Update on Shelter Care Educational Program Classrooms at Quakerdale Shelters

We’d like to take the opportunity to update you on some changes taking place in the Agency’s Shelter Care Educational Program. If you have any questions about these changes or the Shelter Care program in general, please contact Steve Iverson, Shelter Care Program Administrator, at siverson@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 18111.

Quakerdale of Newton
Quakerdale, which is a private, non-profit social service agency that offers treatment services to youth and families and operates shelters throughout Iowa, has decided to close its Quakerdale of Newton shelter on March 1, 2011. Quakerdale wasn’t able to stay in the shelter facility it has rented from Jasper County for the past 17 years, and because of costs, wasn’t able to find a suitable new location in Newton. With the closure of the shelter will come the closure of the Heartland Shelter Care classroom at the site as well. Heartland staff members who work in the Shelter Care classroom in Newton have been notified and the Agency is planning for the closure.

Another private, non-profit youth shelter has expressed interest in establishing a new shelter in Newton if funding and necessary approvals can be secured. Students who would normally be placed at Quakerdale in Newton will most likely now be placed instead in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids or Ottumwa.

Quakerdale of Manning
Green Hills AEA, based in Council Bluffs, will assume responsibility of the Quakerdale of Manning shelter on July 1, 2011. This change is taking place due to the Manning school district’s consolidation with the IKM school district, which is currently served by Green Hills AEA. When the consolidation takes effect, the new IKM-Manning district, including Quakerdale of Manning, will become part of Green Hills AEA’s service area. Heartland staff members who work in the Shelter Care classroom in Manning have been notified of the change in service at the shelter and the Agency is planning for the smooth transition of the program from Heartland to Green Hills. Heartland will not offer a summer school program at Quakerdale of Manning in summer 2011.