Author: Kathy Mills

FREE Monthly Internet and Android Table through SWA Connect 877-333-6120

Who SWA Connect is?
 
SWA Connect is proud to be an authorized provider of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). As an ACP provider, we are committed to helping families, students, seniors, and individuals across the country access affordable, reliable broadband internet and the digital resources they need to thrive. With our nationwide coverage and commitment to quality, you can count on us to provide the support and service you need to stay connected and empowered.
 
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What is ACP??
 
The Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP is a government assistance program by the FCC designed to ensure that low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, education, healthcare, and more.
 
The ACP is a new program that has replaced the old, temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program on December 31, 2021. The old, temporary EBB program offered similar benefits as the ACP program and as it has proven to be vital for millions of Americans, the U.S. Congress has recently passed a bill to replace the short-term EBB program with a long-term program, which offers similar benefits.
 
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The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weatherization At Work For The Clients We Serve

The Weatherization Program is currently working to close out the program contract year while continuing training staff for new positions within the Weatherization Program. The Weatherization Program provides weatherization services to our 8-county area. Our final numbers for the contract year are as follows: 16 completed units, 7 jobs in-progress to carry over into the year contract year. The Weatherization Program is fully 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. 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. With the BIL funding we have been allocated funding to purchase new vehicles and equipment with the opportunity to offer services to qualifying multi-family projects/units throughout our 8 county service area.

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 Barbara Garrett 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 their 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, DOE BIL, LIHEAP, East Kentucky Power, Kentucky Utilities, and Louisville Gas & Electric.

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

CLOSING PROGRAM YEAR 2023-2024

The CSBG Staff has been busy closing out one Program Year and beginning a new one. Staff members have worked diligently to enter all services that have been provided into the computer. We followed up on many clients so that we could also report the outcome of our efforts through NPI’s and services report for CSBG.

The CSBG Staff have assisted 12,078 Individuals 6,128 Households-unduplicated count.

LIHEAP SUBSIDY 3,229 Households $420,707.00

LIHEAP CRISIS 4,542 Households $973,446.73

SPRING COOLING SUBSIDY 2,344 Households $332,402.00

SUMMER COOLING SUBSIDY 2,906 Households $526,356.00

LIHWAP SUBSIDY 1,122 Households $108,750.00

GARDENS 144 individual gardens are planted and flourishing with the recent rains.

YOUTH PROGRAMS – The Youth Programs carried out in the Counties have been exciting. We want to provide opportunities for children who may not have them otherwise. We were able to obtain a discounted family pass for one year with the Louisville Zoo and 47 families took advantage of the opportunity. 13 families received swim passes or lessons. 1 received an opportunity for 4-H camp.

Thank you to all the staff for their hard work with the various programs operated by Community Services.

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 48 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 1 worker 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 308 clients in the K-Tap program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. We placed 183 clients in the fiscal year.

·       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 1,120 clients for the SNAP program during the last quarter, up from 680 in the previous quarter. 

·       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.

 

Goode News – July 2024

As we welcome the height of summer, we are reminded of the beauty and warmth this season brings to Central Kentucky. However, along with the sunshine and longer days comes the challenge of enduring the intense summer heat. It’s crucial that we remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring the well-being of our community, especially our senior citizens who are particularly vulnerable during this time.

Check on Our Seniors

The sweltering temperatures can pose significant health risks to our elderly population. I urge you all to take a few moments each day to check in on your senior neighbors, family members, and friends. A simple phone call or visit can make a world of difference. Ensure they have access to air conditioning, are staying hydrated, and are not overexerting themselves.

Tips to Beat the Heat

To help everyone stay safe and comfortable during these hot summer months, here are some essential tips:

  1. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol, which can dehydrate you.
  2. Seek Shade and Air Conditioning: Spend time in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, consider visiting community centers, or libraries.
  3. Wear Lightweight Clothing: Light-colored, loose-fitting clothing can help keep your body cool.
  4. Avoid Peak Sun Hours: Try to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  5. Use Sunscreen: If you need to be outside, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and reapply every two hours.
  6. Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses: Be aware of symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Let us continue to support one another and take the necessary precautions to enjoy a safe and healthy summer. Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community remains cool and comfortable during this season. More to come…………..much more.

 

CKCAC Area Board of Directors Meeting

As a non-profit agency, Central Kentucky Community Action, Inc. is required to inform the local community of the Area Board of Director’s Meeting which is open to the public. The meeting will be on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. For more information, call the Central Office at 270-692-2136.

Head Start Monthly Profile for June 2024

CKCAC HEAD START
Monthly Profile June 2024 

ENROLLMENT    Currently Accepted for 2024-25:

Head Start:  292 out of 470 children  /Early Head Start:  0 out of 24 children

ATTENDANCE      Head Start: 86%               Early Head Start: 75%                        

SPECIAL EDUCATION   

# of Children with an IEP or IFSP: 101

% of Funded Enrollment: 20%    

EDUCATION                                                          

Spring, 2024 Classroom Assessment                             

Scoring System Data (scale 1-7)                                   

Emotional Support: 6.24

Classroom Organization: 5.99

Instructional Support: 2.88

 

PFCE   

Parent Powered Highlights for 2023-24:

#remaining enrolled in the program this school year: Families of 526 children

#of text messages families received: 55,827

Average# of curriculum units families completed: 6

Message topics: Literacy, social-emotional learning, self-care, math, science, problem solving and independence

 

SAFETY

# Of Incident Reports for May: 47

 

Health

Immunizations: 100%

Hearing Screenings: 100%

Vision Screenings: 100%

Oral Health Exams: 87%

Physical Exams: 96%

Vision Exams: 74%

Lead Tests: 82%

Nutrition

Total Meal Reimbursement: $38,662.95

MENTAL HEALTH                                                

# of Referrals in May: 2

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Areas Monitored: Education Second Home Visits

 

June Policy Council Meeting: June 20, 2024 at 11:00 AM

 

 

 

 

 

CKCAC HEAD START

June 2024 Newsletter Article
 

Summer is here for our Head Start kiddos and staff. Early Head Start is in operation through July!

 

This academic year has been an exciting and challenging one! Our Bardstown Head Start facility at 820 Pennsylvania Avenue has been fully operational this year. However, starting in mid-June, we are completing major renovations to the facility which include new HVAC, flooring, and playground. Our hope is that all repairs and renovations are completed before staff return at the end of July.

 

While recruitment for new children and staff is a year-round activity, Central KY Head Start (CKYHS) has begun pushing hard for applications for new students and staff for the upcoming school year. We would love to hear from you if you have any kiddos or professionals in your world for whom Head Start would be a good fit. Please feel free to visit our website or find us on Facebook at Central KY Head Start.

 

Lastly, this summer, CKYHS applies for its new five-year grant. We are requesting some adjustments to our structure to serve more Early Head Start children and to create capacity to increase the number of children we can serve in the future. CKYHS is constantly evaluating how to best utilize our federal resources to maximize our impact. We do not have any official updates to share, it is our hope to have very exciting news in our next newsletter!

Thank you for your ongoing support of Central Kentucky Head Start!

Community Collaboration for Children (CCC)

Summer is here and Community Collaboration for Children is busy with In-home services and attending summer events: Marion County Ready Set Go Safety Expo June 6th, LaRue County Community Services Fair June 18th from 2 to 6, Nelson County Community Baby Shower June 20th from 5-6:30, Grayson County Thrive June 25th from 12-5 (central time), Meade County Community Baby shower July 2nd, Hardin County back to school Events July 15th-17th, Elizabethtown Summer Fair August 1st from 5:30-7:30.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program helping to prevent truancy in Washington County Elementary and Elizabethtown City Elementary schools will be busy in August.

The Trail of Hope Regional Networks Build A Bed program has been extremely busy already making sure 148 children have a bed. We are working on sponsorships to purchase bed frames, mattresses, bedding, and pillows. Trail of Hope Regional Network will meet in person at Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown at 10 AM on September 17th. If you are interested in being a network member please reach out to Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator at 270-692-7553. For more information contact by email ronda.bertrand@ckcac.org.

 
 
 

 

Family Child Care Homes/Unaffiliated Centers Food Program (FCCH/UC)

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 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and Unaffiliated Day Care Centers (UC) 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.

FCCH client Delane Green in Somerset, KY, Pulaski County retired after 30+ years at the end of May 2024. We will miss her but wish her the best. We recently added Stephanie Petrie in Springfield, KY, Washington County, so we are still currently sponsoring 24 child care homes.

The following recent changes with our center sponsorships brings our current UC sponsorship total to 22 plus 4 in the works for a total of 26 expected with the June/July reporting.

·        Educating Butterflies in Springfield, KY, Washington County closed mid-April due to their landlord wanting to utilize the building for other purposes and the center owner being unable to find a location to relocate.

·        Recently added client Stepping Stones Academy in Harrodsburg, KY, Mercer County has decided to end their sponsorship with their May 2024 report and begin a summer school program they feel will better suit their needs.

·        Little Lambs in Frankfort, KY, Franklin County is under new ownership and will be called Rainbow Childcare Center. The new owners have asked Jamie Miller to continue as the center’s Director. He is currently working on refreshing the center and obtaining all the necessary items to reopen under the new name. We have met and have most of the preliminary items needed for state approval. We hope to complete the state approval process asap once they open.

·        Safe Harbor Learning Academy in Nicholasville, KY Jessamine County is working on getting completed child CACFP enrollment forms to complete their CACFP application for sponsorship. We hope to get them started in the food program by July at the latest.

·        Caritas House in Lexington, KY, Fayette County reached out to us requesting sponsorship in the CACFP. They are considered an Emergency Shelter so all the children in their care will be eligible for free meal reimbursement rates in the food program and do not require CACFP enrollment forms. They plan to have ten beds and expect to be full quickly once they are open for enrollment. They are slightly different than the homes and centers we are accustomed to sponsoring, but CKCAC is proud to be able to offer our sponsorship. They have been approved and will participate once they become an active shelter.

·        Memorial Angels in Elizabethtown, KY, Hardin County is working towards providing meals to the children in their care (as opposed to parents/guardians providing bagged lunches, etc.) and has requested our sponsorship in the CACFP. They have had their Pre-Op visit and are obtaining CACFP enrollment forms for each child to finalize their application packet for state approval. We hope to get them approved to begin the food program by July 2024.

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 please have them contact CKCAC’s FCCH/UC Director Kathy Hagan at 270-692-2136 X501 or by email at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org.