News in Brief, June 23, 2022
New veterans service officer, county names EOM, grants for health department and Turning Point, YMCA hosts STEM Camp
Truax named veterans service officer
Howard County has a new veterans service officer. The Howard County Board of Commissioners welcomed Dale Truax to the post at its June 20 meeting.
“We are happy to announce that Dale Truax has accepted the position of our county veterans service officer,” said Howard County Commissioner Jack Dodd. “We are excited he his here.”
Truax is a U.S, Marine Corps veteran and father of five.
“I like the uniform,” said Truax. “I also spent 17 years in corrections. I am honored to be serving, not only Howard County, but the fact that I will be working with and for veterans. To give me this opportunity is the chance of a lifetime. I will make you proud.”
White named county employee of the month
The Howard County Commissioners recognized Howard Superior Court IV reporter Denise White as employee of the month. She was nominated by Howard Superior Court IV Judge Hans Pate. Howard County Commissioner Brad Bray read her nomination into the record.
“Denise is an excellent employee for the court and the county,” said Bray. “She arrives at work on time every day with a good attitude and ready to work. She took over the lead court reporter duties after the retirement of long-time court reporter Connie Cook. The transition was seamless and much better than I had anticipated due to the large number of responsibilities that job entails.
“Denise is a vital part of the vital operations of this court, and she sets a good example for other employees by following the established rules, avoiding gossip in the office, and treating all co-workers, attorneys, litigants, jurors, and the public with respect and professionalism.”
Health department gets lead grant
The Howard County Board of Commissioners approved the receipt of a $71,772 grant for the Howard County Health Department to be used for lead contamination investigations and services.
According to James Vest, administrator of the Howard County Health Department, the grant will be used to fund lead case management and associated environmental investigations. Funds provided through the grant can be used to cover the cost of services to families, and the amount of the grant was based upon a two-year projection of increased cases in the county.
Turning Point lands grant from Duke Energy
Turning Point Systems of Care has been awarded a total of $25,000 in grant funding from Duke Energy through workforce development grants to invest in technology, staff, and programs that support Recovery in Howard County.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to benefit our community and appreciate the generosity of Duke Energy and their investment in Howard County,” the organization stated.
Kokomo Family YMCA, NIPSCO announce STEM Camp
Spending a week during the summer on 52 acres with wooded areas, ponds, trails, and more is an exciting adventure for kids. Their imaginations are sparked. They are simultaneously making friends and memories, as well as gaining confidence as they try new things.
Unfortunately, not every family can afford to send their child to camp. NIPSCO is removing financial obstacles for these families to allow 120 local kids to just be kids at camp. It’s not just any camp, either – it’s STEM Camp, which is designed to enrich children’s understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
For the second year in a row, the Kokomo Family YMCA and NIPSCO have partnered to provide a fun, learning experience at Camp Tycony. And the STEM Camp will continue at least through the summer of 2023 thanks to a generous sponsorship by NIPSCO. They have pledged $40,000 over the next two years to ensure that the underserved youth in Howard County have opportunities to get active, as well as to learn, grow and thrive.
“We are pleased to continue our support of the STEM Camp at Camp Tycony,” Karen McLean, Public Affairs and Economic Development Manager at NIPSCO said. “I’m proud to work for a company like NIPSCO that sees the value in making charitable donations as an impactful investment into the lives of our customers and the communities they live in. Being able to offer support through donations and sponsorships creates an intangible infrastructure that helps build strong and sustainable communities.”
Because the STEM Camp is centered around an educational component, the fun is infused with learning. And holding the STEM Camp in an actual camp setting not only provides the children with an experience where they are exploring, but it also helps with physical health as well.
“Learning while laughing is a powerful thing. Kids might not realize it, but by attending this STEM Camp, the summer learning loss that happens when kids are out of school is minimized,” said Trish Severns, CEO of the Kokomo Family YMCA. “This is also a great way for kids to be outdoors and active, so there’s a positive health and wellness component inherently built into a program like this. NIPSCO has really stepped up to help the underserved youth in our community. We’re grateful for their generosity and trust to let our staff make that week of STEM Camp the best week ever for the kids attending.”
There will be three STEM Camp sessions, with the first beginning on July 5. The application process is open for kids ages 7 to 12 years old. Applications are available to print online or in-person at the Downtown YMCA. Please turn in applications to the Membership Desk at the Kokomo Family YMCA downtown. Spots are limited per session, and there is a limit of one session per child. STEM Camp session details are as follows:
• STEM CAMP SESSION 3: July 5-8, 2022
• STEM CAMP SESSION 4: July 11-15, 2022
• STEM CAMP SESSION 5: July 18-22, 2022
• Drop-off will run from 9:30am to 10 a.m. for STEM camps
• STEM Camp hours will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (no before/after care)
• Pick-up will run from 4 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Questions or need info: stemcamp@kokomoymca.org
Full details are available at https://camptycony.com/stemcamp/.
For more information, contact A.J. Edwards at 765-457-4447 or stemcamp@kokomoymca.org