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SubscribeNominations are now being accepted for the 2017 Kentucky Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced today. The award recognizes teachers, school administrators, legislators and community leaders who have made significant contributions toward promoting civic learning to teach students the importance of being engaged citizens.
“The young Kentuckians I meet every day give me hope that our Commonwealth will have a bright future,” said Grimes. “In my life, I was privileged to have mentors who inspired me to serve and be engaged – just like these young people. The Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award is a way to recognize those people who dedicate their time, energy, and are committed to the success of Kentucky’s youth, our future leaders.”
The award winner will receive a $1,000 cash prize to be used to further his or her civic learning initiatives. One finalist will be selected from each Kentucky High School Athletic Association region and each will receive a $250 award. The award winner and the finalists will be recognized during the KHSAA Boy’s Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament in Lexington.
Corey Yates, an educator at Elizabethtown High School, received the 2016 Kentucky Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award. Yates leads his students in civic learning initiatives such as presenting community improvement proposals to the city council, mock trial, and a learning experience on the penal code at a local detention center. He received a $1,000 award to be used for resources and equipment to continue his efforts.
The Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award is part of Grimes’ continued efforts to improve civic engagement in Kentucky. She recently released the findings of the 2016 Kentucky Civic Health Index, the second installment of the report during her tenure. Now, Grimes is traveling across Kentucky stressing the need for increased engagement, bridging participation gaps, and restoring trust in public institutions such as government and media, which the Index shows as areas for improvement.
Application/Nomination forms and additional information about the award are available online. The Office of the Secretary of State sponsors this award with the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Kentucky Department of Education.
The deadline for nominations and submissions is March 3.
The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) has been selected by the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators (NCSLA) to host the group’s 2017 Northern/Southern Regional Conference.
The conference will be held at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville from Nov. 5-8 and will bring together regulators, producers, and distributors from 26 states. This year’s meeting will focus on the industry’s top issues and will provide attendees with a forum to collaborate and share best practices.
“The regional NCSLA conference presents our state with a unique opportunity to lead the discussion on the most important topics impacting the alcohol industry,” said ABC Commissioner Christine Trout. “As this year’s hosts, we look forward to welcoming our sister states and showcasing the best of Kentucky.”
NCSLA expects approximately 150 attendees to travel to Louisville for the conference. The four-day meeting will include breakout sessions, guest speakers, and visits to local tourist attractions. Kentucky has been home to NCSLA meetings in the past, hosting annual conferences in both 1950 and 1963.
For more information on the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, visit http://abc.ky.gov.
Earlier this week, Attorney General Andy Beshear joined the director of his Office of Victims Advocacy, Gretchen Hunt, and 27 survivors of violent crime in the state Capitol Rotunda to announce the formation of a Survivors Council.
Members of the council will advise and assist the Office of Attorney General on matters related to victims of crime, including advancing victim-centered services, trainings and policy, and raising awareness.
Beshear said the Survivors Council brings together individuals who have survived the violent death of a family member, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, domestic violence, gun violence and other violent crimes to help improve responses to victims in the state.
“These survivors have persevered through the unimaginable, they have real courage and know firsthand what is needed to seek and ensure justice for victims,” said Beshear. “I am thankful to each member for their willingness to devote their time and passion to help pave a better way for other survivors.”
The council will be housed within Beshear’s Office of Victims Advocacy whose mission is to support victims’ rights and victim advocacy programs statewide. The work of the council will be woven into current office initiatives, including the Victim Assistance Conference, Victims’ Rights Day and ongoing training of law enforcement and prosecutors.
“Being victim-centered means that survivors have a seat at the table, not simply to share their story of victimization, but to share their wisdom and insight on how to make the process better for other victims,” said Gretchen Hunt, director of the Office of Victims Advocacy.
A selection of 27 survivor members occurred following an open nomination and application process conducted by the Office of Victims Advocacy.
“As a survivor of child marriage and sexual exploitation, I am thrilled to serve alongside other survivors on this council, knowing the diversity of our experiences will bring powerful contributions to our advocacy,” said council member Donna Pollard. “This council is critical for ensuring victims have the holistic support they deserve. Now is our time to prevent further victimization through improved legislation and educational means.”
“As the father of a survivor who was assaulted, I would like to thank Attorney General Beshear and Director Gretchen Hunt for the opportunity to serve in this endeavor,” said Bradford McClain, council member.
“After my 16-year-old son was shot and killed four years ago, I became disheartened, disappointed and realized there were little to no services or resources for victims’ families,” said council member Tonya Lindsey. “I am very humbled and honored to be appointed to the Survivors Council, where we will work to ensure a positive new direction for Kentucky, one that will better serve and accommodate the needs of victims. Who can tell you better what victims’ needs and concerns are than victims.”
The Survivors Council is the first of its kind in any Attorney General’s office nationwide and the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking served as inspiration for the council.
The council will meet quarterly and members can serve up to a two-year term.
Beshear said the Survivors Council announcement comes after a year of great progress on one of his office’s core missions of seeking justice for victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, violent crime and child abuse.
In 2016, Beshear made good on his promise to help end Kentucky’s sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) kit backlog by providing $4.5 million in settlement money to lawmakers to fund requested Kentucky State Police crime lab upgrades.
Beshear’s office provided an additional $1 million from the settlement to aid law enforcement and prosecutors in conducting victim-centered investigations and prosecuting sexual assault offenders.
The office also held a SAFE summit and is currently helping to train those working to end Kentucky’s backlog.
Most recently, Beshear announced that his office is launching a collaborative research project with the University of Louisville to provide accountability in Kentucky’s efforts to address the backlog and provide justice to victims.
In addition to helping victims of sexual assault, Beshear established the AG’s office as the leading agency fighting human trafficking, a modern-day form of slavery that often involves children forced into sex or labor trading.
His office provided technical assistance on 32 potential human trafficking incidents, which helped identify at least two underage human trafficking victims, and became the first Kentucky government agency to receive a federal human trafficking grant.
In 2016, Beshear’s Cyber Crimes Unit fought back against child sexual abuse by working to arrest more online child predators than any year in the history of the office. The number of arrests, indictments and convictions last year totaled nearly 80.
The Survivors Council is the latest effort to ensure that the work of Kentucky’s Office of the Attorney General remains victim-centered and improves the safety and lives of Kentucky’s citizens.
Kentucky students who attend private or home schools have free access to Individual Learning Plans from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.
KHEAA works with Career Cruising, which provides the ILP the state uses in all public schools, to give private and home school students in grades 6 through 12 the same planning tool.
ILPs let students explore careers, set up education plans, create résumés and establish personal goals to become college and career ready.
A private or home school student who wants to set up an ILP should log in on kheaa.com. Private schools that want to set up accounts for their students should contact their regional outreach counselor. Contact information can be found behind the Counselors tab at kheaa.com by selecting KHEAA Outreach Services, then Outreach Counselors.
KHEAA is the state agency that administers the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES), need-based grants and other programs to help students pay their higher education expenses.
For more information about Kentucky scholarships and grants, visit www.kheaa.com; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602; or call 800-928-8926, ext. 6-7214.
The Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District will conduct its annual Comprehensive School Survey (CSS) from Feb. 1 to March 24, 2017. The CSS is provided annually to all staff, parents/guardians and students in grades four through twelve for the purpose of collecting data concerning academic indicators, school community, service, environment, safety and employee job satisfaction.
“The CSS is a valuable resource to gather insight, identify specific needs and craft strategies to help us ensure student success,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “I encourage all parents and employees to complete the survey so we have their feedback as we continue to improve the learning environment for our students.”
Students in grades four through twelve will complete the CSS at school during the school day. All parents/guardians who have registered for Parent Portal will receive an email with a link directing them to the CSS online. Parents who do not have computer access or an email account will be provided with a paper-and-pencil survey. Schools are being asked to provide parents with access to the school’s computer lab to complete their survey online. Parents are encouraged to complete the CSS to ensure that their feedback is part of the district’s decision-making process.
JCPS employees with district email accounts will receive an email that contains a link to the staff CSS online. Employees who do not have a district email account and/or a computer will be provided access to the staff CSS online. Using the CSS online will allow parents and staff to complete their surveys in a faster, more efficient manner. The surveys are completely anonymous.
The Jefferson County Board of Education (JCBE) mandated that the CSS be conducted on an annual basis, beginning with the 1997-98 school year. The district uses the annual CSS data for a variety of purposes, including the following:
- JCPS Vision 2020: Excellence With Equity review
- Comprehensive District Improvement Plan (CDIP) development
- Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) development
- Strategic planning, policy making and benchmarking processes
- Formative evaluation of programs, projects, innovations and grants
CSS results from previous years are available on the JCPS website.
Neighborhood Place sites bring together multiple partners in February to provide opportunities including energy management workshops, a 16-week Diabetes Prevention Program, free dental screenings, an African American Read-In and much more. In addition, the Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place location is collecting new and gently used prom dresses and accessories to benefit high school seniors in the Park Hill neighborhood. To learn more about these services, including reservations requirements and contact info, please refer to the phone numbers listed by each event.
Feb. 1 – March 4, The Parkhill Prom Project at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. Call 634-6050 for more information. Jordan Alhimer a Bachelor of Social Work student/intern along with support from ECHO (Exploited Children’s Help Organization) are collecting new and gently used prom dresses, shoes and accessories to help deserving high school senior girls who live in the Parkhill Neighborhood. Drop off donations any weekday between 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 and 15, Legal Aid Office Hours at South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 for more information. A Legal Aid Society staff member will be on hand to answer questions, talk about cases that Legal Aid handles and provide referrals.
Feb. 2, 7, 9, 21 and 23, WeCare Energy Efficiency Overview
Call 1-800-356-5467 for more information. Representatives from the WeCare Program at LG&E will be on hand to talk with interested persons about energy efficiency, energy usage and tips to reduce utility bills. WeCare staff can also help determine if households are eligible for a variety of free services including air duct sealing and insulation, attic and wall insulation, programmable thermostats and much more.
- Feb. 2, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Feb. 7 and 23, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Feb 9 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Feb 21 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Two opportunities for the YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School
Located at 1501 Rangeland Rd. Call Kerry Basham at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
- Mondays/Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Tuesdays/Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Feb. 7, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. For more information or to register, call 485-6145. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping. Facilitated by coupon guru, Kim Mapp.
Feb. 8, Norton Healthcare Car Seat Check and Fitting Station at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-7358 for an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat and find out if it’s time for a change.
Feb. 8 and 9, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
Call 341-5400 for more information and to register. A Healthy Journey for Two is an educational baby shower open to any expectant mothers. The class will include a range of information and resources, as well as free baby items, gift cards, prizes, and snacks. Hosted by Centerstone and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered.
- Feb. 8 at Cane Run Neighborhood Place,3410 Lees Ln., 1-3 p.m.
- Feb. 9 at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1-3 p.m.
Feb. 9, African American Read-In at Southwick Community Center, 6:30 p.m.
Located at 3600 Southern Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Celebrate black authors through spoken word, dance and music with a book signing by published authors. Sponsored in part by Ujima Neighborhood Place.
Feb. 9, 21 and 23, Energy Management Workshops
Project Warm’s free workshops help families take control of their energy usage and learn “do-it-yourself” energy-saving tips. Free supplies will be distributed at the end of the workshop such as clear plastic/tape for windows, caulk to seal openings around windows and sealing foam. Sponsored by Project Warm, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place and First Neighborhood Place.
- Feb. 9 at Southwest Branch Library, 10375 Dixie Highway, 2 – 3:30 p.m. Call 363-1483 to register.
- Feb. 21 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road, 1- 2:30 p.m. Call 313-4700 or 313-4728 to register.
- Feb. 23 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1-2:30 p.m. Call 485-7130 to register.
Feb. 13 and Feb. 16, Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Bus
Call 502/562-5584 for more information. The Fifth Third Financial Empowerment Bus, or eBus, provides a mobile classroom that allows visitors to have credit reports pulled for free and reviewed with a professional; use computers to file taxes; receive internet banking and bill payment demonstrations, utilize the Next Jobs online program; and many other services.
- Feb. 13, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Feb. 16, Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 200 Juneau Dr., Ste. 200, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Feb. 14, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
Feb. 14, Norton Mobile Unit at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call 502-899-6842 for more information or to make an appointment. The Norton Mobile Unit will offer low/no-cost mammograms and pap smears for women age 40 and over. Must be at least one complete year since the last mammogram, be able to stand unassisted for at least 15 minutes, not have any current issues or undergoing cancer treatment. Insurance will be billed and co-pay may apply- contact your insurance carrier for eligibility. Funding is available for those who are uninsured. Sponsored by Norton Health Care and Family Health Clinic.
Feb. 20 and 21, Free Dental Screenings by Community Dental Care
Call 502-366-4442 for more information. Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide free dental screenings for children and adults and schedule appointments as necessary. Kindergarten and pre-K children who receive screenings will be provided with a certificate that will meet the school district’s requirement for dental screenings.
- Feb. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale site, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p. m.
- Feb. 20, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley site, 10200 Dixie Highway, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Feb. 21, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 p.m. -3 p.m.
Feb 21 and Feb 23, Diabetes Self-Management Series at the Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, St. 200. Call 574-6663 or 574-6638 for more information. Taught by the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the Diabetes Self-Management series will be a two-part series. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been diabetic for years and need a refresher, this class is for you. Topics covered will include: what is diabetes, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise and goal setting.
Feb. 27 – April 17, 4 Your Child – Dads Making the Difference at Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place
Located at 1411 Algonquin Pkwy. For more information and to register, contact Dr. Cheri Langley at (502) 709-9323 or at Cheri.Langley@louisville.edu. “4 Your Child” is an eight-week fatherhood program that aims to improve the quantity and quality of fathers’ involvement by integrating responsible parenting, economic stability, and relationship education services. Participants may be compensated for their time up to $220 but registration is required.
Starting Feb. 28, Diabetes Prevention Program at the Charmoli Center Neighborhood Place, 3- 4 p.m.
Located at 200 Juneau Drive, St. 200. Call 574-6663 or 266-5571 to register. This 16-week program is designed for individuals who are risk of Diabetes offering support to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. This class will help you lose weight, learn healthier eating habits and increase physical activity. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.
Upcoming Events in March
March 1, Heroin Addiction in “Our Own Backyard”, Part 2 at First Baptist Church, Fairdale, 6 – 8 p.m. Located at 413 Fairdale Rd., Fairdale, KY. Call 363-1483 for more information. This is part two in the “Not in Our Backyard” series of workshops with a focus on Community Resources. Representatives from more than fifteen community agencies will be on hand to speak to individuals one-on-one about services they offer to persons struggling with addiction as well their family and friends. The workshop is an opportunity to gain education about the physical, psychological and addictive effects of the drug. Sponsored in part by South Jefferson Neighborhood Place.
March 4, Home Buyers’ Fair at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 5708 Preston Highway. Call 363-1483 for more information. If you own a home or are interested in purchasing a home, this is the fair to attend. Businesses will be on hand to provide information and guidance for families and individuals that are first time home buyers, current home owners wanting to relocate or refinance, or home owners facing possible foreclosure. Attendees will be able to speak to banking personal face to face, attend workshops that cover the necessary steps in purchasing a home, learn about funds that are available to help with closing costs, etc. Stop by and find out if you qualify for a reduced home loan. Sponsored by Republic Bank, Louisville Free Public Library as well as South Jefferson, First and Cane Run Neighborhood Places.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) will begin accepting applications for JCPS Early Childhood Programs this week. On Wednesday, the application process opens for tuition-based and income-based programs for children who turn 4 years old by Aug. 1, 2017.
Applications may be submitted online here or in person at the Edwards Education Complex, 701 S. Hancock St., from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. every Tuesday – Thursday.
JCPS Early Childhood follows Head Start and state-funded preschool regulations for placement and has a limited number of seats available. Application to the program is not a guarantee for placement.
Documents required for application include:
- Photo ID (if applying in person)
- Proof of residence
- Child’s birth certificate
- Physical examination form
- State of Kentucky immunization certificate
- Household W-2’s or 2016 tax return(s) or other household annual income documents
For more information, families may call the Early Childhood Application Center at (502) 485-7677.
