Measuring Results

Success Stories

Highlights from each of KY's 23 Community Action Agency's successes as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Community Service Block Grant Funding Stream Note: This is not a summary of everything that each agency did with the CSBG ARRA money. Audubon Area Community Services partnered with the Boulware Mission organization to provide case mgt. services and advocacy for connecting the homeless to housing. They also helped low-income people become self-sufficient by teaching budget preparation, financial literacy, living within a budget, food preparation, training on employment issues and relationship skills. Bell-Whitley CAA conducted an employment program where they placed more than 20 people in full time jobs around the community, earning $9/hr. They helped 195 people work toward earning their GED. At last count they had test scores to account for 80 of those individuals passing the exam. They also hired a full time grant writer and community development specialist with their funding that has helped their agency secure several grants as a result of those staff members work. Big Sandy Area CAP hired 3 mobile outreach workers that delivered information to the most rural communities of the Big Sandy area in order to reach clients that are unaware of all available services. They have helped to connect participants to job-related services, nutrition programs, continued education and other family supportive services. Big Sandy has also conducted 2 different job programs that have given over 100 people new employability skills—leading to 60 people finding part-time employment or better. Blue Grass CAP assisted 124 individuals in obtaining their GED or in receiving specialized training for certification. They also offered case management services on a monthly basis to every participant in a Recovery Act program. Central KY CAC partnered with AmeriCorps, the domestic Peace Corp, to host four AmeriCorps volunteers in their service area—more than any one agency in Kentucky. The AmeriCorps volunteers assisted clients with obtaining Social Security benefits, the KY HEARTH Program and case management to homeless families. Community Action Council expanded its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program by hiring a part time program coordinator to assist with recruiting and training volunteers to provide free income tax assistance to additional individuals and families. They volunteers were trained in November and December and placed at VITA sites during January, February, March and April. 1,047 individuals were served. Community Action of Southern Kentucky conducted an Employment Enhancement Program in which four full time Job Development Specialists assisted individuals in becoming better prepared to obtain, maintain and/or upgrade employment. The specialist worked with 167 participants on things like indentifying and addressing strengths and areas in need of growth, case management and instruction on resume writing, interviewing techniques, and relationship building. Southern also held a free, all day employment seminar that offered various workshops ranging from job hunting in a down economy, to effective communication in the workplace. Daniel Boone CAA Garden Project assisted 100 low-income families by partnering with other agencies to educate participants about nutrition, provide seeds, plants, gardening tools, fertilizer, pesticides and canning supplies. Participants were required to attend classes on “How to Garden,” and “Canning and Preserving Foods.” Some families have taken their surplus produce to the Farmers’ Market. KY River Foothills CAP was able to hire a nurse to provide primary healthcare services to residents of Liberty Place, a drug recovery center for women that combats homelessness and addiction. Gateway CAA provided tenant education workshops to groups at the Gateway Coalition Homeless Shelter and one-on-one to recipients of direct monetary assistance to stabilize their residential situations. The workshops included topics ranging from conflict resolution with neighbors to how to take basic care of your apartment. Harlan County CAA created scholarships to assist college, technical or vocational students. KCEOC CAP conducted Benefits Enrollment Coordination Activities for a tax preparation program that ranged in topics from “The Pros and Cons of Rapid Refund Loans,” to “Taxes 101.” The activities resulted in 101 individuals receiving tax preparation services. 76 of the 101 were also provided with services such as saving and budgeting counseling; opening checking and/or savings accounts, and accessing mainstream resources. Lake Cumberland CAA created the Job Opportunities and Business Services Program encouraging employment by offering opportunities for education advancement and on-the-job training. 226 jobs were created. Licking Valley CAP hired a Professional Development employee to help others obtain skills and knowledge for both personal development and career advancements. The worker addressed issues such as proper dress, hygiene, interview skills, work ethic, time management and the basics to obtain and maintain employment. They partnered with Adult Learning Centers, the local Detention Centers, public libraries and K-Tap recipients—serving 398 people. LKLP CAC conducted a mobile outreach program, increasing accessibility to programs by providing outreach services at various locations within their service area. They also helped identify eligibility and assisted 271 people in filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits. Louisville Metro CAP conducted re-entry services for the formerly incarcerated as they transitioned out of the corrections community. They helped inmates to obtain GED certification, life skills, healthy communication skills, job readiness and financial literacy training. They have partnered with the Department of Corrections in order to receive a grant that allows them to continue providing this service. Middle KY CAP collaborated with the “Needy Meds Program,” the “Kentucky Patient Assistance Program” and the “KY Homeplace Office” to assist low-income individuals acquire their medication at little or no cost. Multi-Purpose CAA created a credit repair program to help educate people about financial and credit issues. The program teaches the life skills necessary to achieve financial goals. 99 enrollees have been served and the program will continue next year throughout their service area. Northeast KY CAA has placed 38 low-income individuals in area business and agency county offices through their Job Placement Program—many of whom had few or no job skills prior to placement. Northern KY CAC used CSBG ARRA funding to continue their Youth Build Program that provides paid training and education to high-school dropouts aged 16-24, who work on obtaining their GED and construction skills simultaneously. Tri-County CAA partnered with Credit Correspondent of Kentucky to provide budget counseling and personal goal setting for managing money. The Credit Repair Program facilitators worked one-on-one with participants toward building good credit or repairing damaged credit—using the individual’s actual credit report. Pennyrile and West KY Allied Services offered Employment Placement Programs where businesses in the community were reimbursed for employee’s wages for a period of 6 months. More than 200 people were employed and many businesses were able to avoid laying off employees. Some employers were able to re-hire employees they had recently let go, and some businesses were able to keep their doors open because of the help they received. Pennyrile Allied Community Services Kimi Robertson, age 50 has lived in Dawson Springs, Kentucky most of her life. She is single and living on a fixed income. She has a grown daughter, of whom she is very proud. Ms. Robertson was diagnosed 4 ½ years ago with Cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is caused by many different types of liver injuries that destroy healthy liver cells and replace them with scar tissue. Ms. Robertson was immediately placed on the national liver transplant list, but her MELD score (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) is at 13. The MELD score is based on the prioritizing of patients waiting to receive a liver. Within the MELD continuous disease severity scale, there are four levels. As the MELD score increases, and the patient moves up to a new level, a new waiting time clock starts. Waiting time is carried backwards only, not forward. If a patient moves to a lower MELD score, the waiting time accumulated at the higher score remains. When a patient moves to a higher MELD score, the waiting time at the lower level is not carried to the new level. The clock at the new level starts at 0. Therefore Ms. Robertson is in essence playing a waiting game. She is thankful to be able to get out of bed each day and does not see her ailment as too much of a burden. She explained that she has good and bad days, but that as long as she is able to take care of herself, she will. Her motto is “keep on keeping on!” Ms. Robertson signed up for the Weatherization Assistance Program in October 2009. The evaluation done on her mobile home found that she needed a new furnace and many other improvements. An electric mobile home furnace was installed. In addition, her water heater lines were insulated, plumbing penetrations were caulked, windows were given added caulk, ducts were sealed, floors were insulated, and both exterior doors were air tightened. Ms. Robertson said her old heating unit was over 20 years old and she was afraid of it catching on fire during the night because of the noises it made. She stayed up nights listening to it. In her condition especially, getting ample rest is important. The Weatherization Assistance Program, carried out in this case by Pennyrile Allied Community Services, is also to thank for the mobile home’s new smoke detectors and fluorescent light bulbs—small expenditures, but huge elements for safety and energy efficiency. The new furnace that is also more energy efficient and safer has an added bonus for Ms. Robertson too, it is quiet! Ms. Robertson expressed deep gratitude to the staff at Pennyrile Allied Community Services for the renovations to her home. She would not have been able to afford the needed upgrades on her limited and fixed income, and explained that not only is she now warmer, but she has less stress and is able to focus on fighting her illness with greater fortitude. Daniel Boone Community Action Agency weatherizes homes—makes a difference Carla Hayes is a single mother who found herself in an interesting situation. She and her two children, Rachel and Dawson, were living in a house they inherited from a family member. Very spacious, with five bedrooms, the house was difficult to heat. It was an older home, around 70 years, and it was in need of repairs. Carla hung blankets and closed off sections of the home during the winter months, but the home would never get quite warm enough. Ms. Hayes had the furnace inspected and worked on multiple times but the repairs never lasted more than a few weeks. Service charges were around $125 for every visit and the expenses were adding up. They began using kerosene, and a wood burning fireplace, but this seemed to severely aggravate Dawson’s allergies. On medication, he was still visiting the doctor at least once a month. Ms. Hayes stated, “I felt like my hands were tied.” That is when they applied for the Weatherization Assistance Program, a free service that allows for lower energy bills and energy consumption to moderate and low-income households. Operated by Daniel Boone Community Action Agency, up to $6,500 per home can be spent to make repairs and replace appliances like hot water heaters and refrigerators, thanks to extra money in the program from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. An evaluator for the program, Charlie Smith, inspected the Hayes’ home and found that several windows and doors were in need of replacement. There was also very little insulation in the floors, walls, and attic. After testing the Electrical Thermal Storage (ETS) unit, need for a new heat pump was also determined. The Hayes family was provided with an efficient Goodman Control heat pump. New doors and several new windows were installed. Insulation was blown in the attic and placed in the flooring; and a vapor barrier was placed under the home to help seal the crawlspace. Low-flow energy efficient showerheads and light bulbs were also installed. There has been an immediate improvement in the comfort of the home, not to mention the finances. They no longer have to hang sheets over doorways to close off sections of the home, and the electric bill for the first eleven days with a new heat pump was only $29. This is a drastic decrease from what they were paying for firewood and kerosene. The children are very excited about the improvements. According to Ms. Hayes, “the kids are proud to have their friends over to the house!” Yet, the greatest benefit thus far has been the status of Dawson’s health. “Since the new heating unit was installed, his allergies have improved so much he has not had to take a single dose of medicine,” Ms. Hayes said cheerfully and with a smile. Repair Affairs are a success Many elderly, low-income members of the community are unable to afford the small repairs needed to maintain a safe and healthy home. Nor is it an easy feat to find someone willing or capable of making the needed repairs. Minor adjustments and updates to a home can be the difference that enables an elderly individual to stay in their residence versus moving to a rest home. An event operated by Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency offers this service to the elderly. It is an annual volunteer day known as Repair Affair. Repair Affair is financed entirely by local donations, in-kind contributions and volunteers, and serves complete repairs or maintenance issues for low-income elderly homeowners. The work accomplished includes building handicap ramps, repairing porches and steps to the home, replacing old and dysfunctional windows and doors, installing new water heaters, interior and exterior painting, and completing any needed yard work. Tasks for volunteers to complete are determined by safety and conservation needs of the homeowner and then the skill level of the volunteers. Available funds cover materials for as many projects possible. The force behind Repair Affair, “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” promotes community involvement. The event helps to make issues of poverty more apparent to all who participate. Painting a picture of poverty to some for the first time, many volunteers state during Repair Affair that they never realized people in our area had to live in these conditions. The project is innovative because of the large number of homes repaired in just one day. This year, thirteen (13) homeowners were the recipients of volunteers working to complete repairs on their homes—allowing them to live in a more safe and comfortable environment. Three-hundred (300) volunteers participated and experienced firsthand the difficulty that low-income households face in their own community. Community Service Block Grant funds were used for the salaries of staff responsible for coordinating the event, making donor contacts, and recruiting volunteers. Partners made monetary and in-kind materials and supplies donations in the amount of $8,115.00. The collaboration included twenty-eight (28) businesses, two (2) civic organizations and seven (7) faith-based organizations. The donated time included 2,776 volunteer hours throughout the course of planning and publicizing the event, fundraising, conducting home evaluations, and the actual repair work done on event day. The 2,776 hours contributed by 300 volunteers is worth over $20,000 if hypothetically the same amount of work was carried out by laborers getting paid the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Now that’s a success! Community Action of Southern Kentucky meets public transportation needs Community Action of Southern Kentucky is making great strides to meet the public transportation needs in the Bowling Green, KY area. Utilizing studies performed by consultants, a plethora of sound management decisions led to growth of the transit system, amidst difficult economic times. Some of those decisions included implementing discounts for purchasing bulk bus passes; designing and installing new graphics on buses; conducting community outreach; and implementing an effective marketing campaign. Public Service Announcements in Print, on Radio, and TV, among other paid advertising opportunities, complemented appearances at community events and activities. In contrast to national trends showing a 6% decrease in transit ridership, the Bowling Green transit system actually increased ridership by 22% in FY 2009—a large accomplishment even for a system that has seen distinct growth in double digit increases every year since 2004. Funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act contributed to the quality of the transit system’s fleet. It allowed the purchase of five (5) 24 passenger ramp-equipped buses, further advancing the capacity of the transit system. Ramp-equipped buses have a lower-to-the-ground floor than buses with lifts and steps, and the ability to be lowered even more so by a maneuver known as kneeling. Air ride suspension and technology allows the buses to “kneel” or go lower to the ground by releasing air, and then raising back up again. It makes the incline of the ramp more moderate meanwhile aiding wheelchair users and ambulatory (walk-on) persons in their boarding. Ramps are more user friendly than steps for persons who are weak, shaky or suffering from various health conditions, including those with stiff joints, or heart and/or lung problems. The new ramp-equipped buses offer an alternative to using steps or a time consuming lift, thereby increasing the level of accessibility for persons with mobility challenges. This lessens delays caused by the extensive time required to board and secure passengers who use wheelchairs or scooters. The time schedule allocated to complete one full cycle of a route is more efficient as a result of the new busses. Less time required to board passengers has had a positive impact on ridership, traffic-flow, and community sentiment toward the transit system. Adubon Area Community Services help to cut utility costs Ms. Reynolds was struggling to make ends meet. Her adult daughter and three grandchildren had moved in with her. That meant that five people would be living in a 980 sq. ft. mobile home. Ms. Reynolds electric furnace had not worked for quite some time, so they were using small electric heaters in an attempt to stay warm. This was causing their electric bills to be more than $300 on cold months. Both Ms. Reynolds and her adult daughter were employed, and they had three children to get through middle and high school. Through a story in the local newspaper, Ms. Reynolds read about the Weatherization Assistance Program. When she made an appointment to complete an application for the services, she informed the staff member that she had no idea there was a program out there that could help her financially. She was also very interested in having her home become more energy-efficient, in addition. Upon the pre-inspection process, it was found that the mobile home had no insulation, no working heating system, floor registers were missing, there were holes in the walls, and the front door had no weather-stripping. Utilizing as many weatherization measures allowable, several upgrades to the Reynolds home were completed. First and foremost, a new electric furnace was installed. Secondly, both the attic and the belly of the mobile home were insulated. Then the roof was coated, a broken window was replaced, and the doors were weather-stripped. In addition, new smoke alarms, Carbon Monoxide detectors and compact fluorescent bulbs were installed. Due to a project that is utilized with Home Depot, holes in the walls were repaired with donated paneling. “Since the work has been completed to my house, the energy bills have really dropped. Having a warm home for my grandchildren is a blessing,” Ms. Reynolds exclaimed after receiving the weatherization services. Community Action helps dreams come true

		Foothills Community Action Partnership's Affordable Housing Program helped Robbie's dream to be a homeowner become a reality. Click here to read more.

Community Action leads to new jobs for family
		When S.H., wife and mother of a three year old began working with the Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency she had just become unemployed. S.H. had worked full-time during the last four years as an office manager for a tax service, which had closed its business. Her husband was also unemployed. The Community Services Block Grant outreach worker encouraged her to apply for a vacancy within their agency as a temporary Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program worker. During this time, S.H. proved to be very dependable and skilled. She was offered another position as a tax preparer in the Tax Wise program.

In April, 2006, she acquired a full-time position as a case manager in a youth program earning $8.88/hour with full benefits. Her husband recently gained employment as a truck driver. S.H. works with all different types of youth each day. She stated, “Just knowing the impact that I may have on the youths’ lives has made my job fulfilling. I am grateful for the opportunities that have been made available to me while I have been here at Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency, the most important of these is the opportunity to become self-sufficient.”

A 22-year-old mother of three was living in the home of her mother since her husband was sent to prison on a felony charge. Children are ages 3, 2, and 3 months. Monthly income is $328 K-TAP and $427 food stamps. The 22-year-old mother does not have a high school diploma, but does have a previous work history, no childcare, and no car for transportation and in need of housing of her own.

Update as of September 2006: Client living in own housing, first months rent paid by donations from the local church, LKLP also is doing budget counseling with client so she can maintain her living expenses. She now has a car provided by DCBS escrow since she is enrolled in the GED Program at the LKP Even Start. Kentucky Child Care Coalition provides all child care fees. LKLP now provides transportation for the children with DCBS funds. The client is also receiving parenting classes from the LKLP parenting education counselor.

Update as of January 4, 2007: The FIT Client obtained her GED in December 2006 and is currently enrolled in the cosmetology program at Hazard Community College. Childcare continues to be provided through the LKLP Head Start. Client states that she is striving toward becoming self-sufficient and now has hope of providing a stable, secure environment for herself and all of her children.

Highlights from each of KY's 23 Community Action Agency's successes as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Community Service Block Grant Funding Stream

Note: This is not a summary of everything that each agency did with the CSBG ARRA money.

Blue Grass CAP assisted 124 individuals in obtaining their GED or in receiving specialized training for certification. They also offered case management services on a monthly basis to every participant in a Recovery Act program.

KY River Foothills CAP was able to hire a nurse to provide primary healthcare services to residents of Liberty Place, a drug recovery center for women that combats homelessness and addiction.

Harlan County CAA created scholarships to assist college, technical or vocational students.

Lake Cumberland CAA created the Job Opportunities and Business Services Program encouraging employment by offering opportunities for education advancement and on-the-job training. 226 jobs were created.

LKLP CAC conducted a mobile outreach program, increasing accessibility to programs by providing outreach services at various locations within their service area. They also helped identify eligibility and assisted 271 people in filing for the Earned Income Tax Credit and other tax credits.

Middle KY CAP collaborated with the “Needy Meds Program,” the “Kentucky Patient Assistance Program” and the “KY Homeplace Office” to assist low-income individuals acquire their medication at little or no cost.

Multi-Purpose CAA created a credit repair program to help educate people about financial and credit issues. The program teaches the life skills necessary to achieve financial goals. 99 enrollees have been served and the program will continue next year throughout their service area.

Northeast KY CAA has placed 38 low-income individuals in area business and agency county offices through their Job Placement Program—many of whom had few or no job skills prior to placement.

Northern KY CAC used CSBG ARRA funding to continue their Youth Build Program that provides paid training and education to high-school dropouts aged 16-24, who work on obtaining their GED and construction skills simultaneously.

She is thankful to be able to get out of bed each day and does not see her ailment as too much of a burden. She explained that she has good and bad days, but that as long as she is able to take care of herself, she will. Her motto is “keep on keeping on!”

That is when they applied for the Weatherization Assistance Program, a free service that allows for lower energy bills and energy consumption to moderate and low-income households.

Operated by Daniel Boone Community Action Agency, up to $6,500 per home can be spent to make repairs and replace appliances like hot water heaters and refrigerators, thanks to extra money in the program from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Painting a picture of poverty to some for the first time, many volunteers state during Repair Affair that they never realized people in our area had to live in these conditions. The project is innovative because of the large number of homes repaired in just one day.

Community Service Block Grant funds were used for the salaries of staff responsible for coordinating the event, making donor contacts, and recruiting volunteers.

In contrast to national trends showing a 6% decrease in transit ridership, the Bowling Green transit system actually increased ridership by 22% in FY 2009—a large accomplishment even for a system that has seen distinct growth in double digit increases every year since 2004.

Upon the pre-inspection process, it was found that the mobile home had no insulation, no working heating system, floor registers were missing, there were holes in the walls, and the front door had no weather-stripping.

“Since the work has been completed to my house, the energy bills have really dropped. Having a warm home for my grandchildren is a blessing,” Ms. Reynolds exclaimed after receiving the weatherization services.