Author: Kathy Mills

August is a time for renewal. Central Kentucky Head Start (CKYHS) welcomed all staff back for an exciting and innovative new school year. We implemented cluster trainings where a few centers would meet together and have more one-on-one time with our trainers. CKYHS also rolled out enrollment and screening procedures that are like our school system partners. Our mission is to teach, to lead, and to serve. All these changes are in hopes to provide the highest quality preschool experience for our children and families. Central Kentucky Head Start has also created the theme for this year as our “Year of We Are S.A.F.E.” S.A.F.E. stands for “Supportive”, “Attuned”, “Forming Relationship”, and “Empathic.” CKYHS will be recommitted to these tenets for this upcoming year.

Our Bardstown Head Start and Family Enrichment Center have relocated to the new Central KY Community Action Council (CKCAC) campus at 820/830 Pennsylvania Avenue in Bardstown. Having Head Start next door to other CKCAC programs has created a one-stop shop for our children and families. Renovations of the property are almost complete with new walls, paint, flooring, and playground all almost complete! We are so excited to better serve the families in Nelson County and Bardstown, specifically.

Lastly, CKYHS is hoping to get final decisions regarding our enrollment levels for Early Head Start and Head Start. We are about to begin a new five-year grant cycle and have requested to convert a few classrooms from Head Start to Early Head Start. We have also proposed 16 Head Start children per classroom to better align with educational best practices. The hope with these requests is that we can create a sustainable and supportive environment for our program’s next five years.

Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) is a proud sponsor of the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP is a federal program designed to promote the serving of nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in the care of participating childcare centers, day care homes and adult day care centers. CKCAC currently sponsors 24 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH), 24 Unaffiliated Day Care Centers (UC) and 1 Emergency Shelter in the following 18 Kentucky counties: Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Jessamine, LaRue, Lincoln, Meade, Mercer, Nelson, Pulaski, Scott, Taylor, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford.

The CACFP benefits the children, the child care facilities, the parents/guardians of the children and our communities. Below are some of the many benefits the food program provides.

CACFP Benefits for Children Include:

·  Served three meals a day that are USDA certified: usually breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

·  Served cow’s milk or nutritional equivalent twice a day.

·  Served fruits and vegetables daily; often fresh which they may not receive otherwise.

·  At least one of the grains served each day is a whole grain.

·  Some FCCH and Centers have small gardens and get the children involved with the gardening process and the rewards of fresh fruit and/or vegetables. The more the children are involved in the growing, gathering and/or preparing of meals, the more likely they are to try new foods.

·  CACFP requires sugar limits on cereal, etc. that is provided as CACFP components. (Sugar/Serving Size=0.212 or less)

·  CACFP helps children receive needed nutrients that they may not otherwise receive; while helping them create healthy eating habits they can continue into adulthood, or at least revisit as adults.

Sponsored Home and Center Benefits Include:

·  Can advertise as a CACFP participant which lets parents/guardians know their children will receive USDA certified menus while in their care.

·  Receives food costs reimbursement based on the number of meals served and the Free, Reduced and Paid eligibility of the children in their care, which helps with rising grocery costs.

·  Sponsor provides staff training each year; checks the monthly reports for accuracy and makes necessary changes before submitting reimbursement information to the state; and bears the weight of any issues like requested refunds by the state.

Parent/Guardian Benefits Include:

·  Child is receiving a well-rounded diet which promotes a healthy child physically and emotionally, often resulting in a happier child and less medical costs.

·  Childcare receiving CACFP reimbursements are less likely to have to raise their rates due to the rising cost of food.

·  Children exposed to more types of foods may be more willing to try additional food options the parent/guardian provides, resulting in a less picky eater.

Community Benefits Include:

·  CACFP makes child care in our communities more affordable due to the food costs reimbursements received by Family Child Care Homes and Centers participating in the program.

·  CACFP promotes healthy eating habits for community youth which ultimately results in a healthier community.

·  CACFP encourages needed child care homes and centers to open in our communities because it’s more affordable due to the food costs reimbursements, which in turn enables more parents/guardians to enter the local workforce.

If you know of any Family Child Care Homes and/or Day Care Centers who are interested in finding out more about the Child and Adult Care Food Program and whether they are eligible to participate, they may contact CKCAC’s FCCH/UC Director, Kathy Hagan at 270-692-2136 X501 or by email at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org.

Trail of Hope Regional Network will be meeting at Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown at 10 AM on September 17^th for our first meeting of the year. The Trail of Hope Regional Network is comprised of anyone from the Lincoln Trail region who come together to increase awareness of child abuse and neglect. If you are interested in being a network member please reach out to Ronda Bertrand, Community Collaboration for Children (CCC) Director at 270-692-7553. On November 19th CCC Trail of Hope Regional Meeting will meet at Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown at 10 AM. Trail of Hope Regional Networks Build A Bed program has been busy making sure 14 children have a bed since the first of July. We are working on sponsorships to purchase bed frames, mattresses, bedding, and pillows.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program is excited to partner with Washington County Elementary schools and Elizabethtown Independent Schools this year. We are working on expanding into other counties.

Wow!! Cakes 4 Kids volunteers have been busy the past several months. CCC has delivered 6 cakes to our families.

October 1st, CCC will be putting out Toys for Tots boxes in Nelson County. 

Upcoming SEACAA Conference: Preparing for a Stronger Future

As we look ahead to the upcoming Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) Annual Conference, I am excited to represent Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) and join leaders from across the region. This conference provides us with invaluable opportunities to grow, learn, and develop strategies that help us better serve the needs of our community.

Building Stronger Communities Through Collaboration

SEACAA’s mission is to equip Community Action Agencies with the tools and knowledge to work more effectively with local leaders, volunteers, and other organizations. The importance of these partnerships cannot be overstated. Through collaboration, we can tackle challenges such as poverty, housing, and food insecurity with a united front. At this year’s conference, I look forward to learning new approaches and sharing ideas with fellow attendees on how to better engage and mobilize local resources to meet the diverse needs of our communities.

Focus on Early Childhood Education and Head Start

CKCAC Head Start Director, Bryan Conover will be attending the conference as well and one of the critical issues that SEACAA continues to address is early childhood education. Our Head Start programs are at the heart of this effort, providing comprehensive services that go beyond just classroom learning. Head Start ensures that children receive access to healthcare, nutrition, and family support, giving them the strong foundation they need to succeed in school and beyond. At the conference, there will be important discussions around the future of early childhood education and how we can continue to enhance these services for the benefit of children and families.

Who SEACAA Is and Why It Matters

For those unfamiliar, SEACAA is an organization that supports Community Action Agencies across the Southeastern United States. Their work focuses on empowering agencies like ours to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life for low-income families. SEACAA provides resources, advocacy, and training that help us to expand our reach, improve our programs, and build stronger communities.

I have attended the SEACAA conference in the past and firmly believe those conferences are  equipped with new insights and strategies that will help Central Kentucky Community Action continue its mission of supporting our most vulnerable neighbors.

Thank you for your continued support, and more to come……………………much more……………….

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) is actively looking for volunteers and our numbers are growing!