Author: Kathy Mills

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, May 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM EST. For more information, call the Central Office at 270-692-2136.

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 Special Meeting which is open to the public. The meeting will be on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM EST. For more information, call the Central Office at 270-692-2136.

Public Review of the Community Services Block Grant Proposal

Central KY Community Action Council, Inc. is holding a public review of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) proposal 2025. The proposal is prepared annually by Central KY Community Action Council, Inc. and is submitted to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Community Action Kentucky. It describes Central KY Community Action’s plan for the use of the funds in the Central KY Community Action’s services area, which includes agency capacity building, civic engagement and community involvement, employment, education & cognitive development, income/infrastructure/asset building, health & social/behavioral development, housing, linkages, and services supporting multiple domains. It also includes the results of the local community needs assessment.

The proposal will be available on Central KY Community Action’s website (www.ckcac.org) on 4/16/2024. Comments or questions may be forwarded to Ellen Leake, Central KY Community Action Council, Inc., 332 Hood Ave. Lebanon, KY 40033; or call (270) 692-2136; or email ellen.leake@ckcac.org.

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

Central KY Community Action Council, Inc. will not discriminate against anyone applying for or receiving assistance or services based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, political beliefs or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity or any other protected class identified in federal, state, or local laws.

***Central KY Community Action Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Equal Housing Provider***

 

Goode News – April 2024

As we welcome the arrival of April, we also embrace the spirit of hope that this month represents. April is designated as the National Month of Hope, a time for us to look toward the future with optimism and determination. During challenges, hope serves as a beacon, guiding us toward brighter days and inspiring us to strive for growth and progress.
At Central Kentucky Community Action Council, we are dedicated to fostering hope within our community and empowering individuals to pursue their dreams. Through our various programs and initiatives, we aim to provide support, resources, and opportunities for growth to all those we serve.
As we embark on this month-long celebration of hope, let us reflect on the resilience and strength that lies within each of us. Let us come together as a community, united in our commitment to building a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.
In the coming weeks, we at CKCAC encourage you to join us in spreading hope and positivity throughout Central Kentucky. Whether it’s lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need, participating in community events, or simply sharing words of encouragement, every act of kindness contributes to the collective spirit of hope that defines our community.
Together, let us embrace the power of hope and let it guide us toward a future filled with promise and possibility.
Wishing you all a month filled with hope, growth, and positivity!
More to come…………….much more……………….

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 47 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 9 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 110 clients in the K-Tap program for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2023, up 67% from last 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 680 clients for the SNAP program during the last quarter, almost doubling the previous quarter. In March we served 336 which is 157 higher than any previous month.
  • 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.
  • We were recently awarded the contract for fiscal years 2025 and 2026
 

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

LIHEAP CRISIS –Staff members have processed 4,541 Crisis Applications for 2,975 families between January 9, 2024, and March 29, 2024, for a total of $973,176.06 in benefits.
A SPRING SUBSIDY Program will begin April 16, 2024. This will be an electric benefit only.
KU/LG&E Heating Assistance Program – The Community Services Staff has 232 active participants in the KU Heating Assistance Program and 95 on the LG&E Program.  Through this program, eligible Kentucky Utility 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 $201,432.00 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 Subsidy 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 scholarships that are paid directly to the college or technical school for tuition or books.
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 2024-2025 CSBG Budget Proposal. Thanks to all who completed the Needs Assessment Survey Form.1147 surveys were completed.
EMPLOYMENT / 73.15%
EDUCATION / 58.50%
INCOME AND ASSET BUILDING / 36.88%
HOUSING / 52.92%
HEALTH / 34.87%
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT / 9.68%
SUPPORT SERVICES (supporting multiple domains) / 30.00%
ANSWERED=1147

Weatherization At Work For The Clients We Serve

The Weatherization Program is currently training staff for new positions within the Weatherization Program. The Weatherization Program is providing weatherization services to our 8-county area with 19 jobs in-progress with 10 dwellings ready for QCI post inspections. 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, Andrew Salleng-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 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, DOE BIL, LIHEAP, East Kentucky Power, Kentucky Utilities, and Louisville Gas& Electric.

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.
 
Our Android tablet with broadband 4G LTE mobile internet, puts the world at your fingertips, allowing you to stay connected to work, school, family, and friends no matter where you are. With fast and reliable internet speeds, high-quality video and voice capabilities, and a range of built-in apps and features, our tablets are the perfect solution for anyone looking to stay connected and productive on the go.
 
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.
 
TO SIGN UP:
 
You may view our website: ckcac.org/news and scroll down until you see FREE INTERNET & TABLET then click on CLICK HERE TO ENROLL.
 
The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)