For Immediate Use July
2, 2004
641-435-4435
FMC Community Empowerment
Awarded
State Redesignation as a Community Empowerment Area
FMC Community Empowerment recently received its official redesignation status from the State of Iowa Empowerment Board. FMC Community Empowerment is a non-profit organization that administers two grants in Floyd, Mitchell, and Chickasaw Counties. The grants include a School Ready Grant and an Early Childhood Grant. Both deal primarily with the zero to five population in the tri-county area.
Originally designated as a State Empowerment area five years ago, FMC Empowerment was required to re-evaluate their mission and progress over the past five years. Through a year-long process of community meetings and evaluation processes, FMC Empowerment completed the reporting necessary for redesignation. The renewed Empowerment area designation is effective through January, 2007.
A certificate presented to FMC Empowerment states the redesignation is in Òrecognition of collaborative efforts to create a partnership between communities and state government with an initial emphasis to improve the well-being of families with young children in Iowa."
According to Frank Rottinghaus, FMC Empowerment Chair, the redesignation of the local empowerment group by the Iowa Empowerment Board is an affirmation to everyone who has participated in the groupÕs efforts.
ÒThis
three-county effort to enhance the potential successes of our children and
their families is making a difference on an ever-widening scale," Rottinghaus
noted.
"The communication that is continuing between local groups and organizations,
state and local agencies, and providers of daycare and preschool services, as
well as a host of others will provide leverage that produces results for our
communities."
The local empowerment board is comprised of 11 volunteer professionals and community members from Floyd, Mitchell, and Chickasaw counties dedicated to improving services and opportunities for children ages zero to five and their families.
FMC Empowerment Redesignation
The board oversees the administration of several different programs including preschool
scholarships, early childhood education programs for daycare providers and centers, early literacy programs, public health programs, along with a variety of other vital services.
ÒThe future holds the promise of even more success as the ÒEmpowerment Vision", supported by State funds and the Legislature continues to drive collaboration by individuals, groups, providers and agencies in the areas of public health, education, and human service as it relates to IowaÕs age zero to five population," stated Rottinghaus.
For more information on FMC Community Empowerment, contact Laurie Kristiansen, Facilitator, at: 641-435-4435 or email: fmc@rconnect.com
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