(Spirit Lake)—Dried up funding streams is resulting in some major changes for CAASA, an agency that assists victims of abuse and sexual assault in an eight county area of northwest Iowa, including Dickinson.
In presenting a funding request to the Spirit Lake city council earlier this week, Julie Schulenberg, the agency’s Executive Director, said they’re bracing for a $100,000 cut in funding this coming July 1st. She says that’s going to result in a massive restructuring in how CAASA provides services…(click here for comment.)
Schulenberg says it would also result in some changes to a facility CAASA has in Spirit Lake…(click here for comment.)
Schulenberg says the funding reductions will also result in the closure of an emergency shelter in Spencer. That would leave just one such shelter in the region, in Sioux City. Councilman Steve Balm said he’s concerned about that…(click here for comment.).
Schulenberg says due to the funding issues, volunteers would be needed to staff a local shelter. She says CAASA is actively trying to find a half dozen or so that would be needed, but says it’s no small undertaking. She says the facility would have to be staffed 24/7 whenever a victim is present.
