Category: Newsletter

The COVID-19 Pandemic has been devastating for many people in our community. It has also had a big impact on our CKCATS Transportation. Beginning March 23rd, trips were down 75-85%. Currently, CKCATS is still transporting dialysis patients and senior citizens. Active Day, Blessed Assurance and Communicare facilities have been closed until further notice.

CKCATS recently moved into a newly renovated central office. The first floor has five offices and two ADA compliant restrooms. The old office space has been renovated and has four offices and a driver break room. The second floor has a conference and one large office space. The renovation was made possible by the 5339 grant from the Office of Transportation Delivery.

CKCATS received two new 12×2 buses in March. These buses were made possible by the 5310 grant. CKCATS is also going to receive three new SUVs. These new vehicles will provide needed transportation services, especially during the winter months. All five counties will now have an SUV.

I do recognize that the past several weeks have been difficult for many people. As a team, Community Action is trying to navigate through very rough circumstances and it has been a challenge for all of us. It is difficult because we have never witnessed what we are witnessing now. However, every challenge we have faced, we have been able to overcome.

During this time CATS Transportation has seen a decrease of around 85%. Even with this downturn, CATS Transportation was able to bring back their laid off employees to help clean vans, offices and the senior centers. We are also beginning to see a slight increase in runs.

Our Congregate Meals Program has done an excellent job dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. This program serves a hot, nutritious lunch to seniors age 60 and over. On March 13th, 2020 the program served 142 meals in 8 locations. On April 14th, 2020 the program served 502. There has been a significant increase in meals requested since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Director, Tancy Morris, has done an excellent job reaching out to seniors in our communities that we have not served in the past.

I would like to thank our team that is working so hard to keep things running during this trying time. As the world continues to deal with COVID-19, Community Action will as well. Our team is ready for the challenge to help those who cannot help themselves. More to come. Much more.

This book was a project developed by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Reference Group on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings (IASC MHPSS RG). The project was supported by global, regional and country based experts from Member Agencies of the IASC MHPSS RG, in addition to parents, caregivers, teachers and children in 104 countries. A global survey was distributed in Arabic, English, Italian, French and Spanish to assess children’s mental health and psychosocial needs during the COVID-19 outbreak. A framework of topics to be addressed through the story was developed using the survey results. The book was shared through storytelling to children in several countries affected by COVID-19. Feedback from children, parents and caregivers was then used to review and update the story.
Over 1,700 children, parents, caregivers and teachers from around the world took the time to share with us how they were coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. A big thank you to these children, their parents, caregivers and teachers for completing our surveys and influencing this story. This is a story developed for and by children around the world.
This IASC MHPSS RG acknowledge Helen Patuck for writing the story script and illustrating this book.
©IASC, 2020. This publication was published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO license (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo). Under the terms of this licence, you may reproduce, translate and adapt this Work for non-commercial purposes, provided the Work is appropriately cited.

Click Here To Read My Hero Is You.

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.