Local community leaders honored at inaugural Jasper County Care Coalition Awards

Jasper County has a dedicated group of people working to better the lives of their follow community members in a variety of ways. Many of those people were honored during the inaugural Jasper County Care Coalition Awards Presentation in December.

“The strength of Jasper County lies in its people and partnerships,” Jasper County Cares Coalition Chair Becky Prior said. “The awards highlight the many ways our partners lead, serve and collaborate to ensure community members are aware of and connected to vital resources. Together, we continue moving closer to our shared vision of a safe, healthy and connected Jasper County. ”

The awards honor the dedication of individuals and organizations in the county for their work and the way they collaborate to strengthen the health and human services in the county. They recognize the consistent engagement, leadership and service, as well as their efforts to go above and beyond to support individuals and families in need.

Awards were presented to:

Legacy Community Impact Award — Rita Baker, Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa

Leadership in Action Award — Julie Smith, Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Inc. for new Substance Program, Housing and Mental Health

Leadership Excellence Award — Becky Pryor, Jasper County Health Department, Chair Jasper County Cares

Community Impact: Person — Tim Salmon, Colfax Mingo Daycare Project, George Sorensen, Newton YMCA Program Expansion, Julie Smith, Substance Abuse Expansion, Navigator, Housing, Kelly Sorenson, Newton School Summer Lunch Program and Jill Robinson, Capstone Justice Involved Program

Leadership Team Recognition — Rob Burdess, Becca Decker, Julie Smith, Rita Baker, Connie McQuiston, Emma Krapfl, Tim Salmon, Becky Pryor

Perfect Attendance since Oct 2022 — Rita Baker, Pregnancy Center

Perfect Attendance 2 years — Kristina Winfield, Jasper County Health Dept

Perfect Attendance — Connie McQuiston, Jasper County General Assistance, Becky Pryor, Jasper County Health Dept.

Almost perfect attendance, 1 in 2 years — Jill Robinson, new, Capstone, Justive Involved, Julie Smith, Capstone

Almost perfect attendance — Kathy Ellis, Jasper County EMA, Melissa Gary, Jasper County Health Dept., Angela Barnell, Parent Partners

Recent Addition, Perfect Attendance — Jaime Paca, Clive BH, Beila Flickinger, Capstone, Alondra Sanchez, MICA

Recent Addition, Almost Perfect Attendance — Denise Doucette, Capstone

Organization: Perfect Attendance — Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., Jasper County General Assistance, Jasper County Health Department, MICA and Pregnancy Center of Central Iowa

Presenter Awards — MICA (Mid Iowa Community Action), CIS (Crisis Intervention Services), Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, Inc., American Lung of Iowa, Family Crisis Center, Newton YMCA, EFR (Employee and Family Resources), Jasper County Veteran’s Affairs, CCR&R

Subgroup Leader Award — Jana Larsen, MCH

Organizations Community Health Improvement Plan Awards

Mental Health — Capstone, NAMI

Substance — Capstone, Clearview, House of Mercy, Discover Hope, EFR, American Lung

Food Insecurities — Salvation Army, Discover Hope, Jasper County Senior Nutrition, MICA, Capstone, Open Arms, Jasper County Hunger Relief

Transportation — Jasper County RSVP

Childcare — Colfax Mingo Schools, Newton YMCA, CCR&R

Healthcare Staffing — DMACC, Mercy One Michael Metts, MICA I-smile

Housing/Homelessness — Habitat for Humanity, CISS, Capstone, IMPACT, Kid Assist (Ramps), Jasper County General Assistance

Animal Awards — Quakerdale Whiskey and Mane, and Equine Therapy, Crisis Canines, Capstone Therapy Dog Piper

Volunteer Award — Bill Ehler, Tom Troxell

Resource Navigator Award — Katie Finch (Capstone), Connie McQuiston (Jasper Co General Asst), Melissa Gary (Jasper County Health Dept)

Rising Star Award — Becca Decker, Habitat, Beila Flickinger, Capstone, Cookie Fuzell, Newton YMCA, Dallas Vander Pol, Newton Christian, Emma Krapfl, American Lung, Katie Finch, Capstone, Lauren Asman, EFR, Madison Ellis & Piper, Capstone (Therapy Dog), Nick Pietrack, Open Arms Foundation of Jasper County

Positive Participator — Kelli Van Manan, Jasper County Senior Nutrition, Angela Busick, Probation, Aimee Spores, Wesley Life Hospice and Palliative Care, Ace Stonehocker, Aging Resources, Lori Reynolds, VA Central Iowa, Cody Daugherty, Newton, Church of the Way, Shawn Kinnison, Hickory Recovery Network, Kathy Dooley, IHHS HIV

The awards presentation celebrated the community champions who continue to contribute to the impact and success of JCCC. For more than five years, JCCC has worked on its mission to enhance awareness of health and human service resources and promote collaboration to better serve Jasper County. Guided by its vision of a safe, healthy, and connected Jasper County, the coalition brings together community partners across sectors to address local needs and improve quality of life for residents.

JCCC typically meets the second Wednesday of each month at the Jasper County Office/Administration Building, although it is not a government organization. The coalition welcomes participation from community members, health and human service organizations, schools and agencies interested in strengthening community connections and improving outcomes across the county. For more information about JCCC visit www.jasperia.org/health/jasper_county_cares.