households. IMPACT offices are still currently closed to the public due to ongoing public health concerns surrounding COVID-19. Families in Boone, Jasper, Marion, Polk, or Warren Counties interested in applying for LIHEAP must call 515-518-4770 to schedule a phone appointment. During their phone appointment, applicants will need to furnish some form of identification, a copy of their most recent heating and electric bill, social security or I-94 cards, and proof of gross income for all household members for the past 30 days, the most recent 12 months, or for the past calendar year. This assistance is based on household income, household size, type of fuel, and other factors. Visit: https://www.impactcap.org/energy-assistance for more information.
Food Assistance
· WIC Program – Polk/Dallas County WIC: WIC serves income eligible moms who are pregnant, breastfeeding, post-partum, and infant through children age 5 with supplemental food packages. We recognize that this has been a difficult year for so many and some families may benefit from the additional food resources WIC can provide. Visit our new website – https://polkdallaswiciowa.org/. Please feel free to share and pass this information along to community partners and families. In an effort to spread the news and some cheer we have goody bags for infants – preschool that we would be happy to share. Feel free to let us know if and how many you would like. Additionally, we would be open to joining any meetings you may have to explain more about WIC. We appreciate all that you do to serve families with young children and are here to help and collaborate in any way we can.
Tax Assistance
· Lutheran Services in Iowa (LSI) - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): LSI is focused on serving limited English speaking taxpayers and/or taxpayers who are immigrants or former refugees. Families can use this service to claim their Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Care Tax Credits. Clinic hours are by appointment only on: Tuesdays 9-2 | Thursdays 3-8 | Saturdays 9-3 | See the attached flyer for more information.
· UWCI – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA): LET US PREPARE YOUR TAXES FOR FREE. VITA services are a free, accurate, and convenient way to file your taxes. VITA will help those who qualify to receive Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Care Tax Credits. Due to COVID-19, there are NEW PROGRAM PROCEDURES this year, including no admittance without an appointment, no exceptions. Call 211 to be screened for eligibility and to schedule an appointment. Visit https://www.unitedwaydm.org/vita-updates for eligibility requirements and additional appointment procedures.
Transportation / Transporte
Youth Programs
¿Su hijo necesita ayuda adicional con la tarea? 211 ofrece un servicio en el que los voluntarios ayudarán a su hijo con la tarea cuando usted no pueda.
Does your virtual learning student need a desk at home?
El Consejo Asesor Juvenil ofrece una oportunidad para que se escuchen las voces de los jóvenes. "Los jóvenes también tienen pensamientos" es un evento que se lleva a cabo para las edades de 14 a 22 años. Haga clic en el enlace de abajo para obtener más información.
¡Todos ganan! Iowa ofrece un programa de lectura donde los jóvenes pueden recibir apoyo adicional con la lectura de un mentor.
Community Youth Concepts ofrece una variedad de programas para jóvenes. Algunos incluyen un grupo de niñas, STEM, programas de alcance para adolescentes, voluntariado juvenil, Uvoice, etc. ¡Haga clic en el enlace a continuación para obtener más información!
Big Brothers Big Sisters es un programa de tutoría para jóvenes.
New Walk-in Clinic
Hope Ministries: Hot To-Go meals offered 7 days per week.
Hope Ministries: Se ofrecen comidas calientes para llevar los 7 días de la semana
Food Insecurity
Holidays can be a stressful time for those experiencing food-insecurity, such as seniors and households facing economic challenges, especially when people are struggling during the pandemic. Families sometimes have to choose between food, utilities, medical care, and other necessities. Not having access to enough, affordable, and nutritious food can affect an individual's health and well-being and children's development.
Many families rely on food resources and other programs in Iowa If you are in need of food assistance, here are some organizations that provide food or other resources:
Inseguridad alimentaria
Las vacaciones pueden ser un momento estresante para quienes experimentan inseguridad alimentaria, como las personas mayores y los hogares que enfrentan desafíos económicos, especialmente cuando las personas están luchando durante la pandemia. A veces, las familias tienen que elegir entre alimentos, servicios públicos, atención médica y otras necesidades. No tener acceso a alimentos suficientes, asequibles y nutritivos puede afectar la salud y el bienestar de una persona y el desarrollo de los niños.
Muchas familias dependen de los recursos alimentarios y otros programas en Iowa. Si necesita asistencia alimentaria, aquí hay algunas organizaciones que proporcionan alimentos u otros recursos:
FreeFood.org - free food resources by region
211.org - resource finder
USDA Nutrition.gov - food assistance programs
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Urbandale Food Pantry will help provide food to families who may need assistance. Click the link below to get more information.
Urbandale Food Pantry ayudará a proporcionar alimentos a las familias que puedan necesitar ayuda. Haga clic en el enlace de abajo para obtener más información.
Food Assistance / Asistencia alimentaria
Listed below are all of the DMARC food pantries that are offered throughout Polk County.
A continuación se enumeran todas las despensas de alimentos de DMARC que se ofrecen en todo el condado de Polk.
Bidwell Riverside Center offers a Food and Clothing a Pantry weekly. Call 515-244-6251 for questions.
Bidwell Riverside Center ofrence una despensa semanal de alimentos y ropa. Llame al 515-244-6251 si tiene preguntas.
The link below will assist you in applying to receive food assistance through the Family Investment Program (FIP)
El enlace a continuación lo ayudará a solicitar recibir asistencia alimentaria a través del Programa de Inversión Familiar (FIP)
Christ Apostolic Temple: offeres a food pantry 2x per week by appointment only.
Templo Apostólico de Cristo: ofrece una despensa de alimentos 2 veces por semana solo con cita previa.
Child Care Assistance / Asistencia de cuidado infantil
Other Assistance / Otra asistencia
Information for Residents Unable to Afford Rent Due to COVID-19 / Información para residentes que no pueden pagar el alquiler debido a COVID-19
Eviction Information for Non-Payment of Rent
Informacion de desalojo por falta de pago del aquiler
COVID Recovery Iowa
Free virtual counseling and assistance for all Iowans affected by COVID-19. PLEASE don't hesitate to look into/use this resource! Below you will find information about FREE parent support groups and the programming they have for children!
https://covidrecoveryiowa.org/
Asesoramiento y asistencia virtual gratuitos para todos los habitantes de Iowa afectados por COVID-19. ¡POR FAVOR, no dude en consultar / utilizar este recurso! ¡A continuación encontrará información sobre los grupos de apoyo para padres GRATUITOS y la programación que tienen para los niños!
PARENTS - I can still make referrals for you/your child to our school-based therapy partner, Stepping Stone Family Services! PLEASE don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have ANY questions at all regarding school-based therapy!!! OUR SCHOOL-BASED THERAPIST HAS IMMEDIATE OPENINGS FOR VIRTUAL THERAPY!
PADRES - ¡Todavía puedo hacer referencias para usted o su hijo a nuestro socio de terapia en la escuela, Stepping Stone Family Services! POR FAVOR, no dude en comunicarse conmigo si tiene ALGUNA pregunta sobre la terapia en la escuela. ¡NUESTRO TERAPEUTA EN LA ESCUELA TIENE APERTURAS INMEDIATAS PARA TERAPIA VIRTUAL!
School Based Therapy at BFCSD / Terapia basada en la escuela en BFCSD
Parents:
Did you know BFCSD partners with Stepping Stone Family Services to serve students at all buildings?? Please see the information below from Stepping Stones - this is an AMAZING resource!!!
Stepping Stone Family Services provides School-Based Therapy Services to all schools in the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District.
http://www.steppingstoneia.com/
Please contact me if you would like more information or to make a referral!
Padres:
¿Sabía que BFCSD se asocia con Stepping Stone Family Services para servir a los estudiantes en todos los edificios? Por favor, consulte la siguiente información de Stepping Stones: ¡este es un recurso INCREÍBLE!
Múltiples estudios de investigación han encontrado que los niños y adolescentes no reciben los servicios de salud mental necesarios debido a que los servicios son limitados y de difícil acceso para las familias. La prestación de servicios de salud mental en las escuelas aumenta el acceso a la atención. Es más probable que los niños y las familias accedan a los servicios y los utilicen cuando se ofrecen en las escuelas. El personal de la escuela refiere a los estudiantes a la terapia basada en la escuela cuando las necesidades de salud mental de los estudiantes afectan su funcionamiento diario. Stepping Stone Family Services brinda servicios de terapia en la escuela durante el año escolar y las vacaciones de verano. Los servicios basados en la escuela y la duración del servicio se individualizan. Cada estudiante referido y sus padres se reunirán con un terapeuta de Stepping Stone Family Services para una evaluación. Durante la evaluación, se discuten las necesidades, fortalezas y metas del estudiante. Se desarrolla un plan de tratamiento individual para cada estudiante.
Stepping Stone Family Services proporciona servicios de terapia basados en la escuela a todas las escuelas del distrito escolar comunitario de Bondurant-Farrar.
http://www.steppingstoneia.com/
Comuníquese conmigo si desea obtener más información o hacer una referencia.
It is the policy of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator - Chad Carlson, Director of Administrative Services, 300 Garfield St. SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, 515-967-7819, carlsonc@bfschools.org. or Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, Telephone (312) 730-1576, Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
Es política del Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad Bondurant-Farrar no discriminar por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, sexo, discapacidad, religión, credo, edad (para empleo), estado civil (para programas), orientación sexual, identidad de género y estatus socioeconómico (para programas) en sus programas educativos y sus prácticas laborales. Existe un procedimiento de quejas para procesar las quejas de discriminación. Si tiene preguntas o una queja relacionada con esta política, comuníquese con el Coordinador de Equidad del distrito: Chad Carlson, Director de Servicios Administrativos, 300 Garfield St. SW, Bondurant, IA 50035, 515-967-7819, carlsonc@bfschools.org. o Director de la Oficina de Derechos Civiles del Departamento de Educación de EE. UU., Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-7204, Teléfono (312) 730-1576, Fax: (312) 730-1576, Correo electrónico : OCR.Chicago@ed.gov
Samantha Kluesner
Trabajadora social de la escuela primaria Morris and Anderson K-5.
Email: kluesners@bfschools.org
Location: Morris Elementary School, Garfield Street Southwest, Bondurant, IA, USA
Phone: 515-967-6361