FOUR OAKS

FOUR OAKS. In 2011 the Iowa Department of Management notified Four Oaks that its Parents as Teachers program in Dubuque County had earned the Iowa Family Support Credential. Only six programs had previously been so designated. The Dubuque program provided family-support and parent-education services to more than 242 families annually. (1)

In 2016 Four Oaks was one of the largest private, nonprofit child welfare organizations in Iowa. The agency also worked with at-risk students from the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.(2) In addition the agency was involved with foster care and adoptive services.

The Cedar Rapids-based social services agency served over 1,000 children and families in the Dubuque area in 2018. Its Cornerstone/Families Development Self-Sufficiency program, a voluntary home visiting project with support from ALLIANT ENERGY CORPORATION, Barb's Delhi, Sunbeam, BISHOP'S BUFFET, Alliant Credit Union, MASONIC TEMPLE, ST. MARK COMMUNITY CENTER, and Verizon, helped low income families become self-sufficient. (3)

After many years of being housed in the former St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School at 180 W. 15th St., the agency moved in 2018 to 2460 Kerper Blvd. (4) This was the former home of MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES. The relocation was unique because of the precedent not to have schools in an industrial area--which this was since the 1960s. (5)

In 2016 an estimated 4,400 veterans and more than 7,000 people with disabilities lived in Dubuque. The executive director of the Dubuque County Veterans Office stated that an average of 15-20 veterans each month contacted his office seeking help with rent, utilities, and other expenses. (6) The building at 180 W. 15th St. was purchased by Full Circle Communities, a non-profit, which secured funding to convert the building into an apartment complex with priority given to veterans and people with disabilities. (7)

In 2018 the new $6 million building addition to the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT resulted in students being served by HILLCREST FAMILY SERVICES and Four Oaks being brought back into the District. Rather than have one program with multiple employers, district administration chose to be the sole employer to ensure programming consistency. District officials admitted they would be giving heavy consideration for hiring to the current staff of both agencies because of their expertise. (8)

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Source:

1. "Four Oaks Program Earns State Credential," Telegraph Herald, March 26, 2011, p. 3

2. Barton, Thomas J., "Group Plans Dubuque Housing for Disabled Vets," Telegraph Herald, October 26, 2016, p. 5

3. "Good Deed," Telegraph Herald, February 22, 2011, p. 13

4. Hinga, Allie, "Four Oaks Building to Become Apartments," Telegraph Herald, September 20, 2018, p. 1A

5. Jacobson, Ben, "Four Oaks Officials Consider Move to Kerper," Telegraph Herald, March 3, 2018, p. 5

6. Barton

7. Hinga

8. Hinga, Allie, "District Won't Contract for Staff at Alta Vista Addition," Telegraph Herald, April 7, 2018, p. 5