Our Mission is to provide opportunities to improve the quality of life for people and communities.We Believe . . . ~ All people have value and potential; ~ In treating all people with dignity and respect; ~ Diversity enriches the quality of life; ~ All people have the right to be informed of choices, opportunities, and responsibilities; ~ Effective communication and teamwork are essential for success; ~ Partnerships are essential in delivering quality services; and, ~ There are opportunities in change.

Mission & BeliefsPage 2

Letter from Board Chairperson - Linda NeuerburgIt has been a great opportunity of professional development for me to serve on the Board of Directors for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. for the past three years. Serving as the Board Chair, I have learned so many valuable things about the countless commu-nity service opportunities this agency provides to the region. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I gained valuable leadership skills under the tutelage of our past Board Chair, Paul Erdal, who moved out of the Tri-Valley service area. I thank him and wish him the very best with his future endeavors! I am also keenly aware of the high quality of professional skills of the Tri-Valley staff members who keep the organization functioning at such a commendable level. I thank each and every one of you for your dedication and jobs well done. Finally, it is imperative that I give credit and a great deal of thanks to the Board of Directors, the organization’s decision makers who, because of their passion for serving those in need, give freely of their time and talent to ensure flawless, quality, and compassionate services.

During this past year, a number of important events have taken place. Of major importance has been the reorganization of Tri-Valley administrative functions. This reorganization was undertaken to position Tri-Valley to better serve our constituents and other stake-holders in the future. The ultimate result of the reorganization has been the creation of a Marketing Communications Specialist posi-tion. It has long been our position that we do not tell our own story well and that we possibly do not reach all who need our services. The new position will use all forms of media communication to reach out to potential clients and inform stakeholders of the highly valuable service activities in which Tri-Valley is engaged.

We welcome moving into the age of technology, using Interactive Video Networking to attend meetings in Crookston from a distance for our Owatonna Head Start Migrant Programs and members of the Head Start Policy Council who simply cannot travel the 400 miles to Crookston. We also developed a heartwarming YouTube video to inform the communities we serve about the services provided, the hard working people who provide the services, and the clients we serve. This video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxBe4B1UYJ0 and after viewing, you are encouraged to leave your comments! Finally, you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TVOCInc and on Twitter at @TriValley_TVOC.

A new challenge faced by the Board of Directors has been the formation of a Succession Plan for the future replacement of the CEO who recently celebrated his 40th anniversary with Tri-Valley. Dennis P. DeMers informed the board that he intends to retire at some point in the not too distant future. The Board has gone through a lengthy succession planning process, has agreed upon a plan, formed a committee including the Executive Committee and several Board members, and the process is moving forward.

With thoughts of moving into an uncertain financial future, Tri-Valley is certainly living up to the challenge of doing more with less in this ever changing financial climate in the state of Minnesota and the nation. Each decision to cut a service or apply for new grant funding is made with the full knowledge that vulnerable lives are being profoundly impacted. Please be confident these decisions are made with the expert advisement of Tri-Valley administration and the dedicated Board of Directors to continue our mission to provide services that will improve the quality of life for people in our service area. I thank those individuals and also the funding agencies that make our work possible. But most of all, I want to thank the truly courageous individuals and families who request our services and are willing to share intimate details of their lives with us. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Sincerely,Dr. Linda Neuerburg

Board of DirectorsPage 3

OFFICERS

Vice Chair PersonArthur Drenckhahn

Marshall County

TreasurerBill MontaguePolk County

Chair PersonDr. Linda Neuerburg

Polk County

MEMBERS

Jan AndersonMarshall County

Don DiedrichPolk County

LeRoy VonasekMarshall County

Kent EkenNorman County

John GerszewskiPolk County

SecretaryLinda GrindePolk County

Marvin GundersonNorman County

Lee Ann HallNorman County

Jamie HennenNorman County

Dr. Jodi Boerger-WilderPolk County

Mark KroulikMarshall County

Domita TausMarshall County

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Letter from the Chief Executive Officer- Dennis P. DeMersThere is an old saying, “The only thing that remains constant in life is change.” And, this is true for Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. over this past year. We embrace change as inevitable and we do so with strategic focus and direction. In 2011 two primary events have generated the changes at Tri-Valley and we can expect more in the years to come.

First, there has been a growing interest to reach out to our many stakeholders and to market what we do in a more strategic and effective manner. This impetus has been gen-erated by members of the Board of Directors, management, program Directors and the community-at-large. Thus, over the past year we have had many meetings and discussions about how we might best communicate to the community knowledge of our services while garnering community needs and direction for future growth and development. In the end

we have decided to create the position of Marketing Communication Specialist. It is our intention that this posi-tion will be effective in better communicating a more focused message about Tri-Valley using multiple means of delivery including the electronic media, newspapers, radio, and community meetings. Thus, we can expect to be found more often on Facebook and Twitter going forward.

This past year we learned that Tri-Valley would be swept up with the new federal Head Start regulation regarding re-competition. In the Head Start Act of 2007 the Congress enacted legislation that would (for the first time) require selected grantees to compete for their grants rather than have them automatically renewed. Although we applauded the legislation we had hoped that we would not be the “first out of the gate,” to enter this national competition. No luck. We learned on December 16, 2011 that we would be in the first round of what has been labeled the Designation Renewal System. This will required that we generate three separate grant applications for our Full Year Head Start program, our Full Year Early Head Start program and our Migrant Head Start pro-gram. This is a monumental task that will take a tremendous amount of work in order to be successful. I am very confident that the Head Start management will be up to the task and that they will generate great applica-tions, and, in the end, be successful in garnering five year grants. This effort is in full swing and we have due date of July 18, 2012 to have the applications submitted to Washington, DC.

It was with regrets that we experienced the transfer of our Board Chairman (Paul Erdal) to Morris, MN. Paul’s wife took a teaching position and he took a Pastoral position with a local Lutheran church. They made the move this past summer and we wish them well in their new home. And, we welcomed the election of our new Chair, Linda Neuerburg who took over the reins in September. Similarly, we welcomed new members to the Board - Domita Taus from Warren and Mark Kroulik, from Stephen. We are happy to have these members on the Board.

This spring we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of my tenure at Tri-Valley. This event was heartwarming and memorable. I can’t thank everyone enough for sharing “tall tales,” and visiting with me and my family. And, the work done by Dawn Batcho, Jason Carlson and Tracey Sundeen will never be forgotten. I would like to send a special thanks to all the folks who took the time to travel to the event especially Representative Collin Peterson.

Lastly, the Board of Directors Executive Committee/Succession Team has moved the Succession Plan forward. The direction of the team is that Tri-Valley will move forward with Growth and Development as its general fo-cus. Thus, a decision has been made that the succession of the Chief Executive Officer will be an internal pro-cess. The Board will be acting on the succession of the CEO during the 2012 year. And, we can expect a smooth, seamless and transparent transition over the next couple of years.

Community Services Programs• Community Assistance Programs - Helps qualified low to moderate in-come families with rent assistance, security deposits, foreclosure prevention, mortgage and budget counseling, home buyer training, housing counseling, and financial assistance for utilities, food and clothing. Energy assistance, crisis and furnace repairs are also available to qualified households.• Child Care Resource & Referral - Assists the early childhood community in expanding and improving the quality and availability of child care. Parents looking for child care can receive a list of licensed providers tailored to meet their specific criteria.• Family Partner Project - Provides a Family Mentor to parents and caregivers of children, ages 0-21 with social, emotional and behavioral concerns as part of the Our Children Succeed Initiative.• Tri-Valley Heartland Express (Public Transportation) - Provides public transportation in handicapped acces-sible buses. Curb to curb service is available.• Rural Transportation Collaborative - Coordinates volunteer drivers to transport individuals for medical ap-pointments, education or work activities, child visitations, or other personal matters.

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Programs & Services

Housing Programs• Minnesota Urban and Rural Homesteading Program (MURL)- Allows low-income, at-risk families to purchase a home with no down payment and no interest. Monthly payments are based on affordability and are adjusted as income increases.

Senior Programs• Foster Grandparent Program - Recruits individuals age 55 and over to volunteer in schools, child care centers, Head Start centers, group homes and other non-profit facilities to support children with special needs. • Senior Companion Program - Recruits individuals age 55 and over to help others live independently by assisting with grocery shopping and other daily tasks. • Valley Housekeeping Program - Offers light housekeeping and laundry services, as well as shopping and other errands, for elderly individuals age 60 and over. The program also serves disabled and private pay citizens.

Programs & ServicesPage 6

Head Start, Child & Family Programs• Head Start - Provides comprehensive, family-oriented child devel-opment services designed to meet the diverse needs of low-income children and their families. Services provided include early child-hood education, medical and dental examinations, immunizations, vision and hearing screenings, speech and developmental screen-ings, disabilities services, referrals and parent education. - Head Start - Provides services to children ages 3 to com-pulsory school age in West Polk, West Marshall and Norman Coun-ties. - Early Head Start - Provides services to pregnant women, infants and toddlers in West Polk, West Marshall, Norman and Steel Counties. - Migrant and Seasonal Head Start - Provides services to Migrant & Seasonal pregnant women and children ages 6 weeks to compulsory school age throughout the states of Minnesota and northern North Dakota.• Title 1 Health Services -  Provided over 800 physicals and dental exams to Title 1 children and provided nutri-tious meals for breakfast and lunch. • Title 1 Identification & Recruitment - 3,714 migrant children were identified in MN (ages birth to 21) - State Migrant Child Care funds are utilized to enhance the services provided at our Migrant Head Start centers and provide direct child care to children who need services longer than centers offer. 1,020 migrant chil-dren were served with Migrant Child Care funds.

2011 - A Year in Review

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. strives to meet six national goals. Here’s a look at our accomplishments in 2011...

Goal 1: Low-Income People Become More Self-Sufficient.

• Helped 46 individuals who were unemployed obtain a job.• Helped 24 individuals obtain an increase in employment income and/or benefits.• In order to acquire or maintain employment: - Assisted1,498 families obtain care for their children; - Assisted 667 individuals in obtaining access to reliable transportation. - Helped 263 individuals obtain health care services for themselves or a family member. - Helped 58 individuals and/or families obtain safe and affordable housing. - Assisted 91 individuals and/or families obtain food assistance.• Assisted 163 families to receive individualized services for children with disabilities.• Helped 957 families enroll in MinnesotaCare or other health insurance program.• Helped 325 households participate in a tax preparation program with 164 households qualifying for the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit.• Helped 325 households get $362,065 in tax credits and returns.

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2011 - A Year in Review

Goal 2: The Conditions in Which Low-Income People Live are Improved.

Goal 3: Low-Income People Own a Stake in Their Community.

• Created or saved 138 jobs from reduction or elimination.• Created or maintained 372 safe and affordable child care or child development placement opportunities for low-income families.• Preserved accessible new or increased educational and training placement opportunities for 22 low-income people.• Mobilized 1,504 community members to participate in community revitalization and anti-poverty initiatives.• Provided opportunities for volunteers to serve 144,767 hours in agency and community activities.

• Provided opportunities for low-income individuals to volunteer 92,767 hours in agency and community activi-ties.• Assisted 45 low-income individuals to participate in formal community organizations, government, boards or councils that provide input to decision-making and policy-setting.• Conducted Homebuyers Workshops in which 28 individuals successfully participated.• Helped increase the knowledge of 599 individuals about Minnesota Voter Registration and participation.

Goal 4: Partnerships Among Supporters and Providers of Services to Low-Income People are Achieved.

Goal 5: Increase Our Agency Capacity to Achieve Results.

Established or maintained relationships with the following partners: - 26 Nonprofits - 13 Faith-Based Groups - 48 Local Government Entities - 2 State Governments - 7 Federal Government Agencies - 1,728 For-Profit Businesses or Corporations - 7 Consortiums or Collaborations - 5 Housing Consortiums or Collaborations - 84 School Districts - 3 Institutions of Post Secondary Education - 1 Financial/Banking Institutions - 3 Health Service Institutions - 4 State-Wide Associations

• Provided 34,377 hours of training to 1,155 staff.• Provided 80 hours of training to 15 Board Members.

FOR SENIORS:• Provided programs and activities to 1,806 seniors to maintain their independent living.• Provided programs and activities to 812 individuals with disabilities to maintain their independent living.• Provided emergency payments to vendors for fuel and energy bills for 2,957 seniors.• Provided emergency rent or mortgage assistance to 117 seniors.• Provided emergency home repair to 155 senior households.• Provided referrals for emergency food assistance to 474 seniors.• Provided referrals for temporary shelter to 27 seniors.• Provided referrals for emergency medical care to 103 seniors.• Assisted 23 seniors in averting foreclosure and maintaining their home.

FOR INFANTS AND CHILDREN:• Assisted 1,395 infants and children obtain age appropriate immunizations, medical and dental care.• Improved the health and physical development of 1,439 infants and children as a result of providing adequate nutrition.• Provided preschool activities to develop school readiness to 457 children.• Ensured that 457 children from low-income families are ready for school having developed pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills as measured by assessment.• Assisted 88 youth in improving social/emotional development.• Ensured that 3,079 parents and other adults learned and exhibited improved parenting skills.• Ensured that 835 parents and other adults learned and exhibited improved family functioning skills.

FOR THOSE UNABLE TO WORK:• Helped 68 obtain care for their child or other dependent.• Helped 1,841 obtain access to reliable transportation.• Assisted 514 obtain health care services for themselves or family member.• Assisted 75 obtain safe and affordable housing.• Helped 1,489 obtain food assistance.• Helped 1,912 obtain non-emergency LIHEAP energy assistance.

FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND/OR FAMILIES:• Provided 74,161 rides.• Provided 1,695 information and referral calls.

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2011 - A Year in Review

Participants from Tri-Valley at the 10th Annual Voices for Children Advocacy Day at the Minnesota

State Capitol.

Goal 6: Low-Income People, Especially Vulnerable Populations, Achieve Their Potential by Strengthening Family and Other Support Systems.

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Unaudited Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Assets

Year ending December 31, 2011

REVENUES

Grant Revenue $15,517,863

Program Contributions $2,768,033

Interest Income $5,022

In-Kind Contributions $791,195

Other Income $353,646

TOTAL REVENUE $19,435,759

EXPENSES

Child Education $12,453,971

Family and Community Services $914,049

Energy Assistance and Weatherization $408,984

Senior Services $1,213,032

Transportation $1,739,213

Housing and Housing Rehabilitation $243,389

Homeless/Shelter Programs $277,069

Food Programs $579,664

Corporate Activities $235,207

TOTAL PROGRAM ACTIVITIES $18,064,578

Management and General Expenses $773,159

Fundraising $26,103

TOTAL EXPENSES $18,863,840

CHANGES IN NET ASSETS $571,919

Net Assets December 31, 2011 $6,937,410

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In The News

Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Center Opens in Winnebago, MN

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is set to open the South Central Area Learning Center in the education building at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Between June and September the center will serve approximately 35 chil-dren, ages six weeks to kindergarten age, whose parents work in agriculture.

Migrant and Seasonal Head Start is an early childhood education program with the goal of preparing children for kindergarten nationwide. The program serves children of farm workers who move to seek agricultural work or who earn the majority of their income from agriculture.

The South Central Area Learning Center will primarily serve families working at Seneca Foods in Blue Earth and will also be open to other eligible families. The South Central Area Learning Center will hire approximately 20 local employees including teaching, health, family service and transportation staff. Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. funds Migrant and Seasonal Head Start through grants from the state and federal government.

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is a Community Action Agency based in Crookston, MN that provides Migrant and Seasonal Head Start services across Minnesota and North Dakota. Additional locations in southern Minnesota include Elysian, Owatonna and Sleepy Eye.

T.H.E. Bus Teams Up with Two Local College Campuses to Make Life Easier for Students

Many factors play into the decision of bringing a vehicle to college; cost of gas, size of campus, cost of parking, and in our area of the coun-try keeping the vehicle running during the frigid winter months. The decision to leave the vehicle at home has become much easier over the last two years as the Tri-Valley Heartland Express (T.H.E.) Bus started serving the campuses of Northland Community & Technical College (NCTC) in Thief River Falls and the University of Minnesota, Crook-ston (UMC).

T.H.E. Bus started serving NCTC in 2010. During the first year, 2,095 NCTC students utilized the service. In 2011, 3,200 students rode

T.H.E. Bus to and from class and to get to other businesses throughout Thief Rivers Falls; an increase in ridership of 153%. In just the first three months of 2012, 1,256 students utilized the service.

“T.H.E. Bus service allowed students on the Thief River Falls campus to take part in East Grand Forks campus classes and vice versa,” says Steve Crittenden, Dean of Student Development on the NCTC campus. “It removed the barrier of driving 100 miles every day and enabled students who may not have been able to attend classes the opportunity to receive an education at Northland Community & Technical College,” Crittenden adds.

Service to UMC began in the fall of 2011 as enrollment at the college continued to grow and a needed partner-ship became apparent. In the fall of 2011, 2,810 UMC students rode T.H.E. Bus to and from campus and to other businesses throughout Crookston. In just three months into the 2012 campaign, the service exploded by 257% to 7,226 riders utilizing the services offered by Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc.

In The News

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David Vanderhoof, Foster Grandparent Volunteer and Senior Corps Weekly Essay Winner

My name is David Vanderhoof but my kids at school call me “Grandpa Dave” and that is what I like. I am in the Foster Grandparent Program and have been for the past three years. I really love what I am doing. I am only 64 years old but I retired at 62.

The Foster Grandparent Program has allowed me to work in the South Point Elementary School in East Grand Forks, MN. I work with six 4th grade classes, 5 days per week, 7 hours per day and I really love it. It has given me a very meaningful life in my retirement years. I not only teach those children, I also learn from them, as well. They have taught me that I can and am being a productive member of the community.

It is such a rewarding experience. To be teaching one of these children and see their face light up and realize that they have grasped what I have been teaching, compares only to watch-ing my own children being born.

I would not consider this experience to be a job; it is way too enjoyable to be a job.

I look forward every morning to going to school to face a most welcome challenge, whatever it may be. I do my best to gain the children’s trust right away because without it, I cannot teach and they cannot learn.

The children today are so far advanced compared to when I attended school. They know so much more at such an early age. Even more important, they want to learn so much more. The children today seem so thirsty for knowledge and for the most part, put forth an incredible effort to gain it. During the school year I get to see firsthand how children grow, not only physically, but mentally as well, which is even more rewarding. For me, the Foster Grandparent Program has opened a whole new way to look at life.

When I speak to other Foster Grandparents at our monthly training, I hear the same things that I have just de-scribed. I have come to the conclusion that it isn’t only me that experiences these wonderful transformations in the children we help, but that we help ourselves also.

In conclusion, I want to thank you again for giving me the honor and privilege to do what I do.

Nominated by Heidi Simmons, FGP Program Director, Foster Grandparent Program of NW MN.

(Story Courtesy of Minnesota Senior Corps / www.mnseniorcorps.org)

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Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc.PO Box 607102 North BroadwayCrookston, MN 56716Phone: 218-281-5832Toll Free: 800-584-7020Telecommunication Relay Services: 711Fax: 218-281-6681Website: www.tvoc.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/TVOCIncTwitter: @TriValley_TVOC

Service Area

Note: Tri-Valley has services in 84 counties in Minnesota and North Dakota.

This information is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities. Contact us at 1-800-584-7020 or by calling the Telecommunication Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529. Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer/provider. EOE/M/F/D/V