2013 tri valley annual report

Letter from the Chief Executive Officer- Jason Carlson

2013 Tri-Valley Annual Report

Our Mission: To provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities.We Believe . . .~ All people have value and potential;~ In treating all people with dignity and respect;~ Diversity enriches the quality of life;~ All people have the right to be informed of choices, opportunities, and responsibilities;~ Effective communication and teamwork are essential for success;~ Partnerships are essential in delivering quality services; and,~ There are opportunities in change

Mission & Beliefs

When I reflect on the events of 2013 the word sequestration dominates my thoughts.

At the beginning of 2013, Tri-Valley and countless other entities were anxiously watch-ing the actions of Congress as March 1, the date for automatic sequester cuts in federal discretionary spending drew closer. There was hope that Congress may work out a deal as the original January 1 date had been postponed for two months by the Ameri-can Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. The uncertainty of what sequester cuts would actually mean to programming and the fatigue brought on by once again being asked to do more with less could easily cripple an organization; but not Tri-Valley. March 1 came and went without a deal in Congress and the sequester cuts were enacted. Throughout

the whole process of wondering if cuts were going to be made, and then dealing with guidance from funding sources after the cuts were made, Tri-Valley staff continued to stay mission-focused. Board priorities contin-ued to be worked on and clients were served to the best of our collective abilities. In addition to the seques-tration cuts, Tri-Valley staff had to deal with a 16 day shutdown of the federal government in October, which was also taken in stride. I am proud to be associated with such a resilient group.

The resilience shown in maintaining as much of Tri-Valley’s pre-sequester capacities as possible paid off later in 2013. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 passed through Congress in December and restored some of the discretionary funding cut through sequestration. Due to the commitment of staff in maintaining capacities, Tri-Valley was well positioned to immediately and effectively administer restored funding. The law also set limits on discretionary spending for 2014 and 2015, finally ending some of the uncertainty we had become accustomed to.

In addition to the relative good news brought by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013, other opportunities presented themselves. Possibilities for expanded funding in Head Start, new services for Transportation and Senior Programs became known by the end of the year. None of these opportunities could have been consid-ered without the resilience of Tri-Valley’s staff and the commitment of its Board of Directors. I look forward to reporting on the outcome of the mentioned possibilities in our next Annual Report.

Letter from Board Chairperson - Linda Neuerburg


In reflecting upon this last year at Tri-Valley my thoughts seem to fixate upon changes that have occurred and more that are to come. When watching the news on television or reading about news in the written media one is struck with how much is changing and how quickly these changes occur. Still, the inevitability of changes remains with us as the old saying goes, “The only thing that remains the same in life is change.” Thus, our best bet in dealing with today and tomorrow is to adapt to change and build a better commu-nity in the process.

While change is our constant companion we continue in our quest to improve the quality of life for those we serve and for our communities by providing opportunities for positive growth and development. We are mindful of the devolution of federal and state govern-

ment and recognize that we must find partnerships in meeting our goals and objectives efficiently and effectively. Those who are served and the taxpayers who pay for our services deserve nothing but our best stewardship today and always. Thus, management, directors, and line-workers remain vigilant to funding opportunities, to crisp management, and to effective service delivery. This past year has taken some twists and turns but we are now on a steady and sustainable path to improving the quality of life of our communities.

The future may seem cloudy for some in the non-profit sector of our economy. We are not naïve to the declining discretionary funding at the state and federal levels. However, if we continue our steady drive to be good stewards of resources and produce quality outcomes our future will be bright. Never let it be said that we became overly confident or pessimistic. Instead, we have and we will move the ship of hope for those we serve and our communi-ties strategically, slowly and effectively. The proof will not be in how many programs we have or how many dollars we spend. Instead, the proof will be in measurable quality of life indices. It has been hard to say goodbye to some Board members who have moved on during this past year. We experienced the resignation of Kent Eken and Arthur Drenckhahn. Kent needed to move on as his life and workload changed over the past year or so and Art and his wife decided to move closer to their kids and grandchildren in the Twin Cities area. We were blessed to have had their excellent service while they were on the Board of Directors. While saddened by our Board losses we rejoice in our Board gains this past year. We celebrate the arrival of Shawna Peterson from Marshall County and Dale Svarin, Tammy Lee, and Bette Gysland from Norman County. Tri-Valley is blessed to have such gifted and committed individuals who willingly volunteer their time and talent to the Mission of Tri-Valley.

Let me take this opportunity to thank the Board of Directors for all their hard work and leadership. I must thank our partners and funding sources for their support and oversight. And, we simply could not continue our success-ful journey without the nearly 800 employees who made our services available over this past year.

In closing, I want to thank Dennis DeMers (President) and Jason Carlson (CEO) for their exemplary development and execution of a sound and seamless executive transition. Without a hitch we have seen the transition of new leadership without a hint of disruption or discord. I look forward to many years of leadership from Jason while taking this opportunity to thank Denny for his nearly 43 years of service to those we serve and the communities in which we live.

2013 Tri-Valley Board of Directors

OFFICERS

Vice Chair PersonLeRoy Vonasek

Marshall County

TreasurerNick Nicholas Polk County

Chair PersonDr. Linda Neuerburg

Polk County

MEMBERS

Don DiedrichPolk County

John GerszewskiPolk County

SecretaryLinda GrindePolk County

Marvin GundersonNorman County

Lee Ann HallNorman County

Jamie HennenNorman County

Dr. Jodi Boerger-WilderPolk County

Mark KroulikMarshall County

Domita MackMarshall County


Bette GyslandNorman County

Tammy LeeNorman County

Dale Svaren Norman County

Shawna Peterson Marshall County

Community Services Programs• Community Assistance Programs - Helps qualified low to moderate income families with rent assistance, securi-ty deposits, foreclosure prevention, mortgage and budget counseling, home buyer training, housing counseling, and financial assistance for utilities, food, and clothing. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), crisis and furnace repairs are also available to qualified households.• Child Care Aware - Assists the early childhood com-munity in expanding and improving the quality and avail-ability of child care. Parents looking for child care can receive a list of licensed providers tailored to meet their specific criteria.• Family Voice and Choice Network - Provides a Family Mentor to parents and caregivers of children, ages 0-21 with social, emotional and behavioral concerns as part of the Our Children Succeed Initiative.• T.H.E. Bus (Public Transportation) - Provides public transportation in handicapped accessible buses. Curb-to-curb service is available.• Rural Transportation Collaborative (RTC) - Coordinates volunteer drivers to transport individuals for medical appointments, education or work activities, child visitations, or other personal matters.• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Outreach - For more than 40 years, SNAP has served as the foundation of America’s national nutrition safety net. It is the nation’s first line of defense against hunger and offers a powerful tool to improve nutrition among low-income people. In 2012, SNAP helped almost 47 million low-income Americans to afford a nutritionally adequate diet in a typical month.

Tri-Valley Programs & Services

Housing Programs• Minnesota Urban and Rural Homesteading Program (MURL)- Allows low-income, at-risk families to purchase a home with no down payment and no interest. Monthly pay-ments are based on affordability and are adjusted as income increases.


Tri-Valley Programs & Services

Head Start, Child and Family Programs• Head Start - Provides comprehensive, family-ori-ented child development services designed to meet the diverse needs of low-income children and their families. Services provided include early childhood education, medical and dental examinations, im-munizations, vision and hearing screenings, speech and developmental screenings, disabilities services, referrals, and parent education. - Head Start - Provides services to children ages 3 to compulsory school age in West Polk, West Marshall, and Norman counties. - Early Head Start - Provides services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers in West Polk, West Marshall, Norman and Steel counties. - Migrant and Seasonal Head Start/Early Head Start - Provides services to Migrant and Seasonal pregnant women and children ages 6 weeks to compulsory school age throughout the states of Minnesota and northeastern North Dakota.• Title 1 Health Services - Provided over 450 physicals and dental exams to Title 1 children and provided nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch. • Title 1 Identification & Recruitment - 2,851 migrant children were identified in MN (ages birth to 21).• Migrant Child Care - Funds are utilized to enhance the services provided at our Migrant Head Start centers and provide direct child care to children who need services longer than centers offer. Over 860 migrant children were served with Migrant Child Care funds.


Senior Programs• Foster Grandparent Program - Recruits individuals age 55 and over to volunteer in schools, child care centers, Head Start centers, group homes, and other non-profit facilities to support children with special needs. • Senior Companion Program - Recruits individuals age 55 and over to help others live independently by assisting with grocery shopping and other daily tasks. • Valley Housekeeping Program - Offers light housekeeping and laundry services, as well as shopping and other errands, for elderly individuals age 60 and over. The program also serves disabled and private pay citizens.

The People We ServeIn 2013, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. served an unduplicated count of 9,321 individuals and 2,601 families.

People Served by Poverty Level% of Poverty Total Up to 50% 80051% to 75% 35376% to 100% 444101% to 125% 311126% to 150% 239151% to 175% 145176% to 200% 120201% and over 112

People Served by Education LevelLevel Total 0-8 Grade 2579-12 grade/Non-Graduate 906High School Graduate/GED 1,53912+ Some Post Secondary 5002 or 4 years College Graduate 212


The People We ServePeople Served by AgeAge Total 0-5 1,574 6-11 1,178 12-17 768 18-23 706 24-44 2,030 45-54 55955-69 1,27270+ 1,234

People Served by Family SizeFamily Size Total One 741Two 493Three 383Four 393Five 261Six 195Seven 84Eight or more 51

2013 - A Year in Review

• Helped 720 individuals who were unemployed obtain a job.• Helped 720 individuals obtain an increase in employment income and/or benefits.• In order to acquire or maintain employment: - Assisted 1,490 families obtain care for their children; - Assisted 27,277 individuals in obtaining access to reliable transportation. - Helped 127 individuals obtain health care services for themselves or a family member. - Helped 113 individuals and/or families obtain safe and affordable housing. - Assisted 298 individuals and/or families obtain food assistance.• Assisted 138 families to receive individualized services for children with disabilities.• Helped 472 families enroll in MinnesotaCare or other health insurance program.

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. strives to meet six national goals. Here’s a look at our accomplishments in 2013...

Goal 1: Low-Income People Become More Self-Sufficient.


Goal 2: The Conditions in Which Low-Income People Live are Improved.

• Created or maintained 5,195 safe and affordable child care or child development placement opportunities for low-income families.• Mobilized 122 community members to participate in community revitalization and anti-poverty initiatives.• Provided opportunities for volunteers to serve 170,591 hours in agency and community activities.

Goal 3: Low-Income People Own a Stake in Their Community.

• Provided opportunities for low-income individuals to volunteer 136,862 hours in agency and community activities.• Assisted 67 low-income individuals to participate in formal community organizations, government, boards or councils that provide input to decision-making and policy-setting.• Assisted 130 low-income individuals to engage in non-governance community activities or groups created or supported by community action.• Helped increase the knowledge of 1,227 individuals about Minnesota Voter Registration and participation.


Goal 5: Increase Our Agency Capacity to Achieve Results.

• Provided 28,423 hours of training to 661 staff.• Provided 20 hours of training to 15 Board members.

Goal 4: Partnerships Among Supporters and Providers of Services to Low-Income People are Achieved. Established or maintained relationships with the following partners: - 36 Nonprofits - 7 Faith-Based Groups - 34 Local Government Entities - 2 State Governments - 6 Federal Government Agencies - 1,664 For-Profit Businesses or Corporations - 7 Consortiums or Collaborations - 2 Housing Consortiums or Collaborations - 63 School Districts - 3 Institutions of Post Secondary Education - 2 Financial/Banking Institutions - 55 Health Service Institutions - 12 State-Wide Associations or Collaborations




• Provided programs and activities to 2,506 seniors to maintain their independent living.• Provided programs and activities to 2,239 individuals with disabilities to maintain their independent living.• Provided referrals for emergency food assistance to 399 individuals.• Provided emergency payments to vendors for fuel and energy bills for 500 individuals.• Provided emergency rent or mortgage assistance to 135 individuals.• Provided emergency home repair to 82 households.• Provided referrals for temporary shelter to 36 individuals.• Provided referrals for emergency medical care to 29 individuals.• Assisted 5 individuals in averting foreclosure and maintaining their home.• Assisted 1,376 infants and children obtain age appropriate immunizations, medical and dental care.• Improved the health and physical development of 1,376 infants and children as a result of providing adequate nutrition.• Provided preschool activities to develop school readiness to 448 children.• Ensured that 448 children from low-income families are ready for school having developed pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills as measured by assessment.• Assisted 51 youth in improving social/emotional development.• Ensured that 1,378 parents and other adults learned and exhibited improved parenting skills.• Ensured that 1,378 parents and other adults learned and exhibited improved family functioning skills.• Helped 87 obtain care for their child or other dependent.• Helped 10,312 obtain access to reliable transportation.• Assisted 488 obtain health care services for themselves or family member.• Assisted 91 obtain safe and affordable housing.• Helped 1,241 obtain food assistance.• Helped 195 obtain non-emergency LIHEAP energy assistance.• Provided 98,960 rides.• Provided 3,510 information and referral calls.

Goal 6: Low-Income People, Especially Vulnerable Populations, Achieve Their Potential by Strengthening Family, and Other Support Systems.

Audited Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets

Year ending December 31, 2013

REVENUES

Grant Revenue $14,967,704

Program Contributions $1,969,562

Interest Income $5,201

In-Kind Contributions $1,541,656

Other Income $449,230

TOTAL REVENUE $18,933,353

EXPENSES

Child Education $13,172,308

Family and Community Services $1,139,558

Energy Assistance and Weatherization $202,068

Senior Services $643,580

Transportation $1,970,437

Housing and Housing Rehabilitation $194,512

Homeless/Shelter Programs $210,162

Food Programs $556,965

Corporate Activities $206,587

TOTAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES $18,296,177

Management and General Expenses $830,892

Fundraising $44,391

TOTAL EXPENSES $19,171,460

CHANGES IN NET ASSETS $238,107

Net Assets December 31, 2013 $6,168,995


In The News


Ridership on T.H.E. Bus increases by 9 percent(Article courtesy of the TRF Times & Northern Watch, www.trftimes.com)

About 78,700 rides were given by Tri-Valley Heartland Express (T.H.E.) Bus in 2012, an increase of about 9 percent.

Jennifer Booth, transit program coordinator, attributes the increase to T.H.E. Bus offering more rural service. She also pointed to an increase in the number of kids riding the summer rec bus last year in Thief River Falls. Twen-ty-five kids rode the summer rec bus in 2011. Last year, that number jumped to 60.

Besides the summer rec bus, T.H.E. Bus offers two city routes in both Thief River Falls and Crookston, a route in Bagley/Clearwater County, and rural routes in Pennington, Kittson, Marshall, Polk, Red Lake, Norman and Clear-water counties. It offers routes between the two campuses of Northland Community and Technical College, and a full-time University of Minnesota, Crookston route. It also offers dial-a-ride curb-to-curb service in both Thief River Falls and Crookston.

Currently, a rider calls T.H.E. Bus to reserve a seat. The dispatcher then types or writes the information onto an Excel spreadsheet, which is then given to the driver. If there are any changes while the driver is on the bus, the dispatcher radios that change to the driver.

However, that will soon change. By Aug. 1, T.H.E. Bus plans to install a new computer system that will feature a tablet on each bus. Dispatchers will be able to type an additional stop onto or remove a stop from a particular driver’s route, which will soon show up on the driver’s tablet and schedule. Dispatchers will also be able to see via GPS if the bus breaks down. This will make it easier to see which driver is closer to where an added rider needs to be picked up.

T.H.E. Bus expects this computer system will save money. “We should be able to save, we figure, about three to five gallons of fuel per bus,” Booth said.

The buses and dispatch will continue to have two-way radios in case there is an emergency or a bus breakdown.

The change will make it easier for Booth to fill out required reports related to the number of elderly or kids riding T.H.E. Bus, and whether individuals are using the buses’ lifts.

To ride T.H.E. Bus in Pennington County, call the Thief River Falls office at 681-6760. To ride T.H.E. Bus in Polk or Red Lake counties, call the Crookston office at 218-281-0700. The cost is $2 each way if a rider calls the day prior to riding the bus. If the rider calls the same day, the cost is $3 to a destination and $2 to return. NCTC students ride the bus for $1 each way if they present their college ID. Bus passes are available for $10 from the drivers. The passes are worth $12 in bus rides. (Ridership article continued on next page)

Local Child Care Programs Seeing Stars

The Child Care Aware Program at Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. announced today that local child care programs are seeing stars; Parent Aware Star ratings that is. Kim Feiro, Karen Salentiny, Sunrise Center for Children and Families in Crookston and Susan Weber and June Kassa in East Grand Forks recently completed the Star Rating process called Parent Aware.

Parent Aware is a rating tool designed to ensure that child care programs are delivering quality services. It’s also a tool parents can use to find quali-ty child care and early education programs in Minnesota. The Star Rating is the result of a thorough process that involves learning, coaching, and training. All Star-Rated Programs go above and beyond licensing require-ments to support quality and school readiness. By voluntarily becoming rated, a program shows it cares enough about early learning to use the best practices and proven approaches. At each level, quality indicators are measured in four key areas: physical health and well-being, teach and relation-ships, assessment and child progress, and teacher training and education. The rating acts as a Consumer Reports style symbol of quality and is posted to the Parent Aware website at www.parentawareratings.org.

Participating programs have volunteered for extra, in-depth training, devoted themselves to strong, caring rela-tionships with each child, adopted the latest approaches to keeping children’s learning on track, committed to daily activities and routines that help children learn and grow, and place a focus on children’s health and safety. During the process, each program participating in Parent Aware is given access to quality improvement grants and a con-sultant who coaches them through the process.

For more information on Tri-Valley’s Child Care Aware program visit the company’s website at www.tvoc.org or call 1-800-584-7020.

(Ridership article continued)- To ride the NCTC bus, the cost is $12 round-trip. Booth noted many people ride that bus to visit family or shop in the Grand Forks area. The cost of rural bus service is pro-rated based on mileage.

To ride the summer rec bus in Thief River Falls, the cost is $55 for one student or $125 per family. The pass in-cludes unlimited bus rides during June, July and August. Booth noted students may ride the summer rec bus to baseball, tennis or swimming lessons. They may also ride the bus, for example, from daycare to Grandma’s house or from their home to the library. Students have a badge attached to a lanyard that they present to the driver when getting onto the bus.

T.H.E. Bus in Crookston serves as a stopping point for Jefferson Lines. Riders may purchase a ticket there for Jefferson Lines and ride that bus line from Crookston to their destination.

In The News


In The News


Grandmas’ Find Each Day is Rewarding in its Own Way(Article and photo courtesy of Jess Bengtson from the Crookston Times, www.crookstontimes.com)

Washington Elementary in Crookston has two extraordinary la-dies who are part of the Foster Grandparent program. They come to Washington to help the children during and after school with reading, writing, and art projects. All teachers say these Grand-mas are a “blessing.”

Grandma Addie Woinarowicz started with the Foster Grandpar-ent program almost 10 years ago. She was first placed at Lincoln Elementary, which has been closed now for several years. Addie worked with the toddlers and kindergarten classes until noon back when they didn’t have a full day. When Lincoln closed, she

went over to Carmen School, also since closed, and worked with the babies. Addie has now been at Washington for five years.

“My favorite activities to do with the kids are really everything. Writing, math, and I enjoy the after school pro-gram too,” says Addie.

She works for the after school program every Monday and Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.

One thing out of the ordinary that Addie has done with the kids is teach them to embroider. This past summer, she had 14 kids (girls and boys) doing embroidery.

“It was neat that I could teach them something they probably wouldn’t get to do any other time,” she said.

Addie is from Euclid and has four kids of her own. Addie also has four grandkids with a new granddaughter on the way in January. She loves being around and working with children. She even belongs to a club that make baby layettes for mothers who need them.

One thing that Addie hopes for in the future is that more senior citizens sign up for the Foster Grandparent pro-gram. “We really need the help and once you start, you will love the job.”

Grandma Deloryce Bertils started with the Foster Grandparent program 18 years ago. She has lived in Crook-ston her entire life and has six kids, 13 grandkids, and three great-grandchildren. Deloryce also has three more great-grandchildren on the way.

Deloryce, like Addie, started at Lincoln Elementary working with the babies, preschool and kindergarten students. Someone told her recently that she is just like a teacher, but she doesn’t think that way. She just loves to help and wants kids to learn.(Grandmas’s continued on next page)

In The News


(Grandmas’s continued)- “There are some kids who don’t have two parents in the home or any grandparents. This program lets kids have a grandma or grandpa,” says Deloryce.

She doesn’t necessarily have a favorite activity because she just likes working with the kids. Deloryce does all kinds of things, even projects in the summer for the teachers. Currently, she works in Renee Tangquist’s class at Wash-ington.One thing she wants all seniors to know is that this program is definitely worth it.

“It’s so rewarding! Once you get involved, you will have fun. I’d rather be here any day than off somewhere having coffee and chatting,” Deloryce said.

The Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Foster Grandparent program allows people 55 and older to become a Grand-ma or Grandpa to a child or classroom. This program is particularly targeted at those with limited incomes and provides a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. To learn more about the program, call 281-5832 or visit tvoc.org.

Elysian Area Learning Center Wows the Dentist

Dr. Saul Ovalle, DDS, has been coming to the EALC for the past four years to provide the dental screenings for the children. This year, he was “Wowed” by the healthy teeth and cooperative children that hopped on his chair! While visiting with him afterwards he commented on the great improvement he’s seen since his first visit to Elysian. When Dr. Ovalle first started visiting EALC it was not uncommon for him to spend most of a morning doing dental exams – this visit, he was here and ready to go in less than 1 ½ hours! His comment: “What a difference Head Start has made in the dental health of these children. With regular screening, good dental health education in the classroom, and informa-tion shared with parents; children are coming to school with healthy teeth. Keep up the good work!”

Along with Dr. Ovalle, we were able to enlist the help of Renee, from The Rice

County Public Health office. She provided cleaning for all the children who did not need follow up treatments.

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc.PO Box 607102 North BroadwayCrookston, MN 56716Phone: 218-281-5832Toll Free: 800-584-7020Telecommunication Relay Services: 711Fax: 218-281-6681Website: www.tvoc.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/TVOCIncTwitter: @TriValley_TVOC

Service Area

This information is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Contact us at 1-800-584-7020 or by calling the Telecommunication Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer/provider. EOE/M/F/D/V


Tri-Valley is a not-for-profit community action agency. We believe in the value of all human beings. It is that belief that drives our efforts to identify needs, seek resources and provide opportunities for people to thrive. Our work is also commit-ted to strengthening our communities so that its citizens have better places to live, work, worship and enjoy.

Note: Tri-Valley has services in 84 counties in Minnesota

and North Dakota.

Primary Service Area(West Marshall, West Polk, Norman Counties)

Services in Minnesota

Services in North Dakota

2013 tri valley annual report

Documents

trivalley staff

resilience of tri

trivalleys pre

valleys staff

commitment of staff

restored funding

sequestration cuts

discretionary funding