+ Protect your family against measles this holiday season
 Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) today warned residents to be on alert and take precautions against several illnesses circulating throughout Jefferson County and warned about the potential for a local measles outbreak.
As of this week, more than 70 cases of the measles have been reported in Columbus, Ohio. More than 25 patients have been hospitalized, according to the City of Columbus. Of the confirmed cases, public health officials report 69 were not vaccinated against the measles, four were partially vaccinated and one had an unknown vaccination status. Measles is highly contagious, and the virus can remain in the air for up to two hours.
Symptoms typically appear 10 to 12 days after exposure and include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- Rash that breaks out 3-5 days after symptoms begin
Although no cases of have been reported in Jefferson County to date, It is strongly recommended that people 12 months and older get two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is about 97% effective at preventing measles.
Louisville is seeing a rise in flu and RSV, while the city and nation continue to battle COVID-19. Currently in Jefferson County, more than 7,000 cases of the flu have been reported, along with nine flu-related deaths, and in recent weeks, RSV outbreaks at facilities like childcare centers have also been reported in the Louisville Metro area. RSV causes cold-like symptoms that can become more serious, especially for infants and older adults
LMPHW officials also urged residents to continue to be cautious about COVID-19 as cases are increasing across the country pushing some surrounding counties into the “medium” and “high-risk” categories.
Vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 are the most effective tool available to prevent serious illness.
Vaccinations
To get the MMR vaccine, contact your primary care provider. LMPHW also provides vaccines for children and adults at its immunization clinics by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 502-574-5380 or visit Public Health and Wellness’ immunizations page.
Visit www.vaccines.gov to find out where you can get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster.
+ Order for free at-home COVID-19 tests
 With the holiday season in full swing, the U.S. Government is once again offering a limited amount of free COVID-19 tests for residents to help prevent the illnesses spread.
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of four free at-home tests from USPS.com. Limit of one order per residential address and one order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
+ Free GED prep classes available
If you are an adult who did not finish high school, then you can take a test and earn a GED credential, which is the equivalent to a high school diploma.
JCPS Adult Education can help you prepare for the GED test. Classes in math and reading are available at different levels depending on your skill level in each subject.
You can attend classes in person at two locations: Ahrens Learning Center and Americana World Community Center. Virtual classes are also available.
Online learning is available if your schedule does not allow you to attend the in-person or virtual classes. Online learning allows you to study at your own pace and provides lessons which are assigned based on your test scores.
Instructors are available via zoom if you need help. There are also computer labs with instructors available at Ahrens, Americana, and six other locations to help you.
- Go to jcps.myoneflow.com to create an account and schedule your appointment for
- Take a placement test and attend orientation and then start your class.
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+ Applications now open for the Global Louisville Leadership Academy 2023 cohort
 The Global Louisville Leadership Academy, formerly known as Louisville Welcome Academy, is a free leadership training program sponsored by the Louisville Metro Government Office for Globalization. The mission is to build the knowledge and networks of foreign-born leaders to increase their capacity and become key stakeholders to empower and assist their communities.
Global Louisville Leadership Academy consists of monthly in-person sessions between February to June 2023. Each session is a full day long, and participants will gain an in-depth understanding of city government services, increase accessibility to existing city and community resources, build leadership capacity, and become part of the larger community network.
The Office for Globalization is now taking applications for the Academy's 2023 cohort. The deadline to apply is January 20, 2023.
Events
+ Louisville Parks and Recreation community centers offering free winter break camps and programming
 Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering free camps and programming for young people throughout the community during the Jefferson County Public School winter break (December 19-January 2).
The camps, offered at 12 community centers throughout the city, will provide opportunities for youth of various age groups to play sports, craft, make new friends and more.
+ Lights Under Louisville
 Now through January 1
Louisville Mega Cavern’s Lights Under Louisville returns with more than 40 themed displays, mapping projections, approximately 900 illuminated characters, 4 LED light tunnels, including a new 200-foot-long MEGA light tunnel, two laser sections, and nearly 6,000,000 points of light that will spread mega cheer and holiday spirit this season. Lights Under Louisville will take visitors on an immersive ride through more than one mile of cavern passageways as visitors drive through millions of dazzling lights, festive lasers, and even larger captivating light tunnels.
Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., guests can expect a one-of-a-kind holly jolly experience, complete with lasers dancing to the beat of holiday music. This year, guests will kick off the season with a megadose of holiday cheer as they encounter surprises around every corner and are completely surrounded by four twinkling light tunnels, including the all new 200-foot-long MEGA light tunnel!
+ Join Tuesday of Resources at La Casita Center
 Second Tuesday of every month in 2023, 10:00 A.M.- 2:00 P.M.
Tuesday of Resources at La Casita Center is a community event where families receive necessities like diapers, COVID-19 vaccines, canned goods, toiletries and other resources. Tuesday of Resources happens every second Tuesday of the month, from 10:00 A.M.- 2:00 P.M.
+ Donate to Americana's Winter Gift Drive
 Donate anytime now through December 15 to benefit Americana's Winter Festival. This event is a festive event that brings joy to families of all faiths. This event wraps up one more year of bringing holistic services to the international community. This event will provide warm winter clothes for kids, family portraits, gifts from Santa, and more.
Drop-offs can be made at Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Dr., or Ten20 Brewery, 2200 Bardstown Rd., between now and December 15.
+ Join Launch Boot Camp
 December 27-29, 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Spend your Winter Break planning for your future!
Jewish Career and Family Services (JFCS) will host a LAUNCH Boot Camp for students ages 15-18. LAUNCH is a holistic approach to meet the individual needs of students exploring their options post-high school. This boot camp will build confidence and promote self-discovery as students explore their next steps. Sessions cover, career exploration, post-secondary planning, self-advocacy.
Sessions will be held at JFCS, 2821 Klempner Way, and lunch will be provided.
For more information or to register, contact Andrea Brown at 502-322-1912.
+ Attend the concert for Ukraine
 January 7, 8:00 P.M.
Join the Concert for Ukraine, there will be performances by Ukrainian singers and a traditional Ukrainian folk-dance set. The Doors tribute band and a brass jazz band will be playing. Tickets $15. 50% of ticket sales will go to KRM exclusively for Ukrainian refugee support. Ages 18 & up.
Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd. 502-584-8088
+ Join World Affairs Council Speaker Series: Unrest in Iran, Igniting Prospects for Change
Thursday, January 26, 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The World Affairs Council will be kicking of their 2023 Spring World in Transition Speaker Series with Goli Ameri, a prominent Iranian-American entrepreneur and former diplomat who has been lending her voice and expertise to bring awareness to the sustained women-led protests in Iran ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022.
Ms. Ameri will share her thoughts and current developments in the Iranian protests - what it means for the country and its people, and what role the U.S. and the international community have to support the people of Iran.
Join World Affairs Council for this timely discussion and help us spread awareness of the critical developments in Iran.
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