Author: Kathy Mills

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 95 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 2 workers since the last quarter and up 45 from three quarters ago. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 90 clients in the K-Tap program for the quarter ending September 30th, 2025. We placed 78 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 897 clients for the SNAP program during quarter ending September 30th, 2025.

·       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 meetings 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 added two new wage subsidy contracts in the last quarter.

The new Hardin County Kitchen has been busy preparing meals for the seniors. Once our Nelson County Kitchen stops cooking then the new Hardin County Kitchen will be cooking for all 11 senior centers.

Now on October 2nd, NO grab and go meals on Thursdays. Dine-in only is now on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Dine-in is available Monday-Friday if your center is normally open except for the Radcliff Center and they may go to Griffin Manor to dine-in.

In October the meals served has dropped to around 1,700 previously the meals have been 2,100-2,200 a month ago.

The Elizabethtown Senior Center at Griffin Manor had a visit from KET to come and spotlight the center and interview one of our seniors. She did a great job telling why she comes to the center.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer enrollment will begin on July 28 and run through September 12, 2025.

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.

PREPARING FOR LIHEAP

Official Dates for Fall Subsidy, November 3^rd   through December 12^th.

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.

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 may apply for the Fall Subsidy LIHEAP benefits starting November 3 – December 12, 2025, by appointment. Walk-ins will be offered an appointment or wait for an opening.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Fall enrollment will begin on November 3, 2025, and run through December 12, 2025.

Fall Subsidy Component is designed to help offset the cost of a household’s electric cost, providing eligible households with a one-time benefit depending on income levels and housing category.

Applications will be accepted during the enrollment period, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The benefits are paid directly to the household’s electric vendor.

Interested households should contact their local Community Action Agency office to apply.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at the time of application:

1. Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
2. Proof of all household (all members) income from the preceding month.
3. Most current electric bill, statement from your landlord if electric is included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
4. The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

 

Fall Subsidy DOES NOT require a disconnect notice, a past due bill, or eviction notice. The Subsidy benefit can be applied as a credit on your account. Assistance received during previous LIHEAP components does not affect household’s eligibility.

Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP 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.

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT for 2025-2026 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 2026-2027.

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

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B8VG7RH-2025-2026CNA

It is hard to believe that October is already here. My first year as your CKCAC Executive Director has flown by. It has been a whirlwind of a year and we are looking forward to finishing the rest of the year strong.

Unfortunately, most of our current conversations across the agency are about the Federal government shutdown we are all experiencing. As of this writing, CKCAC has not had to make any adjustments to our operations. However, we need this shutdown to end soon or adjustments may have to be made. I would encourage you all to take a moment to let your elected officials in DC know how important it is for us to get our government back open. We all need this. Prior to the shutdown, House and Senate subcommittees who oversee funding many of our programs all passed mark-ups that are good for CKCAC programs. We are hopeful that those funding levels hold when the government re-opens and a final budget is eventually passed.

As I mentioned in my September newsletter, CKCAC did our first CKCAC Connection with Bryan Conover. CKCAC Connection is a chance for staff members to submit anonymous questions to me for me to answer live. The reviews of our first effort were positive, so we are going to attempt it again in October. gng Productions produced a video of this that we will share with our stakeholders, as well.

As always, thank you for all you do.

 

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Fall Subsidy

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Fall Subsidy enrollment will begin on November 3 and run through December 12, 2025.

The Fall Subsidy Component is designed to assist Kentucky households with heating costs by providing eligible households with a one-time benefit. The benefit amount is determined based on income level, housing category, and the type of fuel used for heating, including electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil.

Applications will be accepted during the enrollment period on a first-come, first-serve basis. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s energy vendor. The Subsidy benefit can be applied as a credit on utility account.

Interested households should contact Central Community Action Council to apply. To locate your local outreach office, visit ckcac.org or call your local County office:

Breckinridge     270-765-6813                  Washington       859-336-7766

Grayson              270-259-3500                  Nelson                 502-348-9596

Hardin                 270-986-2724                  Meade                 270-422-2545

LaRue                    270-358-3937                  Marion                 270-692-6411

Eligibility Requirements

Households must meet program eligibility criteria, including income requirements, to qualify for assistance. The Fall Subsidy program does not require a disconnect notice, past-due bill, or eviction notice to apply. Assistance received during previous LIHEAP components does not affect eligibility for the Fall Subsidy.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at the time of application:

1. 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 bill, statement from your landlord if electric is included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
4. The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which receives funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

 

As the new school year begins, we are excited to welcome back our returning families and extend a warm greeting to those joining us for the first time. September is a time of fresh starts, new friendships, and opportunities for growth.

This month, our classrooms are focused on building strong routines, helping children adjust to their learning environment, and fostering a sense of community. Teachers are introducing expectation charts, positive guidance strategies, and fun activities that encourage curiosity and independence.

Family and community partnerships are at the heart of Head Start. We encourage you to stay connected—whether through parent meetings, volunteering, or simply sharing feedback with your child’s teacher. Together, we can create a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for every child.

September also brings exciting family engagement opportunities. Keep an eye out for invitations to our family events, where you’ll have the chance to connect with staff, meet other families, and learn more about how to support your child’s success.

We look forward to a wonderful year filled with learning, laughter, and growth! Thank you for being an essential part of our Head Start community.

 

 

 

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Do you know of a Kentucky Child Care Home or Center that recently opened or that has been in business for a while and is not currently taking advantage of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)? If so, please have them contact our Child and Adult Care Food Program Director Kathy Hagan at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org or by calling 270-402-1977 for more information.

Let our Child Care Nutrition Program help your Day Care Home or Child Care Center by:

·        Helping you determine your CACFP eligibility, complete the necessary paperwork, and submitting your application to the State Agency on your behalf as your Sponsor.

·        Providing nutritional education on what food components are necessary for a well-rounded, healthy meal.

·        Reviewing your monthly reports for accuracy prior to submitting them to the State Agency.

·        Providing monthly food cost reimbursements based on how many meals are served and the eligibility of the children being served.

·        Being your primary source for any nutritional questions and/or food-related issues for children in your care.

With rising food costs, now’s the time for all eligible Kentucky Child Care Homes and Centers to participate in the CACFP. Let Central Kentucky Community Action help you apply for the CACFP as your sponsor today!