Author: Kathy Mills

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

Kathy Hagan, FCCH/UC Program

June 2023

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 21 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and 24 Unaffiliated Day Care Centers (UC) in over 19 counties in Central Kentucky and beyond. The homes and centers receive monthly reimbursements based on child eligibility and meals served.

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 how to determine whether they qualify may contact CKCAC’s FCCH/UC Director Kathy Hagan at 502-751-8894 or by email at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org.

Goode News – June 2023

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Hal B. Goode, Executive Director

Central Kentucky Community Action Council rounded out the observation of May as Community Action Month in Kentucky with a rally of support that drew an overflow crowd to the event in the State Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort as some of our CKCAC staff attended.

Community Action Kentucky has outreach offices in all 120 Kentucky counties. Community Action agencies strive to provide life-changing resources to support a wide array of service areas. They include food security, transportation, home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing, workforce development, family advocacy and more.

Roger McCann, Executive Director of Community Action Kentucky, told a crowd of employees, volunteers, and supporters, * “It’s a chance for us to highlight the irreplaceable role that Community Action plays in the lives of our fellow Kentuckians each day. You all make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of our people, all of them reaching for the dream of self-sufficiency and a better life.”

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander, a former Director of Louisville Metro Community Action, said, *“I know what you all do. We sponsored a lot of folks to continue their learning at Community Action. The reason why, is because you all make a difference.” Friedlander had this message for the attendees: *“What a privilege it is to be able to get up every day and know that you can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman also praised the efforts of Community Action staff.  Coleman presented McCann and other Community Action officials with a proclamation issued by Gov. Andy Beshear declaring May as Community Action Month in Kentucky.

As we reflect back on May, Community Action Month is a time for agencies to come together and elevate community action as a voice and driving force for opportunity in Kentucky and America. It’s a chance to promote community action programs and services that help families succeed. And, the month serves as an affirmation of the power of our network to help others.

*Quotes from Tom Latek – Kentucky Today

May was a great time to recognize…

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Needs Volunteers!

Melissa Bland, RSVP Director

May 2023

The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is looking for volunteers 55 and older to serve in Hardin & Nelson County.  

Volunteers are needed at the Bardstown Senior Center to help serve food to the seniors.  

Volunteers are also needed at Hope Academy for Kids in Hardin County. Opportunities include administration, mentoring students and assisting with fundraising.

Volunteers can receive up to $60 per month (tax free) for their mileage to and from the workstation!

Please contact RSVP Director, Melissa Bland at 270-737-1059 or RSVP.Director@ckcac.org  if you have any questions or would like more information about volunteering!



Congregate Meals Program

Tancy Morris, Congregate Meals Director

Congregate Meal Program Newsletter

May 2023

Our seniors are getting excited for Senior Celebration in Elizabethtown on May 25th. This is an event they look forward to every year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the event hasn’t taken place in a few years, so our participants are very excited that it is happening this year. 

Since January 1st we have served 28,835 meals to 595 unduplicated seniors. We are serving more people than ever due to the carryout/drive through option at all senior centers.

We are excited to bring Marian Frisby, registered dietician back to Meade County for a 30-minute nutrition education session before voucher distribution each month. She brings a lot of helpful information and the participants in Meade County will greatly benefit from her sessions.

January, we distributed 2,330 vouchers to 233 clients.

February, we distributed 2,930 vouchers to 292 clients.

March, we distributed 1,620 vouchers to 162 clients.

April, we distributed 1,170 vouchers to 117 clients.

Senior Companion Program (SCP)

Courtney Campbell, SCP Director

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) is actively looking for volunteers! 

The Senior Companion Program is accepting new volunteers to join our program! We currently have 18 active volunteers serving. The stipend for our volunteers just raised to $4.00 per hour as of April 1st, 2023. SCP serves in 6 counties including Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Marion, Nelson, and Washington. Great benefits include a tax-free stipend, mileage reimbursement, sickness, and vacation time. All applicants 55 and older must undergo background checks, fingerprinting, and must be income eligible.

Please contact SCP Director, Courtney Campbell at 270-692-2136 or courtney.campbell@ckcac.org if you have any questions or would like more information about volunteering!

CKCATS Central KY Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS)

May 2023 Newsletter

CKCATS’ trip volume continues to climb. The CKCATS team continues to work hard to keep up with the abundance of trips daily. The staff works very hard to make sure that we are able to complete trips in all counties.

I attended the Community Service Meeting in Marion County on March 16th. The Community Service Board members were present, and I spoke with them to inform them of the services that we provide. The Board Members were very attentive and were excited to share our brochures with the individuals that they serve who may need our services.

On March 25th, CKCATS attended the Community Fair in Marion County. We were asked to attend the fair along with other businesses to inform the community of our services. The Community Fair was held at the public library.

CKCATS is gearing up for the Senior Celebration that will be held on May 25th at the Pritchard Community Center in Elizabethtown. CKCATS will be providing transportation from the Senior Centers to Pritchard Community Center for all seniors who pre-register for the ride. CKCATS will also have a booth at the Senior Celebration and will be talking with seniors to make them aware of the services that we provide and will be able to sign seniors up for III-B Senior trips on the spot. If you or anyone you know that is a senior, would like to sign up for transportation to the Senior Celebration, please contact CKCATS at 270-692-9313 or 1-800-242-8225.

We are still waiting for the 12×2 vehicles that became available a few months ago. We hope to get the vehicles soon. We applied for 2 SUVs for Intercity on the FY24 grant application. These SUVs are available so they should arrive within a few weeks.

I have hired a new Grant and Compliance Manager. Erica Mitchell has several years of experience in transportation and is a previous employee of CKCATS. Ms. Mitchell is knowledgeable in the operation of CKCATS and is familiar with the compliance aspect, making her a great choice for the position.

Several staff members of the CKCATS team will be attending the Community Action Kentucky (CAK) Conference in Lexington from June 13-15. There will be a Transportation Track on June 15th. As always, these conferences are a great way to learn valuable information and to network.  

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.


Kerri Taylor

Transportation Director

Goode News – May 2023

Hal B. Goode, Executive Director

May is community Action month and Central Kentucky Community Action Council are proud of our 260 Employees who daily fight to pull people from the grasp of poverty.  The below was written by Charisse Johnson Director, Division of Community Assistance for the Office of Community Services, that sets the tone of Community Action.

Community Action creates pathways to prosperity by advancing equity, promoting economic stability, and mobilizing resources that support community-driven solutions for the purpose of addressing the causes and consequences of poverty. The Office of Community Services’ (OCS) Division of Community Assistance (DCA) is excited to celebrate Community Action Month, as a time to acknowledge and amplify the work the Community Action Network (the Network) does to “embody the spirit of hope, improve communities, and make America a better place to live.” During this month, we want to amplify the work of the network, highlight successes, and thank everyone who makes community action possible.

To celebrate the 59th year of Community Action, OCS has chosen the theme, “We See You: Partnering Across the Community Action Network to Advance Equity.” Equity is a cornerstone of Community Action, as is evident in the goals of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): to reduce poverty, revitalize communities, and empower individuals and families.

This Community Action Month, I hope you take time to reflect on how our Network’s anti-poverty strategies advance equity by helping underserved individuals and communities achieve stability and self-sufficiency. I also hope that during the month you will be inspired to develop, enhance, and implement efforts to further advance equity including:

Identifying and addressing the root causes of inequity in underserved communities.

Dismantling programs and policies that perpetuate systemic barriers to opportunity.

Breaking down service silos and promoting integrated care.

Developing methods to support grant recipients in strategic planning to address practices and policies that historically exacerbate inequity.

Centering the voices of those served, as part of our commitment to equity.

These are some powerful words about Community Action, please join us to take time this month to celebrate for our team as they reflect on the impact of their work.   

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, May 17, 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.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Spring Subsidy Cooling Component 2023

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Spring Subsidy Cooling Component
FY 2022-2023 Fact Sheet
Administered by the Department for Community Based Services
Services Provided by Community Action Agencies

Purpose: To assist low-income households with home energy cost through:

Subsidy – provides assistance to all eligible households.

Operation: Community Action Kentucky contracts with twenty-three community action agencies to operate both components
in all 120 counties. Applications for both components will be taken at local community action agency offices or designated sites in each county.

Eligibility:

1. Must be responsible for home electric costs or pay electric 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 / Household Size/Monthly Income
1 $1,580 / 5 $3,807
2 $2,137 / 6 $4,364
3 $2,694 / 7 $4,921
4 $3,250 / 8 $5,478

Add $557 for each additional family member.

Application Period: Spring Subsidy (Cooling): Applications must be made during the period April 17, 2023, through June 2, 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:

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 expenses are 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 home energy source bill.


Benefits Provided: Subsidy: The benefit amount that a household receives will be based on its level of poverty. All eligible households will receive a benefit. Benefits will be in the form of vouchers made payable to the household’s primary electric vendor.

Client Referral: Clients requesting additional information regarding either component of the FY 2022-2023 LIHEAP 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 benefits. Use LIHEAP benefits only for your household. If you BREAK these rules, you may be stopped from receiving LIHEAP benefits and you may be prosecuted for fraud. Report any information about fraud or misuse of LIHEAP benefits by calling the Fraud Hotline at 1-800-372-2970.

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.