Category: Newsletter

The CSBG staff will be in the office working during the COVID-19 pandemic at this time. The offices are closed to the public but clients are able to call the office for instructions. Contact information and instructions are posted on the doors. This information has been placed on the agency website and Facebook page. Applications are being completed for LIHEAP and CSBG services by phone, mail and email.

LIHEAP CRISIS UPDATE – The program has been extended through April 30th. Staff members have processed 4,459 Crisis Applications for 2,833 families between January 6, 2020 and March 31, 2020, for a total of $891,050.56 in benefits. 

KENTUCKY UTILITIES HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – The Community Services Staff has 117 active participants in the KU Heating Assistance Program.   Through this program, eligible Kentucky Utility customers will receive an $88 credit on their electric bill during the seven months of expected highest electricity usage.  The total value of this program equals $72,072 for these families.  To qualify for the program the family must: be a KU 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 the 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 2020-2021 CSBG Budget Proposal.  Thanks to everyone who completed the Needs Assessment Survey Form. 1508 surveys were completed.

During these ever-changing times with COVID-19, Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) continues our social distancing, as we know April could be a very difficult month in our region.  After the dust settles, CKCAC knows reality will set in with our clients and our team will be available to assist in any way we can.

I applaud the passage of the Economic Stimulus Bill in response to the nation’s COVID-19 health crisis. CKCAC is among those networks of Community Action agencies, volunteers and dedicated partners, that are on the front lines every day. We are working everyday to assist Kentucky’s most vulnerable citizens, and help them achieve self-sufficiency and improve health outcomes.

Included in this historic stimulus bill is $1.9 billion in increased funding to support two vital programs delivered by Community Action agencies across the country. One is the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). CSBG was allocated $1 billion in additional funding, while LIHEAP will receive an additional $900 million.

CSBG is a diverse program designed to give Community Action agencies the ability to provide a wide range of support in the areas of employment, education, transportation, food security, housing and more. LIHEAP is utilized to support individuals and families struggling to pay heating costs. Both programs are instrumental in CKCAC’s ability to provide comprehensive services that directly address the Social Determinants of Health.

This crisis and the resulting efforts to rebuild our economy are deeply personal for all those involved in delivering upon the Community Action Promise. While the exact amount of Kentucky’s & CKCAC’s allocation is still to be determined, I am extremely encouraged by what this means for our ability to expand our support to those in need of help.

Central Kentucky Community Action Council changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.  Thanks to our team who are on the front lines during this pandemic, thank you for your dedication during this time.  As always, thanks for your support. More to come……………much more.

Kentucky Works Program (KWP) Director, Tracy Dennison, has never seen anything like what we are experiencing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. With basically everything shut down, KWP has had to make major adjustments in how we deliver services to our clients. KWP quickly transferred phone lines and set up offices to be able to safely work from home.

All participants were contacted and explained as to how we would do our weekly tracking and what was going to continue to be expected of them. Although most no longer had a place to do the on-the-job training, some that were participating in our Senior Centers have continued to go in and help that program with drive-thru meals. Most of the others were granted good cause until the Governor lifts the stay-home-healthy order.

When things get back to normal the staff will quickly get each participant back to their training sites to continue with their training and placement.

LIHEAP EXTENDED INTO APRIL!

If anyone has a disconnect/disconnect suspended notice or 4 days within running out of bulk fuel for your heat source, you can still apply for LIHEAP Crisis until Thursday, April 30th, 2020.

The Community Action Agencies are closed to the public but you can email all documentation to your local Community Action. The emails and phone numbers for each office are listed below.

Breckinridge
email: wmoore@ckcac.org
phone: (270) 756-6813

Grayson
email: graysonca@ckcac.org
phone: (270) 259-3500

Hardin
email: hardinca@ckcac.org
phone: (270) 234-5854

Larue
email: larueca@ckcac.org
Larue County clients may call the Hardin or Marion County Office.

Marion
email: marionca@ckcac.org
phone: (270) 692-6411

Meade:
email: meadeca@ckcac.org
phone: (270) 422-2545

Nelson
email: nelsonca@ckcac.org
phone: (502) 348-9596

Washington
email: washingtonca@ckcac.org
phone: (859) 336-7766

The fourth annual Child Abuse Awareness Walk will be held on April 4th, 2020 from 12pm-2pm at Centre Square in Lebanon. This is a free event open to the public to bring awareness to child abuse and neglect. There will be free games, food, and informational booths. There will also be a petting zoo, Shriner’s clowns, door prizes, and a silent auction.

Last year this event raised over $1000 to purchase luggage for the Pack and Carry for Kids Program and Project Linus. This year the proceeds will go towards the Trooper Teddy Program and Project Linus. The mission is to promote safe communities for the future of our children and to break the cycle of abuse.

Central KY Head Start is successful because of its dedicated employees. Mrs. Alma Edelen is about to celebrate her 50th year with Head Start. Throughout the years she has been involved with Head Start in many capacities, from being a parent, to being a member of the teaching staff.

Ms. Alma is enthusiastic about teaching young children and always sets a good example for families, children and co-workers through her work. She is a strong advocate for the children in our communities and we will be forever grateful for her knowledge and experience.

In February, a meeting was held in Elizabethtown to discuss the development of childcare centers in the Lincoln Trail area. There was discussion around helping employed parents find child care for their children. Many families expressed the lack of child care as a barrier to employment. There were also many representatives in attendance that discussed the issues facing the development of child care in the area. It was decided to meet again to further explore options.

There are now 22 Unaffiliated Centers sponsored by the agency and 31 Family Child Care Home programs. These centers and homes are in 19 different counties. Hometown Kids has now assumed operation of Christ the Head Child Care in Danville and will close Hometown Kids-Perryville this month. Susan Parks will will now operate Hometown Kids-Danville and Hometown Kids-Springfield.

Bids are being requested for programs to allow Family Child Care Homes and Unaffiliated Centers to submit monthly reports online. Those programs wishing to submit paper claims will still have that option.

The Lincoln Trail Regional Network’s, Trail of Hope, has been very busy preparing for April, which is Child Abuse Awareness Month. There will be many different activities and programs happening in the area during the month of April. Below is a list of these events:

• Trail of Hope has partnered with Central KY Head Start for the Child Abuse Awareness Walk, which will be held on Saturday, April 4th from 12pm to 2pm. This will take place at Centre Square in Lebanon, KY.
• The Washington County Homemakers Group has partnered with Trail of Hope to raise awareness. There will be City and County Proclamations, as well as, posters displayed in the Washington County Library. There will also be a display of blue pinwheels and ribbons in downtown Springfield.
• Trail of Hope is sponsoring a display of blue pinwheels in downtown Bardstown.
• Trail of Hope will be attending the Extension Expo at the Larue County High School, on March 21st from 10am to 2pm. There will be a resource station that includes activities for kids and resources for parents, that focus on the prevention of abuse and neglect.
• Trail of Hope is collaborating with the Born Learning Event. Staff will be there passing out Ages and Stages materials that focus on development, attachment and bonding, as well as, child safety and appropriate discipline.
• Breckinridge County will be setting up blue pinwheel gardens around the county, sponsored by Trail of Hope.
• Trail of Hope will be attending Kids Fest at the Brandenburg Primary School, in Meade County, on March 7th, from 9am-12pm. There will be a Pinwheel Coloring Contest, as well as, child abuse awareness and prevention information.

The Senior Community that Central KY Community Action (CKCAC) serves is proving that age is just a number. CKCAC is proud to provide a variety of very influential programs, that allow our seniors to stay active, share a hot meal with friends, have accessible transportation, maintain independent living and give back to their communities. Here are some numbers on our seniors from the past 2018-2019 Fiscal Year:

• 109 seniors received care and companionship through the Senior Companion Program.
• 600 senior commodity boxes were distributed in partnership with USDA and America’s Second Harvest of the Heartland.
• 35,744 meals were served to seniors through the CKCAC Congregate Meals Program.
• 28,875 volunteer hours from our 117 Retired Senior Volunteer Program at 17 different volunteer stations.
• 1,282 seniors enrolled in the CKCATS Transportation Program. During this time, CKCATS logged a total of 1.76 million miles, providing safe and reliable transportation options to thousands of people across the region during the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year.

To our seniors in Hardin County; we will be hosting an Open House in April, for all seniors to come and meet our new RSVP Director, Melissa Bland. The event will be held at the Griffin Manor Senior Center, located at 1119 Johnstown Road #8,  Elizabethtown, KY 42701. The date will be announced very soon.

Below is a list of all of our Senior Citizens Centers and their contact information.

As always, please contact our team if you need anything. More to come….much more.

Janet Sheckles started with Central KY Community Action Head Start on August 17th, 1998, as a Family Advocate. She then moved to Center Manager and later became the Health and Nutrition Manager. Janet has impacted the lives of thousands of families during her 22 years with Head Start.

Janet is a loving daughter, a wonderful wife to her husband Carl, and an amazing mother to her daughter Kyra. Janet endlessly serves our Community, serving on the Industrial Foundation Board, Heartland Coalition and the Lions Club. She has made numerous partnerships that have become vital to our organization. Janet also initiated the hat and coat drive, that serves hundreds of children in the Head Start Program.

Janet has not only become of crucial part of the Head Start Staff, but family to everyone here at Central KY Community Action Council. As a Head Start alumni, she has been with Head Start throughout her entire life and the truly embodies the essence of everything our organization prides themselves on being.