Semcac began as the South East Minnesota Citizens Action Council in 1966. The agency's Board of Directors shortened the agency's legal name to Semcac in 1995. The agency now goes by its legal name, "Semcac," and no longer uses the longer name from its origins. 

All fees are based on your income and how many people that income supports.  Semcac also encourages making small payments if you cannot afford to pay in full.  But chances are you’ll qualify for a program that may pay for your exam and birth control method.

Semcac Family Planning Clinic bills many insurance plans, but there are a few we don’t bill because the insurance plan doesn’t consider Semcac “in network.” These include Mayo, Cigna, TriCare, Gundersen-Lutheran, ­­­­Medicare, Dean. We are happy to help with any other questions you have about your insurance coverage.

Minnesota State Statute allows minors to receive family planning services without parental consent. Just like any other medical facility, confidentiality is priority.

First, you will need to make an appointment to be seen by the clinician. She’ll get to know you by asking questions about your health and then perform an exam. She’ll help you in deciding what method will be the best for you. You’ll need to return for an exam every year to be sure the method is still working for you.

Call the clinic to tell us you need a refill. We will transfer you to the refill line and have the prescription filled within the next 24 hours.

Multiple methods are available at the Semcac Clinic. Meeting with the clinician will help you decide which method will work the best for you.

Give the method (pill, patch, ring, etc.) a few months for your body to get used to it. If it’s still not working for you after a few months, call us to set up an appointment to change to a more suitable method.

Our clinician allows exams during your period only if you haven’t used a tampon for 24 hours before the exam.

Any family who has a child 3-4 years of age. All children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1 in order to be enrolled in the program at the start of the school year. Children who turn three throughout the year could be considered and possibly could be enrolled depending on their status on the waiting list. Families determined to be over-income also will be considered as vacancies occur.

Semcac Head Start offers Center-based and Home-based programs. Both options of the Semcac Head Start program promote development of skills children need to be healthy, successful learners. We know that young children need to have experiences with language development, literacy, math, science, creative arts, social/emotional development, physical/health development and satisfaction in learning new things. Healthy habits and self-help skills are emphasized as well.

Center Based Option
Children enroll in the Center Based Option come to a Head Start center Monday through Thursday for 3 ½ to 4 hours. While children are at the center they participate in hands on learning activities. Teachers, with parent's help, plan activities that give children a wide variety of experiences that help them grow and develop. Parents and teachers work together to evaluate and plan for the children's learning. Home Visits and Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the year. Parents participate by volunteering in the classroom or on field trips, attending special classroom events, and working on other activities. All Head Start classrooms are licensed by the MN Department of Human Services. Transportation is provided wherever possible. Nutritious breakfast/snack and lunch are served.

Home Based Option - Home Visits
A Home Visitor comes to your home for a 1.5 hour visit each week. The Home Visitor and Parent work together to plan and participate in activities that help the child grow and develop. The Home Visitor helps parents understand how daily routines and activities, things in the home and resources in the community can be used as learning activities for the whole family. Each visit includes time for learning activities for the child, information and discussion on topics of interest to the parent, and time to plan for the next visit, activities to do between visits and Socialization Day. The Home Visitor supports the parent in his/her role as their child's teacher.

Socialization Day
Approximately two times a month Home Based children come together to participate in group activities. This usually takes place in a Head Start center on a designated Fridays. The session is 3 hours long. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Transportation is provided wherever possible. Nutritious break/snack and lunch are served.

Eligibility criteria are based primarily on the family income and the child's age as well as whether a child has a disability. Indicators of a child and/or family at-risk, such as single parent family, a parent with special needs, referrals from social services or public health, and living in a location that would prevent them from experiencing pre-school, will be considered. The criteria define the children/ families who will be given priority for recruitment and selection. Each year the criteria is reviewed with parents in the program and, if needed, updates are completed with their input.

The degree to which a family falls below poverty is rated. Income eligibility is determined according to the Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines released each year in February.

The child’s age is rated also, with a priority of serving children who will be moving into kindergarten the following year.  All children must be 3 years of age on or before September 1 in order to be enrolled in the program at the start of the school year.

At least 10% of the total number of enrollment opportunities will be made available to children with disabilities. Disabilities must be documented. 

Head Start staff will verify family income and age as applications are received to determine eligible children.  Once the classroom is full, for each center, a waiting list will be established and maintained throughout the year. Children on the list will be ranked based on their original eligibility rating. As vacancies occur, staff will review the waiting list and initiate appropriate follow-up to enroll the child(ren) as quickly as possible. Children who turn three throughout the year could be considered and possibly could be enrolled depending on their status on the waiting list. Families determined to be over-income also will be considered as vacancies occur.

Families are encouraged to apply early.

Semcac Head Start staff will notify families within two weeks after a complete application is received. If after four weeks, the family has not received notification, please call our toll-free number 866-808-0260.

Your child will be put on a waiting list and will be considered as space becomes available. Children on the list will be ranked based on their original eligibility rating.

Individualized education, referrals for children with special needs, health and nutrition information including nutritious meals and snacks, busing provided where available, community resources referral for families, and many volunteering opportunities.

We have programs in Austin, Blooming Prairie, Caledonia, Hayfield, Hokah, Kasson, Ostrander, Owatonna, Preston, St. Charles and Winona. New sites could be offered at additional locations depending on the volume of interested applicants.

Applications for the 2010-2011 program year are now being accepted. Interested families are encouraged to apply early because openings fill quickly. Call your local Semcac Contact Center for more assistance with your Head Start application.

Our staff is ready to help you with these few steps:

1. Complete a simple application. You may view and print the application from Semcac's website under "Publications.” (choose "Head Start Applications" under the Select Category menu). Or click on this link: http://www.semcac.org/publications/ipaper/show_category/8

2.  Verify your income status.

3.  Confirm your child has the required immunizations.

4.  If needed, document the special needs of your child.

Our priority is to serve families who meet federal income guidelines.   

Please call 866-808-0260 and ask for Head Start Enrollment.

To request an application for the Minnesota Fix-Up Fund, call Vonda at 507-864-8241. To request an application for the Rehab Loan Program, call Cindy at 507-864-8207.

Semcac's Community Development Department administers two types of housing rehab loans for owner-occupied homes:

1. The Minnesota Fix-Up Fund offers low interest loans for households with annual income at or below $93,000. Year-round owner-occupied homes, including single family homes and duplexes up to a four-plex are allowable. The applicant must have decent credit.
2. The Rehabilitation Loan Program offers deferred, no interest loans for low-income households. Income limits are determined by the number of household members. Household of 1: income cannot exceed $17,700. Household of 2: income cannot exceed $20,200. Household of 3: income cannot exceed $22,700. Household of 4: income cannot exceed $25,200. Household of 5: income cannot exceed $27,200.

For the Minnesota Fix-Up Fund: The maximum loan amount is $35,000 offered at a below market fixed annual interest rate. There is no downpayment required. There may be a pre-payment penalty. If the original term of the loan is 36 months or less there is no prepayment penalty. If the loan is over a three year duration, and you pay off the loan in the first 36 months of the date of the Note, a prepayment penalty in the amount of the lesser of 60 days interest or 2% of the outstanding principal balance at the time of pay-off will be charged. If the loan is prepaid because the property has been sold, no prepayment penalty will be charged.

For the Rehab Loan Program: The maximum loan amount is $24,999 for up to 15 years at no interest. This loan places a mortgage on the property that is forgivable after 15 years if the home has remained the owner's principal place of residence. For mobile homes in mobile home parks, the mortgage term is 10 years. If it is determined that a home has lead paint present that must be addressed, an additional amount up to $10,000 may be used for this purpose.

1. For the Minnesota Fix-Up Fund: Add a room addition, new garage, furnace/air/conditioning installation, roof replacement, siding, windows, septic system, well, electrical updates, energy conservation, accessibility improvements and many other repairs. NOT ALLOWED: Swimming pools, tennis courts, saunas, hot tubs, patios, gazebos, garages larger than 800 square feet, conversion of a non-residential structure to a residential, shelling in a room addition, moving a house, repairs to outside buildings including sheds, utility building, shops, barns and silos.
2. For the Rehab Loan Program: Plumbing, electrical wiring, roofing, heating, accessibility improvements, and remedy of any defect preventing the structure from meeting code requirements.

Anyone age 60 and over is welcome. Spouses are automatically included regardless of age. The service, facility and benefits of this program are for the use of all older people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.

Diners are given the opportunity to donate toward the cost of the meal. Donation guidelines are posted at the sites. No one is denied a meal because on inability to contribute. Food Stamp EBT cards are welcome.

Contact your local dining site between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon to reserve your meal. Dining sites are listed on the Senior Dining page under the Senior Services menu.

Semcac Senior Dining receives federal and state funding under a contract with the Southeastern Minnesota Area Agency on Aging. Local contributions from counties, cities, United Way agencies, and business and individual donations, including participant donations, are vital for the program’s continuation as well.

RSVP is in all counties in Minnesota. Semcac RSVP covers Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Mower and Steele Counties.

RSVP is funded through the Corporation for National Service, Minnesota Board on Aging, Semcac, county and city support and local donations.

Mileage may be reimbursed at the current IRS rate up to a maximum of $15.00 per month. Mileage reimbursements are paid out on a quarterly basis.

That is totally up to each volunteer. The nicest part of being a volunteer is that you volunteer when, where and how often you chose.

55 years or older.

At local non-profits throughout your county. Your local coordinator will tell you where they are.

RSVP offers recognitions once a year for our volunteers. We provide supplemental personal, accident, and liability insurance to cover you if you are injured while volunteering, and mileage reimbursement when requested.