Newsletter Archives - Page 30 of 41

GOODE NEWS

February 2021
With COVID-19 the new emphasis of working from home has heightened, as well as has internet capacity. Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced last week that the state of Kentucky needs your help with the launch of the Kentucky Broadband Speed Test, a crowd-sourcing project that will gather data from Kentuckians needed to expand internet home access for distance learning, telework and telehealth.
Kentuckians can take the free, anonymous speed test from Jan. 19 to Feb. 18 at http://ewdc.ky.gov/Initiatives/Pages/KBI.aspx.
By participating it will provide the needed data to spread internet coverage around the state.
To participate, the device must be connected to your home Wi-Fi service and disconnected from a virtual private network (VPN) that may be connected to a workplace or school. For the most accurate results, ensure that no one else connected to your home internet is using a substantial portion of the internet bandwidth for activities such as streaming video or gaming during the test.
Individuals without Wi-Fi access in their home can visit their local library or other locations such as stores or restaurants that offer free internet access to submit the address of a home with no available service.
Governor Beshear has noted that the budget proposal he recently offered up before the General Assembly contains $50 million dedicated to the last mile of broadband to areas in need. This historic investment would be the first time state money funded an expansion of broadband, which the pandemic has shown to be crucial to schools, telehealth, business and more.
This announcement comes after the Beshear-Coleman Administration first dedicated $8 million in CARES Act funding to broadband expansion in August 2020. Since then, Kentucky has reduced the number of students without internet access from 35,000 to 13,000. The speed test marks the second step in the state’s initiative to build a better Kentucky for everyone through expanded broadband access.
In addition to finding out their own upload and download speeds, Kentuckians who participate in the speed test will help detect slow spots around the state and where Wi-Fi access and affordability are lacking. The speed test can be done from any device connected to the Wi-Fi signal in your home.
“There is a digital divide in households across Kentucky, especially in rural areas, that has become even more apparent during the pandemic when so many people need it to attend school, go to work, get government services and conduct personal business from home,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “As an educator, I am especially concerned about the 13,000, or 2%, of Kentucky students who lack internet access at home so they are basically cut off from their teachers and classrooms. We have to do better by them.”
Although the Federal Communications Commission maps internet speeds, its results are sometimes based on the results of one location within a census block, which can cover several square miles in rural parts of the state. Those results are often inaccurate for residents or businesses in those locations.
Kentucky is partnering with geospatial engineering firm GEO Partners LLC, as well as The Center for Rural Development, to obtain actionable data.
To see images of the Speed Test in-progress, click here.
For more information about the project, visit http://ewdc.ky.gov/Initiatives/Pages/KBI.aspx.

CSBG SEES ONE OF THE BUSIEST SEASONS ON RECORD

Normally this is the busiest time of year for the Community Services staff, however; this year has been exceptionally busy. We have just completed the Subsidy Component LIHEAP. We dispersed $657,144 for the Healthy At Home Program in just 10 days when the money ran out state-wide. We collaborated with other facilities and organizations in our communities for a successful Christmas Program. Our food Pantries have had numerous families come in for assistance. We also prepared the second quarter CSBG Service and ROMA reports. And, all of this happening amidst our offices being closed to the public during a nation-wide pandemic. Luckily, all programs proceeded smoothly, with only a few problems, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff members.

LIHEAP SUBSIDY In our eight county services area assisted 3300 families with home heating assistance of $606,200.00 This program began on October 12, 2020, and ran through December 20, 2020. LIHEAP Crisis began on January 4, 2021.
We, in the Central Office, continue to work to pay all of the vendors and balance the programs.

We are in the process of completing the annual Needs Assessment Survey Process. An email link has been sent to the Board of Directors for their input. If you are a Board Member for CKCAC, please complete our survey as a board member. 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.

WINTERCARE – The Wintercare Program is 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. This program is used for families who are over income for LIHEAP, but under 200% of the federal poverty level. These families are often the “working poor” that fall between the cracks in income level eligibility.

Emergency Food and Shelter Program Phase 37 and CARES monies are being spent in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties. This money is available to families for utility and rent/mortgage assistance. Preparation for Phase 38 is taking place and is currently being advertised.

Thanks to all of the staff members who work so hard to balance all of these different programs and assist those in need. Their extraordinary efforts are greatly appreciated. We have a great team!

NEED EMPLOYMENT? CONTACT KY WORKS!

COVID-19 is still having a significant negative impact on the KY Works program. However, our staff continues to work as much as we can with clients. When we can’t work with clients, we engage in professional development activities.

The KY Works staff recently participated in a virtual learning series called “Calm in the Storm” which dealt with handling and adapting to changes in the world. The series focused specifically on the current worldwide pandemic and how each individual chooses to deal with it. KY Works employees have also participated in CPR & First Aid training.

Due to the pandemic, the state has implemented a “Good Cause Exemption” where clients are not required to participate in the programs which is in effect through January 31, 2021, but could be extended beyond that date. The clients are not penalized for choosing not to participate at this time. However, we currently have 13 clients that are participating and are employed in the K-TAP Program. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working.

On the SNAP Employment and Training program we continue to reach out to clients and complete assessments when they are referred to us. We continue to stay in touch with employers. When we get referrals, we match the clients skills with the job criteria order to have a good match which will hopefully lead to more permanent employment. We call new employers weekly and keep a current job listing for each county we serve.

Unfortunately, most of our Work Experience Program sites are either closed or unable to accept referrals because of the impact of COVID-19. However, there are currently 22 open and/or willing to accept referrals. Therefore, we continue to accept referrals and continue to work with clients.

In addition, we continue to offer a wage subsidy program to employers who hire K-TAP clients. These employers are reimbursed for a portion of the K-TAP client’s wages during the first six months of their employment. This is a huge benefit to businesses, especially small businesses, who otherwise could not afford to hire new employees right now.

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. If you would like to learn more about obtaining job skills, training, or work placement through these programs, please contact Tommy Wheatley at 270-230-6418.

Tommy is also available to discuss the wage subsidy program with employers interested in partnering with CKCAC.

Goode News – January 2021

Your New Year’s plans for 2021 were probably a lot different than normal. However, it’s still tradition to decide on a few New Year’s resolutions. This year, a renewed focus on your health may be top of mind. Or, you may be tired of thinking about meals or your waistline, in which case you’ll turn your sights on your mental health, or your sleep routine, or the mess in your living room — or the mess of your closet!

If you haven’t given resolutions a thought at all, here are a few ideas to take into consideration that are great ways (and easy) to get your year started in the right direction:

*Cook one new thing each week. Everyone wants to eat healthier in the new year, but you should also try to eat more diverse foods.

*Read more books. January is the perfect time of year to check out a new book. Local public librarians can offer suggestions for books you may like.

*Eat veggies regularly. Whether you’re slimming down or just staying healthy, vegetables are your friends. (I keep telling myself, anyway.)

*Take the stairs. Take 10 minutes to run up the stairs in your office or home.

*Drink up. Drink more water and stay hydrated.

*Volunteer. Research shows that pitching in regularly can lead to less stress and lower blood pressure.

*Decorate with family history. In happy and long-lived cultures, people often display items from their families’ pasts.

*Sanitize your phone weekly. Like, now! We check our phones a gazillion times a day, and if you’ve taken yours into the rest room lately, you’re not the only one.

*Explore new hobbies. Whatever is fun.

*Take more walks. Even if you can’t keep track of a new fitness routine, keeping yourself moving on a simple walk around the neighborhood is a must.

*Finally, ease stress with kindness. Kindness towards yourself! Recent research shows that practicing self-compassion slowed people’s heart rate and sweating which are two symptoms our bodies produce when under chronic stress.

This year, fill your resolution list with easy, good-for-you goals. Find those easy ways to squeeze a little more of what you enjoy into your busy days.

Community Connections

Goodwill Industries Part 2 of 2

Abraham Lincoln has been attributed as saying that the best way to predict your future is to create it. And, create it is exactly what Penny Dickens did when she decided she wanted a part-time job. She marched over to the Senior Citizens building in Washington County, asked if they needed any help, and told them she’d like a job.

Dickens interviewed with representatives of Goodwill Industries and the very next day began employment through the Senior Community Service & Employment Program (SCSEP). The Goodwill SCSEP is a government funded program that is able to pay Senior Citizens to do community service at non-profit and government agencies in the county in which they live while also helping them look for more permanent paid employment. “I was so, so, so happy to have a job!” Dickens said.

Dickens began employment through CKCAC in October of 2019 and has spent the entirety of her placement working at the Washington County Senior Citizens Center. Through her work, Dickens reported that she has learned to have even more patience. “You have to be understanding of what the elderly ask of you,” she explained. “You have to make them feel important – because they are important. I want someone to treat me that way when I get older.”

When Dickens talks about her work at the Senior Citizens Center, she smiles and can recall story after story about the individuals she has encountered through her work. She tells of compliments given to her by an elderly woman who uses a cane to walk. Dickens explained that she holds the arm of this woman and meets her at her car every morning to assist her in the building and then walks her out every afternoon and this lady always tells Dickens, “you are so sweet.”

Dickens indicated that she misses that daily interaction, however. Since the COVID-10 pandemic to keep the seniors safe, the Senior Citizens offices have been closed. Seniors are still being served hot meals each day, but only through a drive thru line. “It’s lonesome now. I miss them,” Dickens said.

Monday through Friday from 9 am – until 1 p.m., you can find Penny at the Senior Center. However, when she isn’t working she’s likely at church or with her family. Dickens has 2 sons and 1 daughter. Dickens lost her oldest daughter in a car wreck about 5 years ago. She also has 4 grandsons and 1 granddaughter. She praised each child and grandchild separately for their accomplishments in life. She also has 4 brothers and 4 sisters of whom she is the oldest. “And, they all love to tell that,” she joked. “I got to gamily get togethers and dance a little bit. I like to have fun. I like to take walks. I love my church and I read the Bible a lot. I have all kinds of love and I like being good to and helping people.”

Seniors interested in applying for a job through Goodwill Industries should reach out to Kimberly Culliton, SCSEP Coordinator, at (270) 823-6193. Culliton can also assist non-profit and government agencies by placing senior citizens in community service assignments at their facilities. Please visit www.goodwill.org/scsep/ for more information.