Author: Kathy Mills

CKCAC Announces Bryan Conover as New Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Hal B. Goode
Executive Director
Central Kentucky Community Action Council
270-692-2136
hal.goode@ckcac.org

Central Kentucky Community Action Council Announces Bryan Conover as New Executive Director

Lebanon, Ky — October 17th, 2024 —Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Bryan Conover as its new Executive Director, effective January 2025. Conover brings a wealth of experience in community service and leadership, making him a perfect fit for this vital role in our organization and the community we serve.

Bryan Conover comes to this position with over 15 years of professional experience in education, fiscal, and non-profit management. Conover currently serves as CKCAC’s Head Start and Early Head Start Director, where he helps children and families in our community access high-quality early childhood education and wraparound support.

“We are excited to have Bryan as the new Executive Director,” stated Andrew Adkins, Chairman of the CKCAC Board of Directors. “His passion for serving our communities and proven track record of successful leadership will undoubtedly drive our mission forward and enhance the lives of those we serve in central Kentucky.”

As Executive Director, Conover will lead CKCAC and its 13 programs in its ongoing efforts to address the challenges facing low-income individuals and families of central Kentucky. He aims to expand existing programs, develop new initiatives, and strengthen partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and the community at large.

“I am honored to be named as Central Kentucky Community Action Council’s new Executive Director,” Conover said. “I want to thank Mr. Goode and the CKCAC Board of Directors for entrusting this position to me. I believe in the power of community collaboration and am eager to work alongside our dedicated CKCAC staff, volunteers, and partners to create meaningful change in our community. CKCAC stands ready to work with any and all to combat poverty in central Kentucky. ”

Central Kentucky Community Action Council is dedicated to improving the lives of those in our region through programs focused on early childhood education, economic development, nutrition, health and wellness, and housing supports. With Conover’s leadership, CKCAC is poised to continue making a significant impact in our community. He is committed to CKCAC’s mission of empowering individuals and families of central Kentucky to achieve self-sufficiency.

Conover holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Transylvania University and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University (OH). He lives in Elizabethtown with his wife, Marian, and daughter, Rosemary. “I want to thank my family for their never-ending support and love. Also, a big thank you to my parents for all they have done for me and for helping lead me on this journey,” Conover said.

For more information about Bryan Conover and the Central Kentucky Community Action Council, please visit www.CKCAC.org or contact Hal B. Goode at 270-692-2136.

Weatherization At Work For The Clients We Serve

The Weatherization Program provides weatherization services to our 8-county area. Our final numbers for the contract year are as follows: 11 completed units, 9 jobs in-progress, and 9 deferrals to carry over into the next contract year. The Weatherization Program is staffed with an in-house crew, and we are utilizing contractors to perform QCI inspections, HVAC and electrical work that we must perform to the dwellings receiving services.

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.

Central Kentucky Community Action Council Weatherization program is fully staffed with a highly trained supporting and technical staff consisting of Josh Mattingly-Dwelling Needs Evaluator/Crew Leader, Tessa Hinton-Crew Leader, Mike Burden-Retrofit Installer, and Samantha Ross-Weatherization Administrative Support Specialist. We would like to say a huge thank you to all Weatherization staff for their dedication to improving the quality of work and dedication to ensuring 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, BIL, LIHEAP, East Kentucky Power, Kentucky Utilities, and Louisville Gas and Electric.

Kentucky Works Program

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. Our goal is to assess these individuals to identify barriers, work to overcome those barriers to make them self-sufficient. We also have job readiness classes to help with resumes, job search, job interviews, etc.

·       We currently have 66 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 16 workers since the last quarter. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 88 clients in the K-Tap program for the quarter ending September 30, 2024. We placed 59 clients in the quarter.

·       On the SNAP Employment and Training program we continue to reach out to these clients and complete assessments when they are referred to us. We served 3,024 clients for the SNAP program during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, up from 1,334 from the previous fiscal year.

·       We continue to stay in touch with employers and if we do get referrals we match the clients skills with the employer needs to have a good match. We call new employers each week and keep a current job listing for each county we serve.

·       Our staff continues to stay in touch with staff meeting every other month, either in person or virtually to discuss all relative matters in the program.

·       We continue 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 month of employment.

 

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

CSBG/LIHEAP September 2024

Our program continues its work from being an immediate emergency assistance provider to becoming a program that really helps the families of low-income change their lives. Although we continue to provide emergency assistance, we also assist with budgeting, developing family goal plans and strategies to avoid future emergencies. As we work with families to develop strategies to prevent future emergencies, tips such as budget billing, paying your rent first, shopping at less expensive stores, and controlling impulsive spending are helpful and sometimes well received. Those not working are encouraged to find employment. Our employment and education programs can assist with small barriers to gaining full time employment or better employment. How do we help? It can be partial assistance with a CNA, CDL class, or proper clothing and shoes for a new job, gas for transportation to work for a week.

SUMMER COOLING   3,098 households have been assisted; total spent $554,757.00.

PREPARING FOR LIHEAP

Official Dates for Subsidy, November 5th   through December 20th.

We will be taking appointments this year.

The vendor information packets have been sent to over 100 vendors. Vendor advertisements have run in local papers throughout the 8-county region. The vendor agreements must be on file in the Central Office before vendors can participate in the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program. When these agreements are returned by mail, they will be reviewed, filed, and then the information updated in the computers in the county offices.

Pre-registration opportunities for the 2024-2025 Subsidy Heating Assistance Program will be offered during the appointment, October 21st – November 1st or those residents who are on a fixed income, and who are elderly (age 60 or over) or disabled receiving social security, SSI, pension, or Black Lung benefits. Pre-registration benefits will be posted in November.

Applicants must be within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and willing to provide the documentation below:

  • Address Verification, metered utility bill, unopened legal piece of first-class mail confirming the name and address, etc.
  •  Proof of all household income for the preceding month (food stamp award letter, pay stubs, etc.).
  • Social Security card(s) or official documentation with social security numbers or Permanent Resident Card Numbers for everyone living in the household.
  • Most recent heating bill or verification from landlord that heating expenses are included in the rent (i.e. lease agreements).

Income-eligible residents who do not meet the requirements for pre-registration (who are not elderly or disabled) may still apply for Subsidy LIHEAP benefits starting November 5 – December 20, 2024, by appointment. Walk-ins will be offered an appointment or wait for an opening.

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT for 2024-2025 is underway. The results help determine the CSBG program budget for the upcoming year. We need a broad range of community members to complete the survey, so feel free to share. Your help is greatly appreciated. If you are a CKCAC Board member completing the survey, please choose board member.

Could you please go online and complete this survey for Central Kentucky Community Action? This survey is for our Community Needs Assessment for year 2025-2026.

The survey allows us to continue to have programs in our county. You can do this by clicking on the link below or scanning the QR code.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/32QCM9X-2024-2025CNA

Goode News – October 2024

As we step into October, the change in seasons reminds us of the importance of change in our own lives, particularly for those striving to overcome the challenges of poverty. At Central Kentucky Community Action Council, our mission remains centered on helping individuals and families break free from the cycle of poverty, and leadership is key to making that possible.

Leadership isn’t just about guiding others; it’s about lifting them up and providing the tools they need to move forward successfully. For many, escaping poverty feels overwhelming, like trying to climb an impossible hill. Our role is to offer not only a hand but also hope, practical resources, and ongoing support that helps build confidence in a brighter future.

Success stories show us that with proper guidance, education, job training, and community support, people can find sustainable paths out of poverty. Our team works hard every day to lead with compassion, empowering individuals to make choices that change their lives for the better.

But leadership extends beyond our staff—it includes every community member who supports our programs. Whether it’s through volunteerism, donations, or simply spreading awareness, you are part of the leadership that strengthens our efforts. Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient Central Kentucky.

As we continue into the fall, let’s keep leading with purpose, knowing that our efforts have the potential to create real and lasting change. Let’s continue to believe in the power of community action.

Thank you for being part of this important mission. More to come…………….much more

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy 2024

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy 2024 Starts November 5 – December 20, 2024

 

Breckinridge Co CSBG                                   270-756-6813

Grayson Co CSBG                                            270-259-3500

Hardin Co CSBG                                               502-764-2221

LaRue Co CSBG                                                270-358-3937

Marion Co CSBG                                              270-692-6411

Meade Co CSBG                                                270-422-2545

Nelson Co CSBG                                               502-348-9596

Washington Co CSBG                                    859-336-7766

What you need to bring when you apply:

Proof of Social Security Number of Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household

 

Proof of household’s members income from the prior month.

 

Current heating bill, or statement from your landlord if they are included in your rent, or statement from utility company if you participate in Pre-Pay.

 

The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

HOUSEHOLD SIZE GROSS MONTHLY INCOME
1 $1,883.00
2 $2,555.00
3 $3,228.00
4 $3,900.00
5 $4,573.00
6 $5,245.00
7 $5,918.00
8 $6,590.00

Both phases of LIHEAP are federally funded programs.  Operations of both phases are contingent upon Federal appropriation.

This project is funded in part under a contract with the Cabinet for Health & Family Services with funds from CSBG Act of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CKCAC’s Congregate Meals Program-Open Interviews in Grayson County

Central Kentucky Community Action Council’s Congregate Meals Program

Positions Open:

Congregate Meals Coordinator-Full-Time 30 hours per week

Cook-Part-Time 5 hours daily/25 hours per week
 
Date/Time:
 
Friday, September 27, 2024
10AM-12PM (noon)
 
Location:
 
Grayson County Senior Center
102 B Watkins Woods Drive
Leitchfield, KY 42754
 
Visit our website www.ckcac.org for job duties see careers.
If you have questions please contact Melissa Brown, Congregate Meals Program Director at 270-692-2136 ext. 603.