Community Profile
Knox Schuyler Counties
Caring Communities Partnership
February 12, 2002
The Northeast Missouri Caring Communities Partnership began as the rural pilot project in October 1989 in Knox County and Schuyler County in Northeast Missouri. Currently our community partnership is structured with each county viewed as one site. Each site has an office located in the school district building. While we are housed in the school our partnership is an active participant with the community from serving on advisory councils to volunteering at local community events. We currently are structured with a site council called the Family Learning Center in each county. The Family Learning Centers’ meet monthly.
Our Governing Board is composed of six members from each county, with one position belonging to the vice president of each Family Learning Center, and one position belonging to a school board member from each county. Our board membership has agency representation (two members), community representation (eight members which includes the school board, and Family Learning Center representation) and two vacancies (one per county).
The mission of Northeast Missouri Caring Communities is: To promote emotional and physical wellness, and the enhancement of moral values of community; to foster a sense of community, and to coordinate Federal, State and Local resources to meet individual/community needs.
Our vision is: Northeast Missouri Caring Communities is a community collaboration based on the principles of ownership and community wide focus. We serve as a catalyst to promote value-enhanced services through public awareness and community wide accessibility. A sense of belonging is fostered through the development of a nurturing environment that allows people to help themselves and others grow. In an effort to meet the needs of the community on a broader scale, encompassing a larger population, the Knox and Schuyler County Family Learning Centers look for ways to better serve families. The centers provide a continuum of learning for families from newborns through grandparents. The Family Learning Center concept guides us as we plan for the future. Northeast Missouri Caring Communities is a constantly evolving, community wide program.
Our partnership utilizes information gathered from a variety of sources to determine areas of high need. Community surveys are one source, as well as interagency, advisory groups, our site councils, and individuals. Data is studied to help us understand trends. Unfortunately the lack of access to services and providers in each county has created a void in many areas. As a result over the years we have strived to impact all core results. Historic priority areas are education (including ready to enter, succeeding in school and adult education), and we have spent effort in building good relationships to collaborate and facilitate change. One priority area for the next few years is to develop a community vision, and re-do asset mapping and needs assessment for each county. We also we expect to work on economic development and issues affecting teens, in addition to education.
We look at every opportunity for available funding. Currently, the community partnership funds account for 48% of the fund sources (in-kind 17%, participant fees and local investment 5% each, and other state, federal funds 25%). Every effort is made to capture all local investment, in-kind, participant fees, and other state and federal funds. There is a challenge to find funds to meet the goals of our communities. Grant writing has been somewhat successful. The largest barrier is our small size and lack of sustainability. Unfortunately the future of sustainable funding is not on the horizon for our small rural farming communities.
The success of any effort is hinged on community support and volunteers. During the past 12 years we have collaborated and worked with a broad spectrum of agencies and individuals, including the faith community, the local schools, local and regional agencies (county health departments, family services, division of aging and nutrition site for senior citizens, community action, University Extension), local businesses, child care providers, the elected county and city officials, and the volunteers.
Our partnership is proud of our ability to leverage other resources and we are pleased to offer many activities to more than “just” residents of Knox and Schuyler Counties.
- Faith Community Collaboration began in 1995 to provide pastors with a
better understanding, relationship and skills in regards to mental health and
counseling. Workshops continue to provide education regarding current
community issues and services. Pastors participate from Schuyler, Adair,
Scotland, Putnam, Knox, and Lewis Counties, as well as across all
denominations.
- Kindergarten Readiness Activity Boxes focus on the different skills needed
by children entering Kindergarten. The 14 play focused activity boxes are
available to families, daycares, childcare centers, preschools, and head start
programs in Knox and Schuyler Counties.
- Baby Bright provides access to additional Parents-As-Teachers, and health
department services during the first year of a child’s life. During monthly
visits activity bags are loaned to families. An added benefit is the
opportunity of collaboration among early childcare providers and promotion of
a referral system.
- In 1996 the Regional Interagency Community Collaboration (formed by our
partnership) identified a need for larger employers in northeast Missouri to
make parenting resources available to employees. Today 32 Family Resource
Libraries exist in Schuyler, Knox, Adair, and Scotland Counties.
Lastly, is a table with demographic information.
| Knox County | Schuyler County | State of Missouri |
| Rural Farming Community | Rural Farming Community | |
Land Area | 506 square miles | 308 square miles
2nd smallest county | |
Population 2000 Census | 4361 | 4170 | |
Population over 65 | 21.2% | 19.8% | 13.5% |
Population under 18 | 24.9% | 24.6% | 25.5% |
2001 Kids County Composite Rank | 51 | 66 | |
Business Establishment, Private non-farm establishments (1999) | 112
(119 in 1997) | 85
(93 in 1997) | |
Student Enrollment (Fall 2001) | 631 | 742 | |
Children Living in Poverty (1997) | 26.7% | 22.2% | 17.7% |
Children enrolled in MC+/Medicaid (2000) | 32.2% | 35.2% | 29.6% |
Average Annual Wage/Salary (1999) | $18,172 | $16,029 | $29,282 |
We appreciate the opportunity to share information with you regarding our community partnership.
Sincerely,
Melissa Emel
Executive Director
