About WIC
Operation Threshold provides Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) services in Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw 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.
Christmas In Grundy County
Christmas in Grundy County is a county-wide collaboration among churches and community services agencies that provides at-risk and/or low-income families an opportunity to provide their children with holiday gifts.
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. 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.
Grundy County Coordinated Intake
Grundy County Coordinated Intake
Grundy County Food Pantry
The Food Pantry offers food to income qualifying individuals and families. The Food Pantry does accept food item donations. However, opened food or food frozen or processed at home cannot be accepted. Please click here for a brochure.
Grundy County Community Services Program
Operation Threshold’s Grundy County office provides a number of services to residents of Grundy County. Services provided out of the Grundy County office include many of those provided in Black Hawk County , including Energy Assistance (LIHEAP), Crisis Assistance, Weatherization, WIC, and Family Development Services.
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 175% 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 6,000 applications in Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Grundy counties! New applicants represented 16% of those applications.
Nest Program – Grundy County
The Grundy County Nest program is an incentive based parent education program for income-eligible families. Nest is available for pregnant women and families with children up to age five. Participants earn incentive points for healthy behaviors such as keeping doctor appointments and attending parent and preventative educational classes. The points are then redeemed for incentive items such as diapers and wipes.
Parents As Teachers (PAT) – Previously Partners for Healthy Families (PHF)
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.
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.
Share the Warmth
Share the Warmth is a winter coat distribution program. New and gently used coats are collected and distributed to children and adults in need. Donations of children’s coats are particularly appreciated!
Volunteer Services
Want to volunteer, but aren’t sure where?
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.