ESC would like to congratulate the participants of our Biggest Loser Challenge on making the decision to lead a healthier lifestyle! The contest was open to all ESC staff members who wanted to lose weight and improve their health. It began with introductory weigh-ins on October 30th and will continue until the final weigh-in on January 27th, 2007. The individual who attains the highest percentage of weight loss in the contest will win a $100 gift certificate to Academy Sports. Members of the team with the highest percentage lost will each receive a $25 gift certificate. The contest is sponsored by our insurance carrier, Beimdiek Insurance Agency.

Corporate Rate Available at YMCA...
We would also like to remind you that Economic Security Corporation staff members are eligible for the reduced corporate membership rate at YMCA. Discounted prices are $32 per month for individuals and $40 per month for a family. To receive the discount, you must provide a copy of your paycheck as documentation of your employment with ESC. You are also required to set up automatic banking withdraw for your monthly payment, so be sure to take a blank check with you when you go to enroll.

The Homeless Coalition, along with ESC, will be raising awareness in our community about the issues facing community members who are Homeless and Hungry by hosting a rally on Saturday, November 18th, 2006. We welcome you to participate by attending the event which will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Joplin Memorial Hall Parking lot. Rally posters and banners will be provided to those attending. The event will be serve as the finale to a full week of events throughout our community and state honoring National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness Week, a national endeavor to promote education, action and awareness. Those planning on attending the rally should RSVP to Tammy Walker, Community Development Director of ESC, by phone at 417-781- 0352 ext. 216 or by email at twalker@escswa.org.

ESC’s Housing Division has received notification by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of an award under the Department’s Fiscal Year 2006 Family Self-sufficiency (FSS) Program. This $27,091 grant award will be used to fund the Family Self-sufficiency Coordinator position for the 2007 program year.

The FSS Program is part of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and is designed to help participating families increase their earned income, reduce or eliminate their need for welfare, and make progress toward economic independence and self- sufficiency. The FSS program coordinator assures that participants are linked to the supportive services they need to achieve their goals. ESC is currently funded for 26 Family Self Sufficiency participants. The Housing division would like to give a big thank you to Stan Heater, Director of Program Planning, for making this grant happen each year!

ESC's Community Development Division will be hosting a free dental clinic on Tuesday, November 7th. The clinic will be held in the 2nd floor courtroom of ESC Joplin office from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the clinic, a dental hygenist from Ozark Tri-County Healthcare in Anderson will provide free screenings to the public. Educational materials, toothbrushes and emergency referrals will also be provided. Please help us spread the word to improve the dental health of our staff, clients and community!

Staff members are refining their recipes in preparation for the ESC chili cook-off to be held November 6th from 11:30 am to 1 pm at ESC's Central Office. To participate as a "taster", just bring $3 for all-you-can- taste and to vote for your favorites! Prizes will be awarded to the favorites. During the event, ESC will also be hosting a White Elephant Auction so be sure to bring your checkbook or some cash to participate! All proceeds from the event go to support the Bereavement and Social Committee!

ESC will also be hosting a holiday party for employees on Monday, December 18th from 11:30 am till 1:30 pm at the Central Office in Joplin. The Agency will be providing brisket, drinks and rolls for the event. They are asking that everyone who attends bring a finger food or dessert to add to the feast! Join your co- workers for the event and celebrate the contributions we make in our community during the holiday season!

ESC's Housing division has recently developed a permanent housing program for homeless individuals with disabilities. To be eligible for the program, a client must have either been continuously homeless for more than one year, or have had at least four individual episodes of homelessness in the past three years. They must also have a disability as defined by the Stewart B. McKinney ACT and HUD guidelines. Under this Act, a disabling condition is defined as "a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability or chronic physical illness or disability". Program participants will receive a housing voucher to be used for the purpose of providing suitable permanent supportive housing.

If you know of someone that may qualify for the program, or if you have questions about eligibility, please contact a member of ESC's Housing division for more information.

Our Early Head Start and Head Start programs participated in the Carl Junction Health Fair September 30th with a great looking booth! The Carl Junction Christian Church and Alliance of Southwest MO sponsored the event with approximately 44 community participants/booths entered.

Our booth offered families with children free height and weight measurements, body mass index, a nutritious snack, nutrition information and gift hygiene bags to make it fun! Freeman and St. John’s Medical Centers provided screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, fat mass index, balance, bone density, skin/cancer checks, hearing tests and other excellent health information. Many of the services provided free to the community would normally have cost participants an office visit and doctor fee! EHS/HS – we are making a difference in our community!

Jasper County Public Housing Agency, administered by ESC, currently has a home available for rent in Carl Junction for $400 a month. The 1,500 square foot home, built 1 year ago, has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and an attached 2 car garage. No pets are allowed and the yard is not fenced. However, it is right behind the Carl Junction schools. Applicants must meet low to moderate income guidelines. If you or someone you know is interested in renting the home, please contact Debbie Markman at 417-781- 0352 ext. 222.

On Wednesday, September 27, 2006 Terry Oliver, Director of Customer Service and Sherry McCormack, Planning Analyst, from Empire District Electric Company met with John Joines, Dale Noland and Terry Grooms from Economic Security Corporation to discuss the second year of the Empire District Company's weatherization program with ESC. While they were here they presented ESC with a check for $22,279 which is 25% of the their $89,116 grant for 2006-07. The revenues are derived from a fee accessed on each Empire customer at a rate of 10 cents per billing cycle for residential customers and 15 cents per cycle for commercial customers.

These additional funds allow Economic Security Corporation to provide more comprehensive weatherization services to our clients. The weatherization process includes replacing incandencent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting, adding insulation, weather stripping doors and windows, air sealing duct work and repairing electric furnaces. These services lead to a reduction in utility costs which provides the client with additional disposable income for their necessities. The services also provide the client with a safer and more comfortable living environment.

The winter heating season has already started by providing heating assistance to homes with an elderly or disabled head of household or spouse. Our funding source, The Department of Social Services in Jefferson City, invites utility providers to an annual information meeting during the late summer. However, the price of traveling that distance often prohibits vendors from our four counties from taking advantage of the opportunity. Tammy Walker, Community Development Director, decided to invite our vendors to lunch this year to provide not only a meal but also a forum for questions and answers regarding the heating program as well as the crisis utility assistance program.

Three of these events were held in Lamar, Neosho and Joplin. Even though the turnout was small, the department will try to do this every year so vendors will have the opportunity to understand the LIHEAP programs more thoroughly.

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.