Volume 12, Issue 8 May, 2015 K

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Helping People. Changing Lives. Serving Eastern Oklahoma Since 1968 K

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National Community Action Month

On August 20, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Economic Opportunity Act which created a variety of programs, including Community Action Agencies, as part of his War on Poverty. He knew then as we know now, that the war against poverty must be won in the field, in every private home, in every public office, from the courthouse to the White House. “Community Action Month is a wonderful time to honor and celebrate the impact Community Action has in the lives of families and communi-ties across the country,” stated Denise Harlow, National Com-munity Action Partnership CEO. “Agencies are successful every day in helping families achieve economic security. Given that the needs of each family and community are unique, Commu-nity Action is able to use a range of resources and programs to meet local needs in creative and impactful ways.” KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. was established in 1968 to wage the war on pov-erty on a personal level in Stigler, Okla-homa by promoting self-sufficiency for those of limited income ensuring that all residents are able to live in dignity; by implementing innovative

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Dr. Edward Zigler, seated, the last living architect of Head Start was appointed by Sargent Shriver in 1964 to the small com-mittee of physicians, scholars, social workers and educators charged with designing the Head Start model. Dr. Zigler went on to run the Office of Child Develop-ment where Head Start was housed and, since 1965 advised nearly every president on early childhood and Head Start. Pictured with Mr. Zigler left to right, KI BOIS Community Action staff Joanna Bunch, Vanessa Far-row, Donna Carolan, Sherry Hull-inger, Isidoro Garcia and Barbara Harris. Story and photo on page 4.

50 Years of Opportunity………..

President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird visiting poverty stricken areas.

From the Desk of the Executive Director / CEO

Page 2 KI BOIS News

KI BOIS News is published monthly by

KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc.

200 Southeast “A” Street P.O. Box 727

Stigler, OK 74462 918-967-3325 800-299-4479

www.kibois.org

R. Carroll Huggins Executive Director / CEO

Tom Marlatt Associate Director / CFO

Larry Hall, Associate Director / COO

KI BOIS Community Action

Board of Directors Gene Bass, Board Chairperson

John Cook, 1st VP Kenneth Monroe, 2nd VP Jan Coplen, Sec/Treasurer

Cecil Williams, Parliamentarian Steve Carter, Member

Kay Box, Editor

918-967-3325, Ext. 131 kay.wood@kibois.org

April 2015

Calendar of Events KI BOIS Community

Action Board Meeting, Thursday, May 28th, 7:00, KI BOIS Administrative Office, Stigler.

“Friday Night Lights” FREE movie “Footloose” with free refreshments. Come and bring your lawn chair or blanket. Friday, May 29th Panther Field, Stigler. Gates open at 8:00 p.m. (See page 3 for more details.)

May 2015 We are following closely both the federal and state legislation that will determine the funding of our Community Action pro-grams for the coming year. At this time it appears that our fed-eral funding will remain level until congress and the President can agree on a budget. We remain hopeful that our federal pro-grams will receive only minor cuts. The Weatherization program continues to be funded at a very low level. Due to revenue pic-ture in the State of Oklahoma we are expecting at least an 8% cut in our budget for next year in our state appropriated funds. Most of our KI BOIS Community Action Head Start Class-rooms will be closing for the summer in the next couple of weeks. Our Head Start employees are now employed on a year around contract except for vacation time. Due to Head Start classes being closed some of our KATS drivers will be off for the summer. Our Board has received the final copy of the annual agency audit. The audit does not con-tain any questioned costs and is without qualifications. This audit report demonstrates the fine work that our financial management team does on a daily basis. To administer a $42,163,000 budget with no questioned costs makes me very proud of our excellent staff. KI BOIS Community Action Foster Grandparent Volunteers Josephine Carr-Muskogee and Mary Winkler-Stillwell were among the volunteers honored at the Ceremony in Oklahoma City on April 23, 2015. KI BOIS Community Action is very proud of all of our volunteers, and we congratulate these two on a job well done! Larry Hall, COO and Shaunda Noah Program Di-rector also attended. Our KATS program continues to expand with agreements with the tribes in our service area. We are hopeful of new sources of capital for buss purchases in the new federal legislation. Congratulations are in order again for the fine work of our staff and volunteers in the VITA program! We know that the final numbers are much higher than last year and will be an-nounced by the IRS at a later date. Carroll Huggins, CCAP Executive Director / CEO

Carroll Huggins

Volunteers / Partners Make ……. ……. a World of Difference! KI BOIS Community Action Foster Grandparent Volun-teers Josephine Carr, Muskogee and Mary Winkler, Stilwell do make a difference!

Each lady shares a basic love for their students and more important a loving and giving spirit.

Mary has been volunteering for the past 19 years and has been giving to her community for her entire life. According to Mary’s classroom teacher, Julie Bowen, “Mary has demonstrated the ultimate spirit of what it means to volun-teer. Not only has she helped with students who are strug-gling by reading with them or listening to them read, she also provides assistance with homework and classwork, in addi-tion to helping the teachers by preparing resources for daily lessons. Above all else, Granny Winkler offers hugs and encouragement to both students and staff. She is always

(Continued on page 6) Mary Winkler

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National Community Action Month ..….continued from page 1

and cost-effective programs to improve the lives and living conditions of the impov-erished; by providing support and instruction for everyone in need of assistance; and by being a major voice of reason in establishing welfare system reforms. KI BOIS Community Action statistics underscore the positive impact we’ve had on our neighborhoods. According to KI BOIS Community Action Director /CEO R. Carroll Huggins, “We help countless individuals improve their lives each year by providing those essential services and also making a difference with affordable hous-ing, transportation, health care, energy assistance, and so much more!” KI BOIS Community Action success stories are a testament to our measurable results. Despite experiencing budget cuts, shrinking resources, and increased de-mands for services during these challenging economic times, KI BOIS Community Action has been remarkably successful assisting the low-income veterans, senior citizens, families, children, students, and everyone in between of Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Pittsburg and Sequoyah Counties to achieve and maintain economic securi-ty because as Huggins attests: “Our staff is committed to their task of replacing dis-advantages with opportunities because it is right, because it is wise, and because, in our hearts and minds we believe it is possible to conquer poverty in our lifetime.” KI BOIS Community Action Haskell County will celebrate Community Action month by hosting a “Friday Nights Lights” event which will include a FREE Movie, Footloose, and FREE popcorn and coke to the first 150 movie-goers. The event will be held at Panther Field on Friday, May 29th at 8:00 p.m. The only thing you will need to bring is a blanket or lawn chair. There will also be drawings for cash and Sonic cards. The event will be family friendly with NO tobacco or alcohol. If you remember going to the movies at the drive-in in Stigler, you will remember Buster. Buster walked around with his trusty little flashlight making sure you were watching the movie. We are needing volunteers like Buster to make sure our movie-goers are also watching the movie, giving out tickets, passing out refreshments or anything else that may come up, please contact Kay or Royce at 918-967-3325.

Running to Remember! Running in the Oklahoma City Memorial Kids Marathon was Houston Perry, son of KATS Operational Manager Redonna Perry

and her husband, Todd. Houston ran 25 miles from March 1st to April 25th keeping a log for each mile. He ran the last 1.2 miles to complete the 26.2 mile mar-athon Sunday morning April 26th. Houston ran in honor of Pame-la Cleveland Ar-go, who was a Stigler Native and was killed in the bombing. Argo

was also the daughter of KI BOIS Commu-nity Action Board Member Joyce Cleveland and her husband, Billy. (Notice the big red lips on Houston’s shirt….Pam loved red lipstick.) According to Redonna, “I am very proud of him for doing this. He understands that this is not just another race….we run to remember! Thank you Houston for remem-bering!

KI BOIS News Page 4

Legislative Read Day 2015

50 Years of Opportunity…………………….continued from page 1

KI BOIS Community Action Head Start staff attended the 50th Anniversary National Head Start Conference in Washington, D.C. March 29th through April 2nd, 2015. The staff was greeted by National Head Start Executive Director Yasmina Vinci and other exceptional speakers. The conference was filled with sessions ranging from Listening Session: President Obama’s Budget Proposal, Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships….. to visiting the exhibits….. to the 50th Anniversary Gala.

According to Head Start Director Donna Carolan, “It was a lot of knowledge and fun packed into just a few days. One of most memora-ble moments was meeting Dr. Edward Zigler. He played such an im-portant role in Head Start and for him to be at our 50th celebration was an honor.”

KI BOIS Community Action Head Start Centers have celebrated the 50th Anniversary with parades, balloons launches and numerous differ-ent activities in the various centers.

The National Head Start Association is a bi-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of cir-cumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life. The opportunities offered by the Head Start lead to healthier, empowered children and families and stronger, more vibrant communities. NHSA is the voice for more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the untied States.

Regal looking are these KI BOIS Community Action staff attending the 50th Anniversary Gala were left to right, Sher-ry Hullinger, Isidoro Garcia, Donna Carolan, Vanessa Far-row, Joanna Bunch and Barbara Harris.

sponsored by: Oklahoma Champions for Early Opportunities, Potts Family Foundation, Reach Out and Read Oklahoma and Bank of Oklahoma

Reading with excitement and feeling are State Senator Larry Boggs and State Representative Donnie Condit as they read to approximately 60 children at the KI BOIS Head Start Jefferson Center, McAlester, during the Legis-lative Read Day, Friday, April 17. The Legislative Read Day was part of the national Week of the Young Child and Head Start’s 50th anniversary which was celebrated April 13th through the 17th.

HALT Program Coordinator Denice Daniels, Assistant Coordinator Kathy Healy and NSU Intern Mindy Duty were pleased to attend the signing of the 24/7 tobacco free schools law by Governor Mary Fallin at the State Capitol on Wednesday May 6th. The law will go into effect on July 1 and bans tobacco use in any form, by anyone, at any place and any time on school grounds and dur-ing any school sponsored function held off campus. Governor Fallin spoke about the importance of setting a positive example for children while on school property and Oklahoma Health Commissioner Terry Cline reminded everyone of the importance of fighting tobacco as it is the number one cause of preventable death in the state of Oklahoma.

“This is something Oklahoma’s TSET (Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust) has been working toward for the last 15 years. Here in Haskell and Latimer County, we have been asking schools to voluntarily pass the 24/7 tobacco free policy for the last 4 and ½ years. We currently have 2 of the 5 schools with a voluntary 24/7 tobacco free policy in Haskell County (Whitefield and Kinta) and 3 of 4 in Latimer County (Buffalo Valley, Wilburton and Panola). The HALT Project will be working with all of the schools in our two county coverage area to make sure they have the signage necessary to assist in the enforcement of this law,” states Daniels.

If you have questions or comments about this law or any other tobacco relat-ed question, please feel free to contact Denice Daniels or Kathy Healy at 918-967-9992. And remember, if you need help quitting, call the tobacco cessation helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW for free coaching and patches, gum or lozenges.

KI BOIS NEWS Page 5

In Loving Memory

We Celebrate Community Action Month and April as Fair Housing Month

Left, Haskell County Commissioners signed the Proclamation declaring May, 2015 as COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH in Haskell County. Sitting, L-R: Karen McClary, County Clerk; Paul Storie, District 3 Commissioner. Back Row, L-R: Clark McClary, District 1 Commissioner; Kay Box, Royce Alverson, Carroll Huggins, Larry Hall, Tom Marlatt and Marvin Nolen, Dis-trict 2 Commissioner. KI BOIS Community Action was organized in 1968 to eliminate the causes of poverty and improve the quality of life for persons residing in Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore, Pittsburg and Sequoyah counties. Right, Sequoyah County Com-missioner Ray Watts, Sequoyah County KI BOIS Community Action Director Melissa Stubblefield and County Commissioner / KI BOIS Community Action Board Member Steve Carter sign a proclamation declaring April as Fair Housing Month.

Sara IdaBell Zachry Oct. 26th, 1924 - May 10th, 2015

Mrs. Zachry was the mother of KI BOIS Community Action Head Start Technology Assistant

Regina Bratton and the grandmother-in-law of KI BOIS Community Action Child and Adult Care

Food Program Stefanie Zachry.

Governor Fallin Signs 24/7 Tobacco Free Schools

Governor Mary Fallin signs the 24/7 Tobacco Free School Law.

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there with a hug. She is both gentle and firm and always fair. She tries her best to help oth-ers and has a giving heart!”

Mary is so special that Stilwell Mayor Ronald Trentham proclaimed Sept. 10th as “Mary Winkler Day” in the City of Stilwell.

Josephine Carr has served as volunteer for Foster Grand-parent for the past 10 years. Although, Josephine is a native of Muskogee she moved to California and spent 31 years in the school system. She began a tutorial program with Young Life, a curriculum eventually endorsed by Condoleezza Rice, the 66th U.S. Secretary of State. Josephine led the program for over 10 years and remained involved.

According to Donna Pillars, Principal Ben Franklin Science Academy (BFSA) said, “As a Ben Franklin Science Academy family, we feel Mrs. Josephine Carr deserves this honor because she is diligent in serving the students at BFSA. Her students love and respect her and they know that she has high expectations for them. They want to succeed because she has inspired them to soar in all areas of aca-demics and to be all they can be! Mrs. Carr takes her tole as Foster Grandparent volunteer very seriously. She has blessed so many teachers, staff and students throughout her service here. She has a servant’s heart.”

KI BOIS Community Action Foster Grand-parents Director Shaunda Noah states, “The Foster Grandparent Program is sadden by the death of Mrs. Carr. Mrs. Carr was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to illness. The awards ceremony was held on Thursday, April 23rd and Mrs. Carr passed on Saturday, April 25th. She will be greatly missed not only by her family, but her students and her Foster Grandparent family.”

A World of Difference………………. continued from page 3

KI BOIS Community Action staff attended the Oklahoma Communi-ty Action Conference in OKC, May 13th through 15th. 1.. Left to right, Larry Hall, Carroll Hug-gins and Tom Marlatt enjoy shar-ing the Community Action Story with legislators at the capitol. 2.. Royce Alverson, Larry Hall and Linda Love presenting “Community Action: “An Evolu-tion of Us” during the conference. 3. KI BOIS Community Action Head Start staff Kenny Moore is shown during the respirator fit testing. Of course, Mr. Moore passed!

Josephine Carr

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KI BOIS OAKS REHABILITATIVE SERVICES CENTER JOB TITLE: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TECH - FT (McAlester)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Assist Clinical Staff by providing logistical and suppor t services to residential clients. HS Diplo-ma/GED. Will provide counseling in an outpatient setting.

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KI BOIS Community Action Notice of Job Posting May 19, 2015

KI BOIS NEWS

Doing good…..Kylar King, 11, a student at Ada Public Schools chose to do his 4-H Annual Project gathering items for homeless Veterans. King chose Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) to donate his items to so that we, in turn, can donate these items to veteran families in need. King gathered items such as pillows, bedding and personal hygiene items.

KI BOIS HEAD START PROGRAMS SOUTH and NORTH JOB TITLE: CENTER DIRECTOR/FAMILY SERVICE WORKER - FT (Poteau)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have CDA credential or AA and exper ience in working with children and Head Star t fami-lies.

JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT TEACHER - FT (McAlester/Jefferson, Panama, Keota)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have CDA credential or AA, or be in the process of getting it within 2 years.

JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT TEACHER - FT (Roland, Sallisaw)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: HS Diploma/GED with 2 years child care exper ience.

JOB TITLE: TEACHER - FT (Briggs, Tahlequah West)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have, at a minimum AA in Ear ly Childhood. (3 year old classrooms)

May 18th through May 22nd KI BOIS Community Action is proud to operate two

Senior Corp Programs: Foster Grandparent Program and Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

KI BOIS Community Action Notice of Job Posting

Don’t forget to visit www.kibois.org For Calendar of Events, Job Postings, Latest News, Forms, Program Information and much more!

These positions are open to KI BOIS Community Action Foundation Staff as well as to the public. (ALL POSI-TIONS SUBJECT TO CONTINUED PROJECT FUNDING.) Deadline for all openings: Until Filled. Current employees – please submit a letter of interest to Human Resources. Applications may be picked up at any KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. office or printed from the website, www.kibois.org. Applications should be returned to:

KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 727, Stigler, OK 74462 Attention: Human Resources

Phone: 800.299.4479 Fax: 918.967.9100 KI BOIS COMMUNITY ACTION FOUNDATION, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

KI BOIS News Page 8

KI BOIS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM JOB TITLE: HABILITATION TRAINING SPECIALIST - PT/FT (Poteau, McAlester, Ada, Ardmore, Pauls Valley and Sulphur)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Will serve as direct suppor t staff for consumers. Ability to handle sensitive issues while protect-ing others’ welfare. Able to exercise patience, understanding, creativity and flexibility. HS Diploma/GED, valid DL and auto in-surance. Must complete Foundation, CPR and First Aid Training (and any other training as required/requested.) Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

KI BOIS AREA TRANSIT PROGRAM .JOB TITLE: ROUTE SUPERVISOR - FT (Poteau Transit)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must have a knowledge of transit operations and the ability to work with minimum supervision. Excellent communication skills, both oral and written are required, along with computer skills. Position will require flexibility and supervisory experience is preferred. Must maintain a valid driver's license and good driving record. Must be willing to drive transit vehicles if needed.

JOB TITLE: TRANSIT DRIVERS (Contact local Transit Office to verify opening)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Maintain a valid dr iver ’s license. Good dr iving record. Must be physically able to assist passen-gers and their belongings while entering and exiting the vehicles. Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs and provide wheel chair assistance. Should have knowledge of area resources and live within convenient distance of city where job opening is available.

KI BOIS WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM  

JOB TITLE: ENERGY AUDITOR/ASSESSOR - FT (Stigler)

JOB SUMMARY: Per forms house assessments and orders mater ials for all weather ization work to be done on houses. Assists in performing final inspections. Assists in loading or unloading materials in warehouse, job sites or any other location as directed. Must keep equipment maintained and operable, keep all paperwork up to date, keep job sites cleaned up daily and storage area orderly.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have professional building skills and/or basic carpentry knowledge. Must be able to train others. Must have an interest in social programs. Must be dependable, honest, caring and have a positive attitude. Must have knowledge of computers operations. Job will include lifting up to 75lbs, stooping and bending, as well as climbing ladders and working off scaffolds and roofs. Must be willing to complete any required testing and must pass a Blood Lead Test.