Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday that the phased restart of Kentucky’s economy will begin next week, on Monday, with a segment of the health care services industry. He said initially the easing of restrictions will allow for diagnostic and radiology testing, as well as non-urgent, emergent, in-person office and ambulatory visits. The Governor said Kentucky will go through three phases in dealing with coronavirus: sacrifice, planning and patience and perseverance. The Governor said now we are in the planning and patience phase. The Governor said the phased health care services reopening is the first under the Healthy at Work initiative he introduced Tuesday to help businesses reopen safely when the time is right. The initiative set out public health benchmarks for reopening Kentucky’s economy. These benchmarks closely follow the White House’s Guidelines for Reopening America.

Closed Business Permitted to Submit Proposals to Reopen

Governor Beshear announced his 'Healthy at Work' website to allow businesses closed due to COVID-19 to submit proposals to permit their business to reopen. No, businesses are not opening yet, but this site has been created to help owners start the process so they are prepared, as soon as possible, for the reopening of the economy. If you are a business owner, review this website and the criteria the Ky Department for Public Health will be considering in the evaluation of each business. If businesses have additional questions please email questions to HealthyAtWork@ky.gov. https://govstatus.egov.com/ky-healthy-at-work

Census 2020

Census forms are arriving in the mail.  Census data is used to determine how many representatives each state gets in Congress, how many districts each state has, and how much federal funding states and counties receive, in addition to other things.  You can go online and complete the census. You can also call 1-844-330-2020 to complete the survey over the phone as soon as you receive the invitation. The best way to avoid a visit from a census taker is to fill out the 2020 Census questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail as soon as you receive your invitation to participate.  We urge you to do so by April 1, to limit person-to-person contact as the coronavirus continues to spread. The census website is here: https://my2020census.gov/. Here’s the schedule, subject to change (like everything else these days). March 12-20        Invitations mailed March 16-24        Reminder letters sent March 26-April 3  Reminder postcards April 1                  Census Day April 8-16             Hardcopy Census mailed April 20-27           Final postcards mailed May 1                   Non-response follow-ups begin

Covid 19 Important Links

Click the link below to be directed to the state website: 

https://governor.ky.gov/covid19

Clink the link below to be directed to the local website:
https://louisvilleky.gov/news/what-you-need-know-about-coronavirus

Click the link below to be directed to Centers for Disease Control:
 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htmll

HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

• Small Business Resources COVID-19 (updated daily and will share info on additional funding when available)   https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/small-business-resources-covid-19
• LIBA - Louisville Independent Business Association small business information https://www.keeplouisvilleweird.com/CovidResources

State Unemployment

Kentuckians filing for UI benefits should follow a schedule that pertains to the first initial in their last name as to what day they can file their claim.  The schedule can be found here. 

Those in the Louisville area may call 502-595-4003 for KCC services including UI questions. Claimants can also call the UI Help Line at 502-564-2900, if they have questions.

In addition to these new ways to communicate with KCC staff, other KCC programs are continuing to assist customers through the following services.

• Re-employment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) helps laid-off people get back to work faster.
• Trade assistance helps workers who have lost their job as a result of increased imports out of the United States.
• Employment services assists job seekers with items such as resume writing, job search and training opportunities.
• Veteran services helps those who have served in the armed forces with finding a job or training opportunities.
• Business services such as rapid response, recruitment and work-based training assists employers.

On March 16, Gov. Andy Beshear directed EWDC to waive the state’s seven-day waiting period to receive UI benefits and the work-search requirement for UI benefits during the state of emergency. 

As a result, the following policy has been activated.

1. Individual is laid off and files initial claim application to request UI benefits.
2. After claimant files and requests payment, UI staff conducts eligibility review and processes benefit request concurrently.
3. If approved, initial payment is authorized for 14 days of benefits.
4. Claimant may request benefits every two weeks. This process may continue for a maximum of 26 total weeks or until the claimant obtains employment or returns to work.
5. The weekly benefit amount is based on the worker’s past wages.

All of the new measures have been implemented to help people who have temporarily lost their jobs or are quarantined because of COVID-19.

Individuals filing for unemployment benefits should visit www.kcc.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Social Distancing And Metro Parks

As the weather begins to warm, many of us naturally think of heading to one of our metro parks. They are a great place to go for a run, ride a bike, or play golf. While these activities are still permitted, some are not. Below is a list of what you can - and cannot - currently do in Louisville parks.

Junior Achievement provides Free Online Resources!

With schools closed, Junior Achievement is providing free online resources to families and teachers. We are doing this so our kids can spend more time planning for and dreaming about tomorrow, and less time worrying about today. Junior Achievement is ready to support families and teachers during this period of uncertainty. The resources are on-line, ready-to-use, include everything needed and are offered for all grade levels.  Students can do the lessons on their own, with a parent or guardian, or with their teacher.  Access Junior Achievement’s free resources HERE.

COVID-19 Response: Community & Agency Actions Taken to Assist Our Most Vulnerable

Many businesses and local organizations are taking steps to help during this crisis. These include stores opening only for seniors and those most vulnerable at certain times of the day, free digital access for certain households, and waiving delivery fees for orders from independently owned restaurants.

This site is updated regularly.   For a complete list, visit:

COVID-19 Response

Individual Assistance

To apply for individual assistance, call Metro311 or (502) 574-5000, or visit www.louisvilleky.gov/neighborhoodplace 

Grants for community-based organizations

For information on grants to community-based organizations, go to www.louisvilleky.gov/government/city/one-louisville-covid-19-response-fund

JCPS Emergency Food Distribution Sites

Jeffersontown Area Ministries in Need of Donations for Their Pantry

The pantry is severely low. JAM has helped a much higher volume of our neighbors with food and toiletries this week. Any donations would be helpful. Thanks in advance! Drop off Location: 10617 Taylorsville Rd Jeffersontown, KY Monday - Friday from 10am -1pm For questions please call 502-267-1055.