Kathy Mills, Author at CKCAC

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 Monday, September 11, 2023 at 2:00 PM EST via zoom. For more information, call the Central Office at 270-692-2136.

Goode News – August 2023

I hope this newsletter finds you all in good health and high spirits. As we move into the dog days of summer, I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the latest happenings at Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) and share some important information about our ongoing efforts to provide electric and water bill assistance to those in need.

At CKCAC, we remain committed to our mission of empowering individuals and families in Central Kentucky to achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. We understand that many households in our region continue to face financial challenges due to various factors, including the rising costs of utilities. Therefore, our team is actively working to provide critical support through our Electric and Water Bill Assistance Program.

Electric and Water Bill Assistance: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Component and the new Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) now thru September 30, 2023.

As the summer heat continues to soar, many families are experiencing increased energy consumption, leading to higher utility bills. CKCAC’s Electric and Water Bill Assistance Program aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by qualifying households. If you or someone you know is struggling to pay their electric or water bills, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our offices. Our dedicated staff is ready to assist you in accessing the available resources and exploring possible aid options.

As we navigate the challenges of the present and look toward a brighter future, let us remember the strength that lies within our community. Together, we can build a more resilient and caring society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to our continued journey in creating positive change together.

More to come………..much more

CKCATS Central KY Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS)

CKCATS continues to stay busy with a vast number of trips coming in daily. Our Medicaid trips continue to increase. Director Kerri Taylor is in the process of working with a Medicare Broker to set up NEMT Medicare transportation in all our counties. Medicare transportation is a need in all our counties, and we are pleased to be able to offer this service. To prepare for this new service, we will be hiring several new drivers in all counties to be able to keep up with the trip volume that we anticipate Medicare will bring.

The Senior Celebration in Elizabethtown on May 25^th was a success! CKCATS transported 64 seniors from Marion, Nelson, and Washington to the Senior Celebration at the Pritchard Community Center. There were over 300 seniors in attendance along with CKCATS and many other vendors.

CKCATS participated in several other Senior Fairs in June. On June 5^th, Spring View Hospital held a Coffee with Seniors Resource Fair; June 6^th a Senior Fair was held at the Extension Office in Nelson County; and the annual Senior Fair in Marion County was held on June 28^th at the Fairgrounds. CKCATS also transported seniors in Marion County to the Senior Fair.

CKCATS renewed their contracts in June with both Medicaid Brokers for the new fiscal year. These renewals came with great news! The subcontractor Covid mileage rates will remain in place for FY24!

CKCATS grant applications are completed and funds have been awarded! Thanks to all those in the Central Office who helped with gathering information and submitting information in the grant application.

CKCATS has already received 3 new SUV’s that we applied for on the FY24 grant application. These SUVs were readily available and will be used for ambulatory trips. We placed an SUV in Nelson, Marion, and Larue Counties. We are still waiting for the 12×2 vehicles that became available several months ago. To our knowledge, none of the agencies that are waiting for these vehicles have received them yet. For now, we will wait and hope that they come in the next couple of months.

If you or anyone you know would like to join the staff at CKCATS please go to careers@ckcac.org to apply. CKCATS is hiring full-time and part-time drivers in Marion, Larue, Hardin, Nelson, Breckinridge, and Grayson counties.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Summer Subsidy

LIHEAP and LIHWAP Summer Subsidy enrollment opens July 25th at Community Action Agencies.

Available to help Kentuckians in all 120 counties with electric, water, and/or wastewater bills.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 21, 2023): The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Summer Subsidy Programs will be available soon through
Kentucky’s Community Action Agencies. These programs can assist households, up to and including 150 percent of
the federal poverty guidelines.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis starting July 25, 2023, through September 22, 2023, or until designated funds have been expended. Individuals should apply through their local Community Action
Agency office. To locate your local office, please call 800-456-3452 or visit www.capky.org/network.

Households can apply for one or both programs, and assistance is paid directly to the household’s vendor. Prior LIHEAP or LIHWAP program assistance does not impact a household’s eligibility. Households must meet
eligibility requirements, including income guidelines.

LIHEAP Summer Subsidy provides households with a one-time electric benefit ranging from $50 to $250, depending on income and housing category.

LIHWAP Summer Subsidy provides households with a one-time water service benefit, water and/or wastewater, ranging from $50 to $100, depending on housing category.

Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP and LIHWAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. For more information about LIWHAP and LIHEAP, including contact information for all local Community Action agencies, please visit the Community Action Kentucky website at www.CAPKY.org.

#

About Community Action Kentucky

Community Action Kentucky is the statewide association representing and assisting the 23 Community Action agencies across Kentucky that work to empower individuals and families to attain greater economic stability
and long-term success. With a presence in all 120 Kentucky counties, Community Action agencies provide lifechanging resources and programs to support a wide array of service areas, including food security, transportation,
home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing assistance, workforce development, youth enrichment and more. As a statewide voice for local agencies, Community Action Kentucky
works to address policy issues that impact low-income individuals and cultivates broad-reaching partnerships that improve the lives of thousands of Kentuckians, making it possible for them to achieve their goals. For more
information about Community Action Kentucky, visit www.CAPKY.org.

Central Kentucky Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS)

INVITATION FOR BIDS
BID # 224-PV

CKCATS will receive bids pertaining to the speed bumps and 30 concrete parking blocks added to parking lot at Community Action 332 Hood Ave, Lebanon, KY 40033.

All bids must be turned in to CKCATS, 332 Hood Ave., Lebanon KY 40033, no later than 5:00 pm EST on July 28 , 2023. Bids cannot be accepted at any other location. The complete bid package can be requested in writing by email to kerri.taylor@ckcac.org on or before July 28, 2023 by 5:00 pm EST. Bids will be opened on August 14, 2023, EST 12:00 PM EST at a public bid opening at CKCATS, 332 Hood Ave., Lebanon KY 40033. Bids must be received by the designated date and time, and none will be considered thereafter.

Questions and Approved Equals Request Deadline:

Requests may be submitted in writing by email to kerri.taylor@ckcac.org on or before July 28, 2023, by 5:00 PM EST.

Answers to Questions and Approved Equals Requests:

Answers will be posted on ckcac.org on or before July 28, 2023. Changes and addendums will also be emailed to all knowns possible bidders based on the return of “Confirmation of Receipt”.

CKCATS reserves the right to reject any and all bids received, and to select that bid which it determines to be in its best interest. The award of this bid will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated bid price as permitted in KRS 45A.365.

All bid forms, information, and specifications regarding this bid are available from CKCATS. Bidders must submit their bid in a sealed envelope, and the bidder is advised to clearly mark the sealed bid with the bid number and description, opening time and date listed above. CKCATS is not responsible for the premature opening of, or the failure to open, a sealed bid not properly addressed or identified.

This bid package is subject to the requirements of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, Participations of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs. The bid package is subject to a financial assistance between CKCATS, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets Office of Delivery, and the Federal Transit Administration.

Bidders are invited to attend in person at 12:00 PM EST on August 14, 2023 in order to hear the opening of the bids submitted.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Summer Subsidy Component 2023 Fact Sheet

Purpose:

To assist low-income households with home utility cost through:
LIHEAP: One-time bill payment assistance for home electric services.
LIHWAP: One-time bill payment assistance for home water services (water, wastewater, or a combination of both).

Operation:

Community Action Kentucky, Inc. will contract with twenty-three community action agencies to operate both programs in all 120 counties. Households should apply through their local Community Action Agency office.

Eligibility:

1. Must be responsible for home utility costs or pay utility costs as an undesignated portion of rent.

2.Household income must be at or below the following, relative to household size:

Household Size-Monthly Income

1-$1,823

2-$2,465

3-$3,108

4-$3,750

5-$4,393

6-$5,035

7-$5,678

8-$6,320

Add $643 for each additional family member.

Application Period: Applications must be made during the period July 25, 2023, through September 22, 2023, or until funds are expended.

Designated Representative: Applicants who are unable to apply for themselves must contact the local community action to make other arrangements. If the designated representative is not the head of household or spouse, the representative must have a signed statement giving authorization to apply for the household. Individuals without a designated representative should contact the local community action agency which may be able to assist them in finding one. Only one person from each household should apply.

Required Documents:
Applicants must bring the following:

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

2. Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.

3. Most current electric and/or water service bill, or statement from your landlord if they are included in your rent, or statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay.

4. LIHEAP: The account number and name on the account for main home energy source bill.

Benefits Provided:
LIHEAP: The benefit amount that a household receives will be based on housing category and income level. Benefits will be paid directly to the household’s electric vendor.
LIHWAP: The benefit amount that a household receives will be based on housing category. Benefits will be paid directly to the household’s water service vendor.

Client Referral: Clients requesting additional information regarding either LIHEAP or LIHWAP program should be referred to their local community action agency or Community Action Kentucky (CAK), toll-free number 1-800-456-3452 (TTY available for the hearing impaired).

Applicant Rights: Each applicant will be informed of their rights should they be denied assistance. Any applicant who wishes to appeal the case should be informed by local community action agency staff of the procedures for filing a complaint. Should the applicant not be satisfied with the local decision, they may further appeal to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Rules: Do NOT give false information or hide information to receive LIHEAP OR LIHWAP benefits. Use LIHEAP OR LIHWAP benefits only for your household. If you BREAK these rules, you may be stopped from receiving LIHEAP OR LIHWAP benefits, and you may be prosecuted for fraud. Report any information about fraud or misuse of LIHEAP OR LIHWAP benefits by calling the Fraud Hotline at 1-800-372-2970.