Category: Newsletter

Tommy Wheatley, Kentucky Works Director

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.

 Covid-19 continues to have a significant impact on both of our programs. The state of emergency that the state of Kentucky had implemented with a “Good Cause exemption” where clients are not required to participate in the programs was lifted on July 1, 2022, however there were no sanctions being levied for non-participation until December 2022 so participation is still low.

 ·       We currently have 25 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program, and 6 clients that are at a site gaining work experience. The referrals have picked up with the state of emergency ending and sanctions now being implemented for non-compliance. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 67 clients in the K-Tap program for the second quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 which more than doubles the number we served in the last quarter, and is 41 more than we served for all of the last fiscal year.

·       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 1060 referrals for the SNAP program during the last fiscal year.

·       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.

·       We continue to see an impact with COVID on our Work Experience Program sites as some of them are still unable to accept our referrals. We have 124 sites in our 17 counties that we send our clients and as of now, 67 are open and/or willing to accept referrals due to Covid-19.

·       Our staff continues to stay in touch to discuss all relative matters in the program. We have staff meetings every other month. We are now conducting our staff meetings in person.

·       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.

Hal B. Goode, Executive Director

Goode News – March

Tri-County Kentucky fights for the Education, Financial Stability and Health of every person in every community in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. They are creating greater opportunities, improving quality of life and building stronger communities. Through your support, local programs are currently addressing the needs of those that need it most.

The Tri-County Kentucky United Way mobilizes the caring power of our communities to improve the quality of life for all by supporting local health and human service programs and addressing local issues in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. Their vision is to improve the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community of Marion, Nelson, and Washington counties. They strive to ensure that everyone has the resources, supports, opportunities, and networks they need to thrive.

The Tri County United Way supports programs and discussions that provide the building blocks for a good quality of life and help to build stronger communities. The building blocks include:

Education: Offer a comprehensive approach to education that spans from cradle to career to help children and youth stay on track and succeed in school

Financial Stability: Assist and empower people to get on stable financial ground to help individuals and communities thrive and succeed

Your donation to the Tri-County Kentucky United Way will be helping to provide Education, Financial Stability, and Health services to programs that serve individuals in Marion, Nelson and Washington Counties. Your donation is truly making a difference in our community! You can give to United Way in a number of ways:

1.      Mailing a check to our office at P.O. Box 547, Bardstown, KY 40004.

2.      Making a monthly donation through your financial institution using the form below.

3.      payroll deduction – allows you to donate a specific amount per paycheck

4.      a one-time gift – you can write a check to Tri-County Kentucky United Way or give a cash donation through your employee campaign.

Please contact the Tri County United Way’s Executive Director Laura Sedlatschek at 502-348-1891 for more information on how you can help the area.  More to come, much more………………………..

Martha ‘Jewell’ Bartley, Head Start Quality Assurance Manager

Tammy Stanley, Head Start Director

February provided opportunities to engage our families through literacy events and other activities. February was Heart Healthy and Black History Month.  Centers spotlighting individuals that have contributed to many inventions in our society. Centers provided heart healthy events for students and parents to participate. Our New Haven Center literacy event was led by one of the parents! February, was a short month, but Head Start was very busy engaging our families!!

In January, Central Kentucky CAC Head Start was chosen to participate in the Class Video Observation Pilot Review. The Education Team was able to compete all the videos requested as of March 3, 2023. We look forward to receiving feedback!

Please congratulate our PFCE Manager, Stephanie Harrison, received the Beacon of Light Award from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College on February 27, 2023. Recipients were recognized due to “successes and exemplary service to their professions and communities, and their commitment to servant leadership and equity”. Thank you, Stephanie, for your dedication and leadership!

Kathy Hagan, Director of Family Child Care Homes/Unaffiliated Centers Food Program

National CACFP Week is March 12-18, 2023! What is CACFP week? It’s a national education and information campaign the third week of March sponsored annually by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. It’s designed to help get the word out about the USDA’s Child & Adult Food Program works to combat hunger. Central Kentucky Community Action Council is a proud CACFP Sponsor for 21 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and 24 Unaffiliated Centers (UC). One FCCH closed as of March 1, 2023 due to retirement of the home care provider and we recently had two UC join us, one beginning mid-February and the other at the beginning of March 2023.

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 12-18, 2023! 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 X501.

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.

Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator

March 2023 Newsletter

Spring is here and Community Collaboration for Children’s waiting list is growing. CCC has been busy helping families with their needs and trying to get the waiting list down. We are busy planning April Child Abuse Awareness Month. We have pinwheels and signs that will be distributed among our 8 counties. We are having a Trauma Informed Care training April 19^th 9:30-12:30 at the Harding County Extension Office. For more information contact ronda.bertrand@ckcac.org. April 29^th 11-1 CCC Statewide Event held in Frankfort Western Hills High School. We had 30 children send in posters for the CCC Statewide contest. The top three winners went on to the state contest.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program for Marion County Elementary schools is keeping busy with meetings to helping to prevent truancy. We are working on expanding into other counties.

Trail of Hope Regional Networks Build A Bed program has been extremely busy already making sure 49 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 AM. If you are interested in being a network member please reach out to Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator at 270-692-7553.

Wow!! Cakes 4 Kids volunteers have been busy the past several months. CCC has delivered 6 cakes to our families.

March 15^th CCC Trail of Hope Regional Meeting at the Hardin County Extension Office in Elizabethtown at 10AM.

Tancy Morris, Congregate Meals Director

Congregate Meal Program Newsletter

February 2023

From July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022, we have served 38,217 meals to 675 unduplicated clients.

The senior center participation is holding strong through the winter months whereas in the past we would see a decline in participation throughout the winter.

In January we distributed 2540 vouchers to 254 participants in the Meade County voucher program.

This program continues to grow each month.

Our Radcliff center has always been a 2 day a week site. We are now serving meals out of that location 5 days per week. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday’s are drive thru only meals and Tuesday and Friday’s participates can dine in or pick up in the drive thru. We are happy to be able to serve our participants in that location a hot meal 5 days per week now.

Ida Kyle, site coordinator at Griffin Manor in Elizabethtown has retired. Ida was a loyal employee to CKCAC for many years. We wish her the very best in her retirement. Since, Ida’s retirement we have hired Grace Compton as the new site coordinator for that location. Grace has been a wonderful asset to our team and we are thrilled to have her!

I am in the process of hiring a site coordinator in Grayson. Jeannette Salmon has worked at the Wal-Mart deli in Leitchfield for 14 years. We are excited to welcome her to our team.

We are actively searching for an assistant cook in Grayson County and a full time head cook in Nelson County.

Melissa Bland, RSVP Director

Central Kentucky Community Action Council is proud to be the regional affiliate for one of the largest volunteer networks in the nation, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

Best known as RSVP, our volunteers continue to be a lifeline to non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based group, all of which rely on their support to meet the rising demand for services.

RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve. Commitment hours can range anywhere from a few hours per month to almost full time, though the average commitment is four hours per week.

RSVP Volunteer Requirements

The only requirements are that all volunteers must be at least 55 years old and willing to serve in Hardin or Nelson County.

RSVP Volunteer Benefits

• RSVP volunteers will receive monthly mileage reimbursement to and from their work station. The current monthly maximum is $60 per month.

• RSVP volunteers will receive insurance coverage to and from their workstation and while at their work station.

• Transportation to and from the workstation can be arranged and paid for any RSVP volunteer that does not drive.

• All volunteers will be invited to an annual appreciation luncheon where they can win door prizes! 

Contact Information

Contact Melissa Bland, RSVP Director, at 270-737-1059 or rsvp.director@ckcac.org if you would like more information including the benefits offered to all volunteers.

You are also welcome to stop by the RSVP office which is in the Griffin Manor Senior Center, 1119 Johnstown Road in Elizabethtown. 

Martha ‘Jewell’ Bartley, Head Start Quality Assurance Manager

Tammy Stanley, Head Start Director

Head Start continues to follow its mission to deliver quality education services for children and families to be school ready while engaging partnerships and community resources. Recently our program was selected to be a part of a national pilot program for CLASS review. This review is conducted virtually, and we are in the process of completing these observations. 

We continue engage our families through home visits, monthly parent meetings and activities. We have initiated Family Literacy Nights in our centers. The Literacy Nights are part of Ready 4K, the research based parenting curriculum used. The literacy nights focus on building school ready skills but most importantly, our families do activities together. 

Above are pictures from the literacy nights at the Lebanon and Bardstown Centers. Parents and children engage with staff in activities during our Literacy Nights.