What’s New With Community Partners?

Community Partners is a “self-help” program for individuals and families in north central Iowa who are experiencing challenges or a crisis. A Family Development Specialist individualizes the program for each family to meet their specific needs. Visits are scheduled in the home every 2-4 weeks. Each assigned Family Development Specialist works in partnership with individuals and families enrolled in the program, empowering them to meet challenges, planning with them on how to solve future crises, and assisting them in achieving their goals to become self-sufficient.

The Community Partners staff, along with the FaDSS Staff, attended a 2-day Iowa Family Development Alliance Retreat. The retreat was held at Terrible’s Lakeside Resort in Osceola, Iowa on June 1^st and 2^nd.

What is the Iowa Family Development Alliance (IFDA)? IFDA was first convened in the mid-1980’s assisting the Community Action Agencies with training needs for their staff in working with families beyond the office visit. This group discovered that by working directly with families on an on-going basis they had a better chance of becoming self-sufficient. IFDA also developed a collaboration with the National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and introduced a certification process for Family Development Specialists. The IFDA group has grown and evolved over the years. We now have regional and statewide meetings. The alliance has developed a logo “Connecting with Families, Building on Strengths”, and the mission of the Iowa Family Development Alliance is to present a strong, united voice for low-income families who are moving toward self-reliance.

Our keynote speaker for the first day of the retreat was Thomas J. Downs who presently serves as superintendent of the Southeast Polk Community School District, in metro Des Moines, Iowa. Tom is a career educator and is committed to enhancing literacy and promoting what he believes to be “The Iowa ADVANTAGE” our students. In 1993 Tom received the Iowa High School Principal of the Year Award and has since received alumni awards from two of his alma maters (The University of Wisconsin – Platteville and Western Illinois University). Tom believes the two most important ingredients for personal and professional success are effective communications and healthy relationships. As a licensed facilitator of Franklin Covey’s “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” Tom has had the opportunity to share his perspectives and experiences in effective relationships and communication with thousands of educators and students.

The keynote speaker for the second day was Terry L. Sumerlin, “The Barberosopher”. As a professional speaker for more than 10 years, Terry shared with his audience life and business lessons from his old time barbershop in San Antonio, Texas, as well as from extensive research and life experiences. With an abundance of stories and humor, Terry’s speech entertained, motivated, and enlightened.