Category: Newsletter

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Needs Volunteers!

Marge joined as an RSVP volunteer in February of 2024. Currently she volunteers two days a week at Griffin Manor Senior Center in Elizabethtown, where she enjoys leading chair yoga and crafting projects.
Marge was born and raised on her family farm in Shelbyville, Indiana. She has been married to her husband, Bruce, for 22 years. Together, they have three sons, two grandchildren, and are patiently awaiting the arrival of their first great-grandchild! Marge’s mother is 102 years old and currently resides in an assisted living facility in Wichita Falls, Texas.
In her professional career, Marge served within the Golden Corral catering department and as well as an employee of Arby’s for 15 years prior to her retirement. In her free time, Marge enjoys reading, collecting old records, crocheting, and quilting.
When asked about why she decided to become a volunteer, Marge stated that she was looking for something to do post-retirement and that she did not desire to work a part-time job. She further explained that she genuinely enjoys the freedom she has while volunteering!
RSVP would love to have more volunteers like Marge!

Congregate Meals Program

The Congregate Meals Program continues to grow weekly, currently averaging over 2,000 meals served per week! Our two kitchens are doing an amazing job at getting all the extra meals out.
This month, we had multiple volunteers which visited with Congregate Meals seniors at our senior centers. Central Kentucky Community Action Inc. Head Start employees visited our seniors in Meade County and played bingo with them. Kids within the Marion County Gifted and Talented program visited the Lebanon center to eat lunch with and play bingo with the seniors. In Washington County, Hosparus visited and brought the seniors superhero costumes and accompanying backdrops to use.
The Congregate Meals Program is still looking to fill vacant positions!
 Bardstown: Cook (part-time and full-time)
 Elizabethtown: Coordinator (part-time)
 Grayson: Cook (part-time) & Coordinator (full-time)

Senior Companion Program (SCP)

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

The Senior Companion Program is adding new volunteers and clients every month. Volunteers are out in their communities assisting those elderly people who want to continue to live independently in their own homes but need a little help around the house or running errands. They are checking in on people and making sure they know that they aren’t forgotten or alone. They are bringing smiles to peoples’ faces and joy to their homes. 
 
We currently have 23 volunteers and will be enrolling more this month. Our volunteers are looking forward to this month’s Lincoln Trail Senior Celebration at the Pritchard Community Center on May 23. It’s a fun and informative way to get out and celebrate Older Americans Month. We will have an information booth set up and cannot wait to share our story with other seniors in our community. If you are age 55 or older and would like to have more information about becoming a senior companion, call Mary Jean Blake at 270-402-7194 or 270-692-2136 ext. 601.
 

Head Start Monthly Profile for February 2024

CKCAC HEAD START
Monthly Profile May 2024 

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

PFCE   

Family Service Action Events from August, 2023-April, 2024

-Communication:  12.097

-Food Distribution:  179

-Home Visits:  671

-Parent Event Collaborations:  427

-Referrals:  72

ATTENDANCE      Head Start: 84%               Early Head Start: 75%

POLICY COUNCIL 

May Policy Council Meeting: 

May 16, 2024 at 11:00 A.M.                           

SPECIAL EDUCATION    # of Children with an IEP or IFSP: 95

% of Funded Enrollment: 19%    

EDUCATION                                                          

% of Students Meeting School Readiness Goal:

-Approaches to Learning:  84% HS/100% EHS

-Social Emotional:  86% HS/95% EHS

-Language and Literacy:  85% HS/95% EHS

-Cognitive, Math, Science, and Social Studies:  93% HS/95% EHS

-Perceptual, Physical, and Motor Development:  90% HS/100% EHS

MENTAL HEALTH                                                

# of Referrals in April:  0

# of Students who Began Mental Health Services in April:  2

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Areas Monitored: Teaching Strategies

Gold Spring Checkpoints

 

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)