Category: Newsletter

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 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.

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 …………..

The Senior Companion Program (SCP) is actively looking for volunteers and our numbers are growing!

Congregate Meals has been working with Lincoln Trail on the yearly monitoring to make sure we are compliant, this is due this month in November.

Congregate Meals has been working on our United Way grant due next month in December.

Congregate Meals has a new computer program called Mon-Ami. Congregate Meals would like to thank Lincoln Trail for all their help in getting us through some of our computer issues.

Congregate Meals is still in need of a part-time Cook and a full-time Coordinator at our Grayson County Senior Center.

Woodbine Construction has started demolition on our Elizabethtown building so there will be a new Congregate Meals cooking center opening in Hardin County.

Congregate Meals served were 11,069 in October and the meals continue to grow weekly.

On October 28^th the senior volunteers of the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) gathered in Elizabethtown at the American Legion to recognize and honor their service to their communities over the past year. RSVP volunteers serve in over 14 nonprofit workstations across Hardin and Nelson Counties. During the past year 103 volunteers served over 27,500 hours for these community partners. RSVP is proud of the work our volunteers do every day.

RSVP is grateful for the lunch, donated by Bluegrass Meats and Catering and the meeting space donated by the American Legion. Volunteers also enjoyed a magic show by Aaron Hart from Hodgenville.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in Hardin or Nelson Counties reach out to Melissa or Jessica at (270) 737-1059.

CKCATS provides non-emergency transportation for the following services: Medicaid, Medicare, General Public, Senior, Veteran, and Intercity. Services vary depending on the county.

Medicaid services are provided in Washington, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties. Medicaid hours are from 6am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Exceptions made be made for urgent care trips only.

Medicare services are provided in Washington, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion Nelson, Hardin, Bullitt, Adair, Boyle, Taylor and Green counties. Medicare hours are from 6am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays. Exceptions may be made for urgent care trips only.

General Public transportation is provided in Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties. The hours of service are from 8am-5pm Monday-Friday.

Senior transportation is provided in Washington, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion Nelson, Hardin, and Meade counties. The hours of service are from 8:30am-2pm Monday-Friday.

Veteran transportation is provided in Edmonson, Hart, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties. The hours of service are 6am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.

Intercity transportation is provided in the counties of Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue, Marion and Nelson counties.

CKCATS had a virtual compliance review with the Office of Transportation on September 30^th and a vehicle and facility inspection on October 9^th. We received notice on October 30^th that our FY2025 Compliance Review was found to be acceptable. Thanks to all staff who helped in getting information and who worked with us to make this compliance review a smooth process.

TESCO has confirmed that we will be receiving our (4) 8×2 cutaways on November 20^th and our (7) 12×2 cutaways on November 22^nd. These new buses are much needed and will be divided amongst our 5 county offices.

We are continuing to accept applications for future hiring. If you or anyone you know would like to join the staff at CKCATS, please go to careers@ckcac.org to apply.

November is upon us, and Central Kentucky is enjoying the beautiful transition into fall. This time of year, with crisp, cool mornings and the stunning array of colors in the trees, reminds us to pause and appreciate all the blessings around us. As we take in the beauty of this season, it’s a perfect moment to reflect on gratitude and the ways we can support one another.

At Central Kentucky Community Action Council, we are grateful for the opportunities to serve and uplift our communities. Thanks to your support, our programs continue to make a meaningful impact, from providing emergency services and senior assistance to helping families secure quality education thru head start and assistance for those in need of transport.

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, let’s remember that the spirit of giving is what brings us closer together. Whether it’s by lending a helping hand to a neighbor, volunteering with a local organization, or simply offering a kind word, we all have the power to make a difference. Our shared commitment to lifting up our community is something truly special, and it’s an honor to work alongside each of you in this mission.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of this journey. May this season bring warmth to your heart and gratitude to your days.

More to come……………….much more……………….