Sioux Center, Iowa — The new extension of Seasons Center For Behavioral Health, the Family Support Center in Sioux Center has been awarded funds from two grants.
For the next four years, Seasons Center for Behavioral Health will receive a $200,000 per year HRSA grant with all funds being used for the new Family Support Center services in Sioux Center. The Family Support Center will focus on foster and adoptive youth and their families, with a focus on infants and young children. The Family Support Center will offer increased access to specialized services for foster and adoptive youth and their families, improved mental and behavioral health and well-being, increased access to prevention and early intervention services, and enhanced access to community services and supports.
Kim Scorza, CEO of Seasons says that they are excited to open the new Family Support Center in Sioux Center. She says that with the support of this grant, Seasons can ensure foster and adoptive children and their families have access to appropriate treatment; and agencies and professionals have the resources and supports needed to provide high-quality foster/adoptive services.
The center also received a $2,000 grant from the Sioux County Community Foundation. Seasons Center officials tell us that these grant funds will be used to purchase furnishings, developmental toys, and therapeutic items for the Family Room at the Family Support Center. They say that the Family Room will provide a culturally sensitive, judgment-free space for foster/adoptive families and their children to connect with other families and receive education and resources while they and their family members receive therapy and other services at the Family Support Center.
Following an intensive community needs assessment that included interviews with foster and adoptive families, other local agencies, churches, and community members, a Family Support Center was identified as a key objective in Seasons’ Strategic Plan.
Christina Eggink-Postma, Seasons’ Vice President for Program Coordination and Compliance says that Seasons’ goal for the Family Support Center is to be a regional facility that offers best practices and enhanced services for foster and adoptive families. Eggink-Postma is taking the lead on the Family Support Center along with Sherri Huizenga, who is a Permanency Support Specialist. Huizenga has extensive experience working in child welfare and substance use counseling, as well as personal experience as a foster and adoptive mother.
Seasons Center is hoping to open the Family Support Center early this fall.
