Author: Kathy Mills

Weatherization at Work

David Lindsey, Weatherization Program Director

The Weatherization Program is fully staffed and has 35 clients on the waiting list for weatherization services as of March 31, 2023. The Weatherization Program provides weatherization services to our 8-county area with 12 jobs completed, 16 walkaways, 1 cancelation and 18 jobs in-progress. The Weatherization Program is fully staffed with an in-house crew, and we are utilizing contractors to perform 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.

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 Denny Baxter Dwelling Needs Evaluator EA/QCI Josh Mattingly Crew Leader, Mike Burden Retrofit Installer, Seth Riggs 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 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.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) 

Ellen Leake, CSBG/LIHEAP Director

LIHEAP CRISIS –Staff members have processed 4,237 Crisis Applications for 2,889 families between January 9, 2023 and April 7, 2023 for a total of $952,624.89 in benefits.

A SPRING SUBSIDY Program will begin April 17, 2023. This will be an electric benefit only.

Kentucky Utilities Heating Assistance Program – The Community Services Staff has 272 active participants in the KU Heating Assistance 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 $167,552.00 for these families. To qualify for the program the family must: be a KU 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 the 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 2023-2024 CSBG Budget Proposal. Thanks to all who completed the Needs Assessment Survey Form. 810 surveys were completed.

Kentucky Works Program

Tommy Wheatley, Kentucky Works Director

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.

 Covid-19 continues to have a significant impact on both of our programs. The state of emergency that the state of Kentucky had implemented with a “Good Cause exemption” where clients are not required to participate in the programs was lifted on July 1, 2022, however there were no sanctions being levied for non-participation until December 2022 so participation is still low.

 ·       We currently have 25 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program, and 6 clients that are at a site gaining work experience. The referrals have picked up with the state of emergency ending and sanctions now being implemented for non-compliance. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 67 clients in the K-Tap program for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 which more than doubles the number we served in the last quarter, and is 41 more than we served for all of the last 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 had 1060 referrals for the SNAP program during the last 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.

·       We continue to see an impact with COVID on our Work Experience Program sites as some of them are still unable to accept our referrals. We have 124 sites in our 17 counties that we send our clients and as of now, 67 are open and/or willing to accept referrals due to Covid-19.

·       Our staff continues to stay in touch to discuss all relative matters in the program. We have staff meetings every other month. We are now conducting our staff meetings in person.

·       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 – March 2023

Hal B. Goode, Executive Director

Goode News – March

Tri-County Kentucky fights for the Education, Financial Stability and Health of every person in every community in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. They are creating greater opportunities, improving quality of life and building stronger communities. Through your support, local programs are currently addressing the needs of those that need it most.

The Tri-County Kentucky United Way mobilizes the caring power of our communities to improve the quality of life for all by supporting local health and human service programs and addressing local issues in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. Their vision is to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community of Marion, Nelson, and Washington counties. They strive to ensure that everyone has the resources, supports, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.

The Tri County United Way supports programs and discussions that provide the building blocks for a good quality of life and help to build stronger communities. The building blocks include:

Education: Offer a comprehensive approach to education that spans from cradle to career to help children and youth stay on track and succeed in school

Financial Stability: Assist and empower people to get on stable financial ground to help individuals and communities thrive and succeed

Your donation to the Tri-County Kentucky United Way will be helping to provide Education, Financial Stability, and Health services to programs that serve individuals in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. Your donation is truly making a difference in our community! You can give to United Way in a number of ways:

1.      Mailing a check to our office at P.O. Box 547, Bardstown, KY 40004.

2.      Making a monthly donation through your financial institution using the form below.

3.      payroll deduction – allows you to donate a specific amount per paycheck

4.      a one-time gift – you can write a check to Tri-County Kentucky United Way or give a cash donation through your employee campaign.

Please contact the Tri County United Way’s Executive Director Laura Sedlatschek at 502-348-1891 for more information on how you can help the area.  More to come, much more………………………..

CKCAC HEAD START

Tammy Stanley, Head Start Director

February provided opportunities to engage our families through literacy events and other activities. February was Heart Healthy and Black History Month.  Centers spotlighting individuals that have contributed to many inventions in our society. Centers provided heart healthy events for students and parents to participate. Our New Haven Center literacy event was led by one of the parents! February, was a short month, but Head Start was very busy engaging our families!!

In January, Central Kentucky CAC Head Start was chosen to participate in the Class Video Observation Pilot Review. The Education Team was able to compete all the videos requested as of March 3, 2023. We look forward to receiving feedback!

Please congratulate our PFCE Manager, Stephanie Harrison, received the Beacon of Light Award from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College on February 27, 2023. Recipients were recognized due to “successes and exemplary service to their professions and communities, and their commitment to servant leadership and equity”. Thank you, Stephanie, for your dedication and leadership!

National CACFP Week!

Kathy Hagan, Director of Family Child Care Homes/Unaffiliated Centers Food Program

National CACFP Week is March 12-18, 2023! What is CACFP week? It’s a national education and information campaign the third week of March sponsored annually by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. It’s designed to help get the word out about the USDA’s Child & Adult Food Program works to combat hunger. Central Kentucky Community Action Council is a proud CACFP Sponsor for 21 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and 24 Unaffiliated Centers (UC). One FCCH closed as of March 1, 2023 due to retirement of the home care provider and we recently had two UC join us, one beginning mid-February and the other at the beginning of March 2023.

Please join us as we participate with the National CACFP Sponsors Association in getting the word out about CACFP especially during National CACFP Week March 12-18, 2023! If you know of a Family Child Care Home and/or Day Care Center who is not currently participating in the food program and would like more information, please have them contact CKCAC’s FCCH/UC Director Kathy Hagan at 270-692-2136 X501.

C = Community

The CACFP community works to ensure that all children have access to healthy foods. Share CACFP Week on social media and out in your community.

A = Awareness

Together we can raise awareness of how the CACFP works to combat hunger. Learn what you can do to promote the CACFP and advocate with a press release, a letter to congress, and a request for proclamation.

C = Children

Children receive healthy and nutritious meals through the CACFP. Educate children and parents about the CACFP with these fun activities and communication tools.

F = Food Program

The CACFP helps children learn healthy eating habits. Find out why breakfast is the most important meal of the day and learn some tips for getting kids to try new foods.

P = Participate

Hundreds of thousands of people participate in the CACFP administering the program or caring for children and adults. Show your appreciation to all of those who work with CACFP every day.

Community Collaboration for Children(CCC)

Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator

March 2023 Newsletter

Spring is here and Community Collaboration for Children’s waiting list is growing. CCC has been busy helping families with their needs and trying to get the waiting list down. We are busy planning April Child Abuse Awareness Month. We have pinwheels and signs that will be distributed among our 8 counties. We are having a Trauma Informed Care training April 19th 9:30-12:30 at the Harding County Extension Office. For more information contact ronda.bertrand@ckcac.org. April 29th 11-1 CCC Statewide Event held in Frankfort Western Hills High School. We had 30 children send in posters for the CCC Statewide contest. The top three winners went on to the state contest.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program for Marion County Elementary schools is keeping busy with meetings to helping to prevent truancy. We are working on expanding into other counties.

Trail of Hope Regional Networks Build A Bed program has been extremely busy already making sure 49 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. If you are interested in being a network member please reach out to Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator at 270-692-7553.

Wow!! Cakes 4 Kids volunteers have been busy the past several months. CCC has delivered 6 cakes to our families.

March 15th CCC Trail of Hope Regional Meeting at the Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown at 10AM.

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, March 15, 2023, at 2:30 PM EST at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District meeting room in Elizabethtown, KY. For more information, call the Central Office at 270-692-2136.

Central Kentucky Community Action Council, Inc. Debbie Gardner Educational Scholarship Fact Sheet for Scholarship Program Marion County Only

Scholarships are being offered to graduating seniors and GED recipients in this county who are preparing for a career in:

  1. Social Services                                                                               
  2. Business                                                                                         
  3. Agriculture
  4. Education
  5. Medical

This one-time scholarship will apply $500.00 to direct costs (tuition, books, Laboratory equipment, etc.) Incurred by curriculum at a 4-year, 2-year or business or vocational institution, for each full time recipient.

                      GUIDELINES

  1. Grade point average of “B” or higher (documentation from school is required)
  2. Career goal focused on social service, business, agriculture, education or medical.
  3. Gross household income for 2022 may not exceed FEDERAL INCOME GUIDELINES (ATTACHED) Written documentation required. (copy of tax return or certified statement).
  4. Completion of a one-page handwritten essay (see application form).
  5. Submit complete Application Packet to Guidance Counselor or Community Action by March 31, 2023.

A completed application consists of:

  1. Completed Application Form
  2. Documentation of grade point average-transcript form school.
  3. Written documentation of gross household income for 2023
  4. One page handwritten essay

Applications submitted without complete documentation will not be processed. Applications with income over the stated income levels will not be processed.

Scholarship winners may be announced at the Awards Banquet or Ceremonies. Recipients will need to see the local Community Action Office to complete payment process. Questions may be directed to your local Community Action Services Coordinator. 270-692-6411

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.