County reaches out to TRE residents

Sixteen-year-old Desiree Rogers has a lot on her plate.

The single mom of 18-month-old Mikeal Lee said she had to drop out of Douglas High School when the DART bus route to Topaz Ranch Estates was canceled.

With a baby to care for, no car, and 22 miles from town, Rogers' options were limited.

When Douglas County social services eligibility specialist Karen Beckerbauer showed up June 9 for her monthly visit to TRE, Rogers was ecstatic.

"My church let me know Monday night that she would be here and I just walked over with the baby," Rogers said.

"She got me help with food vouchers and WIC (women, infants and children) benefits," she said. "I can get diapers. I didn't know I could get diapers. I am down to like six."

Rogers is intent on completing high school. Like many TRE and Topaz residents, she hopes DART will resume the bus service that is critical to her success.

"She (Beckerbauer) said she would help try to get a DART route down here so I can get back to school and get the baby to day care," Rogers said.

Rogers moved to TRE from Colorado and is living with her aunt.

She's exactly the type of client Douglas County Social Services Manager Karen Goode had in mind with the outreach program.

On the second Tuesday of every month, Beckerbauer - who lives in TRE - sets up shop at the TRE Community Center.

The social services eligibility specialist's visit from 12:30-4:30 p.m. coincides with the center's lunch program, and gives Beckerbauer a chance to chat with the 30-45 people who stop in for lunch.

She also can make home visits for clients unable to stop by the center.

"I just bring everything with me when I come down here," said Beckerbauer, a former member of the TRE General Improvement District.

Services provided include:

n Screening for the Carson Valley Community Food Closet;

n Assistance with Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid and other resources applications;

n Screening for utility or rent assistance;

n Referrals to support services in and around the community;

n Assistance with medications when there is no insurance.

On June 9, she was able to provide information to residents about energy assistance, rural housing and Medicaid.

Beckerbauer said the word's getting out that she is available at the community center.

On June 9, Douglas County Library Services Coordinator Carol Negeotte was also at the center for a children's story hour to encourage participation in the summer reading program.

TRE resident Margaret Howard and her 7-year-old daughter Jolena were the only ones who showed up, but "Miss Carol" read stories, sang and entertained the Howards with the same enthusiasm as if there were 50 kids in the audience.

She had Jolena making her own book.

"Jolena loves reading and I thought she would be interested in making a book," Margaret Howard said.

Jolena is signed up for the reading program which means trips to Minden.

"I go to town for work two times a week and once a week for groceries," Howard said.

"This is nice," she said of Nageotte's visit. "It took me about five minutes to get here."

TOPAZ RANCH ESTATES OUTREACH DAYS

On the second Tuesday of each month, a Douglas County Social Services worker will be at the TRE Community Center, Carter Way, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. The next outreach day is July 14. Walk-ins are welcome, appointments may be made by calling 782-9825.