December 2012

Where did the time go???  It's already December, and the Holidays are fast approaching!  The FRC has some helpful information for this cold, holiday season.

$1.00 EYE EXAMS
Dr. Bizer's ValuVision is conducting routine eye exams for the public for only $1.00!  This promotion runs through December 24th, 2012.  To schedule an appointment, call the Nicholasville Road office at 273-4443 or the Hamburg Pavilion office at 543-8383.

CHILDREN'S SHOPPING SPREE
Little shoppers can shop by themselves (with assistance from volunteers) for mommy and/or daddy AND have the gifts wrapped and ready to go under the tree.  Most items are under $3.00, so it is very reasonably priced.  It's located at Attic Treasures Thrift Store which is above Wilmore City Hall (entrance is on side of building).  It will be Saturday, December 8th from 9am-3pm.  For more information, call 858-2819.

REGION WIDE HOLIDAY MEETING FOR GRANDPARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
When: Thursday December 13th from 10:30am-1:30pm
Where: Bluegrass Regional Office, 1351 Newtown Pike Lexington, KY
RSVP by Friday December 7th by calling 859-254-3106 ext 2250
There will be a lunch buffet, door prizes, and guest speaker who will talk about how to survive challenging behaviors and more!

As always, feel free to stop by and visit us on location or give us a call (887-0567) if you'd like information regarding community resources.
The staff at the JELV Family Resource Center would like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

November 2012

            

During the month of November, our nation pauses to be thankful for the many ways we have been blessed this year. However, for some it is a daily struggle to put food on the table and gas in the car. The JELV Family Resource Center would like to inform you of a few resources that can be helpful this season.





• Holiday Assistance is available through the FRC. The deadline to sign up for this program is November 16th. Call Debbie Cumbie at 887-0567 with questions.

• If you would like more information about sponsoring a family that has applied to receive Christmas Assistance, please call the Family Resource Center at 887-0567 and ask to speak to Debbie Cumbie.



• In the month of November, the Food Pantry will provide a turkey breast to go along with the food boxes for each family.

o Located at Nicholasville Christian Church

o 859-312-4003

o Distribution date is November 15th

o 4 to 6 PM

o To receive box of food bring picture ID, must live in Jessamine County and meet financial criteria.




• A Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be hosted by Southland Christian Church from 11 AM to 2 PM on Thursday, November 22nd located at Sal’s and Malone’s Restaurant (Landsdowne Shoppes 3373 Tates Creek Road, Lexington)

o Please call 859-977-2606 to make arrangements to attend.




• Apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program at Bluegrass Community Action located at 213 South Main Street, Suite 103 in Nicholasville (885-3512). There are specific days to apply based on the last name of the head of the household. Please call to find out more information.




• Free Bread is provided by the following organizations:

o St. Athanasius Orthodox Church at 926 South Main Street every Sunday from 1 to 2 PM

o Salvation Army at 205 1st Street (South) every Wednesday beginning at 10 AM



Also, our Family Fun Night Hoe-Down was last month, and we had a blast!  Over 1,000 attendees learned about community resources, watched viral horse racing, participated in barrel racing, got their faces painted, and got to feed livestock!  If you couldn't make it this year, we hope to see you at our next Family Fun Night in January.

October 2012

It is hard to believe that we are mid-way through October!  Cooler weather and changes in the leaves are upon us, and the FRC of Jessamine Early Learning Village is gearing up for some exciting events.

The annual Fall Family Fun Night will be Thursday, October 25th from 5pm-7pm, so grab your Hoe-Down gear and come to the Village for some good time family fun!

Holiday Assistance is also approaching.  This program was created to be an addition to a child's Christmas based on financial need.  We'll be sending out a letter in your child's backpack after fall break detailing this program.
With this being said, we are looking for sponsors for the Holiday Assistance Program.  If you belong to a civic club, church class, or other community group and are interested in sponsoring a family, contact Debbie Cumbie at the FRC (887-0567).

We are in our third month of the school year, and our certified volunteers have done such a wonderful job assisting classroom teachers.  We would like to encourage and thank all of our volunteers for the work that they do!  Thank you!

As always, if you are in need of information, support, or services, please feel free to stop by the FRC or contact Joe Brannen or Debbie Cumbie at 887-0567.

April News

"April showers bring May flowers." Sometimes this saying can be true of life situations. Constant showers in life can be overwhelming, even though they have the potential to bring beautiful blessings. However, being caught in a bunch of rain doesn't mean you have to go without an umbrella! Below are resources that may act as your "umbrella" including: summer camp information, smoking cessation classes, GED information, and more.


Want to Quit?
The Jessamine County Health Department is sponsoring a FREE Cooper-Clayton Tobacco Cessation Class. (The patches and class will be limited to the first 25 registered.)

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 10th, 2012 at 6pm
Location: Jessamine County Health Department- 215 East Maple Street, Nicholasville

To pre-register, please contact Shana at 885-4149 ext. 1006.
You MUST pre-register to be eligible for free patches!

FREE GED Testing
Jessamine County Adult Education: Learning for Life
Free GED testing for eligible students on a first-come first-served basis until June 30th or until funds are expended. To get started, call Joann at (859)887-9052. Classes are forming now, so do not hesitate to call.
Spanish language tests are available. (Accomodation testing available for those with disabilities.)

Screen Free Week
April 30-May 4

Screen free week is a national celebration where children, families, schools, and communities turn off entertainment screen media and turn on life. It's a time to unplug and play, read, daydream, create, explore, and spend more time with family and friends.

Registration for Kindergarten and Preschool
(Ages 3 and 4 who meet eligibility)
Register for August classes at the Jessamine Early Learning Village on Monday, April 16th, 2012 from 10am-1pm and 3:30pm-6:30pm.

Bring your child's official birth certificate, social security card and proof of
residence (current utility bill, apartment lease, or house deed.) You will need to bring your child for kindergarten registration. You do not need to bring your child at this time for Preschool Registration. For more information call 877-5358.

Summer Camps

YMCA
Camps offered June through August
Monday through Friday
7am-6pm
Ages 5-12
Financial assistance available for families that qualify. Call Jennifer at 885-5013 for more information or go to ymcaofcentralky.org.Wilmore Parks and Recreation
Camps offered June through July
Monday through Friday
9am-4pm
Ages 5-13
Call 858-9031 for more information or go to wilmore.org and click on Parks and Recreation.

For more information about special needs summer camps call Vickie Shearer at the Parent Resource Center
877-2421 Ext. 3728

Anticipation of Spring

There is so much to anticipate in the season of spring. Everything from the blooming of flowers, to the joy of Easter, to the fun of spring break! Below you will find information worth anticipating, including a Grandparent raising grandchildren conference, spring break options through the YMCA, and tax preparation help. Happy Spring!

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference
Thursday, March 15, 2012
cost is only $5 for caregivers
Registration Deadline is March 1, 2012
Clarion Hotel
1950 Newtown Pike (Formerly Holiday Inn North)
Lexington, KY
The 2012 conference is a wonderful opportunity to meet and share your ideas and concerns with professionals, grandparents, caregivers, and other relatives assuming the primary care of children.
JELV Family Resource Center has GAP applications
For more information call 859-257-5582 or visit www.gapofky.org

Jessamine County YMCA
Spring Break Camp April 2-6
For ages 5 to 12 years old at Rosenwald/Dunbar Elementary School
Pre-registration required
Call 885-5013 for more information
Camp cost is $105

Free Tax Preparation and Filing Service
If you earned less than $49,000 in 2011 you may qualify for this free service. Stop paying to have your taxes filed. The Central Kentucky Economic Empowerment Project (CKEEP) is providing free tax preparation and filing for hardworking families in central Kentucky.
This free service can have your refund to you in just 7-10 days.
Call 211 to schedule your free tax appointment now!

Registration for Kindergarten and Preschool (ages 3 & 4 who meet eligibility)
Register for August classes at the Jessamine Early Learning Village on Monday, March 5, 2012 from 10am-1pm and 3:30pm-6:30pm.
Bring your child's official birth certificate, social security card, and proof of residence (currently utility bill, apartment lease, or house deed). You will need to bring your child for kindergarten registration. You do not need to bring your child at this time for Preschool Registration.
For more information call 887-5358.

Ongoing Food Drive
God's Hands Food Pantry has designated our local schools as food drop-off sites. The top ten non-perishables you can contribute are: 100% fruit juice, cereal, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned meat, canned soup, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, canned ravioli and spaghetti, and spaghetti sauce (no glass jars).
Together, we can help feed the hungry in Jessamine County.

Please, feel welcome to call or stop by our office!

FRC STAFF
Joe Brannen, MSW: Coordinator
Debbie Cumbie, MSW: Asst. Coordinator
Lindsey Marler, MSW graduate student: Intern
Connie Bandy, RN: Nurse
Karen Workman: FRC Assistant
Phone Number: 887-0567

February Facts & Fun!

February is upon us bringing many reasons to celebrate our families and loved ones. Below you will find important facts that will help keep your family healthy, and will also keep you having fun together! Please read below to stay informed. Happy February!

Mark Your Calendars!
Family Fun Night will be on Thursday, February 9th from 5pm-7pm. This will be a great night of winter fun that you do not want to miss! We are looking forward to having fun with you and your family.


FREE Give Kids a Smile Program
On February 18th, the UK College of Dentistry will host the annual "Give Kids a Smile" day. They will be providing dental exams and treatment at NO COST for children ages 4-12. This treatment includes exams, x-rays, cleanings and any needed fillings, extractions and sealants. If you are lpanning to take your child(ren) you need to call 859.323.6525 for more information. Registration begins at 8:30 and they will treat around 100 children.

Lil' Angels Spring and Summer Consignment Sale
Wilmore United Methodist Church
209 East Main Street, Wilmore
Friday, March 9th & Saturday, March 10th
8:30am-1pm and 5pm-7pm 8:30am-12pm (noon)
**Girls - infant to size 16, junior girls and boys - infant to size 20
**Maternity clothing, toys, and nursery supplies and equipment
**Most items 1/2 price on Saturday (many items are $.50, $1, $2, & $3)

Transportation
Do you need transportation to the doctor, to go shopping, or to get your hair cut? Bluegrass Ultra-Transit Service provides transportation to the public. (Less than 3 miles $3 each way, more than 3 miles $1 per mile each way.) If the appointment you are going to is Medicaid covered call the Transit Service because there may be no charge to you for the transportation. 72 hours notice is required. Call 1-800-456-6588 to schedule.

JARC is a transportation service offered to the public, targeting low income individuals to and from employment related activities. The fare to be chared is $.50 per person per mile. 72 hours notice is required. Operates Monday-Saturday. For more information, contact Bluegrass Ultra-Transit Service (BUS) 1-800-456-6588.

FREE Tax Preparation and Filing Service
If you earned less than $49,000 in 2011 you may qualify for this free service. Stop paying to have your taxes filed. the Central Kentucky Economic Empowerment Project (CKEEP) is providing free tax preparation and filing for hardworking families in central Kentucky. This free service can have your refund to you in just 7-10 days. Call 211 to schedule your free tax appointment now!

LHEAP Crisis Program
Heating Assistance to low income families. Must have a disconnection notice. To apply go to Bluegrass Community Action Monday-Thursday anytime between 8am-12pm. **Bring Social Security Card, Picture ID, proof of income for the previous month for everyone that lives in the house or proof of no income for the previous month and the disconnect notice. Program ends when funding runs out.

Please feel free to contact the FRC by stopping by our office or calling us at 887.0567, or leave us a comment on our blog. Thank you!

FRC STAFFJoe Brannen, MSW: Coordinator
Debbie Cumbie, MSW: Asst. Coordinator
Lindsey Marler, MSW Student: Intern
Connie Bandy, RN: Nurse
Karen Workman: FRC Assistant

Welcoming 2012

Happy New Year from the FRC! We hope that your Holiday Season was filled with joy that carries far into 2012. There are several updates we wish to inform you about as we kick off the new year. Please take a few moments to get informed.

Donate New or Gently Used Coats
The FRC has had several requests for coats this week with the recent cold weather and this has completely depleted our supply. If you would like to donate a new or gently used children's coat please drop it by the JELV FRC across from the main office or call 887.0567 to make other arrangements. Sizes that are currently needed are boys and girls 4,6,8, and 10 with the greatest need being boys and girls sizes 6 and 8.

Family Fun Night
Family Fun Night has been changed from January 12th to Thursday, February 9th from 5pm-7pm. Come join us for some winter fun! We are looking forward to seeing you and your family.

Free Tax Preparation and Filing Service
If you earned less than $49,000 in 2011 you may qualify for this free service. Stop paying to have your taxes filed. The Central Kentucky Economic Empowerment Project (CKEEP) is providing free tax preparation and filing for hardworking families in central Kentucky. This free service can have your refund to you in just 7-10 days. Call 211 to schedule your free tax appointment now!

Did You Know?
The YMCA provides several childcare options for working parents. See some of the options below then contact the YMCA at 885.5013 for more information.

Primetime Emergency Care:
No more than 3 days per month. $15/child per day

Scheduled School Days Off/All Day Snow Days:
Location: Rosenwald Elementary
Time: 7am-6pm
Fee/day: $15 if attending after school, $25 if not attending after school program
*Pre-registration required

LHEAP Crisis Program
Heating assistance to low income families. Must have a disconnection notice. To apply go to Bluegrass Community Action Monday-Thursday anytime between 8am-12pm.
**Bring Social Security Card, Picture ID, proof of income for the previous month for everyone that lives in the house or proof of no income for the previous month and the disconnect notice. Program ends when funding runs out.

Please feel free to contact the FRC by stopping by our office or calling us at 887.0567, or leave us a comment on our blog. Thank you!

FRC STAFF
Joe Brannen, MSW: Coordinator
Debbie Cumbie, MSW: Asst. Coordinator
Lindsey Marler, MSW Student: Intern
Connie Bandy, RN: Nurse
Karen Workman: FRC Assistant