Category: Newsletter

Goode News – April 2024

As we welcome the arrival of April, we also embrace the spirit of hope that this month represents. April is designated as the National Month of Hope, a time for us to look toward the future with optimism and determination. During challenges, hope serves as a beacon, guiding us toward brighter days and inspiring us to strive for growth and progress.
At Central Kentucky Community Action Council, we are dedicated to fostering hope within our community and empowering individuals to pursue their dreams. Through our various programs and initiatives, we aim to provide support, resources, and opportunities for growth to all those we serve.
As we embark on this month-long celebration of hope, let us reflect on the resilience and strength that lies within each of us. Let us come together as a community, united in our commitment to building a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.
In the coming weeks, we at CKCAC encourage you to join us in spreading hope and positivity throughout Central Kentucky. Whether it’s lending a helping hand to a neighbor in need, participating in community events, or simply sharing words of encouragement, every act of kindness contributes to the collective spirit of hope that defines our community.
Together, let us embrace the power of hope and let it guide us toward a future filled with promise and possibility.
Wishing you all a month filled with hope, growth, and positivity!
More to come…………….much more……………….

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 47 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 9 workers since the last quarter. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 110 clients in the K-Tap program for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31st, 2023, up 67% from last quarter.
  • 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 680 clients for the SNAP program during the last quarter, almost doubling the previous quarter. In March we served 336 which is 157 higher than any previous month.
  • 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.
  • We were recently awarded the contract for fiscal years 2025 and 2026
 

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

LIHEAP CRISIS –Staff members have processed 4,541 Crisis Applications for 2,975 families between January 9, 2024, and March 29, 2024, for a total of $973,176.06 in benefits.
A SPRING SUBSIDY Program will begin April 16, 2024. This will be an electric benefit only.
KU/LG&E Heating Assistance Program – The Community Services Staff has 232 active participants in the KU Heating Assistance Program and 95 on the LG&E 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 $201,432.00 for these families. To qualify for the program the family must: be a KU or LG&E 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 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 2024-2025 CSBG Budget Proposal. Thanks to all who completed the Needs Assessment Survey Form.1147 surveys were completed.
EMPLOYMENT / 73.15%
EDUCATION / 58.50%
INCOME AND ASSET BUILDING / 36.88%
HOUSING / 52.92%
HEALTH / 34.87%
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT / 9.68%
SUPPORT SERVICES (supporting multiple domains) / 30.00%
ANSWERED=1147

Weatherization At Work For The Clients We Serve

The Weatherization Program is currently training staff for new positions within the Weatherization Program. The Weatherization Program is providing weatherization services to our 8-county area with 19 jobs in-progress with 10 dwellings ready for QCI post inspections. The Weatherization Program is fully staffed with an in-house crew, and we are utilizing contractors to perform QCI inspections, 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. With the BIL funding we have been allocated funding to purchase new vehicles and equipment with the opportunity to offer services to qualifying Multi-Family Projects/Units throughout 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 Josh Mattingly-Dwelling Needs Evaluator/Crew Leader, Tessa Hinton-Crew Leader, Mike Burden-Retrofit Installer, Andrew Salleng-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 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 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.

FREE Monthly Internet and Android Table through SWA Connect 877-333-6120

Who SWA Connect is?
 
SWA Connect is proud to be an authorized provider of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). As an ACP provider, we are committed to helping families, students, seniors, and individuals across the country access affordable, reliable broadband internet and the digital resources they need to thrive. With our nationwide coverage and commitment to quality, you can count on us to provide the support and service you need to stay connected and empowered.
 
Our Android tablet with broadband 4G LTE mobile internet, puts the world at your fingertips, allowing you to stay connected to work, school, family, and friends no matter where you are. With fast and reliable internet speeds, high-quality video and voice capabilities, and a range of built-in apps and features, our tablets are the perfect solution for anyone looking to stay connected and productive on the go.
 
What is ACP?
 
The Affordable Connectivity Program or ACP is a government assistance program by the FCC designed to ensure that low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, education, healthcare, and more.
 
The ACP is a new program that has replaced the old, temporary Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program on December 31, 2021. The old, temporary EBB program offered similar benefits as the ACP program and as it has proven to be vital for millions of Americans, the U.S. Congress has recently passed a bill to replace the short-term EBB program with a long-term program, which offers similar benefits.
 
TO SIGN UP:
 
You may view our website: ckcac.org/news and scroll down until you see FREE INTERNET & TABLET then click on CLICK HERE TO ENROLL.
 
The Affordable Connectivity Program is administered by USAC with oversight from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Spring Subsidy

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Spring Subsidy enrollment will begin on April 16 and run through May 31, 2024.

Spring Subsidy Cooling Component is designed to help offset the cost of a household’s electric cost, providing eligible households a one-time benefit ranging from $38 to $200 depending on income levels and housing category.

Applications will be accepted during the enrollment period, or until designated funds are depleted on a first come, first-serve basis. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Benefits are paid directly to the electric vendor.

Interested households should contact Central KY Community Action Council’s Community Services in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington Counties to apply. 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 income from the preceding month for all members of the household.
  • 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.

Spring Subsidy DOES NOT require a disconnect notice, a past due bill, or eviction notice. The Subsidy benefit can be applied as a credit on your account. Assistance received during previous LIHEAP components does not affect household’s eligibility.

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.

 

Head Start Monthly Profile for March 2024

CKCAC HEAD START
Monthly Profile March 2024 

ENROLLMENT    Head Start:  470 children  /Early Head Start:  24 children

ATTENDANCE      Head Start: 83%               Early Head Start: 88%                        

SPECIAL EDUCATION   

# of Children with an IEP or IFSP: 82

% of Funded Enrollment: 16%    

EDUCATION                                                          

fall, 2023 Classroom Assessment                             

Scoring System Data:                                      

Social Emotional Domain: 6.16

Classroom Organization Domain: 5.67

Instructional Support Domain: 3.27

PFCE   

Recent Family Advocate Community Partner Referrals: Commonwealth ABA, Communicare, Community Action (CSBG), Community Collaboration for Children, Department for Community Based Services, Feeding America

SAFETY

# Of Incident Reports for February: 37

MENTAL HEALTH                                                

# of Referrals in February: 3

# of Students who began Mental Health Services in February: 2 

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Areas Monitored: Family Outcomes

Assessments: Family Advocate Second Contacts

March Policy Council Meeting: March 21, 2024 at 11:00 AM

 

 

 

 

 

CKCAC HEAD START

March 2024 Newsletter Article
 
As we begin 2024, Central Kentucky Head Start is full speed ahead with our school year! Spring Break is quickly approaching, and we are excited for warmer weather!
 
Central Kentucky Head Start is excited to welcome two new Center Managers: Christy Lucas (Radcliff) and Allison Jones (LaRue County). Center Managers are crucial in the success of Central Kentucky Head Start and we are glad to have Christy and Allison join our team.
 
Stephanie Simmons from our regional training office has visited Central Kentucky Head Start numerous times over this school year. Her most recent visit was February 21st and 22nd. Ms. Simmons helped educate staff about the Pyramid Model for managing classrooms and Implicit Bias training for our Family Advocates to better serve families. Central Kentucky Head Start is consistently seeking ways to improve how we serve children and families. Ongoing training is a key element of that effort.
 
Lastly, recruitment season for the new school year has begun! We would love to hear from you if you have any kiddos in your world for whom Head Start would be a good fit. Please feel free to visit our website (www.CKYHS.org) or find us on Facebook to find more information. We have worked hard to get billboards for Central Kentucky Head Start in our communities, will be joining local radio stations over the coming months, and if you are in Elizabethtown and go to the movies, you may also see us in this commercial or go to https://vimeo.com/896579298/11d5070250?share=copy
 
Thank you for your ongoing support of Central Kentucky Head Start!
 

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

National CACFP Week is March 10-16, 2024! CACFP week is a national education and information campaign in the third week of March sponsored annually by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. It’s designed to help get the word out about how the USDA’s Child & Adult Food Program works to combat hunger. Central Kentucky Community Action Council is a proud CACFP Sponsor of Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and Unaffiliated Centers (UC) throughout 19 Kentucky counties. We currently sponsor 22 FCCH and are in the process of getting state approval for a newly opened Family Child Care Home in Woodford County, which will make 23. One of CKCAC’s sponsored centers closed in Hodgenville this past December, and another one decided to begin filing independently as of the January 2024 reporting. We have since picked up two additional centers in their place. One is a new center in Hardin County and the other is a center under new ownership and a new name in Franklin County. This brings our UC sponsorship total to 23. We are also in the process of getting application approval with the state to sponsor a new UC opening in Lincoln County and another center located in Mercer County. This will bring UC sponsorship to 25 once they’re approved.
 
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 10-16, 2024! 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 Ext. 501.
 
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.