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Family Development & Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS)

FaDSS Program

A voluntary, strength-based home visiting program for families with limited resources.

FaDSS PROGRAM MISSION

Dedicated to building partnerships with Iowa families to alleviate the conditions that cause poverty by building on their strengths of resourcefulness and resilience.

FaDSS PROGRAM VISION

FaDSS engages families in dynamic partnerships to address their basic needs, improve child well-being, and develop career opportunities that, in turn, improves lives, families, and communities.

FaDSS DOES THIS BY:

  • REDUCING SOURCES OF STRESS - we address basic needs and emotional wellbeing of families through support and connection to resources such as housing, food, safety, and physical and mental health conditions.
  • STRENGTHENING CORE SKILLS - skills that are essential for work, school, and life. We build the capabilities of families by teaching them goal-directed behaviors that strengthen life skills and improve family functioning. Connections are made to education and training opportunities that build career-related skills and healthy work and school based habits.
  • CREATING RESPONSIVE RELATIONSHIPS- relationships that are safe and supportive. We develop partnerships with families by building trust; holding parents accountable; and practicing unconditional, non-judgmental, positive regard. We collaborate with community partners to address the needs and interests of families. We support healthy parent-child relationships that promote child wellness and development.
FaDSS Program Flyer (English)
FaDSS Program Flyer (Spanish)

CORE PROGRAM COMPONENTS

  • Structured HOME VISITS by skilled Family Development Specialists
  • ASSESSMENTS that support healthy self-exploration
  • Science-informed GOAL PURSUIT designed to build core skills
  • A framework and process for CAREER DEVELOPMENT
  • REFERRALS to stabilizing supports and opportunities in the community
  • FaDSS Specialists that ADVOCATE for families, with families, and model skills to support families in advocating for themselves

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

  • Legal Resident of US
  • Social Security Number or Proof of Application
  • Gross Income At or Below 175% of the
    Federal Poverty Level OR
  • Family Receives Cash Assistance through the Family Investment Program (FIP)
  • Iowa Residency
  • Dependent Child in Household

Referrals to the FaDSS Program can be provided through any NEICAC Family Services office or by calling the FaDSS Program Director at 563-419-8243.

Check out a FaDSS Program Success Story here

NEICAC FaDSS Annual Report issued by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.    

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

Agency Appreciations

“Thank you for your fabulous work with the Decorah community & surrounding areas. All of you truly embody the spirit of hope & change people’s lives to not only help themselves but to encourage & help those around them. At a time when our country needs love & compassion, you & your staff deserve a well-deserved BRAVO.”

Rachel Buresh

KD Rae Jewelry

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

Embrace Iowa

“Embrace Iowa helped our family be getting us a stove. The stove we had was hazardous. When we would cook on it, it would stink the whole house up. Also, it leaked underneath the stove. That stove was so small that my two year old son could see inside the pan without standing on anything. Now, with our new stove we can cook without smelling anything or without cleaning up a leaky mess. Thanks so much for our new stove. We really appreciated it.”

Fayette County Resident

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

Dynamic Partnerships

“St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School have been pleased to be working with NEICAC. They have been a wonderful partner and resource for those individuals and families in our communities who are in need of support and assistance. We have been able to assist this organization with money for utilities, shelter, transportation, food, and other help. They also provide for emergency medical and dental services as well as mental health services for those who do not have the means to access those services on their own. St Paul’s considers the Northeast Iowa Community Action Corportation to be a vital part of our community.”

Ron Zell - Director or Administration, St. Paul's Lutheran Church & School

MESSAGES OF APPRECIATION

EARL Public Transit

“The reason I choose EARL is that the Drivers are Nice and that I want to Ride the transit because I like to see new faces every time I ride. They help me get around to where I need to go. I get along with the Transit Drivers and the passengers.”

NEICAC EARL Public Transit Rider