Child Care

In December 2002, the Children's Care Corner opened its doors as the first licensed child care center in Miner County.  Like most rural communities, Miner County struggled to address its child care needs.  While numerous individuals operated quality day care facilities out of their homes, the county lacked a licensed child care facility.  

This lack of a certified facility prevented some families from benefiting from existing governmental programs, such as food assistance, Head Start and others. 

To address this issue, the Economic Development and Healthcare committees of MCCR partnered to create a new non-profit entity called the Children's Care Corner.  This group manages and oversees the Corner's operations. 

The task force's first step was the creation of a scholarship program for child care providers to complete the child Development Associate and First Aid Training Program.  This program enabled the Corner to hire local individuals who now had the necessary credentials for a licensed center.  

The task force's next step was the formation of a new non-profit entity called the Children's Care Corner.  The Children's Care Corner then created a plan for the construction and management of the new child care facility.  

In September, 2002, the MCCR Board agreed to help fund this operation through a grant and loan.  Sandi Schmit, the first individual to take part in the Child Development Associate training program, became the facility's first director.  

• Not only has the Children's Care Corner created an opportunity for families to receive child care assistance, but it also created a new home for the Head Start Program in Miner County.

• The facility currently employs eleven people and can provide child care for approximately 63 children. 

• Anyone interested in learning more about Children's Care Corner should contact its director, Darcy Albert at 605-772-5137.  Anyone wishing to participate in the CDA and First Aid Training Program should contact the MCCR Office at 605-772-5153.
  

EMS Locates in the Howard Industrial Park
In Fall of 2002, Energy Maintenance Service (EMS) opened a facility in the Howard Industrial Park.  Owned by Howard native, Joe Kolbach, EMS is headquartered in Gary, South Dakota.  Through the facilitation of the MCCR office, EMS moved into the building formerly owned by Miner County Cheese.  EMS intends to hire between 3-8 people who will refurbish wind turbines and prepare them for sale.  

• Further information on Energy Maintenance Service can be found at their website.  

Housing Summit
The MCCR Housing Committee sponsored a Housing Summit for local and regional housing stakeholders to discuss the possibility of housing development. Held in March 2002, the summit also provided contractors from the region an opportunity to discuss their availability for work on local projects. USDA, HUD and other regional agencies were on hand to discuss the housing study performed by Hanna:Keelan. The Housing Committee has continued to prioritize the housing action steps. 

Paint South Dakota Campaign
MCCR was awarded funds to paint two homes in Miner County through the South Dakota Housing Authority's (SDHDA) Paint South Dakota Program. The goal of the program is to paint houses of people who can use some assistance.  MCCR lined up over 40 volunteers who put in over 200 hours to paint a home in Canova and one in Carthage.   SDHDA paid for the paint, and MCCR paid for the remaining costs.  Homes were selected from a pool of recommendations made by community members.  MCCR plans to continue to apply for this program yearly. 

A + Schools Program Established
MCCR partnered with the National Education Association, Howard School District and the South Dakotans for the Arts to start the A+ Schools Program.  This program will serve as a pilot for schools in South Dakota. The South Dakota Arts Council is supporting this program as well as lobbying for it in the State legislature next year. The Howard School District has hired a ˝ time art teacher to help implement this program. 

• Information on the Howard Public Schools can be found at their website.  

Recognizing the need to assist people who are looking to establish or improve their business, MCCR created a business assistance program.  Through this program, MCCR staff can help entrepreneurs answer their questions or find the people who can.  The program focuses on three areas through customized one-on-one sessions involving: business planning, marketing and financial planning.  

Typically what happens, however, is that a person needs a sounding board for their ideas.  They may ask questions like:  How do I find out if anyone will buy my product or service?  Will more people buy my product/service if I advertise in this publication?  How do I go about registering my business legally?  

The program is meant to work hand-in-hand with the financing programs that MCCR established in 2001 to assist entrepreneurs in acquiring the financing for their business.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Grant
In June, 2002, MCCR assisted with the writing of a grant that resulted in funding to improve computer access for the libraries of Howard and Carthage and train library staff. Carthage now has public Internet access and a DSL line. Alliance Communications has provided technical assistance to the project.  Howard’s library now has a total of 8 public access computers and 1 computer server to allow for more capacity and faster Internet speed.  Carthage has 2 computers in its library. 

EMT Training 
Providing quality emergency medical care is vital to any community.  For this reason, MCCR partnered with the County and the City of Howard to help make Emergency Medical Training available for all Miner County residents. Taking the three-month course and passing an EMT test is a requirement for anyone wishing to volunteer for the Miner County Ambulance service. Various groups also help make the training possible by providing meals and childcare for the classes. Eleven Miner County residents completed the training. 

Miner County Awareness and Assistance
Evolving out of needs identified through the Miner County Christian Alliance Committee, MCCR developed  Miner County Awareness and Assistance (MCAA).  Working directly with county residents, MCAA interacts with the Interlakes Community Action Program (ICAP) to help bridge the gap between available resources and the people who need them.  Marie Duncan was hired through the MCCR/ICAP partnership to  connect Miner County residents to available ICAP programs and resources.  

Gubernatorial Forum
In October 2002, MCCR hosted a Gubernatorial Forum between candidates Mike Rounds and Jim Abbott. The event provided the candidates an opportunity to focus on issues confronting rural South Dakota. Both candidates realized the importance of grass-roots efforts like the revitalization going on in Miner County.  Over five-hundred county residents attended the session.