The Community Action Column - South Plains Community Action ...

The Community Action Column
Helping People—Changing Lives
The Promise of Community Action: Community Action changes people’s lives,
embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live.
We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves
and each other.
October 2011
Housing Division: Helping People Make the Right Move!!
IN THIS ISSUE:
Focus on HOUSING 1
Cantaloupe Outbreak 1
Community Services—
Back to School
Extravaganza
Workforce Economic
Empowerment Conf.
WIC—Peer Counselor
Training
Community Service, ctd 3
Job Listings 4
WBM Celebrations 4
Child Care—TWIST 5
CDS & Sr. Companion 5
Family Planning 5
Annual Leave 5
Division Information 6
Do you know? 6
Home Health, Flu clinic 7
CLASS—Halloween 7
SPARTAN-Get on the
Bus
CHAMPS-Fills a need 7
New Editors, submission
information
Birth announcements 9
Housing, ctnd. 9
2
2
3
7
8
Organized in January 1972, the South
Plains Regional Housing Authority strives to
provide housing solutions to clients in the
South Plains area including Bailey, Cochran,
Garza, Hockley, Lamb, Lynn, Terry,
and Yoakum Counties. The Authority’s cooperative
agreements with the County Governments
in those counties allows the recipients
of the housing services to also gain
other SPCAA resources such as Transportation,
Child Care, Head Start, Health, and
Community Services.
Housing solutions are made available
by this division with a strong commitment to
the objectives of the United States Policy
for achievement of Equal Housing Opportunity.
Therefore, there are no barriers in regard
to race, color, creed, religion, sex,
handicap, familial status, or national origin.
There are eligibility standards as set
forth by the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) as well as
guidelines set forth by the local Authority.
Debra Coddington leads this division
which employs 13 people. Work is done in
the areas of administration and maintenance
as well as property management.
Picture includes Rosa Alvarez, Liza Taylor, Frances
Bergara, Debra Coddington, Patricia Gonsalez
Courtney Jimenez, Irma Lopez
Continued on Page 9 -spcaa.ORG/Geralyn
LIVES DEVISTATED BY LISTERIA—CANTALOUPE OUTBREAK
As this issue continues to grow, I wanted to share this information. Please note that consumers should
avoid Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms and throw away produce that may still be in their
homes. The fruit was shipped between July 29 and Sept. 10 to Arkansas, California, Idaho, Ohio and Oklahoma,
in addition to the previously noted 17 states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah and Wyoming. Most of the victims so far became sick on or after Aug. 4, but people can continue
to develop listeriosis for up to two months after eating contaminated food, according to the CDC.
Also, since there have been two food poisoning outbreaks related to cantaloupe this year, I also wanted to
take this opportunity to highlight a few things about this fruit that makes it particularly susceptible to contamination
that you may wish to pass on to the States.
Cantaloupe grows on the ground where it can come into contact with bacteria that is harbored in soil or rainwater
runoff.
The rind of a cantaloupe is more rough and adhesive (vs. a watermelon or honeydew), which make bacteria on
the skin hard to remove. Bacteria can be spread to the edible portion of the melon when a knife slices through it.
The rind of a cantaloupe is porous and might allow contaminated water to permeate the flesh.
While bacteria normally cannot grow on fruits or vegetables after they are picked due to a lack of moisture and
nutrients, E. coli has been shown to multiply on the surface of cantaloupe (and watermelon).
For more Produce Safety information: http://nfsmi.org/ResourceOverview.aspx?ID=394
For more Food Recall information: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm

Back to School Extravaganza/Community Services
According to Readers Digest
Diabetes Tips, News and
Recipes for Your Best health
8/16/11, ORGANIZATION is
key for people with the disease.
Consolidating your medical supplies
in one area of your home,
(and not in the bathroom), and
letting others know exactly
where supplies are kept will create
less frustration and confusion.
Also, have a special snack
area in your fridge so you are
not tempted to grab an unhealthy
item that can wreck
havoc with your blood sugar.
Keep a container of water in the
fridge where it is easy to spot
and grab, as drinking lots of water
guards against water retention
and flushes out impurities
which is important for not only
those with diabetes, but everyone!
-Geralyn
Activities you should
plan every week to be
successful in life:
Plan a lunch date. Schedule
weekly lunch dates
with people in your social
network.
Take up a hobby. Nobody
wants to be good at
only one thing. So, for at
least an hour a week pursue
a favorite hobby, or
attend a new class. The
key is to find something
you love.
Exercise. You need to get
at least 30 minutes a day of
exercise to stay healthy.
With the extra energy
you‟ll get from exercise,
the brain boost, and the
stress reduction, you‟ll
handle everything else in
your life better.
Source: www.tesh.com
SPCAA‟s Community Services Division
hosted a “Back to School Extravaganza”
event within the 14 county service area to
promote and educate each community‟s
residents about available resources in their
area. One particular program, which was
strongly promoted, was the CHIP/
Children‟s Medicaid program. This event
helped identify and recruit children lacking
healthcare coverage, as well as providing
information and was an opportunity
for parents to apply for any of the HHSC
programs. SPCAA and various partners
served over 3,240 children with a backpack
filled with basic school supplies and
distributed various program education
pamphlets.
Funding sources for the back packs included the Health and Human Service Program, and
American State Bank; other local businesses contributed to each county for the purchase of
school supplies. Therefore, the quantity of items contained in the back packs varied depending
on the total contribution from
each county. Items collected at the county
level stayed in that county and were not
given to another area. Elementary backpacks
consisted of a pen, pencil, pink
eraser, scissors, glue stick, spiral notebook,
braded folder, and ruler. The Junior
High and older kids‟ back pack consisted
of red /black pen, pencil, braded folder
map colors, highlighter, notebook paper,
spiral notebook.
Economic Empowerment Conference
If money were no object….How would you
live out your business dreams? What are
your plans for EXPANDING YOUR
EXISTING FAMILY-OWNED BUSI-
NESS? Or, if you're not a business owner,
have you ever considered OPENING
YOUR OWN BUSINESS? Better yet, how
do you SHAPE YOUR VISION? Do you
know HOW TO MASTER YOU OWN
EMOTIONS? And, what is your PIC-
TURE OF SELF?
JOIN US ON OCTOBER 11TH
for some very unique insight into these questions
through the eyes of our keynote speaker
MICHAEL ROBERTS, J.D.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11TH
9:30AM—2:30PM
(Lunch will be provided)
Hosted by The Bridge of Lubbock
located at 1301 Redbud in Lubbock
There is NO cost to attend
Please RSVP by phone of email
806.765.5038
gregory.ricks@spworkforce.org
Page 2

WIC PEER COUNSELOR TRAINING AUGUST 2011
It’s Fall Y’all!!!!
Fall makes me want to eat apples. The
aroma of cooking apples, cinnamon,
butter, and sugar is pleasing and represents
home.
Easy Apple Crisp
INGREDIANTS:
6 apples, peeled, cored, & sliced
1 cup water
1 (18.25 oz) pkg white cake mix
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cutter, melted
DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 350 . Lightly grease a
9X13 in baking dish.
2.Arrange apples in an even layer in the
bottom of baking dish. Pour water over
apples.
3. In a medium bowl mix together cake
mix, brown
sugar, and
cinnamon.
Stir in
melted butter
or margarine
until
ingredients
are thoroughly
blended; mixture will be crumbly.
Sprinkle mixture over apples.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55
minutes.
-Monica
The week of August 8-12 2011, WIC held
a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training
at the Field‟s Building. Participants in
the WIC program, who are currently
breastfeeding or have previously breastfed
an infant, were invited to attend the
week long training.
The classes covered various topics on
training breastfeeding mothers in the
WIC program to help other mothers
breastfeed. Some topics include Advantages
of Breastfeeding, Mother‟s Nutrition,
Prenatal Care, Barriers to Breastfeeding,
Counseling and Telephone counseling,
Including Father and Family, Special
Circumstances and much more.
The idea at the heart of the Peer Counselor
Program is that as peers these mothers have an ability to help and influence other mothers that health professionals
do not have. The training provided will help them go beyond their own experience and give mothers,
in normal situations, information and support based on current research and a consensus of knowledge
from breastfeeding experts.
Pictured from Left to Right-WIC Peer Counselors Brittany Johnson, Krystie Lawshea, Danielle Rivera, WIC Peer Counselor Training
attendees (with certificates) Alpha Jennings, Sylvia Garcia, Analicia Ramirez, Shea Savage, WIC Peer Counselors Marisha Garcia-Hare,
Cynthia Flores, Sandi Fernandez, and Vanessa Rautis
- NELDA H. MERCADO
Community Services Extravaganza, continued
This event was a family friendly event and
consisted of “One on One” education, face
painting, food, and activities/games for all
to enjoy.
This event was a success due to the participation
of the families in each area along
with the following:
50 years ago…1961
Cost of living
Average cost of a new house—
$12,500.00
Average income per year—
$5,315.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas—$0.27!!!!!
Average cost of a new car-
$2,850.00
Cost of eggs per dozen- $0.30
What Events Happened in
1961
JFK inaugurated as President of
the US.
President Kennedy asks Congress
for $531 million to put a man on the
moon.
Construction of the Berlin Wall
begins.
Estimate of the Worlds Population
reaches 4 billion.
‘Freedom Riders’ test the US Supreme
Court decision Boynton v.
Virginia by riding racially integrated
interstate buses into the South.
Some are attacked and beaten by
the white supremacist supporters of
racial segregation. -Monica
South Plains Community Action
Health & Human Services Commission
Head Start
WIC
Family Planning
Atmos
211 Texas
Molina Health Care
Kool Smiles
Parenting Cottage
Managed Care/ VOICES
TMC
Superior Healthcare
Maximus
Catholic Family Services
Department of State Health Services
Familia Dentist
(Other local partners in the community also participate
such as 4H Club and local Police /Sherriff’s
Office. However, the list above reflects vendors
whom participated in most if not all the community
events.)
Don’t forget to start checking items like furnace filters, windshield wiper fluid
and blades, and other like things for WINTER! Fall is the time to prepare!
Page 3

Wreck ‘Em Tech!
FOOTBALL season is
here!!!!
While the Big Twelve,
SEC, Pac 12, and others
may not know what
they’re doing...TTU
Football fans DO know
one thing: it’s that time
of year when you get
your GUNS UP! And
Saturdays mean tailgating,
red and black
streamers on cars, and
the Matador song are all
part of West Texas Autumn!
Are you or is someone you know looking
for a new job? Please check out the
SPCAA.org website for job postings—do
it often as they change quickly.
Here is a current list of job openings:
Head Start Openings:
Lead Teacher - FT in Post
Lead Teacher - Little Steps in Littlefield
Lead Teacher - Eddie Richardson Center in Lubbock
Food Service Floater - Temporary Part Time -
Lubbock
Teacher's Assistant - FT - Levelland Building
Blocks
Teacher's Assistant - FT - Shapes Academy in
Lubbock
Head Start/Early Head Start Substitutes in Littlefield,
Lubbock, Levelland, Brownfield, Plainview,
Morton, Denver City, and Post
Family Support Worker - Olton ISD PT
Cook - FT Post
Home Base Worker—Terry County Home Base -
FT
Family Support Worker - Littlefield FT
Head Start Home Base Coordinator - FT Lubbock
and surrounding communities
Lead Teacher - Future Success Denver City - FT
Lead Teacher - Plainview
SPARTAN:
Mobility Manager – Full Time
Billing Clerk – Full Time
Health Services:
Home Health RNs
Home Health LVNs
Home Health Pediatric Nurses
Home Health Providers
Please visit www.SPCAA.org for an application
which can be either copied and mailed, or faxed,
or saved to a computer then emailed to HR.
TTU’s remaining games:
10/01 @Kansas
10/08 TX A&M
10/15 Kansas State
10/22 @Oklahoma
10/29 Iowa State
11/05 @Texas
11/12 OK State
11/19 @Missouri
11/26 Baylor at Cowboys
Stadium
-Geralyn
WIC World Breastfeeding Month Celebrations
THANK YOU to all those that
attended the 2011 World Breastfeeding
month celebrations.
A very special Thank You to everyone
that donated their services, time, and
gifts.
-Monica
Page 4

CHILDCARE GETTING READY TO ‘TWIST’!!!!
Child Care is going through a statewide
computer program conversion. At
the beginning of October child care
will be incorporated into the "The
Workforce Information System of
Texas" (TWIST).
Address is:
1213 13th Street
Lubbock, TX 79401
Phone (806)744-3572
FAX (806)744-3576
Family Planning
clinics forced to close
South Plains Community Action
Association had clinics in Plainview,
Lubbock and Levelland.
The clinics provided contraceptive
methods as well as a variety
of health screenings for things
such as breast and cervical cancer,
diabetes and sexuallytransmitted
diseases for lowincome
women/men on a sliding
fee scale.
The closures were prompt­ed by
reported funding cuts of close to
$73 million in Texas, or about
two-thirds of what had been a
$111 million budget. The cuts
apparently came as a result of
anti-abortion legislators who
vowed to choke out clinics who
affili­ated with abortion providers.
According to Slate Rep. Donna
Howard (D-Austin) in an article
for The Texas Tribune, "This
(legislative) session we have seen
an all-out assault on women's
health driven by the erroneous
assumption that family planning
is synonymous with abortion.”
SPCAA'S family-planning clinics
did not provide abortions, nor
did they affiliate with anyone
who does. Not only did we not
advocate for abortion, but the
provision of birth control education
and methods is a great preventer
of abortion.
The Family Planning staff devoted
a lot of time and energy to
helping our patients get through
some of life's biggest storms.
Thank you Family Planning
Staff. We appreciate your dedication
and passion for the services
each of you provided to all
of our patients!
-Roger Cardenas and Kathie Karnes
They currently have open enrollment
for child care services.
Clients can complete enrollment in
person, by mail, or fax. Needed
child care enrollment forms can be
found on the SPCAA website under
Programs-Child Care Services-Family
Information.
Annual Leave: Use It or Lose It
With so many stores putting up Halloween, Thanksgiving,
and even Christmas decorations, we should
be reminded to keep an eye on our Annual Leave.
Your supervisor receives a report each month that
states your annual & Discretionary Leave amounts.
If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor
before contacting HR.
Though you are paid for any Discretionary leave you
do not use by November 30th, some of your Annual
leave is able to carry over; but not all of it. The table
outlines how many hours of Annual leave you are
allowed to carry over.
Make plans with your supervisor to use any extra
Annual Leave hours before you lost them!!
Years of
Service
CDS and Senior Companion News!!!
Sylvia Gonzales, Program Director for the Client
Directed Services (CDS) Program, recently attended
a seminar involving the upcoming changes to the
Electronic Visit Verification. The EVV Pilot Program
Workshop was held at the
Life Run Center in Lubbock
August 25th, and the presenters
were from Austin. The name of
the presenting group is PACT/
ADAPT of Texas. PACT stands for
Personal Attendant Coalition of
Texas. ADAPT of Texas is a grassroots
disability rights group making
change happen.
Rolling out in March 2012, the
process will make it mandatory
for providers to assemble a defined
schedule for providers, and
those providers will have to electronically
(via phone or fixed visit voucher) account
for their time at a client‟s home in real-time. The
SANTRAX software system will be in use, but providers
will be held to a higher standard in their scheduling
and actual time at a client‟s home.
Leave Carried
Over
0-5 years 96 Hours
6-10 years 104 Hours
11-15 years 112 Hours
16-25 years 120 Hours
26+ years 128 Hours
For more information click
“SPCAA” for your Personnel Handbook at:
www.spcaa.org/employees
Sylvia stated that trainings will be held prior to the
March 2012 rollout, and will probably begin this fall.
The information she gained at this seminar will not
only affect her CDS Program, but also CLASS and
Home Health.
Senior Companion News: The
week of Sept 19 th -23 rd was National
Senior Corps Week. The
efforts of all Senior Companions,
Foster Grandparents and RSVP
volunteers were recognized
across the United States. During
2010 450,000 volunteers contributed
98 million hours of service
within their communities. Locally
56 Senior Companions were recognized
for the 62,564 hours they
spent with 112 clients in nine
different communities who needed assistance meeting
Activities of Daily Living, respite or just a
friendly visitor. If you know some of our Companions
– please let them know that their work is greatly
appreciated.
Page 5

Do you know……….
Adolfo Perez?
SPCAA Contact Information
Administration
WIC
Health Services
P.O. Box 610
411 Austin Street
Levelland, TX 79336
806-894-6104
Housing
Weatherization
Home Health
1611 FM 300
Levelland, TX 79336
806-894-2127
Workforce Administration
1301 Broadway
Lubbock, TX 79411
806-765-5038
CHAMPS
3307 Avenue X
Lubbock, TX 79411
806-771-0736
SPARTAN
1105 Highway 114
Levelland, TX 79336
806-894-3800
Community Services
CDS
Senior Companion
Head Start
511 Houston
Levelland, TX 79336
806-894-2207
CLASS
Fields Building
1924 Avenue Q
Lubbock, TX 79411
806-771-2604
As new editors, one of our objectives it to familiarize
SPCAA employees across all divisions with each other.
As someone that works with every division and their
programs, Adolfo Perez has been selected as the
first employee to be highlighted.
Adolfo Perez came to Levelland in December 1986. He transferred with his family with
AMOCO Oil and Gas Company following his graduation from college. He did volunteer
work for the Hockley County Family Outreach Program and worked as the office assistant.
In 1987, Adolfo took a job with Texas Department of Human Services and worked
with Child Protective Services (CPS) and also with the Food Stamp Office where he assisted
with the removal of children from unsafe home environment and office case management.
In April 1988, he went to work for South Pains Community Action Head Start as the Administrative
Assistant. His duties consisted of monitoring center files, supervising clerical
staff and he also developed clerical procedures. Adolfo served as office manager, handled
staff trainings, developed inventory tracking, worked with Policy Council, Summer Youth
Program, and bus driver in addition to working as Administrative Assistant. After 8 years
of Head Start life, he took another job opportunity with the Workforce Program in 1996 as
a Program Specialist. His duties consisted of Trainer for TWIST, Job Hunting and Resume
classes, Summer Youth Program, Procurement, and as Office Manager developed
Vehicle Expenditure and Tracking Report system, TDD Office Manual, and was instrumental
in the Littlefield office set-up and operation. After a successful 2 years, another
job opportunity presented itself when, in 1998, Adolfo went to work for Mr. Bill Powell
as his Executive Assistant. His array of duties include an array of responsibilities including
the daily schedule of the Executive Director, working with the various agency programs,
overseeing the agency‟s office and communication functions, agency programs,
overseeing the agency‟s office and communication functions, agency procurement, and
working with the Board of Directors. Adolfo has worked for SPCAA for 24 ½ years, and
this coming April 2012 will be his 25 th year with the organization!
Adolfo holds an Associate‟s Degree in Business Administration from Bee County College;
holds a certification for Non-Profit Management from Texas Tech University, is a
Woodsboro High School graduate, serves as the President of the Main Street Board, Chair
of Main Street Organization Committee, and is a former Leadership Levelland Class
graduate of 2007. He has participated in several Chamber of Commerce groups, SPC and
Workforce sponsored tournament events representing SPCAA. An active member of the
Region VI Community Action Association, Texas Community Action Association and
National Community Action Association, Adolfo's dedication is clearly seen. He is also
active with his church and taught CCE Sunday School Classes.
Adolfo enjoys various activities ranging from Charity Bicycling, is an antiques dealer,
travels, and most recently enrolled in clown school. After his completion of this endeavor,
he will participate later this year in the Children‟s Medical Holiday Parade in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is very excited about this event and is looking forward to being
part of this worthy cause. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Page 6

Home Health to have Flu Clinics
Home Health has been busy throughout the Summer with participation in area Jamaicas, and will
conduct flu clinics at St Phillips Catholic Church in Shallowater and Calvary Baptist Church in Lubbock.
Along with new employees Lee Ann Curtsinger and Gina Wheeler, Home Health also wants
to announce the birth of Olivia Cardona’s first baby, Ava Pilar Garza who was born on July 7, 2011.
Olivia and her husband Luis are looking forward to their new roles !
GET FIT FOR FALL!
The September 19th
2011 issue of the
Huffington Post
Healthy Living Brief
has ways to Avoid
Overeating:
1. Eat enough during
the day, but make
sure to include fiberpacked
carbs, low-fat
protein and healthy
fats.
2. Keep your ‘trigger’
foods out of the
house—if you are a
cookie junkie, simply
do not bring them in.
3. Don’t mistake
thirst for hunger
When you eat a meal
or a snack, WAIT at
least 20-30 minutes
before eating again.
Don’t be too hard on
yourself!
4. Just Don’t Start—
only eat at certain
times instead of when
you ‘just feel like it’.
CLASS will Haunt your Halloween!!!!!!
The CLASS staff will host a „Trick or Trunk‟ event on
October 31st from 4-6PM at the Fields Building parking
lot. Staff members will dress in Halloween costumes
and hand out candies to their clients. This event
enables many of the CLASS clients to participate in
Halloween festivities in an area that provides a place
that is handicap accessible. CLASS is taking candy
donations to give to their clients. It will be a hauntingly
fun time!
Get On The Bus With SPARTAN TRANSPORTATION!
SPCAA SPARTAN has been awarded funding from the Texas Department of Transportation
to carry out a Jobs Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) project. This program will study
transportation needs to training and employment locations in the South Plains; vehicle
capital expansion and actual transit service will then quickly ensue. The grant is also funding
a mobility manager position that will focus on:
moving people instead of moving vehicles,
the discrete travel needs of individual customers
the entire trip, not just that portion of the trip on one mode or another,
making visible improvements to the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of the travel
services being delivered,
designing and promoting transit oriented developments, livable cities, and energy efficient
sustainable communities, and
improving the information available about those services.
The mobility manager serves the general public through conceptualization, planning, developing
and operating programs that respond to and influence the demands of the market.
These actions and supportive strategies are performed directly or in collaboration with others
in order to provide a full range of travel options that are more effective in meeting
needs and more efficient through reasonable pricing.
CHAMPS FILLS A NEED UNMET BY OTHERS
In order to receive services from Project CHAMPS
an individual must have a medical diagnosis of
being HIV+ and must live in Texas. For eligible
participants, the program does provide food
vouchers redeemable at the South Plains Food
Bank in Lubbock. In addition, as funding is available,
they provide general hygiene items to eligible
clients as well at the office site in Lubbock.
CHAMPS is the acronym for: Client Health Access
& Multi Program Services.
“You’re braver than you believe, and stronger
than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
-Christopher Robin,
in Winnie the Pooh
Page 7

SUBMISSION INFO
Please send all division and
personal information to one
of the editors before the
third week of the month.
Disbursement will be on
the first working day of each
month.
Send items of interest to
any of the following:
SBoerner@spcaa.org
MMcHaney@spcaa.org
GMonticello@spcaa.org
Each division as well as
many SPCAA individuals
will receive periodic emails
to remind or ask for information
for the newsletter.
Please make sure you forward
this to those employees
who may not have received
it—thank you! If you
have any ideas, make sure
SPCAA, INC.
411 Austin
Levelland, TX 79336
Ph: (806) 894-6104
Fax: (806) 894-7557
www.spcaa.org
New Editor Information…………….
I've worked for
SPCAA for 11
years
(October)! Honestly...I
never
imagined I'd still
be here!
HA! Obviously I
Sandra Boerner think it's a great
company
to work for! My 11 years have
been spent with the WIC Program,
in several capacities, beginning
as a Nutritionist fresh out
of college.
I did not completely grow up in
Lubbock, but I have been here
for just over 22 years...which is
the longest I have EVER lived
anywhere. I spent the first 14
years moving around several
southern states since my dad
was in the Air Force . I was born
in Big Spring, TX-moved to Coco
Beach, FL-then to Sumter, SC-to
San Antonio, TX-to Columbus, MS
-back to San Antonio...and finally
to Lubbock. So I guess that's
why change doesn't intimidate or
really bother me-which is a good
thing since the WIC Program is
constantly changing!
I graduated from Texas Tech
University with my Bachelor of
Science in Nutrition, and a minor
in Restaurant/Hotel/Institutional
Management. Since then, I've
pursued further education in the
field of Lactation. I am passionate
about both of these subject
areas and can truly say that I
enjoy my job. Knowing we can
help make a difference in many
individuals and families lives is
very fulfilling to me!
My hobbies include anything
OUTDOORS...from gardening,
water skiing/wakeboarding, hiking,
motorcycling...to just hanging
out by a campfire with friends
and family. I also absolutely love
to cook, and especially for others.
I'm extremely thankful for
my precious husband, Scott, who
also shares a passion for all of
these activities with me. We do
not have any kids (or pets) yet,
so our time is spent having fun
outdoors and travelling any
chance we get!
With Geralyn and Monica, I am
excited to assist in continuing the
SPCAA newsletter, and hope
you'll enjoy reading it each
month!
*Currently
with the
Home
Health Division,
I came
to SPCAA
following
Geralyn and 2 sons two years
with the Lubbock Workforce
center as a Business Services Rep
and Project Director. I moved to
West Texas in March of 2008
from the Midwest where I taught
junior and senior high school
Social Studies and Music, managed
medical clinics, and was a
territory sales representative in
Pharma and IT.
*My oldest son, Ben, graduated
and now works at TTU, and my
youngest son, Keith and his wife
Ashleigh live in Lamesa with my
first grandbaby, Bo. Keith works
in the oil services industry, and
my daughter-in-law is a TTU
student.
*Moving to West Texas was a
breath of fresh air in my life, and
while I have enjoyed many of the
local activities, there is so much
to see and do in this region that I
feel I have only scratched the
surface of this area. I thoroughly
enjoy the warmth and graciousness
of West Texas people, the
wonderful weather, and the host
of new friends I have made since
moving here.
*Two little known facts about
me: I taught folk dancing and
ballroom to children and young
adults for over thirty years in my
hometown, and I also played the
organ at my former church for six
years. I play piano, golf, read
lots of books on all subject matter,
see concerts and plays, cook
(and eat!), yard work, and travel.
I spend a lot of time with my
children , and now with Bo who
was born this year in August. I
am also an avid fan of sports and
can be seen regularly at Lowery
Field in Lubbock on a Friday
evening in fall. Locally, I follow
Estacado High, and my current
favorite college football players
are Vick Ballard of Mississippi
State and Denard Robinson of
Michigan even though I am not a
big fan of those schools.
* My 2 dogs are Bruce and Gina.
Hey! My name
is Monica
McHaney. I
have worked
for SPCAA for
3 1/2 years with
the WIC program.
I started
Monica McHaney
in the
Freedom WIC clinic as a clerk.
For 5 months I worked there
until I came to the Levelland
WIC clinic to work as Administrative
Office Assistant.
I am born and raised in Lubbock,
Texas, but I currently live
in Levelland. I am a graduate of
Monterey High School and
South Plains College, and am a
full time student at Texas Tech
University (18 hours!) graduating
in May 2012.
My wonderful boyfriend Matt
and I will be celebrating our 10
year anniversary in January.
We don‟t have any kids, but we
do have a dog. His name is
Sanchez, but I like to call him
Sanch or Sanchy! I also have I
sister and 1 brother, and 3 teenage
nieces and 2 teenage nephews
that keep me up to date on
everything cool!!
In the little spare time I have,
Matt and I love to drive out to
nearby lakes (nearby being a 3
hour drive, ha!) for some fishing.
We also love to watch
movies in the comfort of home.
I also love to watch any and all
reality TV, do some shopping,
and spend time with friends and
family.
I am excited that with the other
ladies, in working on the
SPCAA newsletter, we can
bring important information
from and about various divisions
within SPCAA, as well as
helpful and entertaining information.
I hope everyone enjoys
reading what we put together.
Please remember to email us all
your division information that you
would like to share!! Happy Fall!!
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continued from Page1
Housing Birth Announcements
Olton Site Manager, Courtney
Jimenez, gave birth to a healthy baby
boy, Blaine, on September 7, 2011.
He weighed 7.5 pounds and was 20
½ inches long. This is the first child
for Courtney and her husband Juan.
Nicole Bergara Morfin, gave birth to
a healthy baby girl, Alysandra, on
September 26, 2011. She weighed 8
pounds 9 ounces and was 21.5
inches long. This is the second child
for Nicole and her husband Rosendo.
The proud grandmother is Housing‟s
very own Frances Bergara, of Littlefield.
The Housing Staff feel strongly that housing
helps people in the following ways:
Housing provides decent, safe, sanitary and affordable
housing for those most in need. It helps
those trying to help themselves by providing
them confidence and encouragement in knowing
they have a roof over their head, and that their
kids are in a safe place, allowing them to better
focus on the goals they have for themselves,
whether that be working towards a
Pictured are Maria Hernandez, Martha
Garcia and Debra Coddington, Program
Director. Not pictured are Mary O’Canas
and Sydnye Seaman
higher wage paying job, finishing school or owning
their own home someday.
The majority of their participants struggle to
make ends meet and would not be able to afford
decent, safe housing otherwise. Many do work
and yet they struggle to pay all their bills, they
fall through the cracks because they make too
much money to qualify for other assistance, but
don’t make enough to be able to pay full rent,
utilities, gasoline/car care maintenance, etc. The
Housing programs ensure that decent, safe and
affordable housing is one less thing these people
have to worry about.
There is such a stereotype regarding people who
are on housing – there are those who are lazy
and aren’t trying to better themselves, but the
larger majority just need the temporary help due
to the struggles of unemployment, going to
school and trying to take care of their families
with limited resources.
The names of the housing sites are:
SPRHA Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Office – Levelland – (Maria Hernandez,
Section 8 Coordinator; Martha Garcia, Section 8
Counselor and Mary O’Canas, Section 8 Counselor,
Sydnye Seaman, receptionist - shared
staff with Weatherization)
Morton Meadows & Morton Manor (Rosa Alvarez,
Site Manager)
Denver City Housing (we do not own this complex,
we manage the property for them) (Irma
Lopez, Site Manager and Julio Benavidez, Maintenance)
South Plains Village – Brownfield – (Irma Lopez,
Site Manager and Julio Benavidez, Maintenance)
Post Community Housing – (we do not own this
complex, we manage the property for them) –
(Liza Taylor, Site Manager)
College Heights – Littlefield – (Patricia Gonsalez)
XIT – Littlefield – (All the following sites are managed
by Frances Bergara with Victor Jimenez,
Maintenance)
Windmill Village – Littlefield
Plains East – Anton
Plains West – Sudan
Running Water Draw – Olton – (Courtney
Jimenez, Site Manager)
We do have some other rental properties, but
they are owned by SPCAA, not SPRHA.
Section 8 Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program:
The FSS program is a voluntary program available
for persons participating in the Section 8
Choice Voucher Program. The purpose of the
program is to match assisted families with existing
services and resources in the community to
achieve economic self-sufficiency. The program’s
goal is to foster the self-confidence and
skills needed for each participating family to earn
an income that can support the family with minimal
or no public assistance. This program requires
the establishment of a Program Coordinating
Committee (PCC) from both private and
public sectors to assist SPRHA in securing commitments
of public and private resources for the
operation of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
At the present time, SPRHA is seeking additional
PCC members from the outlying service areas.
This Committee meets on a quarterly basis. Anyone
interested in joining the Committee may contact
Maria Hernandez at 806-894-5153 x 218.
-Geralyn
Page 9