Bootheel family has success with DAEOC Home Based Program

KENNETT- These days the news seems filled with much more negative than positive. Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation (DAEOC) would like to share one family's story of perseverance and triumph.

The Wilder family from the community of Kennett has received services from the DAEOC Early Head Start (EHS) Home Based program for approximately 2 years. As part of the EHS program, weekly home visits are offered to families. Education information and implementation strategies in the areas of child development related to physical development, social & emotional development, language & literacy, and cognitive learning (math, science, social studies, logic & reasoning) are shared with parents at each visit, based on individual needs and progress of their child. The Program also provides a family engagement element which encourages families to set and achieve goals that contribute to the success of the family, thus impacting future success of the children.

When Susie Kirby, Home Based Teacher, started visiting Misty and Robert Wilder, they were living in a very small and older, 2 bedroom home with one bath. Their first child, Faith, would soon exit the EHS Home Based Program to start Head Start and Misty would learn she was expecting their second child, Brooklyn. One of the goals that the family had set was to improve their living conditions with a larger, newer home.

As part of program objectives to assist families to achieve their goals, Ms. Kirby guided the family to seek help from USDA for a home loan. Misty was given ideas to improve the families' financial and credit status so that they would qualify for the home loan. Misty and Robert worked really hard to do this and succeeded in qualifying for their loan earlier this year.

The Wilder family purchased a beautiful 4 bedroom home with living room, den, kitchen, family room, and 2 full baths.

In addition to achieving this major goal within the last 2 years, the Wilder family has endured many challenges and has seen successes and blessings come their way. In the last year, Robert was diagnosed with cancer. He went through 7 weeks of treatment and testing and is currently cancer free. At this time, he is unable to work but is very supportive of his family in other ways. Misty continues to work full time while attending school to complete her degree leading to a position as an Ultra Sound Technician. Finally, during this time period, baby Brooklyn was born and welcomed to the Wilder family.

Susie Kirby continues to provide weekly home visits and the services associated with Early Head Start Program as Brooklyn now qualifies for the Program.

DAEOC is proud to share this family's success story in overcoming obstacles and persevering to achieve the goal of a new home. At this time, we are confident that Misty will achieve the next goal of completing her degree and starting her career.

Head Start and Early Head Start are programs operated by Delta Area Economic Corporation (DAEOC). DAEOC is a Community Action Agency. We strive to provide programs and services that empower people to make positive changes in their community, family and personal lives in order to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency. To learn more about the programs we offer check out our website at www.daeoc.com or call us at (800)755-3841.

To find out more about Home Based Services contact the Hayti Office at 573-359-0010, or the New Madrid Office at 573-748-7932.