Sunday April 28, 2024
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SubscribeNeighborhood Place sites bring together multiple partners in April focused on improving the health and well-being of you and your family including free car seat checks, a smoking cessation class, free HIV screenings, a parent leadership academy, a mobile dental unit and so much more. To learn more about these services and other opportunities including reservations requirements and contact info, please refer to the phone numbers listed by each event.
April 3 and 27, Library Connection
A representative from the Louisville Free Public Library will be on hand to sign interested persons up for library cards, answers questions about resources at the library, and provide information on upcoming events at your local library office.
- April 3, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.
- April 27, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY, 12 – 2 p.m. Call 363-1483 for more information.
April 4, 5, 12, 13, 18 and 19, 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.
- April 4, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- April 5, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 12 and 19, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 13 and 18, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
April 4, Norton’s Hospital Car Seat Check 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 any adjustments are needed.
Each Tuesday, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
Wednesdays, April 5 – May 10, Cooper-Clayton Stop Smoking Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place, Fairdale, KY. Call Kristin at 772-8588 for more information or to sign up for this class. The Cooper-Clayton Method is an effective smoking cessation program that provides intensive weekly education and support group sessions for eight weeks. Participants receive guidance on how to use nicotine patches, lozenges or gum. Bring lunch and join the class to move forward to a healthier future. Sponsored by Family Health Centers.
April 6, 11 and 13, Work and Learn Program for K-TAP Recipients Info Session
Call 502-213-2149 for more information. Individuals who are receiving K-TAP who are interested in completing their GED or upgrading their skills in preparation for college enrollment are invited to stop by and talk with case managers from the Work and Learn program. Find out how to earn an hourly wage at an approved job site and upon completion of your GED, receive a cash bonus!
- April 6, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 11, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
- April 13, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 – 4 p.m.
April 7, Couponing Support Group at First Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Road. Call 313-4728 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
April 8, Sowing the Seeds of Peace, Park Hill Community Spring Resource Fair at Park Hill Community Center, 12 – 4 p.m.
Located at 1703 South 13th St. Call 634-6057 for more information. Focusing on residents who live in or near the Park Hill neighborhood — an area just west of Old Louisville which has experienced a disproportionate number of violent deaths – this event is open to all members of the public. More than 30 public, private and non-profit agencies will gather to meet with residents and share information about programs and services. Sponsored in part by Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place.
April 8, Dental Cleaning at the Park Hill Community Center, 12 – 4 p.m.
Located at 1703 South 13th Street. Call 634-6057 for more information. The Smile Academy is a mobile dental unit that provides cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants for children 2-18 years of age.
April 10, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at South Central Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 574-4516 for more information. Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
April 11 and 18, Kentucky Nutrition Education Program at First Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. A representative from the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program will be on hand to provide ways to make healthy food choices, encourage more fruits and vegetables, choosing low fat and high fiber foods, increasing physical activity, avoid running out of food, how to prepare and store food safely.
April 11, 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.
April 11, HIV Outreach and Screening at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market St. Call 485-7230 for more information. Representatives from Volunteers of America will be conducting free HIV screenings as well as providing informational sexual health resources for the community. We encourage everyone to know your status. For more information on HIV and HIV educational/prevention programs, please call the Kentucky HIV Help Hotline at 1-844-294-2448.
April 11, Blood Pressure Checks at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 485-6145 for more information. Louisville Metro Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure checks.
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.
Tuesdays, April 11 – May 16, Louisville Urban League Parent Leadership Academy at South Central Neighborhood Place, 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 to reserve a spot and for more information. All Jefferson County parents are invited to this free six week parent leadership program. Get answers to your questions, learn what to ask during school meetings, gain a supportive community of parents, build your advocacy skills for your child and connect to community resources. Lunch is provided.
April 11 and 12, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby Shower
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 Seven Counties and KIDSNow. Fathers are welcome but must be registered. For more information, contact Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400.
- April 11, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- April 12, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 1-3 p.m.
Thursdays, April 13 – May 25, Becoming Weight Wise at South Central Neighborhood Place, 12 – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 313-4089 for more information. It’s not easy to manage body weight. This 10 week course of self-discovery, skill building and support can help you learn about weight control. This program is based on approaches that are promising ways to achieve better health.
April 13, 4 Your Child Fatherhood Program at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 4 – 8 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. To sign up or for more information, contact us at (502) 709-9323 or 4yourchild@outlook.com. This fatherhood program is reaching out to fathers to provide them with an array of services including fatherhood specific parent education workshops and case management services. In addition to increasing their capacity for high quality fathering, participants in our program may be eligible to receive up to $220. Sponsored by the University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work and Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.
April 18, 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.
Tuesdays, April 18 – May 23, Living Well Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 – 3 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register. This class is designed to benefit individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, arthritis, depression, or other ongoing health problems. Learn to ways to better manage your health and earn an 8-week YMCA membership.
April 19, 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.
April 19, 25, and 26, Community Dental Care Information Sessions
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 information about services offered and to assist in scheduling appointments for dental needs or for pediatric health needs.
- April 19, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Road. 1 – 3 p.m.
- April 25, South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- April 26, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Fairdale site, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p. m.
- April 26, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place – Valley site, 10200 Dixie Highway, 1– 3 p.m.
April 25, 26 and 27, Faith Based Leaders and Community Partners Kickoff Breakfast, 9 – 10 a.m.
For more information and to make a reservation or call Katherine Easley, Recruitment Coordinator 502-641-2852 or contact Patricia.Franke@ky.gov. Come and enjoy the morning with community leadership that will take a look at the work the Cabinet for Health and Family Services is doing in your community. Several breakfasts throughout the month provide an opportunity to hear about the mission, the work and the opportunities the community has to impact the lives of children and their families. Come and learn more about your role in protecting children as we focus on Child Abuse Prevention during the month of April. Breakfast and event sponsored by the Kentucky State Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
- April 25, Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy.
- April 26, Charmoli Neighborhood Place (Middletown) 200 Juneau Dr., Suite 200
- April 27, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place (Fairdale), 1000 Neighborhood Place
April 26, Resume Building and Interviewing Tips at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4018 W. Market St. For more information, please call 485-7230. The Goodwill Industries of Kentucky will be offering onsite valuable employment and interviewing tips including resume building assistance and face-to-face coaching on employability skills such as professionalism, positive attitude, workplace communication, multicultural sensitivity/awareness and adaptability.
Race Expo Temporarily Moves to Kentucky Exposition Center
The Kentucky Derby Festival is re-routing a small portion of the 2017 Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon/miniMarathon presented by Walmart and Humana due to the renovation of the Kentucky International Convention Center (KICC). The races are set for Saturday, April 29. The courses for both the miniMarathon and Marathon will be diverted one block to Second Street. This will affect the half marathon between mile 12 and 13; and the full marathon at mile 25. Marathon runners will also notice small changes between mile 13 and 14, to make up some additional distance. Overall, the changes affect less than one mile of the entire race.
“All downtown traffic is being rerouted to avoid the construction and the Kentucky Derby Festival is no exception,” said Matt Gibson, Senior Vice President of Events for the Kentucky Derby Festival. “Fortunately these are minor changes and will have minimal impact on the runners’ experience.”
The Festival is working with Louisville Metro Police to ensure the route is safe for the runners and still accessible to traffic. As they do along the entire race route, LMPD will assist with vehicle cross traffic at intersections, to ensure residents and businesses can still reach their destination when breaks in the race permit.
Along with changes to the course, the Race Expo will also temporarily move to the West Wing of the Kentucky Exposition Center (KEC) on April 27 and 28, 2017. The Expo is traditionally held at KICC, but will relocate to KEC for both 2017 and 2018, until the renovations are complete. Complimentary shuttles will be provided to transport runners from Downtown to the Kentucky Exposition Center. Parking fees will also be waived for runners picking up their race packets at the Expo. Runners will receive all the details in their confirmation packets and can also find it online at DerbyFestivalMarathon.com.
“We’re partnering with the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Convention & Visitors Bureau to make sure this move is seamless for the runners and our vendors,” said Shanna Ward, Race Director.
Operations, parking and other amenities at the start, finish and along the course remain unchanged. Both races will still start at 7:30 a.m. on Main Street in downtown Louisville and finish at Preston and Witherspoon Streets. The runners will also run through the main gate at Churchill Downs for their lap through the infield.
The Marathon and miniMarathon marks the largest annual day of road racing in Kentucky. Registration is still available online at www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com. Current registration is $85 for the mini and $95 for the Marathon.
Christian County flock depopulated; surveillance continues
Federal and state authorities say a case of low pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a commercial poultry flock in western Kentucky.
Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout said the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, confirmed the presence of H7N9 low pathogenic avian influenza in samples taken from the Christian County premises.
The virus exposure at the premises was initially detected by the Murray State University Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville while conducting a routine pre-slaughter test last week. Dr. Stout said there were no clinical signs of disease in the birds. The affected premises is under quarantine, and the flock of approximately 22,000 hens was depopulated as a precautionary measure, Dr. Stout said.
“Dr. Stout and his staff have extensive experience and expertise in animal disease control and eradication,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “They have an excellent working relationship with the Kentucky Poultry Federation and the poultry industry. They are uniquely qualified to contain this outbreak so our domestic customers and international trading partners can remain confident in Kentucky poultry.”
Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) may cause no disease or mild illness. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can cause severe disease with high mortality.
The OSV and its partners in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) are conducting surveillance on flocks within a six-mile radius of the index farm, Dr. Stout said. The company that operates the farm is conducting additional surveillance testing on other commercial facilities it operates within that area. Continue reading
Mayor Fischer, Metro Council Members and other leaders deliver Meals on Wheels
Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program announced today its support and participation in the 15th annual March for Meals – the month-long, nationwide celebration of Meals on Wheels and the homebound and vulnerable seniors who rely on this vital safety net.
“The services that we provide the seniors of Louisville are critical and the need is rapidly increasing,” said Faith Aeilts, program manager for the city’s Senior Nutrition Program, part of Louisville Metro Community Services. “Together, we can keep seniors living independently, healthier at home and feeling more connected to their community as they age.”
The Senior Nutrition Program works year-round to help seniors stay healthy by providing hot, nutritious meals. Through the Meals on Wheels program, hundreds of volunteers helped deliver over 100,000 hot noontime meals last year to qualified individuals. Another 90,000 meals were served to active seniors at more than 20 congregate meal sites, which offer seniors an opportunity for a nutritious lunch, socialization and activities.
“March is a time for us all to rally around Meals on Wheels,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Our ability to meet the needs of vulnerable seniors lies in the willingness and generosity of businesses, government and concerned individuals of all ages to contribute in their own way. It not only makes economic sense to enable seniors to stay healthy and safe at home, but it improves the health and vibrancy of our communities and our nation at large.”
To spotlight important services provided by the Senior Nutrition Program and to help recruit volunteers, Mayor Greg Fischer, five Louisville Metro Council members and other local leaders will help deliver meals to homebound seniors during March. Next week, March 20 – 24, the following individuals will deliver meals: Council Members Jessica Green (District 1), Brandon Coan (District 8), Bill Hollander (District 9), and Pat Mulvihill (District 10), along with Yvette Gentry, Mayor Greg Fischer’s chief of community building and Becky Peak, Mayor of the City of Plantation.
Mayor Fischer will deliver meals on March 31 in the Okolona area. Community Services Director Eric Friedlander and Assistant Director Gena Redmon will also be participating this month as well. Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (District 4) delivered meals earlier in March.
The Senior Nutrition Program seeks volunteers all year long to help in a variety of capacities, including packaging and serving meals at one of the congregate sites, and delivering meals to homebound clients. For more information about volunteering, call (502) 574-6325. Volunteer drivers are especially needed for routes in the west and south ends of Louisville. To make a financial donation to Meals on Wheels, click here for Louisville Metro’s secure on-line donation form.
Meals on Wheels is available to qualified seniors in Jefferson County, 60 years or older, who are homebound with no one available to help prepare meals. Seniors who would like to receive Meals on Wheels can call (502) 574-6325 to begin the qualification process. The senior congregate sites for more active seniors, 60 and older, can be found by calling the same number above or by visiting https://louisvilleky.gov/government/community-services/senior-nutrition-program. Sites require a one-day advanced reservation.
Gov. Matt Bevin testified last week before the House Judiciary Committee in support of House Bill 333, which seeks to set common sense limits on pain medication prescriptions in an effort to combat Kentucky’s opioid epidemic. The bill also has several measures to regulate, prohibit and punish the illicit possession, importation and trafficking of fentanyl, carfentanil and fentanyl derivatives.
Introduced by Rep. Kimberly Moser and a group of five bipartisan co-sponsors, this legislation seeks to prevent the creation of new addicts by reducing overexposure and oversupply of opioids in acute care settings. Recent statistics show that Kentucky ranks third among all states in opioid addiction, with a rate double the national average.
“Until we have a frank conversation—as it relates to everything from the production, prescription, dissemination, and prosecution of opioids—we’re not going to fix the problem,” said Gov. Bevin. “With the exception of intentional drug dealers, most of the people who are complicit in this didn’t start out trying to be complicit in something that has been so crippling to our nation and to the Commonwealth.”
In accordance with Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, House Bill 333 would prohibit a practitioner from issuing a prescription for more than a three-day supply of a Schedule II controlled substance intended to treat pain as an acute medical condition.
Certain exemptions would apply for cancer patients, individuals diagnosed with chronic pain, those in narcotic treatment programs, patients receiving end-of-life care, and other situations deemed medically necessary.
Studies compiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse illustrate the importance of decreasing exposure to opioids: 86 percent of injection drug users took opioid pain relievers non-medically prior to using heroin, 75 percent of individuals abusing opioids used a prescription drug as their first opioid, and incidence of heroin initiation is 19 times higher among those using non-medical pain relievers versus those who did not.
“This addiction is everywhere, and we have to make it harder to get addicted,” said Gov. Bevin. “We don’t have the luxury of being able to pretend this doesn’t exist.”
January is National Radon Action month. The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness wants you to know the dangers of radon and encourages you to test your home. The department is offering free radon test kits while the supply lasts. You can request a kit online by clicking this link: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/qoixf410qzn3z/ or by calling 574-6650.
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that is naturally found in soil. It can enter the home through small cracks in the home’s foundation and can cause lung cancer through prolonged exposure. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, causing between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
The entire state of Kentucky is at high risk for radon exposure with about 40 percent of homes estimated to have unsafe levels. The only way to know if radon exists at dangerous levels in your home is to test for it.
“We encourage everyone to test their homes for radon, “said Dr. Joann Schulte, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. “People can’t see or smell radon so they may be unaware that it might exist at dangerous levels in their homes and be exposing them to deadly health effects.”
The lung cancer risk factors of tobacco smoke and radon are related. More radon-related lung cancers occur in individuals with a history of exposure to tobacco smoke. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, with the highest mortality rate of any cancer. Kentucky has the highest incidence rate of lung cancer in the nation with a rate of 93.4 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 59.4. The death rate from lung cancer in Kentucky is 69.5 per 100,000 compared to the national average of 43.4. In Louisville our lung cancer incidence and mortality rates are also well above the national average. According to the Kentucky Cancer Registry the incidence rate of lung cancer in Louisville is 94.8 per 100,000 compared to 59.4 nationally. The death rate is 61.7 compared to 43.4 nationally.
.Here are a few tips to help prevent radon in your home:
- Stop smoking and discourage smoking in your home.
- Smoking significantly increases the risk of lung cancer from radon.
- Increase air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air.
- Natural ventilation in any type of house is only a temporary strategy to reduce radon.
- Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.
- Seek a qualified contractor to help remove the radon from your home. Mitigation costs generally range from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the size and foundation of the home. Consult the Kentucky Association of Radon Professionals or the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists National Radon Proficiency Program to locate approved contractors near you.
Today, Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) launched a new online video series: “Ask a Nurse.”
Each month, nurse practitioners from JCPS Health Services will provide timely information on health-related topics as part of the video series and offer tips to keep students healthy. In the episode released today, nurse practitioners Mary Texas and Holly Walker discuss flu prevention and offer advice on how to minimize a student’s risk of contracting and spreading the virus. Topics such as food allergies, asthma, head lice and school health requirements will also be discussed in future segments of the Ask a Nurse series.
“We know that healthier students make better learners,” said JCPS Superintendent Dr. Donna Hargens. “The key goal of JCPS Health Services is to promote and support health and wellness across the district, and the Ask a Nurse series is just one more way our health services team can educate our students, families and the community about important health-related topics.”
“JCPS Health Services is excited to further connect with families, staff and the community about important health topics impacting our students,” said Anne Perryman, the district’s health coordinator. “We all play a critical role in promoting the health, wellness and learning for each child within Jefferson County Public Schools.”
The Ask a Nurse video series will be featured on the JCPS website homepage, the district’s Facebook and Twitter pages and the JCPS YouTube channel. Families are also encouraged to submit questions to Ask a Nurse each month by tweeting the JCPS Twitter page using the hashtag #JCPSNurse.