Author: Kathy Mills

Weatherization at Work for the Clients We Serve

David Lindsey, Weatherization Program Director

The Weatherization Program (WX) is fully staffed and has 60 clients on the waiting list for weatherization services as of January 2023. The Weatherization Program is providing weatherization services to our 8-county area with 8 jobs completed, 16 walkaways, 1 cancellation, 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 WX 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 WX staff for their dedication for 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’s 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.

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, and 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 1st, however there were no sanctions being levied for non-participation until December 2022 so participation is still low.

 · We currently have 24 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 client’s 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. Staff visited these sites in October to update paperwork and check to see if they were needing workers and are currently in the process of checking again.

· 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.

Low-Income Sector Board Election

Central Kentucky Community Action Council Inc. is soliciting nominations for a person to represent the families of low-income in Larue, Marion and Washington County on the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors meet six (6) times per year, in January, March, May, July, September and November.  The Meetings are routinely held in Elizabethtown, at the Lincoln Trail Area Development District Conference Room,  on the third Wednesday afternoon at 2:30. Mileage to and from the meetings will be reimbursed. Please submit nominations to your Community Action Office by January 20th, 4:00pm prior to the election date.  Nominations will also be accepted at the opening of the meeting. The Election will be held at the Larue, Marion and Washington County Community Action Office on Tuesday , January 24, 2023, at 10:00am

Larue                  112 North Walters, Hodgenville, KY 42748

Marion               334 Hood Ave., Lebanon, KLY 40033

Washington       394 Lincoln Drive, Suite 2, Springfield, KY 40069

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 Directors Meeting which is open to the public. The meeting will be on Wednesday, January 18, 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.

LIHEAP Crisis Enrollment opens January 9, 2023

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Enrollment Opens at Central Kentucky Community Action Council, Inc.     January 9th.

 Heating crisis assistance available in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade Nelson, Washington, applicants encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Lebanon, Ky. (January 4, 2023): The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis Component is available to assist households experiencing a home heating crisis situation. Central Kentucky Community Action Council, Inc. will be accepting applications first come, first serve January 9 through March 31, 2023, or until funds have been expended.

Income eligibility requirements are up to 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The applicant must be responsible for home heating costs or pay heating costs as an undesignated portion of rent. Assistance received during prior LIHEAP Components does not impact a household’s eligibility.

Crisis benefits will cover the minimum needed to alleviate the crisis not to exceed the Community Action Agency’s local cost for a deliverable supply of the household’s primary heating fuel or $400 for gas or electric. Households can reapply each time they experience a crisis situation until they reached their maximum benefit. Benefits are paid directly to the primary fuel vendor. 

Central Kentucky Community Action Council, Inc. operates outreach offices in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade Nelson, Washington. Applicants should apply at their local Community Action outreach office. To locate your local office, please call phone number listed below or www.ckcac.org.

Breckinridge    270-756-6813

Grayson           270-259-3500

Hardin             270-234-5853

Larue               270-358-3937

Marion             270-692-6411

Meade              270-422-2545

Nelson             502-348-9596

Washington    859-336-7766                                                     

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

  • Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.  
  • Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.  
  • Most current heating bill, statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.  
  • 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 who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. More information about LIHEAP and a listing of LIHEAP outreach offices can be found at the Community Action Kentucky website at www.CAPKY.org.  

About Central Kentucky Community Action Council, Inc.

About Community Action Kentucky

Community Action Kentucky is the statewide association representing and assisting all 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 life-changing 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.

Goode News – DECEMBER 2022

Hal Goode, Executive Director

Have you ever made someone’s day and seen their face light up? Some of the most important Christmas gifts can’t be wrapped—like giving of your time and helping fill someone’s heart with joy. Here’s a list of creative and simple ways to spread the true spirit of Christmas and share the warmth you have at home with others. These random acts of kindness may take just minutes to do, but the memory of helping others will stay with you (and those you help) for so much longer. Here’s 29, go……

  1. Bake a pie and bring it to your neighbor. A classic apple pie or seasonal Hot Chocolate Pie is sure to brighten anyone’s day.
  2. Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line. What could be better than a surprise of free caffeine?
  3. Donate to a toy drive. The holidays can be an especially hard time for struggling families.
  4. Surprise your spouse by scraping the snow off their car in the morning. These acts of kindness don’t need to be big. A simple act that shows you care (and gives your spouse a few extra minutes in the warm house) is just as meaningful.
  5. Donate extra winter clothes, hats and mittens to a local shelter.
  6. Make a batch of holiday treats and bring them to the office. Treats that travel well, that’s a good place to start.
  7. Send a postcard to sick children in the hospital. You can send mail to Cards for Hospitalized Kids. This organization sends cards to children who are fighting serious illnesses in hospitals in the U.S. Your kind words could help make a child’s holiday very special.
  8. Find opportunities to give compliments. Compliments are free and take no time to deliver!
  9. Sing an employee’s praises to a manager or on a comment card. Did an employee help make your experience better? A little recognition goes a long way.
  10. Put sticky notes with positive messages in public places.
  11. Sing Christmas Carols, play board games, or just visit with senior citizens at a nursing home.
  12. Offer to babysit for new parents. Give the gift of time and take care of their little ones so the new parents can enjoy a date night or take care of holiday shopping.
  13. Purchase extra dog or cat food and drop it off at an animal shelter. While you’re picking up food for Fido, buy an extra bag for those animals who are waiting for their forever homes this season.
  14. Help corral stray carts in a store parking lot while you’re out shopping for gifts. Those cart-return guys have their work cut out for them!
  15. Donate clean, new socks and underwear to a local shelter.
  16. Offer to take someone’s group photo. It’s the holidays and many people are out celebrating together or sightseeing. See a group that’s struggling to get everyone in one selfie? Lend a hand.
  17. Donate coloring books and boxes of crayons to the pediatric wing of a local hospital.
  18. Give a hot drink to the person ringing the Salvation Army bell. Show those volunteers some love as they collect donations.
  19. Hide a few dollars around the Dollar Store.
  20. Invite someone you suspect will be alone to join your holiday celebrations. The holidays can be a lonely time for those with family far away. Give someone an opportunity to make memories with you and your family.
  21. Tape cash or a gift card on a random gas pump.
  22. Pay the overdue fees for 5 people at the library. We’re all guilty of hanging onto a book a few days too long, right? Surprise someone with a $0 balance this year.
  23. Volunteer at a crisis nursery.
  24. Shovel your neighbor’s front walkway.
  25. Serve meals at a local Senior Center, homeless shelter or soup kitchen. And consider signing up for a shift in January or February, after the holiday volunteer rush is over.
  26. When you’re in line at the grocery store, buy a gift card and hand it to the person checking out behind you. If you want to be more anonymous, give the gift card to the cashier and ask them to give it to someone in line who needs it.
  27. Pick up trash in a local park. Spend half an hour picking up debris in your favorite local spot and leave the park better than when you found it.
  28. Write a letter to a soldier who’s deployed. Operation Gratitude sends care packages, including letters, to soldiers who are deployed. Letters are accepted year-round. And if you need packing supplies for your military care package, the United States Postal Service offers a free Military Care Kit, including boxes that say “America Supports You.”
  29. Participate in a blood drive. Visit the American Red Cross to find a blood drive nearest you and help give the gift of life.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   More to come…………much more…………

Community Collaboration for Children (CCC)

Ronda Bertrand, CCC Director

Community Collaboration for Children has been busy collecting Toys for Tots for Nelson County. In-Home services have a few clients waiting but will be opened in the next few weeks. Ashley and Amanda are working extremely hard to keep the waiting list down.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program for Marion County Elementary schools is picking for the year 2022-23. We are working on expanding into other counties.

Trail of Hope Regional Networks Build A Bed program has been extremely busy already making sure 33 children have a bed. We are working on sponsorships to purchase bed frames, mattresses, bedding, and pillows. CCC will attend the next Trail of Hope Regional Network which meet in person at Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown on January 18, 2023 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 8 cakes to our families.

Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and Unaffiliated Centers (UC)

Kathy Hagan, FCCH and UC Program Director

Central Kentucky Community Action welcomes Kathy Hagan as the new Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and Unaffiliated Centers (UC) programs Director. She replaces Cathy Sparrow who officially retired at the end of October 2022, but who continued to work on the programs through the October reporting period to help train Ms. Hagan on the process. Ms. Hagan has also received assistance and training from Shirley Buckman who was the Director of the FCCH/UC programs for twenty plus years before her retirement a few years ago. Both Ms. Sparrow and Ms. Buckman are thanked for their continued help and support of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) by Ms. Hagan and Community Action.

Ms. Hagan previously held the Central Office Administrative Assistant position which enabled her to learn more about Community Action and the various programs designed to help communities in Central Kentucky. She is looking forward to promoting good nutrition for children through both the FCCH and UC programs.

Currently, the FCCH program has 22 childcare homes, and the UC program has 22 centers with two potential new centers being added after the first of the year; one is in Georgetown, KY and the other is in Lexington, KY. Ms. Hagan has already met a few of the center/homecare workers and/or owners through monitoring visits and looks forward to meeting and working with them all in the new year.