River Valley Preschool, located in the River Valley Elementary School in Washta, Iowa, recently completed another year of quality preschool. As a District participating in the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for 4-Year Olds, the program completed their first QPPS (Quality Preschool Program Standards) verification visit this year (passing with flying colors). The program was also… Read more »

Another example of how taxpayer dollars are helping Iowa’s most vulnerable population (children 0-5): this story is from Crittenton Center’s Westside Resource Center, which is funded through Woodbury County Early Childhood: “A mother entered our program with concerns about parenting her daughter.  This mother began being a foster parent in her 40’s and was a… Read more »

Kids Fest is an annual health and safety fair for children 0 – 5 and their families in Ida Grove. This year marked the event’s 11th year and took place on Thursday, April 12th at the Skate Palace in Ida Grove from 3:30 to 6. We had 144 total people walk through the doors: 52… Read more »

In this space, we will routinely share success stories from the many programs that receive funding from SHIP!  AGENCY:  Lutheran Services In Iowa – H.O.P.E.S. Program The story is about a young mother defining goals for herself that will help her be self-sufficient. When our family support worker first met Susan* (*name changed for privacy)… Read more »