Newsletter Archives

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 97 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 9 workers since the last quarter and up 48 from two quarters ago. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We placed 65 clients in the quarter. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026 we had 305 referrals and placed 279 either in jobs or work experience activities.

· 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 1,155 clients referred to us for the quarter ending March 31^st, 2026. We placed 121 of those in Employment and Training activities. We currently have 46 participating in E&T activities.

· 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

· 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 had five client participate in the wage subsidy program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

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

And just like that, CSBG is beginning a new program year filled with plans to support our communities! Through analyzation of the SFY26 Community Needs Assessment responses, housing and employment remain the primary concerns for households. CSBG continues to work hand in hand with all agency programs and community partners to help meet these needs of the communities. In the 2026 fiscal year, Central Kentucky Community Action Council was able to help assist at least 10,151 individuals and provided 31,315 recorded services.

Since April, the CSBG area has hired several new staff members in the county offices, including

Larue, Marion, Meade, and has hired an Assistant Director of Community Services/HEAP. We are actively in the process of filling the Hardin County Coordinator role as well. This staff turnover has been challenging but has helped provide an opportunity to re-evaluate CSBG procedures for better community service.

It’s summer in Kentucky, and that means high temperatures and high energy costs. While official dates have not been released, there is anticipation for a LIHEAP Subsidy component before the winter. Some key information about LIHEAP and what a household needs to apply are:

A LIHEAP Subsidy assists families by offering eligible households a future credit on their utility bill. Cooling subsidies are for electric services only, while heating subsidies may help with metered and non-metered heating credits. Since subsidy is a credit program, it is important to pay the full amount of the bill until the credit is received by your utility company and applied to your account. For Subsidy, a past due and/or disconnect notice is NOT required.

Eligible households must be within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and willing to provide supporting documentation:

• Address Verification, such as a metered utility bill, unopened legal piece of first-class mail confirming the name and address, etc.

• Proof of Gross Household Income for the preceding month (award letter, pay stubs, etc.)

• Photo ID for the applicant and Social Security Card(s) or official documentation with social security numbers or Permanent Resident card numbers for everyone living in the household

• Most recent metered utility (electric) bill or verification from landlord that cooling expenses are included in the rent (i.e. lease agreements)

All LIHEAP components are limited to funding allotments and funds may run out before the projected end day of a season. Once the program’s dates have been announced, please gather your items and schedule an appointment with your local CSBG office to apply.

CKCAC HEAD START

Learning, Growing, and Exploring All Summer Long!

Summer is here, and we hope everyone is enjoying longer days, outdoor adventures, and quality time together. While school may be out for many children, learning never has to stop! Everyday experiences can become meaningful opportunities for children to learn, grow, and explore the world around them.

Help Us Spread the Word – Enrollment is Open!

Do you know a family who could benefit from Head Start or Early Head Start services? We are currently recruiting children and families for the upcoming program year.

Head Start serves children ages 3–5, while Early Head Start serves children ages 2-3. Families enrolled in our program receive high-quality early childhood education, family support services, health and developmental screenings, nutritious meals, and opportunities for family engagement.

If you know a family who may qualify, please encourage them to contact us or complete our online application. Word of mouth remains one of the best ways to help families connect with valuable resources in their communities.

Summer Learning Made Simple

Children learn best through play, conversation, and exploration. We encourage families to incorporate some of these simple activities into summer routines to prevent the summer slide and keep children engaged:

Read together every day, even if only for 10–15 minutes.
Visit your local library and participate in summer reading programs.
Take nature or neighborhood walks and talk about what you see, hear, and smell.
Count items while shopping, cooking, or cleaning.
Encourage children to draw, paint, build, and create.
Sing songs and nursery rhymes together.
Let children help with simple household tasks to build independence and confidence.

Talking, listening, and spending time together helps build language, social skills, and strong relationships.

Healthy Eating for Healthy Growth

Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables that children can help select, prepare, and enjoy. We encourage Involving children in meal preparation which often encourages curiosity to try new foods.

Try these healthy summer snack ideas:

Fresh fruit and watermelon slices
Frozen yogurt and frozen fruit pops
Cucumber and other fresh vegetables with dip
Whole grain crackers and cheese

Don’t forget the importance of staying hydrated. Water is the best choice for keeping children energized and healthy during outdoor play.

Explore Your Community

Many communities offer free or low-cost activities during the summer months. Consider visiting:

Public libraries
Community parks and playgrounds
Farmers markets
Nature trails
Local festivals, church and family events

These experiences provide opportunities for learning, social interaction, and family bonding while creating lasting memories.

We appreciate the trust you place in our program and look forward to continuing our work together in the upcoming school year.