Operation Threshold

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. 

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.

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.

The Grundy County Family Nest program is an incentive based parent education program for income-eligible families.  Family 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. 

Operation Threshold’s Grundy County Outreach 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, Housing and Fair Lending Services, and Family Development Services. Other programming/services available to Grundy County residents specifically include:

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 150% of the poverty level are eligible for benefits.  Eligible income amounts may be increased for households with significant medical expenses.

Prior to the start of the academic year, school supplies are collected and distributed to qualifying families. Please call for list of school supplies.

Buchanan County Stork's Nest and Family Nest programs are incentive based parent education programs for income-eligible families.  Stork's Nest is available for pregnant women, post-partum mothers, and their children up to 13 months of age.  Family Nest is available to 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. 

Black Hawk County Stork's Nest program is an incentive based parent education program for income-eligible families.  Stork's Nest is available for pregnant women, post-partum mothers, and their children up to 13 months of age.  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.