Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc

KENTUCKY RIVER FOOTHILLS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC. IS COMMITTED TO THE PROMISE OF HELPING PEOPLE AND CHANGING LIVES. KRFDC HAS A 57 YEAR HISTORY OF COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT AND PROMOTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY AMONG THE AREA'S LOW INCOME POPULATION. FOUNDED IN WINCHESTER, KY IN 1962, THE AGENCY RECEIVED DESIGNATION AS A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY TWO YEARS LATER. KRFDC EMBRACES A PHILOSPHY OF NEEDS-BASED STRATEGIES AND FAMILY-BASED SERVICES LEADING TO FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE. THE AGENCY PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. THE AGENCY EMPLOYS OVER 275 PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT A HIGHLY SKILLED, PROFESSIONAL TEAM OF PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNSELORS, TRANSPORTATION DRIVERS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS. KRFDC IS GOVERNED BY A VOLUNTEER CORPORATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHOSE MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE. STAFF ARE GUIDED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRIAN MULLINS.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS-AT EACH OF THE AGENCY'S FOUR OUTREACH OFFICES, STAFF WORK WITH FAMILIES IN FINANCIAL CRISES TO HELP MEET IMMEDIATE NEEDS AND MAKE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE SO THAT SIMILAR CRISES ARE LESS LIKELY. KRFDC PROVIDES ENERGY ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) EVERY FALL/WINTER AT ITS OUTREACH OFFICES. LIHEAP ASSISTS INCOME-ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS WITH HOME HEATING COSTS THROUGH TWO PROGRAMS: LIHEAP SUBSIDY (TYPICALLY IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER) AND LIHEAP CRISIS (TYPICALLY JANUARY UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF MARCH, OR UNTIL ALL FUNDS ARE EXPENDED). A THIRD COMPONENT TO HELP WITH SUMMER COOLING COSTS MAY BE OFFERED WHEN FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE. LAST FY KRFDC PROVIDED 2,731 HOUSEHOLDS WITH SUBSIDY ASSISTANCE AND 4,417 HOUSEHOLDS WITH CRISIS ASSISTANCE. KRFDC PROVIDES FREE WEATHERIZATION SERVICES TO INCOME- ELIGIBLE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. THIS PROGRAM WORKS TO REDUCE THEIR HEATING/COOLING COSTS AND IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOMES BY PROVIDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES. ON AVERAGE, WEATHERIZATION REDUCES ENERGY BILLS BY 20%. LAST FY KRFDC WEATHERIZED/REPAIRED 13 HOMES. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS- SINCE 2005, KRFDC HAS BEEN PROVIDING A WIDE ARRAY OF HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES TO ESTILL AND POWELL COUNTIES THROUGH THE HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM, WHICH TAKES MEDICAL CARE OUT OF THE TRADITIONAL HOSPITAL-BASED SETTING AND BRINGS IT TO A POPULATION IN NEED OF HEALTH SERVICES. IN 2011, THE HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER OPENED IN CLAY CITY TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF POWELL COUNTY. THIS 3,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY FEATURES FOUR EXAM ROOMS. SERVICES INCLUDE EXAMS, IMMUNIZATIONS, MEDICATIONS, AND REFERRALS. PERSONS MUST BE HOMELESS TO RECEIVE CARE THROUGH THE HCH PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM UTILIZES A SLIDING FEE SCALE AND ASSISTS PATIENTS WITH PAYMENT PLANS. THE CLINIC ALSO ACCEPTS MEDICARE AND MEDICAID AND MOST PRIVATE INSURANCES. LAST FY KRFDC PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO 2,251 PARTICIPANTS AND HAD 6,104 ENCOUNTERS. KRFDC OPERATES A SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES (SSVF) GRANT TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST VETERANS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY WITH HOUSING STABILITY. THE SSVF PROJECT PROVIDES FINANCIAL AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICE ASSISTANCE TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO HELP THEM OVERCOME HOUSING BARRIERS. ALL FORMS OF PAYMENT MADE BY SSVF GO DIRECTLY TO THE LANDLORD, UTILITY COMPANY OR THIRD-PARTY VENDOR ON BEHALF OF THE VETERAN. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE REPAID. LAST FY KRFDC PROVIDES PREVENTION ASSISTANCE TO 136 HOUSEHOLDS AND 271 INDIVIDUALS; THEY PROVIDED HOMELESS ASSISTANCE TO 138 HOUSEHOLDS AND 261 INDIVIDUALS.

EMPLOYMENT & ECON DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS- KRFDC'S TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM, FOOTHILLS EXPRESS, GIVES RIDERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AND PARTICIPATE FULLY IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. RIDERS CAN DEPEND ON COURTEOUS DRIVERS AND SAFE, EFFICIENT TRANSPORTATION TO SCHOOL, WORK, SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS, ADULT AND CHILD CARE CENTERS, MEDICAL FACILITIES, AND RECREATIONAL DESTINATIONS. IN ADDITION, FOOTHILLS EXPRESS PROVIDES SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, VOLUNTEER GROUPS, AND BUSINESSES WITH SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION FOR OCCASIONS WHEN BUS TRANSPORTATION IS MORE EFFICIENT. FOOTHILLS EXPRESS OPERATES A PUBLIC DEVIATED-FIXED TRANSPORTATION ROUTE IN BEREA, RICHMOND, AND WINCHESTER. THESE STOPS INCLUDE STORES, APARTMENT COMMUNITIES, CITY AND COUNTY OFFICES, AND BUSINESSES. WHEELCHAIR ASSISTED DOOR-TO-DOOR SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR NO ADDITIONAL COST AND BULK PASSES ARE AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNTED RATE. THE MADISON CONNECTOR ROUTE OPERATES THROUGH THE WEEK AND LINKS THE CITIES OF BEREA AND RICHMOND. AFTER REACHING THEIR DESTINATION IN EITHER BEREA OR RICHMOND, RIDERS ARE ABLE TO CATCH A RIDE ON THE CITY TRANSIT ROUTES. FOOTHILLS EXPRESS ALSO PROVIDES A COMMUTER SERVICE FROM WINCHESTER AND RICHMOND TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN THE LEXINGTON AREA TO ASSIST EMPLOYEES IN GETTING TO THEIR WORKPLACES. CONTINUING TO BUILD ON THE LONG-STANDING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY AND KRFDC, FOOTHILLS EXPRESS IS THE PROVIDER FOR CAMPUS TRANSIT SERVICES. LAST FY TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED 154,140 TRIPS.

HOUSING SERVICE PROGRMS-AT LIBERTY PLACE RECOVERY CENTER FOR WOMEN, THE AGENCY PROVIDES A LONG-TERM, RESIDENTIAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR WOMEN. IN THIS SAFE PLACE, KRFDC HELPS WOMEN SUFFERING FROM ALCOHOLISM AND/OR DRUG ADDICTION BECOME SOBER, SOLVE UNDERLYING PROBLEMS, AND LEARN TO LEAD SOBER, STABLE, AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES. WHILE IN THE PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS ARE PROVIDED WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO MANAGE THEIR DISEASE AND REBUILD THEIR LIVES. THESE TOOLS INCLUDE THE 12 STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, DAILY RECOVERY DYNAMICS AND ERRORS IN THINKING CLASSES, MEDITATION, PEER SUPPORT, JOB RESPONSIBILITIES, AND MEETINGS. LOCATED IN RICHMOND, LIBERTY PLACE IS PART OF THE RECOVERY KENTUCKY INITIATIVE. THE WOMEN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM ARE HOMELESS OR MARGINALLY HOUSED AND UNEMPLOYED, OFTEN COMING DIRECTLY FROM COURT OR JAIL. THE CENTER, A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, HAS 108 BEDS TO ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS OF WOMEN IN KENTUCKY'S 6TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. LAST FY KRFDC SERVED 333 PARTICIPANTS AT LIBERTY PLACE. THE AGENCY'S AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM ASSISTS LOW AND MODERATE-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH HOMEBUYER EDUCATION CLASSES AND ONE-ON-ONE HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING TO PURCHASE HOMES. KRFDC USES GRANT FUNDS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE FAMILY SECURES A VERY LOW INTEREST LOAN TO COVER THE REMAINING COST. PERSONS LIVING AT OR BELOW A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF THE MEDIAN INCOME, INCLUDING HOMELESS PERSONS WHO ARE GRADUATES OF KRFDC'S SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM. HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING IS A FREE SERVICE OFFERED IN ESTILL AND POWELL COUNTIES. THIS SERVICE IS PROVIDED FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS WITH LOW TO MODERATE INCOMES AND EDUCATES PARTICIPANTS IN EVERY ASPECT OF THE HOME BUYING PROCESS. FOR FAMILIES WHO OWN THEIR HOMES, BUT NEED HELP MAINTAINING THEM, KRFDC OFFERS A VARIETY OF REHABILITATION SERVICES WHICH REDUCE A FAMILY'S HEATING AND COOLING COSTS WHILE INCREASING THEIR COMFORT. AND FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO HAVE NO HOME AT ALL, KRFDC OFFERS RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SUCH AS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, TRANSITIONAL HOUSING AND EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE. TO HELP FAMILIES ACHIEVE OR REGAIN STABILITY, STAFF PROVIDE COUNSELING, BUDGETING, AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE ACCORDING TO THE CLIENTS' NEEDS. THE AGENCY MANAGES A LIMITED NUMBER OF AGENCY-OWNED RENTAL UNITS IN ESTILL, MADISON, AND POWELL COUNTIES.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROGRAMS INCLUDE CLIENT ASSISTANCE, FEMA FUNDS, AND FACILITY OPERATIONS.