Author: J Miles

June 2021

2021 marks the 57th year since the Community Action Network was established to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty. Over 1000 agencies across the country are working every day to create opportunities and transform the lives of their neighbors making communities stronger and helping families across the US thrive.

This year, Central Kentucky Community Action Council, a proud member of the Community Action Network, celebrated 54 years helping families throughout Marion, Washington, Larue, Hardin, Meade, Nelson, Grayson and Breckinridge County. Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact CKCAC and our network have had on families with immediately needed services such as shelter and food, and also long-term solutions like education and job placement. 

During the Marion County Chamber Luncheon in May, with nearly 100 in attendance, the work of Central Kentucky Community Action was spotlighted. May was also the perfect month to reflect on the many accomplishments of our organization during the COVID-19 pandemic with social media posts.

Community Action Agencies serve 99% of all American counties with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. We are proud of our communities’ participation in the development and oversight of our programs, their engagement helps us to be more effective in our approach by determining what our area needs.

More to come………. .much more……………..

Today’s highlighted RSVP volunteer is Ms. Emma Tyler. Ms. Tyler is 75 years young. She likes to stay busy and loves helping people. She has been a RSVP Volunteer since 2005 and has held 6 jobs at 5 workstations including Baptist Health Hardin and Mission Hope for Kids in Elizabethtown. She has also served on the RSVP Advisory Council since 2014 and is a Senior Companion to a very special 96-year-old lady that she loves dearly.

Emma has 2 sons and 1 daughter. She also has 7 other “kids” that call her mom. She has 7 grandchildren and “too many others to count” that call her Grandma Emma. She is active in her church, enjoys cross stitching and reading. Emma says that helping others keeps her strong in mind, body and spirit. She hopes that programs such as RSVP and SCP will be around when she needs them.

RSVP needs more volunteers like Emma! Please contact Melissa Bland at 270-737-1059 or e-mail RSVP.Director@ckcac.org if you would like more information about becoming a RSVP Volunteer in Hardin or Nelson County.

The Senior Companion Program is definitely operating during its busiest time of the year! We have submitted two grants within the last couple of months, completed several major reports, and even planned for the annual volunteer recognition that will take place next month!  

Recently, SCP submitted a grant application requesting $9,000.00 to Tri-County United Way. This was the first time in the programs existence and applying through United Way that we were awarded what we had requested! This was most definitely shocking as you rarely get what you ask for from any agency in which you are applying for funding. We couldn’t be more excited and thankful that United Way supports and believes in our mission so strongly! We will keep our commitment in making sure we excel and achieve in the performance measurements as well as carrying out the services we promised in our current work plans!

The Senior Companion Program also submitted their federal grant to the Corporation for National and Community Service in March, requesting $241,1432.00 to operate the program. The grant application is currently awaiting for the grant officer’s approval. If approved, the program will be operating in its first year of a 3-year grant cycle. Notice of grant awards will be announced by the end of the month.  

Client updates, volunteer evaluations, and income reviews are all being conducted at this time. Everyone is doing an awesome job in fulfilling the program’s mission and is currently income eligible to serve. Of the client surveys completed, each have stated that themselves and their families were extremely satisfied with our services and the vitality of the program. This is certainly reassuring to know that the Senior Companion Program is definitely making positive impacts within the communities it serves.  

Due to COVID, it was extremely challenging to conduct the mandated annual reviews. An allowance has been in effect since March 16, 2020, and will extend through September 30, 2021, that allows the volunteers to still receive their regular stipend checks for hours volunteered. At this time, we are still carrying out the true meaning of the Senior Companion Program and providing companionship to so many isolated seniors by making daily welfare checks to all of our clients over the telephone and through FaceTime calls. We are currently working to plan and implement the most effective ways in practicing safe volunteering and social distancing while serving our clients when our volunteers return full-time!  

The “Annual Volunteer Recognition” of course will be a lot different than usual due to COVID. Stay tuned, we will be sure to share the details and pictures in our next newsletter!

The Senior Companion Program has lost another dedicated volunteer and vital asset to the program. It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we report, Ms. Elizabeth Wells, our Volunteer Leader in Hardin County passed away on Sunday morning, May 2, 2021, with all of her children by her side. She was such a beautiful soul and would brighten any room she walked into! We loved and respected her personality and her ability to never meet a stranger. We will definitely miss her hard work and dedication and we couldn’t be more grateful to have volunteered with Liz. We were all definitely blessed by her presence and it was such an honor to have known her. We will never forget her, as she touched everyone’s heart that crossed her path! 

CKCATS is certainly getting back to normal operations with our trip count back up to 80- 85% in the month of April.  This is a huge hurdle for CKCATS since we were at 25% capacity this time last year due to Covid-19.  We are so proud of our employees for their resilience during that time and for helping out other programs.

CKCATS employees assisted the Senior Centers serve Congregate Meals. CKCATS Employees assisted in food box delivery for Feeding America for the CSBG program. And, CKCATS employees helped sanitize Head Start buildings. In addition, CKCATS employees continued to also sanitize all buses and county offices. CKCATS employees continue to follow the CDC guidelines to keep our clients and staff safe. 

CKCATS is also happy to report that in Feb 2021, the Office of Transportation Delivery awarded Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental and Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA) in the amount of $1,045,282. These funds are for emergency needs for Transit agencies for payroll and operational needs. 

CKCATS is currently waiting for 3 more SUVS that should be delivered soon. CKCATS also received funds for our FY22 grant funds in the amount of $113,632 to purchase two 8 x 2 buses.  

Because of the increase in recent trips, CKCATS is currently hiring as well. There are multiple driver positions available within our program. There is even a Saturday-only position for anyone with a Monday – Friday job already. Or, perhaps a retired individual who doesn’t want to commit to 40-hours a week, but would like to get out of the house a bit to help those in need. Please send a resume to careers@ckcac.org to apply or inquire about these positions.

Goode News – May 2021
May is here and that means once again it’s time to celebrate Community Action Month.  2021 marks the 57th year since the Community Action Network was established to help American families and communities overcome obstacles to poverty.   Because of the pandemic, we’ve learned to adapt the way we do things, and by now I’m sure we all have grown accustomed to adapting. We have seen how agencies in every corner of America have adjusted operations and stepped up in a big way to meet the growing needs of their communities.   Central Kentucky Community Action Council is no different.  
Each May, during Community Action Month, we reflect on the impact we have on local individuals and families. utility assistance, transportation, rent/move in assistance and/or case management and individualized education to kiddos/parents. We have been active & engaged as a participant in COVID response and recovery efforts, utilizing state and federal resources to address needs which support the local economy and those that are looking for a hand up whether it be Seniors, children, or struggling families. Community Action Agencies serve 99% of all American counties with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability. All agencies are locally controlled and represented by the private, public, and low-income sectors of the community. All agencies are required to respond to the most prevalent needs in each community, through providing direct services or by supporting community efforts in local initiatives. The team at Central Kentucky Community Action Council believes in the strength, dignity, and potential of all people. We offer access to opportunities, resources, and services to strengthen individuals, families, and communities. We are committed to improving the community’s response to rural poverty and giving a voice to the unheard. Check us out at our website www.ckcac.org & take a look at our online annual report. We welcome you to be a part of the solution.  

More to come………much more.

LIHEAP CRISIS UPDATE – Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis has been extended through April 15, 2021, or until designated funds are depleted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Benefits are available to assist households experiencing a home heating crisis. Eligibility has expanded to allow Kentuckians on arrearage payment plans or with late/overdue amounts to apply. So far, 3,976 Applications and 2,821 Unduplicated Households have spent $921,019.24 of the available money. Contact your local Community Action Agency to apply.

Kentucky Utilities Louisville Gas & Electric Heating Assistance Program – The Community Services Staff has 259 active participants in the KU Heating Assistance Program and 35 in the Louisville Gas and Electric.  Through this program, eligible customers will receive a $88.00 credit on their electric bill during the seven months of expected highest electricity usage. The total value of this program equals $181,104.00 for these families. To qualify for the program the family must: be a KU or LG&E customer, and have made an application for LIHEAP and the HEA program and keep bills current, not going into disconnect.

Educational Scholarship Program – Scholarship Packets have been delivered to the Principals and Counselors at each High School and Vocational School, and the Adult Learning Centers in our service area, informing them of this program. Students are encouraged to apply for the scholarships that are paid directly to the college or technical school for tuition or books. Deadlines for application submission is

 Community Needs Assessment – The Community Needs Assessment has been completed. The results will be used to establish the Priorities for the CSBG Work Plan that will be included in the 2021-2022 CSBG Budget Proposal. Thanks to all who completed the Needs Assessment Survey Form.

Answer Choices	Responses
Employment	77.66%	1050
Education	52.37%	708
Income and Asset Building	29.73%	402
Housing	64.35%	870
Health	46.45%	628
Civic Engagement	4.51%	61
Support Services (supporting multiple domains)	24.93%	337
	Answered	1352

Central Kentucky Community Action’s Weatherization Program has completed a total of 18 homes with DOE and LIHEAP funding with 2 cancellations, and 17 homes which have been deferred due to needs outside the of our program guidelines, as of February 28, 2021.

CKCAC has 15 clients on the waiting list to receive Weatherization services as of January 1^st 2021. The Weatherization Program is fully staffed with an in-house crew and are still utilizing contractors to perform HVAC and Electrical work that we have to perform to the dwellings receiving services. We look forward to the future of the new contract year of CKCAC’s weatherization program to progress and better serve our 8 county service area.

Central Kentucky Community Action Council Wx program is fully staffed with a highly trained supporting and technical staff consisting of Denny Baxter Dwelling Needs Evaluator EA/QCI Josh Mattingly Crew Leader, Ashley Hines Retrofit Installer, Tessa Hinton Retrofit Installer, and supporting staff Barbara Garrett Accounting/Weatherization Assistant. We would like to say a huge thank you to all WX staff for their dedication for improving the quality of work and the dedication to ensure the health and safety of all the clients we serve.

Central Kentucky Community Action Council has leveraged funds from utilities to expand the reach of the Weatherization Assistance Program. This year we are leveraging funding from DOE, LIHEAP, ATMOS, East Kentucky Power, Kentucky Utilities, and Louisville Gas& Electric.

Our goal with weatherization is to continue to reduce energy waste and assure the Health and safety of each client we serve through testing consisting of; aliening air and thermal boundaries, pressure diagnostics, heating system diagnostics, indoor air quality, and base load energy consumption diagnostics.

To receive Weatherization services, or learn more about the program, please call 270-259-0021.

The Kentucky Works program currently has 9 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. In addition, the program did have one new client that began unsubsidized employment this quarter.
On the SNAP Employment and Training program we continue to reach out to clients and complete assessments when they are referred to us. We have 61 referrals for the SNAP program at this time.

We continue to stay in touch weekly with employers in each county we serve regarding their current needs and work opportunities. When KW gets referrals we match the client’s skills with the employer needs to have a good match which ensures a good working relationship between the client and employer.
Thankfully, 23 Work Experience Sites continue to be open and/or are willing to accept our referrals due to many company closures due to COVID-19. Normally, KY Works is able to utilize 135 sites across 17 counties.

KW staff continues to stay in touch virtually including a staff meeting that was held on February 10, 2021, to discuss all relative matters in the program. We discussed the recent survey conducted by Central Kentucky Community Action Council including communication skills and best ways to communicate in the new virtual world. We discussed how KY Works continues to offer a wage subsidy program where if an employer hires one of our K-TAP clients they will be reimbursed for a portion of their wages during the first six months of employment. A training presentation on Leadership, Communication, Team Effectiveness, and Stress Management was also shared with staff during this meeting.

The Kentucky Works Program supports the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the following Kentucky counties. Anderson, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Franklin, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, Washington, and Woodford. Covid-19 continues to have a significant impact on both of our programs. While there is a current state of emergency, the state of Kentucky has implemented a “Good Cause exemption” where clients are not required to participate in the programs. This good cause exemption is currently in effect through 4-30-2021 but could be extended beyond that date until the vaccines can be more widely distributed.