Creative Visions announces changes to its programming that reflect a new focus on self-sufficiency and preventative services.

In August, Creative Visions launched Triage, a youth- center initiative that incorporates three of Creative Visions’ signature programs: Outside the Box, Right Start and Community Accountability. Creative Visions’ Outside the Box program, is the  educational program that provides tutorial help to youths at risk of either dropping out of school  or who are not reaching academic bench marks. The Outside the Box will utilize Education 2020 a self- paced online educational resources that is in use by the Des Moines Public Schools.  Other components of Triage are  Right Start which mentor services to youth ages 7-18, with special focus on youths who have one or both parents in prison. The final component of Triage is the Community Accountability Board. The Community Accountability Board is an opportunity for first time youth-offenders who have committed delinquent acts to appear before a panel of community members to learn how their behavior affects the community and to engage in efforts to rebuild the community.

In addition to its new youth program, Creative Visions has also revised its employment programming to include more services and technology. One of those new services is Creative Visions Job Club, which provides a networking opportunity to unemployed or underemployed individuals. In these bi-weekly meetings, there will be an exchange of information and best practices for job seekers, as well as an opportunity to meet with employers.

Other program changes include modification of the Family Reunification Program which will now provide greater focus on services that promote self-sufficiency and reduce recidivism and intergenerational crime, and will includes First Steps, a resource manual for people in prison and Right Start for the children of incarcerated parents and caregivers.

The Family Emergency Services, which include our food pantry, utility and rent assistance programs, and our Sunday Feeding program, will provide information to our clients to lead to greater economic empowerment and break the barriers to self- sufficiency.

Our programming has changed to reflect a greater commitment to live up to our mission of building strong individuals, families and communities that are self empowered, self- responsible and self sufficient, said Ako Abdul- Samad, Creative Visions; CEO.  We have the same vision, just a stronger focus.

Facilitator delivering training

Creative Visions Human Development Institute held a Train the Trainer training session for community organizations to learn the skills necessary to train mentors who work with children of incarcerated parents. The training sessions were held August 9^th and 10^th at Creative Visions and registration was open to community organizations throughout Iowa.  Seven community organizations from throughout the State participated in the two-day training which was made possible through partial funding from Pioneer and Century Link.

The training was originally planned for Creative Visions’ staff in preparation for the launching of its new youth- centered programs; however, Creative Visions’ CEO decided to open the training to other community groups who work with children of the incarcerated in order to provide affordable access to such a unique training opportunity.

 “ In these pressing times where demands are up, but financial resources are down, community organizations have to pool our resources and work together to maximize our efforts in helping our community. We are happy to be able to share training opportunities with organizations like ours who work with the nearly two million children who have one or both parents or a significant caregiver in prison ” said Creative Visions’ CEO Ako Abdul- Samad.

The training was conducted by Ann Adalist- Estris of the National Resource Center for Children and Families of the Incarcerated. Ms. Adalist- Estris, who is a noted expert on children and families of the incarcerated, has conducted over 75 special mentor training for organizations who work with children of the incarcerated throughout the country. Iowa represented the 48^th State where she has held the trainings, and the training  marks the first time that the NRCCFI has visited or worked with a community organization in Iowa.  NRCCFI/FCN is the oldest and largest organization in the U.S. focused on children and families of the incarcerated and programs that serve them.