MAJORITY CAUCUS SECRETARY
TED HOUSE
SENATOR, SECOND DISTRICT
SAINT CHARLES, LINCOLN, WARREN, PIKE
AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES
ROOM 227, STATE CAPITOL
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI
1-800-526-8437
MISSOURI SENATE
JEFFERSON CITY
May 13, 1998
Ms. Faun Collett
Faun Haven Kennels
366 Cannonball
Warrenton, Mo 63383
Dear Ms. Collett:
Enclosed is a copy of a letter I recently received from Dr. Bob Bartman, Commissioner of Education in response to the inquiry I made on your behalf last March regarding your training service and assistant dogs.I am pleased to know that DESE has been in touch with you and has offered additional avenues for you to pursue. I do hope you will be able to obtain some assistance by using their suggestions.
Please accept my best wishes as you try to keep this wonderful program.
Thank you for giving me the privilege to be of assistance.
Sincerely,
TED HOUSE
State Senator
TCI/sh
Enclosure
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Reorganized School District Number 3 Of Warren County
302 Kuhl Avenue
Warrenton, Missouri 63383-2198
James E. Dishman, SUPERINTENDENT
Jerry Barber, Director
Boone Station Alternative School
519A East Oak
Warrenton, MO 63383
February 17, 1998
Doug and Faun Collett
Faun Haven Kennels
366 Cannonball
Warrenton, MO 63383
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Collett,
I want to thank you for giving the students at Warren County R-III School District and Boone Station Alternative School an opportunity to participate in your dog training program. I was quite happy when Mrs. Kim Burrows worked out the details with you so that our students at Boone Station could participate. Mrs. Burrows has told me a lot about your program and I feel that it helps the students at Boone Station develop several of the skills they will need upon entering the work force.
I find that the student's attitudes concerning school has improved. I feel that the student's self-esteem has also improved especially on the days they are involved with your program. The students also learn the responsibility of caring for animals and that helps them in other situations,
I really admire what you are doing with the animals. I never dreamed that dogs could be taught 89 separate tasks. I know there is a real need for your program throughout your county Warren County and Missouri should both be happy with your program. Your program could be instrumental in helping physically and mentally disabled people to be able to function more effectively within our community.
I wish you the best and continued success with your program. Thanks again for letting the students of Boone Station participate in your program, and I look forward to working with you in the future.
Sincerely yours,
Jerry Barber
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MISSOURI
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
DIVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES
PO BOX 447
JEFFERSON CITY, MO
63102-0447
TELEPHONE: 573-751-3324
FAX: 573-526-4494
December 4, 1998
Faun Collett, President
Academy of Missouri Education Network
Dear Mrs. Collett:
Thank you for sharing your valuable experiences in training at-risk youth to train service dogs for the physically challenged. Your idea of developing a connection between a youth and animals to teach personal, interpersonal and transitional skills impresses me.
As an agency treating and service adjudicated youth, we see many youth who have not developed the interpersonal and life skills necessary to become productive citizens. Many of our youth have been abused and/or neglected and have not learned to develop healthy bonds. Many youth have not learned to handle responsibilities. Many do not feel valued. Learning animal care skills not only addresses those life skills, but also provides vocational/career opportunities for some youth.
A logical connection is drawn between teaching youth to train and care for service dogs and learning patience, responsibility, and self value. Nurturing and caring behaviors needed to train service animals may transfer to the youth's relationships with family and peers. We know the value of experiential education and daily application of academic skills in developing young people. The description of your program seems to support those learning strategies.
As an agency, we are interested in learning more about your program. I see the potential for students in nearby DYS residential facilities using your program as either a community service project or a treatment activity. I also see potential for DYS youth in your area being assigned to your program as a part of their aftercare programming. Your employment of teachers increases the feasibility of assigning youth who are in need of day treatment services not otherwise available in your area.
I see potential interest in your proposal for the juvenile and family courts in your judicial circuit. The Division of Youth Services supports juvenile court diversion programs intent on diverting youth from continued involvement with the courts and law enforcement. Your program may be a viable project for DYS support through the juvenile court diversion grant. Finally, as a not-for-profit organization, the possibility exists that your site would be eligible to be designated as a work site for youth working under the Private Industry Council program.
To summarize, your program concepts and description appear to have merit and deserving of further consideration. We will discuss with our regional administrators the prospect of your program serving DYS youth.
We are interested in obtaining as much information as possible about your program. I would like to schedule a visit for myself and our Northwest Regional Administrator to discuss your program for meeting the needs of some of the youth we serve.
Sincerely,
Dennis M. Gragg
Education Director
cc: Vicky Weimholt, Deputy Director
Terry Finn, Regional Administrator
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DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY EDUCATIONP.O. BOX 480
JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI 65102-0480
May 12, 1998
Honorable Ted House
Missouri Senate
State Capitol, Room 227
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Dear Senator House:
Thank you for your letter of March 10, 1998, regarding the unique program offered by
Mrs, Faun Collett, President of Faun Haven Kennels, Inc, Warrenton, Missouri. Indeed the program entitled, "Training Service and Assistant Dogs for the Physically and Mentally Challenged," sounds exciting and is providing a valuable service to our disabled citizens.
After receiving your letter, I asked staff in our Division of Vocational and Adult Education to review the materials you provided and determine if any state assistance might be available. Currently, both federal and state vocational education funds are only provided to public; high schools, area vocational schools, and community colleges and universities. There are no provisions in federal and state statutes to provide vocational education funding to private, proprietary schools. Recently the United States Senate was debating the reauthorization of the federal vocational legislation. An amendment was entered to provide funding to private, proprietary schools. However, that amendment failed,
There are several other approaches that Mrs. Collett might want to consider. Our Department administers the 8% set aside for education in the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Private, proprietary schools may apply for state approval for students to attend the education program and receive financial assistance for tuition, books, and fees. By copy of this letter to him, I will ask Dr. Russell McCampbell, Assistant Commissioner of Vocational and Adult Education, to provide Mrs. Collett with a packet of material's regarding the approval process.
In addition, there may be some interest on behalf of our Independent Living Centers (for disabled citizens) in this program. By copy of this letter to him, I will ask Mr. Ronald Vessel, Assistant Commissioner for Vocational Rehabilitation, to make contact with Mrs. Collett regarding the Independent Living Center.
I hope that this information will be helpful to you and Mrs. Collett. While state and federal funding is not available for food, kennel equipment, or training areas, the above stated programs may provide Mrs. Collett with some other avenues of assistance.
Good wishes.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Bartman
Commissioner of Education
