Author: Kathy Mills

Kentucky Works Program

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 81 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 15 workers since the last quarter and up 31 form two quarters ago. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 85 clients in the K-Tap program for the quarter ending December 31st, 2024. We placed 60 clients in the quarter. For the entire year of 2024 we assisted 348 clients and placed 154 in work experience opportunities and 230 in jobs.

·       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 3,669 clients for the SNAP program during 2024, up from 1,394 in 2023.

·       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 meeting 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.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

CSBG/LIHEAP January 2025

This is the busiest time of year for the Community Services Staff. We have just completed the Subsidy Component LIHEAP Subsidy, collaborated with other service organizations in our communities for a successful Christmas Program, and began the LIHEAP Crisis Program.

LIHEAP SUBSIDY In our eight-county services area, we assisted 2,995 families with home heating assistance in the amount of $452,071.00 this program began on October 14, 2024 with the pre-registration, and ran through December 20, 2024. The program proceeded smoothly, with few problems, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff members. We in Central Office continue to work to pay all of the vendors and balance the program.

The LIHEAP Crisis Program began on January 7, 2025.

We are in the process of completing the annual Needs Assessment Survey Process.  The email link is below. Please select Board Member. This survey information will be entered into a database for accurate compilation. The results of the Needs Assessment Survey will determine the work plan for the next program year. The information will also be available to other programs and to the community.

Please complete our Needs Assessment Survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/32QCM9X-2024-2025CNA

Wintercare and Winterhelp- These Programs are also available to families for utility assistance. These funds are donated by utility customers as they pay their utility bill, and sometimes matched by the utility company in local areas.

Thank you to all the staff members who work so hard to balance all of these different programs and assist those in need. Their amazing efforts are greatly appreciated in our communities. We have a great team!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – JANUARY 2025

Let me wish all friends of Central Kentucky Community Action Council a heartfelt Happy New Year!

Welcome to my first newsletter as your new Executive Director. I want to thank Hal B. Goode for his nearly seven years of service to CKCAC and his support as he has transitioned to retirement. I have a feeling that Hal is going to be busier with his media empire now that is no longer working as Executive Director! From all of us at CKCAC, we wish Hal all the best!

January is a perfect time for renewal as the new year begins. 2025 is going to be an exciting year for CKCAC and I look forward to working with each and every one of you in ensuring our success. Please never hesitate to reach out to me if there is something that you or your community needs! You can always reach me at bryan.conover@ckcac.org.

As many of you know, Ms. Ellen Leake is retiring after 32 years of service to CKCAC at the end of January. We are sad to see Ellen go but wish her well. Also, Ms. Jessica Miles has been named our new CFO/Finance Director for CKCAC. Jessica will be transitioning into this role over the next couple of months as Ms. Jami Sandusky is retiring in the near future. Lots of changes are going on with CKCAC, but we will continue the important work of fighting poverty in our central Kentucky communities.

Lastly, there is excitement and anxiety for Community Action as we begin with new leaders at the federal, state, and local levels. CKCAC is excited to work with whomever is in government and our community partners to serve our citizens to the best of our ability! We will always work to find ways to help give “hands up, not handouts” to help our central Kentucky folks be self-sufficient and successful.

Thank you for all you do.

LIHEAP Winter Crisis 2025 Enrollment

For Immediate Release                                                                                                

Kentucky’s LIHEAP Crisis Program: Applications Open January 7 – March 15, 2025

Community Action Agencies Offering Heating Assistance Across All 120 Counties

FRANKFORT, Ky. (January 6, 2025): Kentucky’s Community Action Agencies (CAK) are set to begin accepting applications for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis component from January 7 until March 15, 2025, on a first-come, first-serve basis.

This program assists eligible households facing a home heating emergency, such as imminent loss of heat, low fuel supply, or eviction due to unpaid utility bills. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Prior LIHEAP assistance 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 until they reach their maximum benefit. Benefits are paid directly to the fuel vendor.

Kentucky’s Community Action Network collectively operates outreach offices in all 120 Kentucky counties. To apply, contact your local Community Action Agency office or call 800-456-3452. Visit www.capky.org/network to find the nearest office.

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 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.

• The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

For the Crisis component, applicants requiring assistance for natural gas or electric must bring a disconnect/past due notice. If your rent includes heat, bring a copy of your lease and eviction notice. Pre-Pay Electric Program participants must show they have 10 days or less of pre-paid electric service.

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. For more information about LIHEAP, including contact information for all local Community Action agencies, please visit the
Community Action Kentucky website at www.CAPKY.org.

About Community Action Kentucky

Community Action Kentucky is the statewide association representing and assisting the 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

 

 

CKCAC 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 Monday, January 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM EST. For more information, call the Central Office at 270-692-2136.

CKCAC HEAD START

As we close out 2024, it is time for reflection and celebration! Central Kentucky Head Start has had a very successful first half of this school year and is excited for the time to recharge as we prepare for 2025!

Central Kentucky Head Start is working to fully implement our new program option. We now have 352 Head Start slots and 48 Early Head Start slots across our nine centers. Early Head Start is a growing area for Head Start and we are glad to be able to convert three classrooms to serve these younger kiddos. Staffing remains an ongoing challenge, but we are actively working to make sure our programs are fully staffed and fully enrolled.

Central Kentucky Head Start is excited about the future of our organization. This year, CKYHS has created a new role to have Ms. Ann Pickerrell as the Assistant Director for our program. Ms. Pickerrell is transitioning from our Education Manager position and brings wonderful experience and ideas to this new leadership position. 2025 will mean that we will have a new Head Start Director as Mr. Bryan Conover transition to CKCAC’s Executive Director, as well. Stay tuned for exciting news as we continue to strengthen Central Kentucky Head Start!

As 2024 comes to a close, we want to wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued support of Central Kentucky Head Start! Please help us raise awareness of the educational and employment opportunities that we provide! If there is anything we can do to help the children and families in our communities, please let us know!

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

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 25 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and 22 Unaffiliated Day Care Centers (UC) and 1 Emergency Shelter in the following 18 Kentucky counties: Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Jessamine, LaRue, Lincoln, Meade, Mercer, Nelson, Pulaski, Scott, Taylor, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford.

Every day that a child is fed USDA certified meals at a Family Child Care Home and/or Unaffiliated Center as part of the Food Program is a success story to celebrate. Often, children of lower incomes are not afforded the opportunity to eat a well-rounded meal while at home. The CACFP benefits those children, the Family/Center Daycare, and the parents/guardians.

If you know of any Family Child Care Homes and/or Day Care Centers who are interested in finding out more about the Food Program and whether they are eligible to participate, they may contact CKCAC’s Food Program Director Kathy Hagan at 270-692-2136 X501 or by email at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org.

Community Collaboration for Children (CCC)

Community Collaboration for Children has been busy collecting Toys for Tots for Nelson County. CCC In-Home services has a waiting list, but we are working extremely hard to keep the waiting list down.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program for Elizabethtown Independent Elementary schools is off to a great start for the year 2024-2025. We are working on expanding into other counties after the New Year.

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

Trail of Hope Regional Network’s Build A Bed program has been extremely busy making sure 41 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 10:00 AM on January 21, 2025. If you are interested in being a network member, please reach out to Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator at 270-692-7553.