EDUCATION and DAYCARE

HEAD START classes are located in all 3 counties and the City of Dubuque. These classes provide a four day week, school year program for children ages 3 to 5 years old.  Head Start is an early childhood education program for low-income children.  The program is designed to prepare children for a successful school experience.  There are seventeen (17) classrooms in the tri-county area.

The Head Start Program provides nutritious breakfasts and lunches for each enrolled child, as well as health screening, age appropriate classroom activities, social services to families and parent involvement opportunities.

HEAD START WRAP AROUND PROGRAM is designed to provide child care for parents of Head Start children who are working or attending school.  Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday - Friday.  Operation: New View Community Action Agency has one wrap around center located on Bluff St. in the City Dubuque.  

SHARED BEGINNINGS is an early childhood education program for low-income children.  Shared Beginnings serves 16 four year old children and families who are not income eligible for Head Start.  The program runs Tuesday - Friday, August - June.   

EMERGENCY CHILDCARE PROGRAM is a program designed to help people in Delaware county in an emergency situation with funds to compensate their daycare providers. Use of the program is on imminent need and short term use. The sole purpose is to help parents attain and maintain employment or to participate in educational training opportunities.

FOOD and NUTRITION

SHARE (SELF-HELP AND RESOURCE EXCHANGE) is a program providing a monthly supplemental food package to those willing to help themselves and others.  SHARE is a food package.  The specific contents of the food package varies from month to month.  However, staple such as beans, pasta, or rice are always included.  Each package weighs about 40 pounds and has a retail value of approximately $35.  There are no income guidelines for the SHARE program, anyone can be a participant by exchanging $15 and 2 hours of community Service work for each package desired.  A transportation donation is requested from each participant.  SHARE is in Dubuque and Delaware County.

CHILD & ADULT CARE FOOD PRGRAM (CACFP) is part of the Federal School Lunch Program available to registered home child care providers.  A program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it is administered by the department of Agriculture, it is administered by the Department of Education, Bureau of Food and Nutrition in Iowa. Participants are paid cash for serving meals that meet nutritional guidelines.

UTILLITY AID RESOURCES

ENERGY ASSISTANCE is the low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP) which helps low-income home owners and renters with their energy costs.  A portion of the households' winter heating costs are paid.  Household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.  Counseling is provided on energy and budget concerns and is furnished by the Outreach staff.  Qualifying households may receive financial assistance to repair or replace furnaces under the Energy Crisis Intervention Program Component.

EMERGENCY COOLING is another component of the Energy Assistance Program. Up to $350.00 per household may be used for purchase or repair on air conditioners. Funds are also used to purchase fans, transportation to cooling centers and other measures that provide life saving benefits to combat excessive heat.

WEATHERIZATION is designed to help low income families that are high energy users reduce heating costs and make their homes a more comfortable and safer place to live.  Weatherization services include installation, furnace repair and replacement and a health and safety check of the home.

KIDS CORNER

COATS FOR KIDS is a program to help kids have warn coats for the winter months.  In Dubuque County Operation: New View, in conjunction with DUPACO, Artistic Cleaners, WJOD, and Hardee's collect, clean and distribute "coats for kids" each fall.  Coats are available throughout the year through referral.  In Delaware County, KCRG-TV, St. Luke's Hospital, and Laundry and City Wide Cleaners are involved with the "Coats For Kids" project.

SANTA'S HELPER is a program to help keep Christmas in the family!  Families who have special needs during the holidays are featured in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald with their needs listed.  Names are not used; only ages and needs.  Operation New View Community Action Agency is one of several agencies that participate in this program to help keep Christmas for needy families!

DUBUQUE CULTURAL KEY CARD is a multi-organizational project to benefit residents of Dubuque County.  Residents who qualify for the Key Card will gain unprecedented access to the cultural offerings of Dubuque, for free of discounted admission.