Author: Kathy Mills

August is a time for renewal. Central Kentucky Head Start (CKYHS) welcomed all staff back for an exciting and innovative new school year. CKYHS implemented cluster training where a few centers would meet and have more one-on-one time with our trainers. CKYHS also rolled out enrollment and screening procedures that are like our school system partners. Our mission is to teach, to lead, and to serve. All these changes are in hopes to provide the highest quality preschool experience for our children and families. Central Kentucky Head Start has also created the theme for this year as our “Year of the Why.” In everything we do, we are examining the reason behind our actions and all working together to understand the big picture.

Central Kentucky Head Start is fully enrolled as we begin a new school year. These first months of the school year are so important, so staff are working diligently to make sure we are setting the foundation for a wonderful school year. We do have plenty of staff openings and would welcome your support in helping find candidates with a passion for service and working with children!

Our Bardstown Head Start (HS) and Family Enrichment Center have relocated to the new Central Kentucky Community Action campus at 820/830 Pennsylvania Avenue in Bardstown. Having Head Start next door to other CKCAC programs has created a one-stop shop for our children and families. HS is so excited to better serve the families in Nelson County.

Lastly, CKYHS has been working with the Office of Head Start for funding applications of various types. HS received our Cost-of-Living Adjustment and Quality Improvement funds at the end of August. CKYHS was also a recipient of $250,000 one-time supplemental funds to purchase fleet vehicles and make improvements to our facilities and playgrounds. Our application to purchase and renovate the new Bardstown Head Start building is still being reviewed and we are hopeful to have good news on that application soon. CKYHS has been receiving sustainability payments from Kentucky’s Division of Regulated Childcare throughout the pandemic, which has been incredibly helpful for us to make necessary investments in our program. Those payments will cease in December 2023, so CKYHS is preparing for a new fiscal reality as we move into the new year. 

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 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. 

Larry and Janet Meyers joined RSVP in May 2023. They both enjoy volunteering at Baptist Health Hardin Hospital in Elizabethtown.

RSVP is looking for others 55 and older that would like to volunteer in Hardin or Nelson County.

The current mileage reimbursement rate to and from the volunteer workstation is 50 cents per mile with a maximum of $60 per month.

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

From July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, we served 183,262 meals to 869 unduplicated clients.

Below is a breakdown:

Bardstown – 20,997 meals to 212 clients

Bradfordsville – 688 meals to 19 clients

Grayson – 5,543 meals to 77 clients

Hardin– 8,293 meals to 67 clients

Breckinridge – 5,682 meals to 49 clients

Larue – 7,795 meals to 103 clients

Lebanon – 21,371 meals to 206 clients

New Haven – 950 meals to 12 clients

Radcliff – 5,087 meals to 58 clients

Washington – 6,846 meals to 72 clients

From July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023, 13,187 vouchers were used to redeem meals at Home Plate restaurant in Meade County by 448 clients.

We are excited for the Meade County Senior Center to open its doors again in the near future. Check your local newspaper for an opening date coming soon. We will provide meals to our Meade County participants 4 days per week. 

We have hired Meade County native, Robin Terry to oversee that location. Robin will be a great asset to our team and to the Meade County Senior Center.

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

The Senior Companion Program just finished out the 2022 fiscal year ending in June. We had 19 volunteers who served over 20,000 hours combined last year to those in need in our communities.

The Senior Companion Program & Retired Seniors Volunteer Program Directors are currently in the process of putting together the details for the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon to be held this fall. Our volunteers look forward to this Recognition each year. It’s a great way to thank them for all of their time and dedication to our programs. We are currently in need of entertainment for the recognition. If there’s anyone available whom you think our seniors would enjoy, please feel free to contact us!

SCP is currently accepting new volunteers to join our program! We currently have 18 active volunteers serving. The stipend for our volunteers was just raised to $4.00 per hour as of April 1^st, 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!