By: Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The FIVCO Area Development District met on Monday, July 21, and welcomed guest speaker Victoria Elridge, Director of the Kentucky Department of Aging and Independent Living. Elridge said that over the past five and a half years there have been a lot of opportunities to build partnerships that benefit people all over the Commonwealth.
“I’m very grateful for that opportunity and the great work we have been able to do,” Elridge said.
“There was a lot of great conversations about a program called Grandparents raising Grandchildren,” Elridge said to FIVCO members. “It was a program that we were exploring bring back,” she continued. “The previous administration had some difficult budget decisions to make. And they made the decision to do away with that program.”
“What we recognize as part of Team Kentucky is that when we say y’all, we mean all y’all and we realize that many grandparents are stepping up to be parents again,” Elridge said. “And we know how valuable this program is in this community. And so, I am happy to say that since this discussion here that program is back and is spreading all across our Commonwealth.”
Elridge brought information with her, facts and figures that members could take with them, that were county based.
“What you will see is a county-by-county impact as far as the work that is going on in the Cabinet for Health and Human Services. How many grandparents are being supported in your county. How many meals are going out in your county, how many participants are receiving SNAP services, and how many are receiving money through SNAP and how much of that is going into your local grocery stores.”
Elridge said that was in addition to how many are receiving Medicaid and lots of other information.
“We can’t talk about Grandparents raising Grandchildren without discussing Pre-K on,” Elridge said. “And we really appreciate the support you can provide by supporting Free Pre-K for All.”
“What we know is not only is the healthy youth the future,” she said, “but we also know that there are tremendous economic incentives, as well as workforce incentives, in ensuring that our youth have a place to go to receive Free Pre-K.”
Elridge mentioned a wide variety of programs and potential funding sources, and urged collaboration in taking advantage of what these programs had to offer each county and community. She also urged examining how the current programs are being administered for maximum effect. “How do you know the programs you are operating are operating well?” she asked.
“The department is taking a look at that from a quality perspective,” she said. “And from what I understand HHS (Health and Human Services) is also looking at all the programs they are offering and asking states that question. How do we know that we are doing well with Grandparents raising Grandchildren and how do we know we are doing well with Senior Community Services?”
“So, I just ask you to ask yourself so that we can do the best with our federal and state tax dollars. And do the best to support our communities.”
Anyone interested in knowing more about what programs are available can reach out to FIVCO on their website fivco.org.
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
