About WIC
Operation Threshold provides Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties. WIC is a federally funded program that has been providing food assistance, nutrition education and referrals to other social services agencies since 1974.
Affordable Housing
Operation Threshold offers Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) to help families and individuals find safe, decent and affordable housing. The agency also owns and manages rental units in both Independence and Waterloo.
Buchanan Community Services Program
Operation Threshold’s Buchanan County office provides a number of services to residents of Buchanan County. Services provided out of the Buchanan County office include many of those provided in Black Hawk County , including Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Crisis Assistance, Weatherization, WIC, and Family Development Services. Other programming/services available to Grundy County residents specifically include:
Energy Assistance
Operation Threshold’s Energy Assistance programming (including the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program [LIHEAP]) is designed to assist low-income families meet the cost of home heating.
Family Development
The mission of the FaDSS program is to improve the lives of families at risk of long-term welfare dependency or family instability by creating opportunities for self-sufficiency.
The Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Program (FaDSS) is an intensive, voluntary, one-on-one case management program to assist families with transitioning from welfare to work or struggling with mental health issues. The program assists families through intensive case management including home visits, support (referrals, groups, linkages, and advocacy), assessment (identifying and building upon strengths), and goal setting.
Families receive personal case management services designed to identify family strengths and needs. Family Development Specialists provide referrals and support while families work toward the goals of employment and self-sufficiency.
LIHEAP
LIHEAP supplements the high cost of winter heating for low-income households, provides emergency furnace repairs or replacement for income-qualifying homeowners and offers assistance with telephone costs to those that qualify. Households with income levels at or below 200% of the poverty level are eligible for benefits. Eligible income amounts may be increased for households with significant medical expenses.
Last year, we processed more than 5,000 applications in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy counties! New applicants represented 16% of those applications.
Parents As Teachers (PAT)
Operation Threshold’s Parents As Teachers (PAT) program was established in Black Hawk County in 2015 with funding from the Shared Visions program of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. The program has now expanded into Buchanan, Bremer, Butler, Franklin and Grundy counties. PAT is a free and voluntary home visitation program, parent education for families with children aged 0 through 5.
Operation Santa Claus
Operation Santa Claus is a toy program for low-income families. Toys are donated by local community organizations, families, churches, and individuals. In FY 2007, Operation Santa Claus assisted 373 children from 172 families.
School Supplies
Prior to the start of the academic year, school supplies are collected and distributed to qualifying families. Please call for a list of school supplies.
Weatherization
The Weatherization Program provides energy efficiency-related home maintenance assistance to low-income homeowners and renters. Available Weatherization benefits include the installation of insulation, furnace repair or replacement, water heater repair and/or replacement, safety checks for gas leaks, and/or replacement of old refrigerators and freezers.