Category: Newsletter

Weatherization At Work For The Clients We Serve

The Weatherization Program provides weatherization services to our 8-county area. Our final numbers for the contract year are as follows: 13 completed units, 4 jobs in-progress, and 23 deferrals. The Weatherization Program is staffed with an in-house crew, and we are utilizing contractors to perform QCI inspections, HVAC and electrical work that we must perform to the dwellings receiving services.

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, Tessa Hinton-Crew Leader, Mike Burden-Retrofit Installer, and Samantha Ross-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 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, 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.

·       We currently have 81 clients that are employed in the K-TAP Program. This is up 15 workers since the last quarter and up 31 form two quarters ago. Our Employment Specialists continue to follow up with each of these clients and track the hours they are working. We served 85 clients in the K-Tap program for the quarter ending December 31st, 2024. We placed 60 clients in the quarter. For the entire year of 2024 we assisted 348 clients and placed 154 in work experience opportunities and 230 in jobs.

·       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 served 3,669 clients for the SNAP program during 2024, up from 1,394 in 2023.

·       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.

·       Our staff continues to stay in touch with staff meeting every other month, either in person or virtually to discuss all relative matters in the program.

·       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.

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

CSBG/LIHEAP January 2025

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, and began the LIHEAP Crisis Program.

LIHEAP SUBSIDY In our eight-county services area, we assisted 2,995 families with home heating assistance in the amount of $452,071.00 this program began on October 14, 2024 with the pre-registration, and ran through December 20, 2024. The program proceeded smoothly, with few problems, thanks to the hard work of our dedicated staff members. We in Central Office continue to work to pay all of the vendors and balance the program.

The LIHEAP Crisis Program began on January 7, 2025.

We are in the process of completing the annual Needs Assessment Survey Process.  The email link is below. Please select 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.

Please complete our Needs Assessment Survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/32QCM9X-2024-2025CNA

Wintercare and Winterhelp- These Programs are also 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 of these different programs and assist those in need. Their amazing efforts are greatly appreciated in our communities. We have a great team!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – JANUARY 2025

Let me wish all friends of Central Kentucky Community Action Council a heartfelt Happy New Year!

Welcome to my first newsletter as your new Executive Director. I want to thank Hal B. Goode for his nearly seven years of service to CKCAC and his support as he has transitioned to retirement. I have a feeling that Hal is going to be busier with his media empire now that is no longer working as Executive Director! From all of us at CKCAC, we wish Hal all the best!

January is a perfect time for renewal as the new year begins. 2025 is going to be an exciting year for CKCAC and I look forward to working with each and every one of you in ensuring our success. Please never hesitate to reach out to me if there is something that you or your community needs! You can always reach me at bryan.conover@ckcac.org.

As many of you know, Ms. Ellen Leake is retiring after 32 years of service to CKCAC at the end of January. We are sad to see Ellen go but wish her well. Also, Ms. Jessica Miles has been named our new CFO/Finance Director for CKCAC. Jessica will be transitioning into this role over the next couple of months as Ms. Jami Sandusky is retiring in the near future. Lots of changes are going on with CKCAC, but we will continue the important work of fighting poverty in our central Kentucky communities.

Lastly, there is excitement and anxiety for Community Action as we begin with new leaders at the federal, state, and local levels. CKCAC is excited to work with whomever is in government and our community partners to serve our citizens to the best of our ability! We will always work to find ways to help give “hands up, not handouts” to help our central Kentucky folks be self-sufficient and successful.

Thank you for all you do.

CKCAC HEAD START

As we close out 2024, 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 2025!

Central Kentucky Head Start is working to fully implement our new program option. We now have 352 Head Start slots and 48 Early Head Start slots across our nine centers. Early Head Start is a growing area for Head Start and we are glad to be able to convert three classrooms to serve these younger kiddos. Staffing remains an ongoing challenge, but we are actively working to make sure our programs are fully staffed and fully enrolled.

Central Kentucky Head Start is excited about the future of our organization. This year, CKYHS has created a new role to have Ms. Ann Pickerrell as the Assistant Director for our program. Ms. Pickerrell is transitioning from our Education Manager position and brings wonderful experience and ideas to this new leadership position. 2025 will mean that we will have a new Head Start Director as Mr. Bryan Conover transition to CKCAC’s Executive Director, as well. Stay tuned for exciting news as we continue to strengthen Central Kentucky Head Start!

As 2024 comes to a close, 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 that we provide! If there is anything we can do to help the children and families in our communities, please let us know!

Family Child Care Homes/Unaffiliated Centers Food Program (FCCH/UC)

Central Kentucky Community Action Council (CKCAC) is a proud sponsor of the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP is a federal program designed to promote the serving of nutritious meals and snacks to children and adults in the care of participating childcare centers, day care homes and adult day care centers. CKCAC currently sponsors 25 Family Child Care Homes (FCCH) and 22 Unaffiliated Day Care Centers (UC) and 1 Emergency Shelter in the following 18 Kentucky counties: Anderson, Boyle, Casey, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Jessamine, LaRue, Lincoln, Meade, Mercer, Nelson, Pulaski, Scott, Taylor, Washington, Wayne, and Woodford.

Every day that a child is fed USDA certified meals at a Family Child Care Home and/or Unaffiliated Center as part of the Food Program is a success story to celebrate. Often, children of lower incomes are not afforded the opportunity to eat a well-rounded meal while at home. The CACFP benefits those children, the Family/Center Daycare, and the parents/guardians.

If you know of any Family Child Care Homes and/or Day Care Centers who are interested in finding out more about the Food Program and whether they are eligible to participate, they may contact CKCAC’s Food Program Director Kathy Hagan at 270-692-2136 X501 or by email at kathy.hagan@ckcac.org.

Community Collaboration for Children (CCC)

Community Collaboration for Children has been busy collecting Toys for Tots for Nelson County. CCC In-Home services has a waiting list, but we are working extremely hard to keep the waiting list down.

Parent Engagement Meeting Program for Elizabethtown Independent Elementary schools is off to a great start for the year 2024-2025. We are working on expanding into other counties after the New Year.

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

Trail of Hope Regional Network’s Build A Bed program has been extremely busy making sure 41 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 10:00 AM on January 21, 2025. If you are interested in being a network member, please reach out to Ronda Bertrand, CCC Network Coordinator at 270-692-7553.

Goode News – December 2024

As I prepare to step down from my role as Executive Director of the Central Kentucky Community Action Council, I am filled with a deep sense of gratitude and reflection. The journey we’ve shared over the years has been both challenging and rewarding, and I am proud of the work we’ve accomplished together.

Throughout my tenure, my passion has always been to empower our community members, especially those in need, by creating programs that lift them out of poverty. Our initiatives have aimed to provide not just immediate relief but also sustainable pathways to better futures. Protecting the most vulnerable among us—our children and senior citizens—has been a core part of our mission, and I am heartened by the impact we’ve made in these areas.

I have been privileged to work alongside an incredible team whose dedication and hard work have been the cornerstone of our success. The love and respect I have for my staff and colleagues cannot be overstated. Your commitment to our cause and the compassion you show to those we serve inspire me every day. Together, we have built a community that truly cares and acts, and I am confident that this spirit will continue to thrive.

As I retire, I leave knowing that the Central Kentucky Community Action Council is in capable hands.  Bryan Conover will do a fantastic job leading our team starting January 1, 2025.  Our vision and mission will continue to be driven forward with the same fervor and dedication. I look forward to seeing the great strides that will be made in the years to come.

Thank you all for your support, friendship, and shared commitment to our community. It has been an honor to serve as your Executive Director.

More to come………….much more …………..