Community Chatterbox - Necac

July-August 2010
Meet Pike County Staff:
Dana Gordy, County Coordinator
dgordy@necac.org
Dianna Clair, Housing
dclair@necac.org
Robin Heffner, In-home
rheffner@necac.org
Helen Moellering, Hsg Inspector
(573) 324-2055
hmoellering@necac.org
Karla Strode , Family Self-
Sufficiency Coordinator
(573) 324-2207
kstrode@necac.org
Jennifer Travis, Intake Assistant
jtravis@necac.org
Gladys Coggswell, Front Desk
Receptionist
Happiness is not a destination,
it is a manner of traveling.
Community Chatterbox
NECAC Service Center: 805 Business Hwy 61 N, Bowling Green, MO 63334
Step Up to Leadership
Step Up to Leadership is a
twelve session program designed
by Community Action Agency
staff and board members, people
using the services of the Community
Action Agencies, and
educators form the University of
Missouri Extension. The purpose
of creating this program was to
teach those who struggle day-today
to make ends meet, yet still
want to make a better life for
themselves, their families, and
their neighbors. Each session
lasts for two and a half hours and
covers topics that teach participants
how to be leaders and how
to be involved within their communities.
The curriculum of the Step Up
to Leadership Program relies on
Back-to-School Fair
The Pike County Back-to-
School Fair will be held on
Saturday, August 7, 2010 from
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the
Pike County Fairgrounds.
Those attending the fair will
receive FREE backpacks that
contain school supplies. Those
attending will also be able to
take advantage of FREE hair-
cuts, FREE toothbrushes, and
FREE hot dogs. The back-to-
school fair will offer informational
booths, dental and eye
Phone: 573- 32 4- 22 07 F a x : 573-324-535 1
Members of Step Up to Leadership work as partners.
experiential activities to reinforce
learning objectives and suggests
ways to enhance learning
through independent learning
assignments. The program also
is intended to create a “co learning
environment” where members
learn from the experiences
of others.
screenings and so much more.
The fair is only open to Pike
County, Missouri students.
The back-to-school fair is
sponsored by the Pike Com-
munity Care Partnership: Pike
County Health Department,
Health Care USA, University of
Missouri Extension, North
EastCommunity Action Corporation
(NECAC), Harmony
Health Plan, Molina Health
Care, Missouri Care,
N E C A C
Step Up to Leadership addresses
three important components of
leadership including:
Self-awareness, confidence,
and interpersonal skills
Group skills such as trust and
resolving conflict
Learning about board responsibilities,
conducing meetings,
public speaking skills, and
planning
Pike County started a Step Up to
Leadership class on Friday, May
14, 2010 and will continue through
August 6, 2010.
Information taken from Step Up to
Leadership published by the University
of Missouri Extension.
-Haim Girott Pike County Memorial Hos-
pital, Pike County Agency
for the Developmentally
Disabled (PCADD), and
North East Independent
Living Services (NEILS).

P a ge 2
Bowling Green
Bowling Green Apartments (1800 West Main Street)
1 Bedroom $395 per month
2 Bedroom $465 per month
Bowling Green Apartments offer clean, air conditioned
homes with the convenience of utility hook ups in each
apartment, off street parking, a private playground, and all
units are located on ground level with no stairs to climb.
Water, sewer, and trash services are provided.
Creekside Apartments (101 Creekside Drive)
2 Bedroom $348 per month
3 Bedroom $402 per month
Creekside Apartments offer clean, air conditioned homes
with the convenience of off street parking and a private
playground. Water, sewer, and trash services are provided.
Apartments for Rent
Clarksville
Clarksville Estates, Clarksville (North 1st Street)
1 Bedroom $495 per month (rental assistance available)
Clarksville Estates offer a clean warm home with the convenience
of an on-site laundry facility. All utilities (electric,
water, trash and sewer) are paid.
Louisiana
Tella Jane Senior Village Apartments (400 Tella
Jane)
1 Bedroom $292 per month
55 years and older or disabled
Section 8 Vouchers are welcome at all properties.
For more information, contact:
Property Manager Marsha Rutherford (573) 470– 0410
Office Hours
Tella Jane Senior Village is located in a quiet area, conveniently
located off of Business 54. All units are on
ground level in brick buildings. The laundry facility is located
just outside the door in the hallway. Water, sewer,
and trash services are provided. Pets are welcome.
Bowling Green Tuesday and Friday 8:00 a.m-12:00 Noon/ 12:30-4:30 p.m.
(Creekside Office)
Clarksville Monday and Thursday 8:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon
Louisiana Monday and Thursday 12:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

P a ge 3
Despite Rumors, NEILS Will Remain Open
During the past several
months, rumors have surfaced
that a local non-profit
organization will be closing
its doors. Despite these
rumors, North East Independent
Living Services
(NEILS) will remain open
for all individuals with disabilities
in Clark, Lewis,
Marion, Monroe, Pike, and
Ralls counties. “Because of
previous budgetary issues,
changes have been made
since October 2009 to ensure
that our services will
continue to be available for
individuals in all of our six
counties,” states NEILS
new Executive Director,
Brooke Kendrick. “The past
6 months have been difficult
and emotional for all
parties involved.” NEILS
Board of Directors and Executive
Director have had
to make changes to some
of the services offered as
well as terminate some of
the available services. Most
recently, NEILS closed their
branch office located in
Clark County because there
was no supplemental funding
to support it. Additionally,
NEILS has opted to
terminate their Medicaid
(MO HealthNet) Provider
Agreement for their subsidiary
company, Quality In-
Home Care as well as
their provider agreement to
provide Medicaid Transportation
Services. “While the
changes have been hard,
they are necessary. We
have to ensure that our
doors will remain open for
many years to come,” says
Kendrick. NEILS continues
to provide the majority of
services that have been
offered for many
years. The services they
are continuing to provide
are Information and Referral,
Peer Support, Independent
Living Skills Training,
Advocacy, Accessibility
Services, Circuit
Breaker Services, Adaptive
Technology Services,
Equipment Loan Program,
Nursing Home, Alternative
Format Services, Private
Pay Transportation, Disability
Awareness Workshops,
IEP Assistance,
AgrAbility for farm workers
with disabilities, TAP Telephones,
Hear Now
(hearing aids), and many
others. “We are near completion
of a major restructure
of our organization,”
states Kendrick, “and we
can now say that we have
a very bright future ahead
of us.” If you have questions
or would like information
on their services,
please call the NEILS office
at V/TTY 573-221-
8282, Toll Free 877-713-
7900, or visit
www.neilscenter.org.

Safety Tips for Drivers
The following are good
safety tips to follow for
anyone who is on the
road:
If eggs are thrown at
the windshield, DO
NOT operate the
wipers and spray
wiper fluid. Doing so
will cause the wiper
fluid and eggs to
mix, forming a milky
film on the windshield.
This film will
make it nearly impossible
to see, forcing
the driver to pull
over and clean off
the windshield. This
technique is used by
robbers to get people
out of their cars.
Beware of new tactics
that are being
used by gangs. For
example, gangs are
placing car seats on
the side of the road
with baby dolls or
fake babies in them.
Then, they wait for
someone, usually a
woman, to come
along and check on
Parenting Classes
2010 Program Schedule
Date Program Time
the “baby”. Once the
person stops to
check on the “baby”,
gang members will
attack , drag the person
into the woods,
beat, rape, and leave
him or her for dead.
NEVER drive with
the cruise control on
while it is raining. If
the cruise control is
on when the car begins
to hydroplane,
the tires will lose
contact with the
pavement. This will
07/21/10 Basic Parenting I 6-9 p.m.
08/07/10
08/18/10
Back to School Fair
Basic Parenting II
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
6-9 p.m.
09/15/10 Parenting the Second Time 6-9 p.m.
10/20/10 & 10/27/10 Tackling the Tough Skills 6-9 p.m.
11/17/10 The Holidays 6-9 p.m.
For more information contact:
P a ge 4
cause the car to accelerate
at a higher rate of
speed, making the car
take off like an airplane.
Leanne Spengler
Human Development Specialist
University of Missouri Extension
115 West Main Street
Bowling Green, MO 63334
(573) 324-5464

P a ge 5
Healthy Lifestyles
Walking Club
Join NECAC’s Walking Club! As a member of Walking Club, you will:
meet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during lunch (12:00 noon
– 1:00 p.m.)
walk at the Bowling Green City Park (there are paved walking trails that
are safe, easy, and clean to walk on)
have goals and rewards to keep you motivated
feel safe by walking in a group
get out of the office and get some fresh air
have no fees or costs to join
Walking Club will not walk in case of inclement weather
Walking Club is not exclusive to NECAC employees—feel free to bring a
friend!
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, members will take a
break from walking and will meet at NECAC for mini lessons and guest
speakers
Mini lessons and guest speakers will include: cooking lessons, sewing
lessons, Diabetic care, and many, many more
For more information, contact:
NECAC
805 Business Highway 61 North
Bowling Green, MO 63334
Phone: (573) 324-2207
Fax: (573) 324-5351
E-mail: jtravis@necac.org
dlove@necac.org
Schedule
July 12 Program Begins-Meet at Park
July 14 Walk at Park
July 16 Walk at Park
July 19 Walk at Park
July 21 Meet at NECAC
July 23 Walk at Park
July 26 Walk at Park
July 28 Walk at Park
July 30 Walk at Park
August 2 Walk at Park
August 4 Meet at NECAC
August 6 Walk at Park
August 9 Walk at Park
August 11 Walk at Park
August 13 Walk at Park
August 16 Walk at Park
August 18 Meet at NECAC
August 20 Walk at Park
August 23 Walk at Park
August 25 Walk at Park
August 27 Walk at Park
August 30 Walk at Park
September 1 Meet at NECAC
September 3 Walk at Park
September 6 Holiday
September 8 Walk at Park

Drinking water at the
correct time maximizes
its effectiveness on
the human body.
Drinking Water
Drinking 2 glasses
of water after wak-
ing up helps acti-
vate internal organs
Drinking 1 glass of
water before a meal
helps digestion
Drinking 1 glass of
water before taking
a bath helps lower
blood pressure
Drinking 1 glass of
water before going
to bed helps lower
the risk of stroke
and heart attack
Medical Grants
The United-
Healthcare Children’sFoundation
provides
grants to families
who have children
ages 16 or
younger with
medical needs
not covered or
not fully covered
by their commercial
health benefit
plan. Individuals
who receive care
via Medicaid,
Medicare, or
other state of federally
subsidized
health insurance
programs are not
eligible. The
amount awarded
to an individual
within a 12-month
period is limited
to either $5,000
or 85% of the
fund balance,
whichever
amount is less.
Awards to any
one individual are
limited to a lifetime
maximum of
$7,500.
For more information,
call
800.328.5979,
extension 24459
or apply on-line at
www.uhccf.org.
P a ge 6

Dental
Free dental visits are offered by Missouri College
in St. Louis. Services are performed by dental hygiene
students who are supervised by professional
dentists. For more information, contact
Terri Waters at (314) 991-4641 ext. 102 or call
(314) 768-7898 to schedule an appointment.
Diabetes
Anyone can manage Diabetes: A mobile program
operated by the Pike County Health Department,
Home Care and Hospice is focused on assuring
that low-income, uninsured community members
have access to Diabetes self-management education
and necessary testing supplies. Contact (573)
324-6373 or the mobile clinic at (573) 470-6373
for more information.
Experience Works
Mature Workers Wanted! You can earn while you
learn and put your experience to work! If you are
55 or older with limited income, Experience Works
may have training and employment opportunities
for you. Contact an Experience Works representative
for more information. Pike County residents
should call Diane Simbro at 800-368-7569.
Highway Assistance
For help with roadside assistance, contact MODOT
at (314) 340-4100. MODOT will assist motorists
free of charge.
Legal Services
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri Inc. is a not-forprofit
corporation having as its purpose the provision
of quality legal assistance to low-income residents
of the service area, including Pike. You may
speak with a representative and file an application
to determine eligibility on the first Wednesday
of each month from 9:00-11:30 a.m. at the
Pike County NECAC Service Center. No appointment
necessary.
Resource Guide
P a ge 7
Job Corps
Job Corps is a career technical training and education
program for students and young adults between
the ages of 16 and 24, who meet income
eligibility requirements. Each year Job Corps trains
60,000 students in more than 100 career technical
areas. For further information, contact (800)
733-JOBS.
Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
If you or a family member is on Medicaid and is in
need of medical transportation to doctor’s appointments
or medical treatment, please call (866) 269
-5927. Rides need to be scheduled two weeks in
advance.
OATS
OATS Transportation: Anyone can ride! OATS provides
door-to-door transportation in Pike County.
Those needing a ride can call and OATS will pick
them up at their home and take them to the destination
in the town they are scheduled to go to on
that day. Those interested must call at least 24
hours in advance. OATS is not a free service, but
accepts donations and small fees for transportation
services. For more information, call (800) 654
-6287.
Payments
Customers may pay their Ameren UE, SBC/ATT,
and Charter Communications bills at the Bowling
Green License Office. Bills may be paid Monday
through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and
Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.
Vision
VISION USA can provide vision services for those
who can not normally afford them. To be eligible,
you must: 1) Have no vision insurance 2) Have income
below an established level based on family
size 3) Not had an eye exam within 2 years. To apply,
call (800) 766-4466 or email visionusa.aoa.
org.

NECAC Service Center
805 Business Hwy 61 N
Bowling Green, MO 63334
Phone: (573) 324-2207
Fax: (573) 324-5351
See us on the web: www.necac.org
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NECAC Service Center
805 Business Hwy 61 North
Bowling Green, MO 63334
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If you have an upcoming news event, announcement, or just a
special service you would like to share with us in the Community
Chatterbox, we want to know. We would also like to have
your comments in reference to this newsletter. Please complete
the enclosed survey and drop off, mail, or e-mail to the
contacts at the left of the page. If you or someone you know
is in need of our services, please contact your local office.
About Our Organization
NECAC stands for North East Community Action
Corporation. The agency covers a 12 county wide area.
The effort of the agency is to rise above poverty by
providing necessary services to enable each individual
family unit to function at his or her own improved
financial, physical, mental, and social level. NECAC is a
not-for-profit service that offers a variety of programs
to help those of low-income, the elderly, the handi-
capped, and the youth to develop self-sufficiency. This
is done through grants and contract agreements with
federal, state, and local agencies. NECAC is not a
government agency.