MVCAA official notes variety of social services provided by local agency

Geoff Rands/Democrat-News Ellen Shinkle, Missouri Valley Community Action Agency community volunteer and public relations manager, center, stands and speaks to members of the Saline County InterAgency Council about MVCAA's services during their meeting Tuesday, Jan. 26, while, from left, AmeriCorps VISTA Mary Ann Piper, Josh King and Saline County Circles Organizer Cherry Merchant listen. [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Missouri Valley Community Action Agency Community Volunteer and Public Relations Manager Ellen Shinkle gave a presentation on the many services offered by MVCAA during the Saline County InterAgency Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 26.

Most of the services she mentioned fall under one of seven categories: information, assessment and referral services; back-to-school fairs; children's services; New Directions Initiative; consumer education; crisis intervention; and energy assistance.

In information, assessment and referral services, an MVCAA employee will discuss a person's current situation and help to find the best services that will meet his or her needs.

Back-to-school fairs involve education about resources available in a community. School-aged children may also obtain school supplies and health services.

Other services specifically involving children include preschool education for those 3 to 5 years old, an Early Head Start Home Base and childcare for children as old as 2 years. MVCAA also offers medical, dental, mental health and nutrition services, and both pre- and postnatal information, assessment and support, according to material provided by Shinkle.

New Directions of Saline County, formerly Circles, offers financial, educational and employment mentoring by community members, as well as loan programs.

Consumer education services include workshops and classes aimed at enhancing skills in leadership, home buying and life skills, among others.

Under crisis intervention, MVCAA will help when someone experiences an emergency and does not know where else to go for help.

MVCAA also offers assistance with energy bills during winter or summer.

Shinkle added that MVCAA will prepare taxes for low-income families and file the 1040-EZ form.

Shinkle then spoke about upcoming events.

The Show Me Social Justice International Film Festival will be held in Marshall, Lexington, Warrensburg, Sedalia or Higginsville in September 2010. Each of those communities has been sent a request for a proposal, and proposals are due by March 1. The community in which the festival will be held will be announced March 31.

Films shown during this three-day event will deal with social and economic justice while focusing on human rights, said Shinkle, mentioning racism, sexism, ageism, poverty and health care as possible topics.

The purpose of this festival is to bring attention to the issue of social justice, to promote tourism in the selected community, to familiarize those from surrounding communities with the selected community and to highlight local attractions, art and cuisine, according to material provided by Shinkle.

Hoped-for events that will be held in conjunction with the festival include receptions and mixers featuring local cuisine and wine, music and special guests; still art exhibits; and booths showcasing tourist attractions in surrounding communities.

Shinkle said organizers are hoping for a turnout of at least 4,000 people for the festival.

Anyone interested in entering a film in the festival can do so at withoutabox.com, she said.

There will be a meeting of the Film Planning Committee Thursday, Feb. 11, in Concordia at 9 a.m. For more information, call Shinkle at 660-886-7476.

The 2010 Prosperity Summit is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Martin Community Center. The general topic of fundamentals of economic development will be addressed during 35- to 45-minute presentations on more specific topics. Lunch will be provided. The cost for the event is $35. For more information, or to register, call Megan Cadwell at 660-886-7476.

A Regional Entrepreneurs' Showcase, originally scheduled for October 2009, will be held at Martin Community Center Saturday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., said Shinkle.

The morning session will include a program on communicating with customers and giving good customer service, a marketing workshop and a workshop focused on the importance of a business plan.

Lunchtime will feature keynote speaker Don Macke, co-director of the Rural Policy Research Institute. Macke is "a big name in business development across the country," said Josh King.

The afternoon will be filled by a trade show, during which demonstrations, promotions and sales will occur. The trade show portion is open to the pubic for free.

The event's cost is $20 for classes and lunch, or $40 for classes, lunch, and a table during the trade show.

"It's essentially a trade show at pennies to what you would pay at a normal trade show, which will get a lot of exposure to new businesses," said King.

For more information, contact Cheryl Zimny at 660-886-7476, ext. 816. To register, call Drew Weisberg at 660-463-7934.

Family Support Division

Beginning March 1, Family Support Division will have all applications besides temporary assistance, or TANF, applications available online at www.dss.mo.gov/fsd/index.htm, said County Manager Dennis VanBaale. To have applications mailed to your home, call 660-886-5562. Eligibility specialists will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, though they will only accept applications between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Saline County Mental Health Board

The Mental Health Board of Saline County will hold a conference on autism at Martin Community Center Saturday, March 13, from 8:30 a.m. until noon, said Jacci Grossenburg. The conference is free, but space is limited to 80 attendees. Breakfast will be served. For more information, call Jacki Carton at 660-886-5200.

Power Up

Power Up, a program aimed at teaching self-defense to women, will hold a free session Saturday, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the American Legion Post 558 in Malta Bend, said Sarah Fuehring. Lunch will be provided.

There will also be a class Saturday, February 20, at Slater High School from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $25.

MVCAA

MVCAA will begin a Fatherhood Initiative Monday, February 1, in five counties, said Saline County Circles Organizer Cherry Merchant. The Fatherhood Initiative will be headed by Rick Arni. For more information, contact Arni at 660-886-7476.

The Lighthouse Shelter

The Lighthouse Shelter Thrift Store recently had a very large donation of sinks and doors for showers or bathtubs, said Debbie Wallace, director of The Lighthouse Shelter.

February is Teen Dating Violence Month, she said.

Wallace also mentioned several upcoming events.

A Crock-Pot Cook-Off is scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, from 4 to 8 p.m.

There will be a 5k run/walk held Sunday, April 18. The cost is $20.

A Spring Rumble Poker Run will be held Saturday, May 22.

The shelter's annual car show is scheduled for Saturday, June 12.

For more information on these events, call 660-886-9880.

The next meeting of the Saline County InterAgency Council will be held Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the University of Missouri Extension Center, 353 S. Lafayette Ave.

Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net