Parent Organization: Sieda Community Action
Location Information
725 West 2nd Street, Ottumwa, IA, USA
Phone 6416828741
The FaDSS (Family Development and Self-Sufficiency) Program is a supportive service to assist Family Investment Program (FIP) families with significant or multiple barriers to reach self-sufficiency. FaDSS partners with PROMISE JOBS, an employment and training program for families receiving cash assistance through FIP. FaDSS provides services that promote, empower, and nurture families towards economic and emotional self-sufficiency.
Services:
- Home visits
- Goal setting
- Advocacy
- Family training and counseling
- Family assessment
- Referral services
Eligibility:
Families who receive FIP benefits and have significant barriers to self-sufficiency are eligible for service.
Intake Process:
Referral to FaDSS is made through the Department of Human Services, PROMISE JOBS Program, other third-party sources, and self-referrals.
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Program: Head Start
As the nation’s leading federally funded early learning program, Head Start serves children and families in every state. Head Start’s role in each state differs based on local systems and models.The purpose of Head Start programs is to promote the school readiness of children ages 3 to 5 years. Most of these programs are based in centers. In other programs, children and families may receive services from educators and family service staff who regularly make home visits. Parent involvement is encouraged and support is offered for children with disabilities.
Services:
- Nutrition Services
- Preschool Education
- Health Services
- Mental health
- Connection with social services
- Parent involvement
- Family literacy
Eligibility:
Head Start is accessible at no cost to children ages 3 – 5 for low-income families. Families and children experiencing homelessness, and children in the foster care system are also eligible as well as children with disabilities and special needs. Specific eligibility requirements are determined by each Head Start site.
Intake Process:
Application available on website. Have the following information ready when applying:
- proof of family income (for 1 year)
- child's birth verification
- record of recent physical exam for the child
- record of the child's lead test,
- the child's immunization card
- record of recent dental exam for the child.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating. LIHEAP provides a one-time payment to the heating utility department.
This program is not designed to pay a household’s total energy costs, but to provide assistance in the payment of residential heating costs for eligible households. Households who reside in subsidized housing that are individually metered and responsible for paying their primary heating costs are eligible. Subsidized households that are master metered are usually not eligible to receive assistance benefits
Services:
- Utility payment assistance
Eligibility:
A household may qualify for assistance if the household’s income falls under 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted on a first come/first served basis at a local community action agency from November 1 through April 30 (October 1 for households with elderly/disabled member). Complete the application and return it to the local community action agency. Applications may be available to be completed online through the local community action agency. Applicants must provide proof of income, Social Security numbers for each household member, and the household’s most recent heating or electric bill.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) provides funds to assist low-income households with water and wastewater bills. LIHWAP will provide assistance in the form of benefit payments made directly to water vendors on behalf of households for past-due charges, fees, and taxes for drinking and wastewater services. The program is administered by the Iowa Department of Human Rights and locally through Iowa’s Community Action Agencies that serve all 99 counties.
The application period is open year-round. LIHWAP will run through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted.
Services:
- Utility bill assistance
Eligibility:
Total household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and a current water crisis must be present.
Intake Process:
Call IMPACT to complete the applications over the phone. Please call 515-518-4770 to schedule a phone appointment for Energy Assistance.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV) Program follows the national Healthy Families America evidence-based program model. MIECHV is a home visiting program and serves families with young children. The program goals are to promote child health and development, improve family relationships, and encourage positive parenting and family relationships.
Services:
- Advocacy and linking families to appropriate community services.
- Teach, demonstrate, and coach parents on how to care for their child.
- Cultivate and strengthen nurturing parent-child relationships.
- Teach and model appropriate parent behavior and methods of discipline.
- Provide prenatal information and support.
Eligibility:
Families must enroll while pregnant or until their child is 3 months old.
Intake Process:
Call for information.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Website: View Website
Program: Parents as Teachers
The Four Oaks Parents as Teachers program is a free, voluntary, family education and support program designed to provide practical, timely information on child development to families. It provides information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.
Services:
The program offers 4 main components to its participants:
- Home Visits
- Developmental Screenings
- Group Meetings
- Resource Network
Intake Process:
Call for more information.
Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No
Program: Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a program established to help reduce the heating and cooling costs for low income persons, the elderly, disabled, and children, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. The program also fixes certain health and safety problems in the client's homes, maintains affordable housing for low-income persons, reduces utility cost, and reduces environmental pollution.
Services:
- Insulation in attics, walls, and foundations
- Furnace or venting repairs, and replacements
- Thermostat repairs
- Refrigerator or freezer replacement
- Water heater or venting repairs, and replacements
- Energy efficient lighting
- Other eligible repairs
Eligibility:
Households with an income at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level. If the household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Investment Program (FIP) Assistance, the household is eligible to receive Weatherization services, regardless of income.
Intake Process:
Applications are accepted year round at local community action agencies. Applications for LIHEAP are automatically sent to the Weatherization program. Applications are prioritized based on need. Not every application for LIHEAP will receive services from the Weatherization program.
Payment:
No Cost to Participant
Handicap Accessible: Yes
Appointment Needed: No