Energy Assistance Program (EAP):  During the heating season, beginning October 1, applications are taken at more than 25 various sites throughout the five county area.  Home visits are available to elderly and handicapped individuals.  To establish eligibility, a household must complete an application, be vulnerable to home heating costs and document household's income for the three (3) months preceding the date of application.  Net assets cannot exceed $25, 000.  Assistance to households is based on income, household size, and the actual cost of heating fuels for a consecutive twelve month period which includes the previous heating season.  Income for households must be at or below 50% of the Minnesota State Median Income established by the US Department of Health & Human Services.  Funds are available to assist with heating related emergencies and repairs.  Also, all eligible households are referred to Prairie Five's Weatherization Program if the house has not been weatherized.

Prairie Five "RIDES":  "RIDES" is a regional transportation program serving the five county area.  "RIDES" also operates the city systems of Madison, Appleton, Ortonville and Canby.  Transportation service is provided for individuals of all ages.  Service is provided Monday through Friday to areas throughout the region and to six locations outside the five county area.  (Marshall, St. Cloud, Willmar, Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Milbank SD and Watertown SD).  Ten handicap accessible buses and volunteer drivers will provide service.  The buses in the cities of Madison [1-800-718-9831], Ortonville [1-500-276-9553], Appleton [1-500-276-3618], and Canby [1-500-231-2318] can be called directly to arrange a ride.  Regional transportation requires a 24 hour advance notice scheduled with the dispatcher at 320-269-8727 or 1-877-757-4337 (toll free).

Home Program:  The goal of this program is to promote aging in place for frail elders and persons aging with a disability.  This program provides minor home modifications for individuals (+60) and handicapped individuals (-60) who would be unable to remain independently in their own homes without modifications to their living space.  Home modifications refer to converting/adapting the environment to make tasks easier, reduce accidents, and support independent living.  Home modifications promote aging in place, minimize accidents, and enhance independence by making it easier to carry out daily tasks.  For more information call the Outreach Worker in your area or call the Montevideo office at 320-269-6578 or 1-800-292-5437.

Outreach:  There is a full-time Outreach Worker in each of the five counties.  These workers are trained and are knowledgeable in all services provided by Prairie Five.  They also know of other service providers in the area and can make referrals.  They assist families in making applications for most of the agency's services.  For more information . . . contact the Outreach Worker in your county.  

        BIG STONE - Jeanne Krueger - 320-325-5227 

        CHIPPEWA - Laurie Hendrickson - 320-269-6578

        LAC QUI PARLE - Mary Ann Nolting - 320-598-3027

        SWIFT - Eric Hedman - 320-842-8565

        YELLOW MEDICINE - Donna Stone - 507-223-5471

Senior Nutrition Congregate/Home Delivered Meals:  This program promotes healthy and independent living in the senior population through improved nutrition and reduction of social isolation.  A person age 60 or older, and the spouse of that person, regardless of age, is eligible.  Participants are encouraged to make a voluntary donation towards the cost of each meal.  A donation amount is suggested by the program but participants may donate as much as they feel they can afford.  Volunteers of any age are welcome to help make Senior Nutrition Congregate/Home Delivered Meals services available and successful in our communities.  Meals for the program are approved by a dietician with the older adult in mind.  Call Prairie Five CAC for more information on Senior Nutrition at 320-269-7512 or 1-800-292-5437.

Weatherization Program:  The purpose of this service is to reduce the amount of dollars spent on energy consumption for eligible customer's homes.   This is accomplished by insulating attics and sidewalls, caulking, weather-stripping, broken glass replacement, checking furnace burner efficiency and general tightening up of the unit.  We are limited to the amount of dollars spent on each home but do as much as possible in accordance with  State and Federal Guidelines.  For more information contact the Outreach Worker in  your county. or the Weatherization Program Manager at 320-269-6579.

Child Care Resource & Referral:  This service is funded by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families & Learning.  We are part of the Minnesota Child Care Resource & Referral Network, which includes 23 agencies throughout the state.  We will provide information, support, referrals and resource materials on child care to parents, child care providers and the general public.  The basic referral service will assist parents in locating child care and pre-school programs that best meet individual family needs.  Consultation and assistance in evaluating and choosing child care is also available to parents.  Resource materials and guidelines for selecting quality care are included in referral packets given to customers.  Our service will also provide on-going technical assistance, training and support services for child care providers and the general public.  Fees for parents using our service are based on a sliding fee schedule and include free services for low income families.  For more information call 1-800-292-5437 or 320-269-8727.

Food Shelves and Clothing Centers:  Prairie Five operates 3 Food Shelves and 5 Clothing Rooms in our five county area.   The food shelves are operated to provide food to those who are in need of a temporary, emergency food supply (3 days worth of food).  Anyone who is in need may use the Food Shelf, there is no financial statement to fill out.  Clothing Centers are open to all in need of good used clothing at a reduced price.  Donations of clean usable clothing are accepted at all centers.  Food Shelves operated by Prairie Five are located in Canby, Montevideo and Benson at the Outreach Offices.  There is a clothing room at locations in all five counties.  Call your county Outreach Worker for more information.

Housing:  Home Improvement Loan Program provides reduced-interest rate loans for a wide variety of home improvements in owner-occupied properties.  The Deferred Loan program provides deferred loans for basic repairs in owner-occupied single or two family homes.  Eligible improvements include the major systems (electrical, plumbing, foundation, etc), safety hazards, energy efficiency, and accessibility (if other basic repairs are completed).  For more information call the Montevideo Office at 320-269-6578.

Free Tax Clinic:   Prairie Five Head Start offers a free tax clinic to low-income persons at the Madison Head Start office.  For more information call 320-598-3118 or 800-443-4283.

Nutrition Educators:  This group works with families at Head Start Policy Council, local WIC clinics, local health fairs, and other places to teach families good nutrition.  

Nutrition Consultant:  Prairie Five Head Start contracts with a retired nutritionist from the MN Extension Service.   The consultant checks menus, monitors sites, and provides training for staff and parents during the school year.

Immunizations:   CPHS provides immunization clinics in all 5 counties. (They are part of the Southwest Minnesota Immunization Information System).  All Head Start children must have up-to-date immunizations to enter Head Start.  CPHS also provides flu shots, mantoux testing, Hep B immunizations to Head Start staff.

WIC:  CPHS provides WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clinics at various locations in the five county area.  This program is income based.

Car Seat Information:   Car Seat clinics are held at least annually.  Car seat information is available from any CPHS location in the five county area.  If you need a car seat or information on proper installation of a car seat, call your local Countryside Public Health Office.  Information and training for car seat safety has also been provided at Head Start Policy Council and the annual "Parent Expo".

Training:  CPHS provides training on many health and safety topics  for Prairie Five Head Start staff and for parents at Policy Council meetings.  

Policy Review:  CPHS provides a nurse to check infant policies and health and safety policies at the Prairie Land Child Care in Granite Falls.

Lead Testing:  Head Start requires lead testing on all participants of the Head Start program.  This is typically done when the child has their physical at the doctor's office.  For information on lead testing and the occurrence of high lead levels in children and what to do about it, please call Countryside Public Health Service.

Family Planning:  This program is for women of child-bearing age who need assistance with medical coverage for family planning methods.

Head Start Health Advisory Committee:  CPHS provides a member for Head Start's Healthy Advisory Committee, which meets twice a year, to decide Head Start policies on matters of health and safety.

Clinton/Graceville/Beardsley School District #2888:  This district serves the two centers in Clinton.   www.graceville.k12.mn.us 

Ortonville School District #371: This district serves the two Ortonville Head Starts/Preschool programs.  www.ortonville.k12.mn.us 

Montevideo School District # 129:  The Montevideo district serves Montevideo I & II Head Starts.    www.montevideoschools.com 

MACCRAY School District #2180:  This district serves the center located in the Clara City Junior High School.  www.maccray.k12.mn.us 

Lac qui Parle Valley School District #2853:  This district serves the LqP Community Preschools in Appleton, Madison & Milan.    www.lqpv.org 

Dawson/Boyd School District #61:  This district serves the Dawson/Boyd Community Preschool programs.  www.dawsonboydschools.org 

Benson School District #777:   This district serves Benson I & II Head Starts.  Appleton is located in Swift County, but is served by Lac qui Parle Valley School District.  www.benson.k12.mn.us 

KMS School District:  This district serves the Kerkhoven and Murdock communities.  www.kms.k12.mn.us

Canby School District #891:  This district serves the Canby Head Start, located in the Canby Elementary School.   www.canbymn.org 

Yellow Medicine East School District #2190:   The YME district serves the Head Starts in the Clarkfield, Granite Falls, and Prairie Land centers.  www.yme.k12.mn.us 

Lakeview School District # 2167:  This district serves the Head Start children in the center located in Cottonwood.  www.lakeview2167.com