Community Profile

Dunklin County Caring Council, Inc.

February 15, 2002

Dear FACT Co-Chairs:

It is our pleasure and privilege to present these community level Core Result Reports in conformity with the reporting requirements of the Family and Community Trust.

Community leaders were first called together to discuss the obvious need to improve collaboration, address areas of concern, and develop new program approaches to build a stronger community in 1993. There was a strong belief that an alternative learning center for troubled youth should be a priority. After three years of planning, a Caring Communities Targeted Incentives grant was awarded and D.R.E.A.M.E.R.S. Alterative School became a reality for Dunklin, New Madrid and Pemiscot County schools. Believing that continued cooperation and collaboration between community organizations would lead to other services for children and families, the Dunklin County Caring Council began its pursuit for a partnership in 1997. The Council was recommended for a Community Partnership in March of 1998.

The governing body is a fifteen member Board of Directors and represents all segments of society. Members represent eight state agencies. Above all, we acknowledge the importance of these partners who have been crucial to our success. An Executive Director carries out the policies established by the Board of Directors. The mission of the Council is to link services and resources to enhance opportunities for children and families to achieve their highest potential. Dunklin County Caring Council envisions a community of strong families in which each individual will become self-reliant, responsible and resourceful citizens. Achieving this vision is measured by six core results:

• Parents working
• Children safe in their families and families safe in their communities
• Children and families healthy
• Children ready to enter school
• Children and youth succeeding in school
• Youth ready to enter the work force and become productive citizens.

Dunklin County, population 33,155, is located in the far southeastern part of Missouri. Children under the age of 18 account for 26 percent of the population and 5,295 children are under the age of five. One–third of Dunklin County children live in single parent families and 28 percent are minority children. Families from this area, known as the Bootheel, have historically experienced health, economic and social disparities. Dunklin County Caring Council strives to mobilize and organize community resources to support effective and sustainable programs that will eliminate these disparities.

This collaboration is making a difference in the lives of our children and families. By highlighting trends and comparing counties, Kid’s Count provides valuable information about the condition of children in Missouri; it’s 114 counties and St. Louis City. Based on seven outcomes, a composite county rank is prepared annually. From 1995 to 1999, Dunklin County ranked 112 out of 115. In 2000, the county’s rank improved to 109 and the trend continued to move forward in 2001 as the county rank reached 107.

Acting on the belief that the family’s ultimate success in life cannot be separated from the factors that affect their health, Dunklin County Caring Council has taken steps to tend to the needs of the whole person. The Council, educators and health and human service providers realized that they could unify their efforts and make health insurance coverage available for those who needed it most. The local outreach and education promotion relied heavily on partnerships with schools, social service agencies, and health care providers. Children with health insurance coverage are more likely to have a regular and accessible source of health care. The campaign obviously worked. In Missouri, Dunklin County has the lowest rate of inpatient uninsured children age 1 - 14. MC+ and Medicaid also provide coverage for eligible parents. The increased number of families who have health insurance coverage has resulted in numerous benefits. One example is the substantial decline in low birth weight births since 1997.

We believe the leveraging of dollars, both public and private, is the key to sustaining and expanding this initiative. Every effort is made to broaden the funding base through local cash and in-kind contributions, as well as state and federal contacts, to promote innovative resource sharing and to maximize results.

The Dunklin County Caring Council is actively planning for the future by focusing on the desired outcomes of young children ready to enter school, children succeeding in school, youth ready to enter productive adulthood, parents working and children and families safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Minnie Sanders
Executive Director