Virtual Town Hall: Foster Care in Kentucky

August 14, 2023

12:00pm - 1:00pm 

Public invited to give input on foster care system

at virtual town hall meetings

Let your VOICE be heard!

The public is invited to attend virtual town hall meetings to discuss ways to improve outcomes for Kentucky children and families involved in the foster care system. The meetings will take place August 14^th, 17^th, 21^st, and 23^rd. Come prepared to voice your concerns regarding the foster care system and how communities can better support families.

Last summer, Thriving Families, Safer Children began offering visioning sessions and regional action planning sessions focused on child abuse prevention and supporting safe, healthy families.  That is when many Kentuckians first learned about the Thriving Families, Safer Children initiative.  Thriving Families, Safer Children is a collaborative effort working to elevate the voice of those with lived experience and local community partners to work together to promote child and family well-being, equity, and positive outcomes for children and families.  These August Town Hall meetings will focus on lessons learned from Thriving Families, Safer Children’s regional action planning sessions. What needs have been identified to support safe, healthy families?  What are the barriers that families face trying to remain intact and protecting their children?  What are possible solutions to help keep children safe and prevent child abuse and neglect?  Have trends been identified to help keep children safe without having to enter foster care?  What impact can this have for children already in foster care?  We would like to hear from you and learn your responses to these questions. The meeting will allot time for open discussion. Community input is vital to identifying needs in your local area. Due to confidentiality, specific cases will not be discussed.

Findings from the meetings will be reported to the Kentucky Citizen Foster Care Review Board and will be included in the CFCRB’s annual recommendations to the Supreme Court, governor and legislature. Regional meetings are among the reforms called for in House Bill 1, the adoption and foster care legislation passed in 2018 to improve outcomes for children in out-of-home care.

See the latest CFCRB annual report at this link:  2022 CFCRB Annual Report.

For more information, contact the CFCRB at cfcrb@kycourts.net. 

Registration

Participants can attend the Town Hall for their location via ZOOM. Registration is required.  Participants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom meeting link one-week prior to the Town Hall.

Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Jefferson County

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) has found mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in surveillance traps in the Iroquois area. To help prevent infection and reduce the mosquito population, mosquito fogging will take place this week in the 40214 ZIP code.

So far this year, no confirmed human cases of West Nile have been reported in Jefferson County.

In most instances, people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms.  However, less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness.

“This is about the time of year we typically see mosquitoes test positive for West Nile,” said Louisville’s Interim Chief Health Strategist Connie Mendel. “No matter what ZIP code you live in, please take precautions to avoid being bitten.”

Avoid mosquito bites

• Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. More information about insect repellents can be found here.
• When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don't apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
• Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours of early morning and dusk. Be sure to use repellent and wear protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

Prevent mosquito breeding grounds

• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.
• Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and drain birdbaths on a regular basis.

To check if your area will be fogged visit the department’s website or call the mosquito hotline, 502-574-6641. To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood call Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000

ENROLLMENT FOR LIHEAP SUMMER SUBSIDY OPEN

The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services joins with Community Action Agencies across the state to begin accepting applications for the 2023 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy Cooling Component and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These federally-funded programs are designed to help offset the cost of higher utility bills. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 22, 2023, or until funds are depleted.

Applicants for the LIHEAP Summer Subsidy and LIHWAP program must be residents of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,750).

The LIHEAP Summer Subsidy component provides households a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $250 depending on income levels and housing category. Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills. The benefit amount is paid directly to the electric vendor (i.e. LG&E).

The LIHWAP program also provides a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $100 depending on income levels.

Jefferson County residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Required documentation includes:

• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month. (Ex. Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award Letter, pay stubs, etc. or other proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the LIHEAP locations or online at www.louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP
• Most current electric bill, water/wastewater bill, or statement from your landlord if electric and/or water/wastewater is included in your rent, or statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program. The account number and name on the electric bill must also be provided.

There are seven LIHEAP locations for the 2023 LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program

• South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
• Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 40211
• Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place,1411 Algonquin Pkwy., 40210
• Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Ave., 40218
• Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 3410 Lees Lane, 40216
• Northwest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 40212
• Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 9100 Marksfield Rd., Ste. 100, 40222

For more descriptions about LIHEAP income eligibility and other instructions, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP. Residents may also call the automated LIHEAP information line at 502/991-8391 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov, tweet @LouMetro311, Web: louisvilleky.gov/tell311, or download the free Mobile Louisville Metro 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.

Resilience and Community Services (RCS) serves as the administering agency of the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency. Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about RCS, visit their website: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services.

Below please find MSD's recently posted positions. For position descriptions, pay information, and to apply please visit their website: http://www.louisvillemsd.org/Careers

• Facilities Support Specialist