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ESC to host Gardasil Vaccination Clinics
ESC will be hosting two HPV vaccination clinics during the month of July. The first clinic will be held on July 1st from 9am-4pm at the Anderson Head Start building (712 South 59 Hwy). The second will be held July 17th from 9am -4pm at 116 N. Jefferson in Neosho. The Gardasil vaccinations are available for any female up to age 26 who does not have insurance, whose insurance does not cover the vaccine called Gardasil, or who can not otherwise afford the vaccine.
Did You Know?
Cervical Cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. By age 50, 80% of women will get the virus that causes cervical cancer.
ESC is still offering this new cervical cancer vaccine, to females in Jasper, Newton, Barton and McDonald counties. It is available free of charge to women and teens, ages 19-26, who are uninsured, or who are unable to afford the copays required by their insurance. It is also being offered to children and teens, ages 9-18, who are unqualified for the state's Vaccinations for Children Program. Interested individuals can receive the vaccination by visiting one of ESC's Women's Health Clinics.
This program provides a great service to the women in our area. Without insurance, Gardasil costs over $1000. It is a vaccine that targets four strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Two of the strains, HPV-16 and HPV-18 account for about 70% of all cervical cancers. The vaccine is also approved to help prevent vaginal and vulvar cancers, which can also be caused by HPV.
This cervical cancer vaccination program is provided through a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health. For more information about the vaccine or ESC's Women's Health Clinics, please contact our Joplin clinic at 781-4788.
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Wheels to Workers Recipient!
On June 12th, another low-income worker in our area was presented with a vehicle through ESC's Wheels for Workers program. The single mother received a 1991 GMC Safari van. She had applied for the program when she found out that her own transportation was irreparable, because her job requires the use of a vehicle.
Wheels for Workers is a local program dedicated to providing reliable, affordable transportation to low-income workers and job seekers. Most of ESC's clients are current or former welfare recipients who are trying to stay employed and improve their lives. Clients are never just given a vahicle. They use their hard-earned money to pay a monthly payment for up to three years, inspection fees, sales taxes and license fees for the vehicle. They must also have and retain a valid driver's license and minimum vehicle insurance throughout the loan period.
The Wheels for Workers program is in need of assistance from the community. All donations are tax deductible. For more information about supporting the continuation of this much needed program, please contact Wes Barbee at 417.358.3521 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or 417.682.5591 (Wednesdays). |
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Weatherization Available!
ESC is currently accepting applications for their low-income Weatherization Assistance Program waiting list to new applicants. The Weatherization Assistance Program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Applicants must meet low-income guidelines to be eligible, and preference is given to elderly and disabled individuals.
By reducing the energy bills of low-income families instead of offering aid, weatherization reduces the dependency and liberates these funds for spending on more pressing family issues. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization reduces heating bills by an average of 31% and overall energy bills by $358 per year at current prices. This spending, in turn, spurs low-income communities toward job growth and economic development.
Some of the measures that are utilized include replacing incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting, adding insulation, weather stripping doors and windows, air sealing duct work and repairing electric furnaces.
The Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program is supported by local and federal funds from the Department of Energy (DOE), Missouri Gas Energy (MGE), Empire District Electric Company and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) when funds are available.
To apply, clients should contact one of ESC's outreach offices. The client will be asked to complete the appropriate forms, including income documentation to verify eligibility. |
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Sign Up for Life Skills Training!
ESC's Life Skills Training continues to be successful and the Community Development division is excited to offer several more opportunities to join the class this month.
These classes help clients with skills such as budgeting, conserving energy and finding employment. Anyone can attend the trainings, but those wishing to attend must enroll in advance by contacting one of the following staff members:
Joanna Watson, 417-781-0352
Sally McAffrey, 417-781-0352
Marcia Denny, 417-845-6011
Sharon Havens, 417-451-2206
July 8th-
JOPLIN: Budgeting from 1:00-5:00
July 9th-
NEOSHO: Workshop from 8:30-12:30
July 10th-
ANDERSON: Money Management from 1:00-5:00
July 17th-
ANDERSON: Energy and Food Savings from 8:30-12:30
July 23rd-
NEOSHO: Workshop from 8:30-12:30
July 24th-
ANDERSON: Money Management from 8:30-12:30
JOPLIN: Food Preparation and Energy Conservation from 8:30-12:30 |
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Step Up to Leadership...
Step Up to Leadership is a twelve-week training course that encourages participants to channel their valuable experience back into the community to help others improve their lives. ESC presented the first graduates of this training at a celebration on June 24th. Seven students received their leadership certification and learned who was approved for a mini-grant opportunity to fund their community project.
Next year's class is set to begin on April 14th, 2009. They will meet every Tuesday night for twelve weeks. Interested candidates for the training will need to contact Suzanne Becker at 417.451.2206 ext. 101 to get on the waiting list. The ideal class size is 10 and no more than 15. It is open to partcipants from Newton, Barton, Jasper and McDonald counties.
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Back to School Fair!
The second annual Tools for School Back to School Fair will be held on Friday, July 25th from 10am-3pm at Memorial Hall in Joplin (8th and Wall Avenue).
ESC is currently accepting pre-registration forms for students Kindergarten through 5th grade for Joplin and other area schools. July 11th will be the last day that pre-registration forms will be accepted. The forms are available at the front desk at ESC's central office in Joplin (302 S. Joplin Street), as well as with outreach workers in ESC's Community Development outreach offices.
Families who want to attend the school fair will need to have an intake and assessment completed prior to the day of the school fair. In order to obtain their free school supplies, the children and their parents must attend the fair together.
Several booths at the fair will provide essential health screenings. Other booths will be providing information about services in our community including after school programs, children's safety, public libraries, child development and wellness. Information about ESC and our various program opportunities will also be available.
For more information about the fair or ESC's programs, please contact a Community Development staff worker at 417.781.0352.
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C.D. Staffing Changes...
Belinda Yockey has recently been promoted to a Family Intake Assessment Specialist. She has worked for the agency for a little over a year as a Data Entry Clerk in the Community Development Department. She will be working out of the Joplin Central office in her new position.
Robyn Walker has also been promoted to Emergency Assistance Coordinator. She has worked for the agency for almost 3 years. She has held the positions of Data Entry Clerk, Receptionist and Family Intake Assessment Specialist. She will continue to work out of the Joplin Central office in her new position.
Best wishes in your new roles at ESC!
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Mileage Rate Change...
At the Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area Board of Directors meeting on June 5, 2008 the Board voted to raise the local and out-of-town mileage rate that is paid to employees for Agency use of their private vehicle. The rate was 35 cents per mile and is has now been raised to 45 cents per mile, effective June 15th, 2008.
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| Is there anything interesting going on in your department that you would like to share with our staff, board members and supporters? To have your information included in an upcoming issue of News from ESC, please contact Andrea Osiek at aosiek@escswa.org. |
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