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Volume 1, Issue 13 – October 2017

Momma told me there would be days like this! Cherokee Nation Dentist Dr. Mechelle Speed visited the Marble City Head Start. Dr. Speed brought toothbrush's and toothpaste for each stu-dent. She also checked the children's teeth and provided some with a fluoride treatment.

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 Cecil Williams, 2nd VP

Jan Coplen, Sec/Treasurer Steve Carter, Parliamentarian

Kay Box, Editor

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

Calendar of Events October, 2017

KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Incorporated is privileged to have such a committed group of board members, staff, and volunteers that use their talents and resources to help those who are less fortunate. Their expertise and commit-ment to helping people and changing lives is commendable. Our Community Action Agency helps people and changes lives every day in cities, towns, and rural communities all across our service area. As the Community Action Partnership promise indicates, “Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes our communities a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.” Several of our staff were recognized at the Annual Oklaho-ma Community Action Association Conference awards dinner on September 22, 2017 in Oklahoma City, OK for their many years of committed service. Among those being recognized are: 10 years…..Willard Ashing, Donna Atkins, Beverly Bain, Marilyn Brown, Drusilla Dearman, Bobbi Dotson, Patricia Eaton, Amy Fair, Manuel Fixico, Teresa Grant, Lisa Gurule, Diane Henderson, Chris Hougland, Cheryl Jordan, Daphne Long, Melissa Lowe, Jamie McSlarrow, Frances Walls, Venita Williams. 15 years…..Royce Alverson, Stephen Basinger, Tammy Casey, Becky Davis, Sandra Duke, Dulce Fowler, Nancy Newsom, Anne Peck, LaDonna Perkins, Glenda Riggs, Gena Ward. 20 years…..Penny Baxter, Billy Fazekas, Nita Gills, Pamela Harless, Magdalana Has-tings, Patricia Ramirez, Brenda Seay, Earl Shockley, Gwendolyn Walker,

25 years…..Linda Love, Kathy Phillips, Sherri Washburn,

30 Years…..Sandra Few, Nedra, McCoy, Linda Montgomery Sharon Scott.

35 years….. John Jones and

40 Years.. Alice

Walker!

Carroll Huggins

Alice Walker accepts her service award from KI BOIS Community Action Director/ CEO Carroll Huggins.

Continued on page 7

Halloween Tuesday, October 31st. This Tahlequah South Head Start student is preparing for Halloween as she examines a rare skeleton with a pink hat.

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Trustees Announce Disaster Fund, Approve Affordable Housing Awards Submitted by John Jones, Housing Director

Page 3 KI BOIS News

OKLAHOMA CITY — At its September meeting, Oklahoma Housing Finance Agen-cy’s Board of Trustees approved the creation of the OHFA Emergency Housing Assis-tance Fund. This fund, with $500,000 allocated annually, will assist Oklahoma citizens displaced by a major disaster to secure temporary housing. OHFA now has authorization to implement eligibility requirements, guidelines and procedures. “We hope this fund is one that acts more as an insurance policy and that it never has to be used,” said Deborah Jenkins, who takes the helm as OHFA executive director, Oct. 3. “However, we are grateful to the Trustees that we are now able to assist families af-fected by disasters such as tornadoes and floods if the need arises.” Additionally, OHFA’s trustees approved National Housing Trust Fund and Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) awards. Four communities received funding through The National Housing Trust Fund. Three organizations received approval for the rehabilitation of multi-family housing.

Deep Fork Community Action Foundation, Inc. received $68,678 for two units located in Henryetta.

Volunteers of America of Oklahoma, Inc. received $400,000 for 38 units in Broken Arrow.

The Mental Health Association in Oklahoma received $999,979 for 39 units in Tulsa.

City Care, Inc. received $735,500 for new construction of multi-family housing in Oklahoma City. The National Housing Trust Fund provides 30-year zero-interest loans of up to $1 million for the production or preservation of affordable housing through the construction and/or rehabilitation of rental housing. The program requires that all units have a minimum affordability period of 30 years and serves people making less than 30 percent of area median income. Through the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), the City of Midwest City received $200,000 to assist homebuyers with down payment assistance. ----As Oklahoma’s largest provider of affordable housing, OHFA offers nine housing programs ranging from “OHFA Advantage” for home ownership to housing development and rental assistance. For more information about OHFA and its programs and services, visit www.ohfa.org.

# # #

Congratulations KI BOIS Community Action

Housing Energy Auditor Michael Knapp was recently elected

to serve as vice-president of the Oklahoma Weatherization / Housing

Advisory Council. This council advises Community Action agencies

across the state, The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the

Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency regarding housing and weatherization issues.

TRI-County Hike for Whole Health Saturday, October 28th Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton The Hike for Whole Health is intended to bring aware-ness to the importance of physical activity to our whole health, including not only physical health but mental, emotional and spiritual health as well. Event is free, however, you may choose to pre-register and purchase a t-shirt for a $15.00 fee.

For more information contact: Denice Daniels or Kathy Healy at 919-967-9992

Page 4 KI BOIS News

In Her Shoes…...

KI BOIS CAF Domestic Violence Program held the “In Her Shoes” event on October 18th, at KI BOIS Central Office. This is an activity that helps participants understand the ups and downs a battered woman experiences over the course of many years. It is a guided simulation in which each individual or group is given a character card to follow throughout. The scenarios in the simula-tion are based on true stories – the experiences of women with abusive partners. The stories typify the complex and dynamic na-ture of domestic violence, while also calling out the more specific

(Continued on page 5)

Photos show different stages as some individuals are reading and following scenarios and other have completed the simulation and are now walking In Her Shoes!

KI BOIS News Page 5

barriers that battered women face when they are poor or become poor as a result of domestic violence. The event was held to com-memorate October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The simulation highlights domestic violence as a community problem and addresses the role that many community agencies play in assisting domestic violence victims and their children. There were many reactions during and after completing the simulation. Many participants acknowledged the challenges victims face, the finan-cial burdens they carry, and how social systems can play helpful and harmful roles in a woman's journey to safety. Thirty-five peo-ple participated in the event with four advocates from the shelter facilitating.

In Her Shoes…...continued from page 4

KI BOIS Community Action Domestic Violence Program shared information regarding Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Left to right are Maggie Kane, Megan Waters and Amanda Prewett. Waters is host of Party Line, which airs on KNED. Kane and Prewett are staff from the Women’s Shelter in McAlester and Stigler.

KI BOIS NEWS Page 6

The Red Oak volunteer Fire Department stopped by the Red Oak Head Start and talked about fire safety. They also the allowed the kids to explore the fire truck. According to sources, the dog is not a fire dog, just a local dog that kept photo bombing.

OCTOBER is HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH! October was first proclaimed Head Start Awareness Month by President Ronald Reagan on October 22, 1982. Ever since, October has been a month for our community to celebrate the life changing impact of Head Start. KI BOIS Community Action is honored to have Head Start centers in eight counties in eastern Oklahoma.

Left, Head Start Policy Council Officers are ready and willing to serve to help Head Start set their policies. Front row, left to right, Dierdre O'Connor, Westville - Chairperson; Joanna Crisp, Tahlequah South - Vice Chairperson; Tia Grantham, Stigler East - Asst. Secretary; Back row: Elizabeth Sullivan, Vian - Secre-tary and Cathleen Curtis, Muldrow -Executive Committee Member

Page 7 KI BOIS News

John Jones - 35 years

Linda Montgomery - 30 Years

Sandra Few - 30 Years

Nedra McCoy - 30 Years Royce Alverson - 15 years Linda Love - 25 years

CONGRATULATIONS to all KI BOIS Community Action staff for your years

of service!

On behalf of our board and staff I congratulate each of you for your many years of dedicated work to the Community Action effort in our service area. Also, this time of the year makes me thankful to live in our beautiful Southeastern Oklahoma. The won-

derful fall weather and the beautiful fall foliage add to the natural beauty of the lakes and woodlands. It seems so peaceful here compared to the events in other parts of the world that we see on television each day. When giving our daily devotions we need to remember the leaders of our state and country and especially our men and women in uniform who preserve our freedom on a daily basis sometimes at a great cost to themselves and their families. As we start to think about Thanksgiving and the many wonderful things that we have to be thankful for. I encourage you to be especially mindful of those in your local community who are in need. Many of them we serve on a daily basis and many who are too proud to ask for help. Please take time to volunteer with your local community groups and churches. Happy Fall! R. Carroll Huggins, CCAP CEO/Executive Director

From the Desk of the Executive Director / CEO continued from page 2

Lisa Gurule - 10 Years

I

Page 8 KI BOIS News

The Oaks Rehabilitative Services Center posed in support of September being National Recovery month.

Residential Services for Women with Children & Halfway House Services

for Women with Children 628 East Creek/P.O. Box 1404

McAlester, OK 74502

Pittsburg County

Phone Number: (918) 421-3500

Fax Number: (918) 423-2370

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient Office, Eufaula

107 McKinley

Eufaula, OK 74432

McIntosh County

Phone Number: (918) 689-3265

Fax Number: (918) 689-3359

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient Office, McAlester

628 East Creek/P.O. Box 1404

McAlester, OK 74502

Pittsburg County

Phone Number: (918) 421-3590

Fax Number: (918) 421-3503

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient Office, Poteau

204 Wall Street, Suite B

Poteau, OK 74953

LeFlore County

Phone Number: (918) 647-3546

Fax Number: (918) 647-4003

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient Office, Stigler

1407 N.E. “D” Street

Stigler, OK 74462

Haskell County

Phone Number: (918) 967- 4463

Fax Number: (918) 967- 2594

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient Office, Wilburton

309 West Main Street

Wilburton, OK 74578

Latimer County

Phone: (918) 465-3381

Fax Number: (918) 465-3053

The Oaks Rehabilitative Services

Making A Difference Everyday…. The Oaks Rehabilitative Services Locations

Page 9 KI BOIS News

KI BOIS OAKS REHABILITATIVE SERVICE CENTER

JOB TITLE: COUNSELOR - FT (Wilburton and Eufaula Area)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor or Master level degree in counseling, psychology, social work or addiction studies. Certified Behavioral Health Case Manager II, LADC Candidate or LADC is preferred. Will provide counseling in an outpatient setting. Must have at least a HS Diploma/GED and must have a valid driver’s license.   JOB TITLE: CUSTODIAL/TRANSPORT DRIVER - FT (McAlester)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least a HS Diploma/GED and must have a valid dr iver’s license.

JOB TITLE: SUBSTANCE ABUSE TECH - FT (McAlester)

JOB SUMMARY: Assist clinical staff by providing logistical and suppor t services to residential clients. HS Diploma/GED.

Job Postings….continued on page 8

KI BOIS Community Action Notice of Job Posting

October 18, 2017

KI BOIS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES PROGRAM

 

JOB TITLE: PROGRAM COORDINATOR (McAlester)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor 's Degree and one (1) year of exper ience or six (6) years of exper ience working with people with disabilities. Program Coordinator must be able to exercise patience, understanding, creativity and flexibility. PC must have supervisory, organizational and excellent communication skills. A valid OK driver's license along with safe and reli-able transportation also required. Must be able to complete any required/requested training and able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

JOB TITLE: HABILITATION TRAINING SPECIALIST - PT/FT (Stigler, 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 pro-tecting others’ welfare. Able to exercise patience, understanding, creativity and flexibility. HS Diploma/GED, valid DL and auto insurance. Must complete Foundation, CPR and First Aid Training (and any other training as required/requested.) Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

KI BOIS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES

SOUTHEASTERN OK - VETERANS HOUSING FIRST

JOB TITLE: CASE MANAGER - FT (Muskogee)

JOB SUMMARY: This position, in the Suppor tive Services for Veteran Families program, will be responsible for provid-ing intake and eligibility screening for the program. Will provide needs assessment, program orientation, case management, main-tain liaison with area resources and attend community meetings. Will develop housing stability plans for participants, maintain case files and prepare required data and reports.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s Degree from accredited university required, preferably in Social Services, Management or Leadership. Case Management experience preferred.

ALL POSITIONS SUBJECT TO CONTINUED PROJECT FUNDING. All positions are open to KI BOIS Community Action Foundation Staff as well as to the public - unless otherwise noted. Deadline for all openings: Until Filled. CURRENT AGEN-CY EMPLOYEES – please submit a letter of interest, and updated resume (if applicable) to Human Resources. Applica-tions for new hires are available online at www.kibois.org, or may be picked up at any KI BOIS Community Action office. Applications should be returned to KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. P. O. Box 727 Stigler, OK 74462, Atten-tion: Human Resources or e-mailed to doylene.knowlton@kibois.org. Fax: 918.967.9100.

Applicant will be subject to a criminal history records search, as well as drug testing. KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Inc. to not discriminate against or deny equal employment opportunity to any applicant or employee on the grounds of race, sex, color, age, national origin, genetic information, religion, or disability, so long as the disability does not render the person unable to do the work for which employed. All employees of KI BOS Community Action Foundation, Inc. are "at will" employees.

KI BOIS News Page 10

KI BOIS HEAD START PROGRAMS SOUTH and NORTH

KIBOIS COMMUNITY ACTION FOUNDATION, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER!

KI BOIS Community Action Notice of Job Posting Continued from page 7

KI BOIS Area Transit Program JOB TITLE: TRANSIT DRIVERS (Contact local Transit Office to verify opening) JOB REQUIREMENTS: Maintain a valid driver’s license. Good driving 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.

JOB TITLE: EARLY HEAD START TEACHER – FT – 4 Openings (Sallisaw)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicants are required to have an Infant/Toddler CDA or willing to acquire one and have at last two years of experience in child care. Starting salary is $12.53 per hour with additional amounts added for education de-grees current and when acquired.

JOB TITLE: EARLY HEAD START AIDES – PT – 2 Openings (Sallisaw)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least a high school diploma and exper ience in child care. Star ting sal-ary is $8.08 per hour.

JOB TITLE: EARLY HEAD START COOK – FT (Sallisaw)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must have at least a high school diploma and exper ience in prepar ing meals in a child care, school or commercial setting. Starting salary is $10.35 per hour.

JOB TITLE: EARLY HEAD START CENTER DIRECTOR – FT (Sallisaw)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must have at least a high school diploma and an Infant/Toddler CDA or be willing to acquire a CDA with an AA or Bachelor degree being preferred for selection. Must have experience in child care with a current Director’s Credential being preferred. Starting salary is $14.62 per hour with additional amounts added for current education degrees and when new degree is acquired.

JOB TITLE: TEACHER'S AIDES AND SUBS – PT (Inquire at your local center.)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must have HS Diploma/GED and enjoy working with children.