Empowerment Communities began three years ago as a way to help local communities decide what their needs are in serving children from birth to age five, said Shanell Wagler, the Empowerment Community Liaison. She said the communities address such things as child care, parent education, health care and child abuse. The Hamilton, Humboldt and Wright Counties Empowerment Area identified transportation needs. Ann Stewart said because the area is rural and not heavily populated, working parents needed help getting their children to and from pre-school. Ann Stewart and Deb Rohlfs say Empowerment funds have helped their area in many ways.
Union County gives child care providers who register with the state safety devices.
It allows parents to stay at work. Union County meantime helps child care providers do safety assessments. They even receive things like flexible locks and spring latches to keep young children out of drawers, cabinets and other areas that might contain hidden dangers. It saved their lives, said Elaine Matlock. It was a good thing she had that detector.