Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Inc

TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES.

CHILD EDUCATION: TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON PROMOTING CHILDREN'S SCHOOL READINESS. TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS OPERATE BOTH REGIONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START AND A MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM WITH SIXTEEN CENTERS LOCATED ACROSS MN AND ND. IN THE 2021-2022 PROGRAM, MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START SERVED 570 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE AND 31 PREGNANT WOMEN. HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START SERVED 276 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE AND 18 PREGNANT WOMEN. THE AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS 73% AND HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START IS 82%. PROMOTING NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN IS A VITAL COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM. TRI-VALLEY'S CLASSROOMS IMPLEMENT THE FARM TO EARLY CARE CURRICULUM DEVELOPED BY TRI-VALLEY'S CHILD & NUTRITION SERVICES MANAGER. CHILDREN ARE PROVIDED HOMEMADE, NUTRITIOUS MEALS WHILE LEARNING ABOUT FOOD AND NUTRITION IN THE CLASSROOM. MEALS WERE PROVIDED FOR 133,458 MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN AND 60,904 MEALS WERE PROVIDED FOR HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN. TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS ALSO RECOGNIZES HEALTH IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION OF SCHOOL READINESS ENSURING THAT ALL CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS ARE IDENTIFIED. FAMILIES ARE LINKED TO AN ONGOING SOURCE OF CONTINUOUS, ACCESSIBLE CARE TO MEET THEIR HEALTH NEEDS. MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ASSISTED 94% OF CHILDREN GETTING UP TO DATE ON PHYSICALS AS WELL AS 94% UP TO DATE ON DENTALS. HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ASSISTED 76% OF CHILDREN GETTING UP TO DATE ON PHYSICALS AND 72% OF CHILDREN UP TO DATE WITH DENTALS. TRI-VALLEY IS KNOWN FOR PROVIDING LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE SAFE, NURTURING, ENGAGING AND ENJOYABLE. PROVIDING CULTURALLY, LINGUISTICALLY, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PROGRAMMING THAT FOCUSES ON THE PROCESS OF LEARNING AND HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE, SOCIAL COMPETENCE, CONFIDENCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO ENSURE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ARE SUPPORTED AND ARE INCLUDED IN PROGRAM ACTIVITIES. MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START SERVED 26 CHILDREN WITH AN IEP OR IFSP. HEAD START/ EARLY HEAD START SERVED 29 CHILDREN WITH AN IEP OR IFSP. CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT SCORING SYSTEM IS AN OBSERVATIONAL INSTRUMENT USED TO ASSESS PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. TRI-VALLEY MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START AS WELL AS HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START ARE ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE SCORES FOR PRESCHOOL CLASSROOMS. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS KEY IN TRI-VALLEY HEAD START, CHILD & FAMILY PROGRAMS WITH THE OBJECTIVE BEING TO SUPPORT PARENTS AS THEY IDENTIFY AND MEET PERSONAL GOALS TO NURTURE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THEIR CHILDREN IN CONTEXT OF THEIR FAMILY AND CULTURE. BOTH MIGRANT SEASONAL HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START AND HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START HAD 99% OF ENROLLED FAMILIES PARTICIPATE IN THE FAMILY GOAL SETTING PROCESS. READYROSIE A RESEARCH-BASED PARENT CURRICULUM USED TO HELP FAMILIES DEEPEN FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS WITH A TOTAL OF 226 FAMILIES TAKING PART IN THE CURRICULUM. TO FURTHER THE EFFORTS OF ENGAGING FAMILIES INTO THE PROGRAM THE LEARNING GENIE APP IS PROVIDED AT NO COST TO PARENTS. LEARNING GENIE BRIDGES THE GAP BETWEEN THE HOME AND CLASSROOM BY PROVIDING AN OUTLET TO SHARE PHOTOS, VIDEOS, MESSAGES, BOOK AND LEANING MEDIA. TRI-VALLEY HEAD START PROGRAMS PARTNERS WITH FOUR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS TO OFFER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND STAFF ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF SOCIAL EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MENTAL WELLNESS. THESE PARTNERSHIPS INCLUDE CONSULTATIONS WITH TEACHING STAFF REGARDING CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING ON POSITIVE BEHAVIOR GUIDANCE, AS WELL AS PARENT TRAINING. SERVICES OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR COPING AND OVERALL WELL-BEING AS WELL AS TARGETED SUPPORT FOR MENTAL WELLNESS.

TRANSPORTATION:TRI-VALLEY TRANSPORTATION ALSO KNOWN AS T.H.E. BUS (TRI-VALLEY HEARTLAND EXPRESS) IS A DIVISION OF TRI-VALLEY OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL, INC. (TVOC).T.H.E. BUS IS A CURB TO CURB SERVICE AND PROVIDES PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN SEVEN MINNESOTA COUNTIES, POLK, RED LAKE, NORMAN, MAHNOMEN, MARSHALL, KITTSON, PENNINGTON, AND CLEARWATER. BUSES RUN THROUGH THESE COUNTIES ON VARIOUS DAYS WITH VARIOUS DESTINATIONS. IN THE CITIES OF CROOKSTON (POLK) AND THIEF RIVER FALLS (PENNINGTON), DAILY SERVICE RUNS 7 DAYS PER WEEK. IN BAGLEY (CLEARWATER) AND MAHNOMEN (MAHNOMEN), SERVICE IS AVAILABLE 5 DAYS PER WEEK AND EVERY OTHER SATURDAY. WITHIN THE CITIES LISTED, TRI-VALLEY TRANSPORTATION OFFERS SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE AND GENERAL DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE. PEOPLE THAT NEED TRANSPORTATION ON A REGULAR BASIS AT THE SAME TIME WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE CUSTOMER. T.H.E. BUS IS FUNDED DEPENDING ON THE SERVICE IT IS PROVIDED. THE ORGANIZATION'S PUBLIC TRANSIT BUSES ARE AVAILABLE WITH NO AGE LIMITS OR INCOME GUIDELINES. BUSES HAVE SEATING AVAILABLE FOR UP TO 45 PASSENGERS. EACH BUS IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE WITH TWO ACCESSIBLE ENTRANCES. IF PASSENGERS ARE UNABLE TO USE THE DOOR, THEY MAY REQUEST THE USE OF THE LIFT. EACH DRIVER HAS BEEN TRAINED TO PROPERLY USE THE LIFT AND SECURE MOBILITY DEVICES WITHIN THE BUSES.TRANSPORTATION SERVICES ARE USED FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, WHICH INCLUDE MEDICAL, NUTRITIONAL, SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, SHOPPING, WORK, SCHOOL, AND OTHER PERSONAL ACTIVITIES. DESTINATIONS INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO; GRAND FORKS, BEMIDJI, THIEF RIVER FALLS, FARGO/MOORHEAD, AND CROOKSTON. TRI-VALLEY TRANSPORTATION PROVIDES SAFE, FRIENDLY, AND DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION AT A REASONABLE PRICE. SPECIFIC PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS A MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT IN 2021 WAS THE ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICE, BOTH PUBLIC TRANSIT AND RTC THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. ALTHOUGH THE PANDEMIC WAS SLOWING DOWN, SERVICE WAS GRADUALLY GROWING IN WITHIN CITIES, RURAL ROUTES CONTINUED TO BE MINIMAL.PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONNUMBER OF RIDES PROVIDED IN 2021 350,163NUMBER OF SERVICE MILES PROVIDED-350,163.25NUMBER OF HOURS PROVIDED IN 2021-29,103IN 2021, WE EXPERIENCED A GRADUAL INCREASE IN RIDERSHIP AS COVID-19 CASES DROPPED. IN 2021, WE EXPERIENCED RURAL ROUTES NOT OPERATING DUE TO A LACK OF RIDERSHIP AND A LACK OF DRIVERS AVAILABLE. ACCORDING TO FTA AND CDC GUIDELINES, PUBLIC TRANSIT DRIVERS AND RIDERS WERE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS ON THE BUSES. THAT MANDATE CONTINUED IN 2021 UNTIL SEPTEMBER.2021, # OF MEALS DELIVERED - 520# OF COVID-19 RESPONSE RELATED SERVICE DELIVERED - 474# OF HOURS - 165# OF MILES 6,535RURAL TRANSPORTATION COLLABORATIVE (RTC) 20216,583 COMPLETED CLIENT RIDES562 UNDUPLICATED RIDERS403,153 TOTAL MILES DRIVEN1 HOURS DONATED BY VOLUNTEERS

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES:FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS SUCH AS LIHEAP ENERGY ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY HOUSING SERVICES WHICH INCLUDES HOMELESSNESS AND PREVENTION SERVICES, CHILD CARE AWARE, EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS, SNAP OUTREACH, MNSURE OUTREACH, FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND PEER SUPPORT SERVICES. LIHEAP - 1,729 HOUSEHOLDS WERE PROVIDED UTILITY PAYMENTS TO ALLOW FAMILIES TO STAY WARM AND SECURELY HOUSED THROUGHOUT THE WINTER MONTHS THROUGH THE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDED FURNACE REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS TO 150 HOUSEHOLDS WHO WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN UNABLE TO REMAIN IN THEIR HOME DUE TO LACK OF HEAT.EMERGENCY HOUSING SERVICES - BRIDGES, PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, LONG TERM HOMELESS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RAPID REHOUSING, CERA CV2 EMERGENCY HOUSING AND AGASSIZ TOWNHOMES PROVIDED ONGOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO HOUSEHOLDS THAT WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, UNDER 200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES AND EXPERIENCING EITHER A DISABILITY OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. FUNDING COMES THROUGH BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL HOUSING PROGRAMS. 73 HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED HOUSING STABILITY. TEMPORARY RENTAL ASSISTANCE, RENT DEPOSITS AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO PROVIDED TO 129 HOUSEHOLDS TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS THROUGH THE COVID HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND FAMILY HOMELESS PREVENTION AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. CHILD CARE AWARE - PROVIDED COACHING TO 60 PROVIDERS AS THEY REACHED THEIR PARENT AWARE STAR RATING.EARLY LEARNING SCHOLARSHIPS - PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS TO HELP PARENTS AFFORD HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE THAT PREPARES CHILDREN TO BE READY FOR KINDERGARTEN TO 132 FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. SNAP OUTREACH - PROVIDED OUTREACH TO 10,000 HOUSEHOLDS AND INDIVIDUALS. PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO 112 HOUSEHOLDS IN COMPLETING OR RENEWING A SNAP APPLICATION. MNSURE PROGRAM ASSISTED 107 PEOPLE APPLYING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO 21 PARENTS WHO HAVE A CHILD LIVING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CONCERN.