Volume 6, Issue 13 – March 2018

Early Head Start to Serve Sequoyah

Lyndsay Blackbird, teacher, reads to her daughter Sadie, (2), who will be one of the Early Head Start students.

(Story and photos on page 4-5)

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

Did You Know? KI BOIS Community Action is

now providing services to Muskogee County. We are very

excited and look forward to helping

those in need and collaborating with

new community partners.

Community Action Partnership: Helping People, Changing Lives. KI BOIS Community Action Foundation, Incorporated is one of 20 Community Action Agencies in Oklahoma and 1000 in America in partnership. Community Action princi-ples make us unique and distinctive. Community Action opens doors and leads the way: We provide access to the opportunities people need to improve their lives, to help themselves and each other. Community Action turns hope into reality: We identify the needs of the entire community, collaborate with others in the community, and take action to improve life for everyone in the community.

Community Action empathizes: Our staff and volunteers are from the community they serve. Community Action treats people with respect: We treat people the way we want to be treated. Community Action says “yes”: If we do not provide the needed service, we will link you to those who do. Community Action gives a voice to the poor: Through our advocacy, we seek to make society more flexible and respon-sive to the needs of the poor. Community Action mirrors the diversity of our communities: Our local boards include low-income people, local public officials, and business and com-munity groups. The promise of Community Action:

“Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves com-munities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.”

R. Carroll Huggins, CCAP

Executive Director

Carroll Huggins

May Your Easter Basket be full of Joy,

Happiness and Peace Today and

Always!

Happy Easter

Page 3 KI BOIS News

Celebration Updates

Plans are also underway for Latimer, LeFlore, Haskell, Muskogee, Pitts-burg and Sequoyah Counties to host an an Open House during the month of May….details to follow!

KI BOIS Community Action Company Picnic Thursday, May 24th - 11:00 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

Roye Park - Stigler, OK 74462 (Look in April and May editions of KI BOIS News

for additional information.) 24

Royce Alverson and Kay Box display one of six banners which will be displayed in each county served by KI BOIS Community Action!

Page 4 KI BOIS News

Early Head Start Hosts Open House and Ribbon Cutting

KI BOIS Community Action Head Start launched a new program, Early Head Start, which allows children from six weeks to three to get a “head start” on life. Early Head Start provides a positive and caring environment to support each child's individual learning and development. Other services provided are nutritious meals, vision and hearing screenings, assessments and connecting families to

(Continued on page 5)

1. First day of Early Head Start for Kendyll. 2. The Early Head Start sign is located on the building at 305 W. Walnut, Sallisaw. 3. Early Head Start staff are, front row, left to right, are Center Director Dalene Duvall, Rebecka Jamison, Lyndsay Blackbird, Kimberly Scraper, Tanya Teehee and Kathy Mikles. Back row are, Delayna Marion and Brenda Barnes.

1.

2.

3.

Page 5 KI BOIS News

community resources.

At this time the program is only available to families in Sallisaw and is available to only 16 students. The center is fun, colorful and meets the needs of those served. According to KI BOIS Assistant Head Start Director Sherry Hullinger, “The children will have lesson plans. This is not a day care program, but is a learning program.”

According to Site Director Dalene Duvall, “Our staff is in place, but volunteers are welcome. Volunteers may apply at the center or by visiting www.kibois.org.

Early Head Start Host Open House and Ribbon Cutting…..continued from page 7

2.

3.

1. Kenny Moore and Oscar “Bo” Dold Head Start maintenance staff are shown putting together one of many play structures at the Early Head Start Center. 2. KI BOIS Community Action COO Larry Hall, Department of Commerce Programs Representative Paula Jennings, KI BOIS Community Action Sequoyah County Director Melissa Lowe and KI BOIS Community Action CEO Carroll Huggins enjoyed touring the new facility. 3. Sallisaw Public School Superintendent Scott Farmer, KI BOIS Community Action CEO Carroll Huggins, Head Start Director Donna Carolan, Assistant Head Start Director Sherry Hullinger and KI BOIS Community Action COO Larry Hall pose for a photo during the Open House.

1.

Page 6 KI BOIS News

# LOVE IS RESPECT KI BOIS Community Action, along with several area agencies, came together to bring awareness of Teen Dating Violence by presenting “Love Is Respect”. The event was held on Thursday, February 22nd at the Stigler First Assembly of God gym and fea-tured the movie “Reviving Ophelia” and was open to Haskell County Students age 12-18. There were there 43 students in attend-ance with 22 volunteers. The event was free and also provided students with popcorn, a drink, a t-shirt, and educational resources. An iPad along with 34 other door prizes were given away. The door prizes were donated by local businesses. Dating abuse affects 1 in 3 young people and only 33% of those abused will report the abuse to someone. With the growth in

(Continued on page 7)

KI BOIS News Page 7

social media and technology, it is much easier for teens to be abused electronically. “Love is Respect was an opportunity to potentially stop the cycle of violence in the lives of young people. We have found that many women started being abused at a very young age, right out of high school, or they witnessed abuse at home. If we can edu-cate students on warning signs or give them tools to help someone who is experiencing abuse then that cycle could potentially stop generations after from being abused or being abusers themselves,” said Amanda Prewett of the KI BOIS Domestic Violence Pro-gram “During the event the students were anonymously polled and through the poll we learned that 66% of the students who partici-pated had either witnessed abuse at home or been abused themselves. This says a lot about what Haskell County kids are experi-encing at home where they should be the safest,” said Erin Jenkins an Advocate with the KI BOIS DV program. The poll alone demonstrates why youth targeted events are so important to the community. KI BOIS Community Action part-nered with the Choctaw Nation, Stigler First Assembly, and the Haskell County Coalition.

# LOVE IS RESPECT….continued from page 6

Page 8 KI BOIS News

KI BOIS This and That…. William Higgins, Pre-K Teacher Jefferson Early Childhood

Center, was chosen as

“Teacher of the Year” for McAlester Public School. Higgins and

KI BOIS Community Action Head Start and Jefferson staff work together to better educate our children.

Washington Head Start Center has been recognized by the Oklahoma Department of

Human Services Child Care Licensing Department for meeting the TWO Star Rating criteria, which is a method to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in

early care and education settings. The criteria has been developed from research and what is universally considered to be Oklahoma’s Quality Rating Improvement System.

Kandy Abreo, KATS Route Supervi-sor in McAlester, addressing the Pittsburg County LSC during their monthly meet. Kandy is a great rep-resentative of KI BOIS Community Action and is passionate about providing public transportation to her community.

Congratulation to Stigler High School Senior Isaac Goodman recipient of this year’s Ted Allen/David Walker Scholarship. Goodman is the son of KATS Mechanic Aaron Goodman. More details to follow!

Page 9 KI BOIS News

Apply now Your Child Needs Head

Start and Head Start Needs Your Child !

For more information call 918-967-3325

Latimer County KI BOIS Community Action received a new face lift (awning) recently. According to Latimer County Director Claudia Jeffrey, “It really looks nice and when we arrive at work, it brightens our day!”

KI BOIS Domestic Violence Shelter

Job Title: STAFF AIDE – PT (McAlester) M-F, 4PM-8PM

Job Requirements: HS Diploma/GED, valid dr iver 's license required. Applicant should have interest or experience in crisis intervention, ability to listen effectively and assist with problem solving, self-motivated, good communication skills (written and verbal), ability to be supportive of persons in crisis and sensitive to confidential issues. Ability to assist with household upkeep and organization of donations, and children's activities. On-site training provided.

KI BOIS Community Action Notice of Job - March 9th, 2018

Continued on page 10

Be sure and follow KI BOIS Community Action

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

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

KI BOIS AREA TRANSIT PROGRAM

JOB TITLE: TRANSIT DRIVERS (Please verify current openings with local transit office.)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Maintain a valid dr iver ’s license. Good driving record. Must be physically able to assist passengers 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.

KI BOIS Community Action Continued from page 9

KI BOIS COMMUNITY SERVICES

JOB TITLE: OUTREACH WORKER – FT (Muskogee)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: HS Diploma or equivalent; must have excellent communication and computer skills. Must be able to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with the public. Individual should be knowledgeable of area resources and available services in the area.

KI BOIS DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES  JOB TITLE: HABILITATION TRAINING SPECIALIST - PT/FT (Stigler, Poteau, McAlester, Ada, Ardmore, Pauls Val-ley and Sulphur)

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Will serve as direct suppor t staff for consumers. Ability to handle sensitive issues while protect-ing 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. JOB TITLE: PROGRAM COORDINATOR (1) – FT (Ardmore)

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 reliable transportation also required. Must be able to complete any required/requested training and able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.