The Kentucky Works program currently has 9 clients that 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. In addition, the program did have one new client that began unsubsidized employment this quarter.
On the SNAP Employment and Training program we continue to reach out to clients and complete assessments when they are referred to us. We have 61 referrals for the SNAP program at this time.
We continue to stay in touch weekly with employers in each county we serve regarding their current needs and work opportunities. When KW gets referrals we match the client’s skills with the employer needs to have a good match which ensures a good working relationship between the client and employer.
Thankfully, 23 Work Experience Sites continue to be open and/or are willing to accept our referrals due to many company closures due to COVID-19. Normally, KY Works is able to utilize 135 sites across 17 counties.
KW staff continues to stay in touch virtually including a staff meeting that was held on February 10, 2021, to discuss all relative matters in the program. We discussed the recent survey conducted by Central Kentucky Community Action Council including communication skills and best ways to communicate in the new virtual world. We discussed how KY Works continues 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 months of employment. A training presentation on Leadership, Communication, Team Effectiveness, and Stress Management was also shared with staff during this meeting.
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. Covid-19 continues to have a significant impact on both of our programs. While there is a current state of emergency, the state of Kentucky has implemented a “Good Cause exemption” where clients are not required to participate in the programs. This good cause exemption is currently in effect through 4-30-2021 but could be extended beyond that date until the vaccines can be more widely distributed.