News Flash

City News

Posted on: October 14, 2021

City Supports Safe Exchanges with Planned Family Visit Center

boy and woman read book

The Sioux Center City Council took action to support safe family interactions through the Family Crisis Centers’ planned Family Visitation Center.

The new center will provide a location for safe, supervised visits and exchanges for children and their families going through complicated family situations including domestic violence, divorce, and substance abuse. Plans are to create this new center by renovating a portion of the building where the Family Crisis Centers have offices.

The council approved the City serving as the conduit for a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant application to help pay for this $1 million project. The City has previously served as a conduit for CDBG grant applications for the Family Crisis Centers. The council also unanimously approved a $100,000 contribution to help move the project forward.

There is currently not another facility in the state of Iowa that has this type of location, according to Family Crisis Centers executive director Shari Kastein. She said exchanges currently take place at public locations such as gas stations, restaurants, and even public libraries. The Family Visitation Center would offer a location with security in place and the ability to allow different members of the family to visit with a child without interacting with each other, avoiding potential conflict. Kastein said this center would focus on serving Sioux Center and Sioux County families.

“We see this facility as a huge benefit to the community of Sioux Center,” City Manager Scott Wynja said. “It provides a safe and supervised exchange location for children and families, and it helps eliminate complicated situation for our local law enforcement.” 

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in City News

paving crew works near pond

Sioux Center's New Pond Progressing

Posted on: November 21, 2023
aerial view of road construction

Highway 75 Phase 1 Project Awaiting Paving

Posted on: November 11, 2023
Two girls read a book

Library Receives State Accreditation

Posted on: August 3, 2023
Man in police uniform

Three New Police Officers Sworn In

Posted on: August 1, 2023
Group of people hold large check

SCMU Delivers Energy-Saving Rebate

Posted on: July 10, 2023
A man's face

Gabhart Shaped a Flourishing Mall

Posted on: June 29, 2023
A man's face and police badge

Koedam appointed Chief of Police

Posted on: June 26, 2023
Drawing of hotel exterior

Agreement Assists Development of New Hotel

Posted on: February 27, 2023
Concept of detention pond

New Detention Pond Will Benefit Community

Posted on: February 21, 2023
Map of road construction project

First Highway 75 Bids are Favorable

Posted on: February 2, 2023
Lifeguard watches pool from chair

All Seasons Center Rates Adjusted for 2023

Posted on: December 12, 2022
Concept for reconstruction of road

City Prepares for Highway 75 Replacement

Posted on: December 3, 2022
Man's face and drawing of buildings

Gonzalez Begins as Building Code Official

Posted on: September 1, 2022
top of tree

Local Response to Emerald Ash Borer

Posted on: March 3, 2022
Softball Field with players lined up

Softball Diamond Named Field of Excellence

Posted on: February 17, 2022
Woman at table with three children

State Awards Grant for Childcare Project

Posted on: February 15, 2022
Inside an indoor turf dome

Indoor Turf Sports Complex Moving Forward

Posted on: November 24, 2021
Three adult faces

Sioux Center Elects Council Members

Posted on: November 9, 2021
Work crew preparing basement for cement

Heritage Village Begins Historic Move

Posted on: October 28, 2021
Fire station

Fire Station 2 Open House on Oct. 7

Posted on: September 24, 2021