Head Start Monthly Profile for February 2024

CKCAC HEAD START
Monthly Profile February 2024 

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

PFCE   # of Parents Receiving Daily Text Messaging through Parent Powered, Formerly Known as Ready 4K

Parenting Curriculum: 555

ATTENDANCE      Head Start: 85%               Early Head Start: 87%

SAFETY  #of Incident Reports for January:  46                                  

SPECIAL EDUCATION    # of Children with an IEP or IFSP: 77

% of Funded Enrollment: 15%    

EDUCATION                                                          

fall, 2023 Classroom Assessment                             

Scoring System Data:                                      

Social Emotional Domain: 6.16

Classroom Organization Domain: 5.67

Instructional Support Domain: 3.27

MENTAL HEALTH                                                

# of Staff Completing Webinar on Understanding Trauma in January: 5                  

# of Staff Completing Webinar on Building Resilient Schools and Homes in January: 6

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Areas Monitored: Teaching Strategies

Gold Winter Checkpoints

February Policy Council Meeting: February 15, 2024 at 11:00 AM

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)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weatherization At Work For The Clients We Serve

The Weatherization Program is currently training and has hired 2 new staff. The Weatherization Assistance Program is currently updating the priority list for the new calendar year. The Weatherization Program is providing weatherization services to our 8-county area with 13 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. We are excited to share CKCAC’s Weatherization Program received our contract for the DOE BIL funding in the amount of 1.2 million. We will be working extremely hard to hire new staff so we will be able to acquire all required training and certifications required to work within the weatherization program over the next few months. 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, Mike Burden-Retrofit Installer, Andrew Salleng-Retrofit Installer, Cory Carpenter-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 to improving the quality of work and their 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.

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.
 
During this Fiscal year we received 235 referrals for the KTAP program. This number was up from 26 in the last fiscal year when COVID was having a big impact on our program. We placed 54 of these clients in work preparation activities with the majority of these doing volunteer hours to gain needed work experience. Our employment Specialists continue to follow up with these clients and track their hours to make sure they are successful. After helping our clients overcome barriers, we were able to place 86 in unsubsidized job placement which helped put them on the way to self-sufficiency. We currently have 39 clients employed in the KTAP Program. One success story is a lady that was hired at Inoac at $19.09 per hour.
 
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 1,259 referrals for the SNAP program during the last fiscal year. This is up from the 250 referrals we had for the last fiscal year.
 
We continually work with employers in our area to make sure we have the right job opportunities for our clients when they are ready to make that move and keep a current job listing in each of the counties we serve. We also work with our non-profit agencies in each of our counties to make sure we have an adequate number of job sites that are willing to take our clients to give them work experience to help them become self-sufficient. 
 
We continue to offer a wage subsidy program where the employer will be reimbursed for a portion of their wages during their first six months of employment if they hire one of our KTAP clients.

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

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. LIHEAP Crisis Program started on January 9, 2024.
LIHEAP SUBSIDY in our eight-county services area, we assisted 3,229 families with home heating assistance in the amount of $420,707.00. This program began on October 16, 2023, with the pre-registration, and ran through December 15, 2023. New this year is appointment scheduling for assistance. The program proceeded smoothly, with few problems, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff members. We, in the Central Office, continue to work to pay all the vendors and balance the program.
COUNTY BENEFIT /AMOUNT /FAMILIES SERVED
Breckinridge /$58,439 /433
Grayson /$80,431 /640
Hardin /$78,780 /624
LaRue /$31,100 /228
Marion /$59,114 /454
Meade /$40,047 /296
Nelson /$36,116 /301
Washington /$36,680 /253
LIHEAP Crisis began on January 9, 2024.
We are in the process of completing the annual Needs Assessment Survey Process. 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.
If you are a Board member, please choose board member when completing the survey.
Wintercare, Winterhelp, Warmhearts – These Programs are 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 these different programs and assist those in need. Their amazing efforts are greatly appreciated in our communities. We have a great team!

Goode News – January 2024

I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. As we embark on a new year, I am thrilled to share with you the exciting plans and initiatives that Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) has in store for 2024.
One of our primary focuses for the upcoming year is the improvement and expansion of our facilities, with particular attention to the Elizabethtown building. We recognize the vital role it plays in serving our community, and we are committed to ensuring that it remains a hub of support and assistance for those in need. With our ongoing programs, our team will be working diligently to enhance the infrastructure and resources available at the Elizabethtown location to better meet the diverse needs of our community members.
Recognizing the invaluable contributions and unique needs of our senior population, CKCAC is dedicated to developing targeted programs and support systems for this demographic. We aim to foster an environment that promotes the well-being and independence of our seniors, ensuring that they continue to thrive and actively participate in the community.
We understand that our mission is best achieved through collaboration and community engagement. As we move forward, we will actively seek partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and individuals who share our commitment to creating positive change. Together, we can amplify our impact and address the challenges faced by our community more effectively.
Stay tuned for regular updates through our newsletters, social media channels, and community events as we progress throughout the year together. If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and here’s to an impactful 2024 for Central Kentucky Community Action Council!
More to come…………..much more

*PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE * Central KY Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS)

FEBRUARY 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM

Public Meeting Notice

Central Kentucky Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS) is conducting a meeting to identify unmet public transportation needs in the region. Following the meeting all needs will be assessed and potential funding sources reviewed.  Where possible the needs identified will be used to develop FY 24-25 Transit Grant applications, however, preparing a request does not guarantee that service will be provided.  To thoroughly access the needs of the region a public Coordination meeting has been scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on February 28th, 2024, at Central Kentucky Community Action Council, INC., 328 Hood Avenue, Lebanon, Kentucky. If you have questions regarding this public input, or would like to submit written comments to attend, please contact Kerri Taylor at (270) 692-9313.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CKCATS Central KY Community Action Transportation Services (CKCATS)

INVITATION FOR BIDS

BID # 0123-SW

CKCATS will receive bids pertaining to a major software/camera system upgrade for all transit operations in its fleet.  

All bids must be turned in to CKCATS, 332 Hood Ave., Lebanon KY 40033, no later than 5:00 PM EST on February 23rd, 2024. Bids cannot be accepted at any other location. The complete bid package can be requested in writing by email to amanda.tungate@ckcac.org  on or before February 16th, 2024 by 5:00 PM EST. Bids will be opened there upon or about 12:00 PM EST on February 26th, 2024, at a public bid opening at CKCATS, 332 Hood Ave., Lebanon KY 40033. Bids must be received by the designated date and time, and none will be considered thereafter.

Electronic Bids: electronic bids can be emailed to amanda.tungate@ckcac.org with a CC to kerri.taylor@ckcac.org

Pre-Bid Meeting: There will be no pre-bid meeting set for this project.

Questions and Approved Equals Request Deadline:

Requests may be submitted in writing by email to amanda.tungate@ckcac.org  on or before February 16th, 2024, by 5:00 PM EST.

Answers to Questions and Approved Equals Requests:

Answers will be posted on www.ckcac.org on or before February 23rd, 2024. Changes and addendums will also be emailed to all known possible bidders based on the return of “Confirmation of Receipt”.

CKCATS reserves the right to reject any and all bids received, and to select that bid which it determines to be in its best interest. The award of this bid will be made on the basis of the lowest evaluated bid price as permitted in KRS 45A.365.

All bid forms, information, and specifications regarding this bid are available from CKCATS. Bidders must submit their bid in a sealed envelope, and the bidder is advised to clearly mark the sealed bid with the bid number and description, opening time and date listed above. CKCATS is not responsible for the premature opening of, or the failure to open, a sealed bid not properly addressed or identified.

This bid package is subject to the requirements of Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, Participations of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs. The bid package is subject to a financial assistance between CKCATS, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinets Office of Delivery, and the Federal Transit Administration.

Bidders are invited to attend in person at 12:00 PM EST on February 26th, 2024, in order to hear the opening of the bids submitted.

CKCAC HEAD START

As we close out 2023, 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 2024!

Central Kentucky Head Start is fully enrolled and fully staffed, which are two things that many Head Start programs across the United States cannot say. We are very fortunate and proud of our families and staff that Central Kentucky Head Start is as strong as we have ever been with 470 Head Start and 24 Early Head Start children and their families across our area are being fully served by our staff. That is a wonderful accomplishment to share!

The picture you see here is one of our new initiatives at CKYHS. Kendra Furmon, our new Program Support Specialist, is the first participant in our Emerging Leaders Program. Ms. Furmon is tasked with supporting all classrooms across the program and helping teach staff with strategies and interventions. Additionally, Ms. Furmon will be receiving additional professional development and beginning to pursue her college degree as part of the Emerging Leaders Program. CKYHS wants to create internal advancement opportunities and workforce development pipelines to help build our program. Kendra has been a rockstar and we are lucky to have her as our first Emerging Leader!

As 2023 ends, 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 for Head Start. Be on the lookout for some new marketing efforts (billboard, commercials, car decals, and more)! We want to make sure all members of our communities know the wonderful things that Head Start is up to!

Happy Holidays from CKYHS!