Mississippi Valley Promise
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MEMORANDUM
April 11, 2005
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Mississippi Valley Promise
(L-'
Mississippi Valley Promise is the local effort of the America's Promise that was started a
few years ago. Several Department Managers and I serve on the Steering Committee.
Jane Steele is the organization's volunteer Executive Director and currently works out of
her home. Leisure Services Manager Gil Spence recommends approval of the Leisure
Services Department providing some assistance to Mississippi Valley Promise to get
the organization off the ground in the form of office space in the new Comiskey Building,
limited secretarial support if work is brought to the Leisure Services office, and use of
copy machine and excess office furniture available within the City organization. There
would be little cost associated with any of this, and what there is would be covered
within the Leisure Services Department budget.
The goal of America's Promise is to connect young people, from birth through age 20,
with relationships and opportunities that fulfill the following five promises:
1. Caring adults,
2. Safe places,
3. A healthy start,
4. Marketable skills, and
5. Opportunities to serve.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
~1~ L<1 m/[
Michael C. an Mi ligen --
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gil D. Spence, Leisure Services Manager
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MEMORANDUM
April 8, 2005
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: GiI D. Spence, Leisure Services Manage
SUBJECT: Mississippi Valley Promise
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council approval of the Leisure
Services Department providing some assistance to Mississippi Valley Promise.
DISCUSSION
Mississippi Valley Promise is the local effort of the America's Promise that was started a
few years ago. Several departments serve on the Steering Committee, feeling the
goals of the organization will benefit youth and our city in general. Jane Steele has
volunteered to serve as executive director and is presently working out of her home.
To help get the organization up and going, I would like to offer office space in the new
Comiskey Building, limited secretary support if work is brought to our office, use of our
copy machine, and excess office furniture that may be available within the City
organization. There would be little cost associated with any of this and what there is
would be covered within our existing budget.
Attached are sheets listing the five promises that guide the organization, proposed
goals for each of the promises, and a list of the Board of Directors.
ACTION STEP
The action requested is that the City Council approval my offer of assistance to
Mississippi Valley Promise.
GDS:et
attachments
~Mississippi Valley Promise in Dubuque
"Fulling together for our children's future."
Fulfilling the "j Promises
A growing number of communities are mobilizing to build the character and competence of our nation's
youth. The Five Promises, if consistently fulfilled, can significantly increase the chances of youth becoming
successful adults.
The goal of America's Promise is to connect young people, from birth through age 20, with relationships and
opportunities that fulfill the Five Promises. Communities of Promise are facilitating these connections
through natural support systems in neighborhoods and communities - families, youth-serving organizations,
human service agencies, government institutions, faith-based institutions, schools; businesses and youth
themselves.
'\.3 Caring Adults
Ongoing relationships with caring adults - parents, mentors, tutors or coaches - offer youth
support, care, guidance and advocacy.
2.3 ~:~~ce~~::::c~red activities during non-school hours provide both physical and
emotional safety, along with opportunities for both youth and the community.
3 A Healthy Start
, 4
Adequate nutrition, exercise and insurance in youth pave the way for healthy bodies, healthy
minds and smart habits for adulthood.
4 3 ~=i~~e~~:~~s:~ ~~~:ts - parents, mentors, rutors or coaches offer youth
support, care, guidance and advocacy.
~ Opportunities to Serve
.....J ~ Opportunities to give back through the community service enhance self-esteem, boost
confidence and heighten a sense of responsibility to the community.
For more information contact: Jane Steele
2371 Carter Road · Dubuque, IA 52001
(563) 557-1277 · janesteele@hotmail.com
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PROPOSAL FOR MVP GOALS
Promise #1: Caring Adults. Communities need to provide all young people with sustained
adult relationships through which they experience support, care and guidance. Caring and
connectedness within and beyond the family are powerful factors in protecting young people
from negative behaviors and creating strong positive qualities.
· Goal: Provide caring committed adult relationships through mentors to each child in
our community that needs/wants this sustained adult relationship.
· Community Fact: 3 out of 4 kids who need a caring adult role model in their life are
left abandoned and wanting.
Adult Mentors for Kids 346 Total
Dubuque County - Mar 05
ra 159 - Dubuque Communrty Schools
.73 - Hillcrest- Big Brother/Big Sister
030 - Americorps Volunteers
020 - CASA
.20 - SI. Mark's Kids Connection
.18 - AmeriCorps - Success.Rams
11115 - SI. Mark's Think Together
o 12 - Westminster Presbyterian
. 1154 - Kids warting for Mentor
WHY IT MATTERS
Research has shown that mentoring programs that are well-structured and place youth in a long-term mentor-mentee relationshIp promote
positive youth development. They result m better school attendance. an unproved attitude toward school, fewer incident~ of hitting others,
decreased alcohol and drug use and improved family relationships.
Source: "Mentoring: A Promising Strategy for Youth Development" Child Trends. 14 September 2004.
Research by the National Research Council has Identified relationships that provide warmth, guidance and support as one ofthe critical
features of settings that appear to successfully promote children' s positIve development
Source: National Research Council (Ed) COOl) Commul1lty programs to promote youth development. Washington. DC: National
Academy Press.
Research on resilIency has shown that an important factor contributIng to a child' s long-term success in school IS the presence of a caring
adult. whether it is a parent. family member. teacher. afterschool program staff or a member of the community. Children. especially those
who face educational disadvantage, benefit from the consistent nurturmg presence of an adult role model in their lIves. A caring adult
forming a strong relationship with a child has the opportunity to mtluence his attitude and success in school.
Source: "CrItical Hours: Afterschool Programs and Educational Success." Nellie Mae Education Foundation. 29 September 2004.
1
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Promise #3: Adequate nutrition, exercise, and insurance in youth pave the way for healthy
bodies, healthy minds, and smart habits for adulthood.
· Goal: Make sure children have health insurance and a regular health care provider and
get annual physical, dental, hearing and eye exams and all recommended
immunizations.
· Community Fact: ')
WHY IT MATTERS:
Children with health insurance typically have better health throughout their childhood and into their teens. They are more lIkely to receive
preventive care to keep them healthy and treatment for recurring illnesses like ear infections and asthma. Children with health insurance are
less likely to miss school because they are sick.
Source: "Ouestions & Answers. " Insure Kids Now! U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 19 August 2004.
Well child check-ups are necessary to identify health problems and reinforce healthy behavior. Regularly seeing the same doctor allows the
person with the most comprehensive information on your child's medical history to more easily assess any given condition. Regular office
visits provide an opportunity to establIsh a relationship with your child's doctor so that you have someone to turn to when your child is sick
or injured. Building a relationship also allows you to connect with a doctor or nurse over the phone to deal with minor illnesses and cut down
on unnecessary office visits. This relationship may influence your child to establIsh and maintain a pattern of healthy habits and preventive
care.
Source: "Your child's phvsical: What to know before YOU gO" MayoClinic.com. 7 February 2005.
Although it is a preventable health problem, dental decay is the most common chronic disease of children ages 5-17 years. In fact, it is 5
times more common than asthma and 7 times morc common than hay fevcr Dental-related illnesses result in thc loss of more than 51 million
school hours annually. Untreated tooth decay can cause chronic pain, difficulty and discomfort eating and chewing, embarrassment at
discolored and damaged teeth and distraction from play and learning.
Source: "Fact Sheet: Children's Oral Health." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 19 August 2004.
The CDC shares the following statistics on tooth decay:
J 17% of children ages 2-4 years old have already had decay
CJ Nearly 52% of children have experienced decay by age 8
Source: "Children's Oral Health. " Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 19 August 2004.
Approximately two or three out of every 1,000 children born in the U.S. are born deaf or hard of hearing. Additional children experience
hearing loss later in childhood. Since hearing loss often necessitates learning speech and language differently, early detection is critical. The
first three years oflife are the most important time for children to be exposed to and learn language. Research has shown that children with a
hearing impairment who get an early intervention develop better language skills t11an children who don't.
Source: "Has Your Babv's Hearing Been Screened')" National Institute on Deafness and Othcr Communication Disorders. 31 August 2004.
Many vision problems begin at an early age, which highlights the importance of proper eye care. One in 20 preschool-aged children and 25%
of school-aged children have vision problems. If untreated, vision problems can get worse, lead to serious health problems and affect a
child's ability to learn, his personality and adjustment in school.
Source: "Your Baby's Developing Sight." Prevent Blindness America. 23 August 2004.
Childhood vaccination not only protects children themselves, but also unvaccinated people they encounter, such as children too young to be
vaccinated and people who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons, and people who received a vaccine but have not developed immunity.
Immunization saves lives by controlling the spread of infectious diseases previously common in the U.S.. including polio, measles,
diphtheria, whoopmg cough, Gcrman measles, mumps and tetanus. Even though the U.S. has cxtremely low incidences of vaccine-
preventable diseases, the viruscs and bacteria that cause them still cxist in other countries and can bc passed on to unvaccinated people.
Source: "The Importancc of Childhood Immunizations" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 31 August 2004.
3
Promise #4: Marketable skills through effective education will help youth navigate the
transition from school to work successfully.
· Goal: Be involved in children's education, supporting schools and parents to provide
an positive learning environment.
· Community Fact: Test scores at three at-risk schools have fallen.
WHY IT MATTERS
Parental involvement is the answer. Study after study has shown that parental involvement is the number-one determinant of how well all
children do in school.
Source: Gisler. Peggy, Ed.S. and Marge Eberts, Ed.S. "'Top Ten Ways to Help Your Kids Get A's." 2003. Family Education Network.
Teens whose parents exhibit interest in their well-being and have high expectations for them in school have better average levels of school
engagement, achievement, and attainment than their peers.
Source: Redd, Zakia, M.P.P: Jennifer Brooks, Ph.D; and Ayelish M. McGarvey. "Educating America's Youth: What Makes a Difference."
2002. Child Trends Research Brief
5
Mississippi Valley Promise
Board of Directors
(Updated 2/28/05)
Daryl Barklow
East Dubuque Savings Bank
3999 Pennsylvania Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52001
dbarklow@edsb.com
588-9820
John Burgart
Dubuque Community Schools
2300 Chaney Rd.
Dubuque, IA 52001
JBurgart@dubuQue.k12.ia.us
552-3012 or 552-3000
Chad Chandlee
Kendall Hunt Publishing
4050 Westmark Dr.
Dubuque, IA 52002
cchandle(iV,kendallhunt.com
589-1117
James Collins
Loras College
1450 Alta Vista
Dubuque, IA 52001
iimcollins@loras.edu
588-7103
Steven Cornelius
Holy Family Schools
2005 Kane St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
D BQMDO 1 @arch.pvt.k 12.ia. us
582-5456
Nancy Dunkel
Fidelity Bank & Trust
4250 Asbury Rd.
Dubuque, IA 52002
ndunkel@bankfidelity.com
557-1200
James A. Schrempf
John Deere Dubuque Works
18600 S. John Deere Rd.
Dubuque, IA 52001
SchrempfJ amesA@iohndeere.com
589-6213
Lori Thielen
Prudential Retirement
500 Main Street
Dubuque, IA 52001
Lori. thielen@prudential.com
585-6643
Michael Van Milligen
City of Dubuque
City Hall
Dubuque, IA 52001
ctymgr@citvofdubuQue.org
589-4110 (Juanita Hilkin, Sec.)
Nancy Van Milligen
Community Foundation
700 Locust St.
Dubuque,IA 52001
nancyvanmrmdbQ foundation. org
588-2700 (Monica Neiss, Sec.)
Nancy Wilson
Dubuque Bank & Trust
1398 Central Ave.
Dubuque, IA 52001
nwilson@dubuQuebank.com
589-2000