LHDC Success Stories

*Please note that for privacy reasons, the names of families and individuals have been changed.
​
Resource Coordination and Energy Assistance Program:
In April 2021, the Resource Coordination program received a referral for a homeless woman staying in a tent at a local lake. The Perry County Resource Coordinator assessed the individual's needs and determined the priority was housing. The Resource Coordinator assisted the individual in applying for the Cannelton Housing Choice Voucher. While waiting for a voucher to be issued, the Resource Coordinator began looking for housing. The Resource Coordinator was able to find a home located in Cannelton for the individual to rent. The individual had also been impacted by COVID-19 and received unemployment, which meant that she qualified for CARES Assistance. The Resource Coordinator aided the individual in applying for the CSBG CARES Act assistance to help with funds to support her deposit and rent. The individual was also referred to the Troy Township Trustee for additional assistance. This individual used the service provided by CSBG CARES and the township trustee to move into her home in May. To further support the individual, the Resource Coordinator assisted her with an Energy Assistance and SNAP application. The individual is grateful for the assistance and is actively working with the Resource Coordination program to become more self-sufficient.

Covering Kids and Families:
In late 2017, during health coverage open enrollment season, a local health clinic referred a family to one of LHDC’s Health Insurance Navigators. At the time, the Navigator assisted the family with enrolling in health coverage through the state. The family was so pleased and grateful for the assistance received that they have now referred four additional families to the LHDC Navigator. Two of those referrals were in 2020 and resulted in approved applications for everyone involved. With that recommendation of LHDC’s services from that one family, along with the referral from the local health clinic, 27 individuals have acquired health insurance coverage through the assistance of the Covering Kids and Families Program.

Healthy Families:
A prenatal mother enrolled in the LHDC Healthy Families program. The mother expressed that she was seeking child development support because she was a first-time mother. With support from the Healthy Families Home Visitor, the mother was able to learn parenting and child activities that support child development through the Growing Great Kids Curriculum. The Healthy Families staff assisted the mother in securing safe home-based childcare for her baby. With this support, the mom was able to return to work. When her work hours were reduced due to COVID, the Healthy Families Home Visitor was able to provide the mother with area resources to assist the family with food, utilities, and other financial supports. With this assistance, the mother was able to maintain employment at a job she enjoyed and have time to spend with her family.

Housing Program: 
Robert, an elderly resident at LHDC’s housing, has difficulties reading and has needed help applying for assistance and keeping paperwork straight. Over the past year, his health has declined, and he has struggled with getting medical care, in part, due to not having a phone and dealing with the challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the fall of 2020, LHDC’s Service Coordinator met with Robert in the shelter house, using masks and social distancing, and was on the phone for an extended time helping him apply for the Medicaid Waiver program. Since then, Robert has purchased a phone and has been approved for the Medicaid Waiver program. This program will help him with added meals, a lifeline alert, homemaker services, and more. With the help of LHDC’s Service Coordinator and this assistance, Robert will have a much better quality of life.

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of PPE supplies was a crisis across the country.  RSVP volunteers rose to the challenge and crafted several hundred masks for front line workers, residents at elderly housing facilities, and members of their community.  As the pandemic continued and vaccinations became available, our community desperately needed volunteers to vaccinate the public.  Our health department and only hospital in the RSVP service area did not have enough staff for vaccination clinics.  Three of our RSVP volunteers graciously accepted the call and served our community to vaccinate individuals.  Between the three volunteers, they have vaccinated upwards of 1,050 community members (and counting).  Five other RSVP volunteers provided transportation to homebound residents who needed transportation to vaccination clinics.  Lincoln Hills Development Corporation is humbled by the service our RSVP volunteers have provided during this challenging time.  

Head Start Birth - 5:
Over the years, the LHDC Head Start Birth-5 team has worked with the Smith family. The youngest of their three sons, Jackson, was in the first full-day duration classroom at LHDC's Head Start Center. When we met the Smith family, they were struggling. Neither parent had a GED and both were stuck in minimum wage jobs with no opportunity for advancement. The three sons were struggling in many areas, as well. LHDC's Head Start team started with setting goals for better jobs for the parents. To do so, they needed GEDs, and they were successful in obtaining them. By the end of Jackson's third year of Head Start, the family had made huge changes. They were able to move past the need for assistance, and both parents had GEDs and good-paying, stable jobs. Their goal that year was to help their sons with behaviors and help them be more successful in school. They attended a parent meeting and learned about Conscious Discipline. They started using conscious discipline at home, and it showed. Jackson began to blossom, and he just completed first grade. Jackson says he misses his little school and the teacher with LHDC's Head Start, but he loves learning and is doing well. The oldest son is thriving and made the honor roll for the first time ever. The middle son participated in cross country and track. Mom said, "He did really good. We are proud of him. He never gave up. It helped that we had it together enough to get him to practice on time every day."

A year ago, they bought their first new car, and just recently closed on a beautiful home. Mom loves her job and is so excited that the boys are thriving. Dad likes his job but is seeking a higher-level position. For the first time, he is looking for a better job because he wants to, not because he has to. The Smith family was very appreciative for all of the help and encouragement they received from LHDC's Head Start Birth-5 program. They gave Head Start the credit for starting them on a better path, but the credit for the hard work and perseverance goes to the Smith family.

Every day we strive to touch the lives of our families. It's why we do what we do at LHDC.

Head Start Birth - 5:
During the 2020 school year, Ashley, a student in LHDC’s Head Start Birth-5 Program, had difficulties with behavior and focusing her attention. Her family was concerned with Ashley starting her first year of school because she was very shy and not very verbal, but throughout Ashley’s time in the classroom, she continued to grow and become more successful every day. She adapted to her new environment so well, allowing her to feel comfortable enough to make new friends and learn new things. Ashley has shown interest in active participation in choice time and in dance and singing time. She has done a fantastic job communicating with her teachers and classmates. We are so proud of her and her accomplishments!
​
Resource Coordination:
In April, the LHDC Resource Coordination program received a referral for a family with four children. The Resource Coordinator made several attempts to contact the family, but the family was reluctant to engage. After weekly contacts with the LHDC Resource Coordinator, they were able to build rapport and trust, and the family identified three goals they would like to achieve, which included obtaining new housing, transportation, and childcare. The Resource Coordinator worked with the family, and the family was able to lease a 4-bedroom home and moved into their new home in July. The family also battled paying their utility bills, so the Resource Coordinator assisted with completing an Energy Assistance program application. To work toward the transportation goal, the father was also able to obtain his license, and he worked with the Resource Coordinator to apply for and get approved for the Individual Development Account (IDA) program to save money to toward his goal of purchasing a vehicle. The mother would like to return to the workforce to help support the family, and the Resource Coordinator is assisting with employment and childcare options. The family has achieved several goals and strives to achieve even more in the future!

Healthy Families:
In February 2020, Jasmin enrolled in LHDC’s Healthy Families Program. At that time, on the parent survey assessment, she struggled with knowledge about child development, believed in physical discipline, battled depression, and lived with family members because she could not financially afford her own home. With the help and support of LHDC’s Healthy Families Home Visitor, Jasmin has sought help for her mental health, owns her own home, does not believe in physical discipline, and is learning more and more every week about child development.

​Resource Coordination & Energy Assistance Program:
An individual needing assistance with utilities contacted the Resource Coordination team. The family reported that the electricity had been disconnected due to nonpayment. The Resource Coordinator confirmed with the EAP staff that the client had started an online application for energy assistance but never completed the application. The client reported that she had three children, and 1 of those children suffered from a heart condition. Additionally, the client's husband was currently away for law enforcement training. The client met with the Spencer County Resource Coordinator to complete an EAP application. The Spencer County Resource Coordinator worked with the family throughout the day to obtain the documentation needed to complete the application. The EAP assistance could not be pledged for the family until the next day. The Resource Coordinator contacted local area resources to assist with obtaining a hotel room for the family for the night. The family was placed in a hotel until the utilities were restored the next day. The family was able to return to their home the following day, thanks to the efforts of the Resource Coordination and EAP program team.

Head Start Birth - 5 & Covering Kids and Families:
In 2020, a Head Start family was struggling to find a local optometrist to accept their insurance. The LHDC Head Start Family Advocate referred the family to the LHDC Health Care Navigator, who was able to help the family apply for different coverage. The Head Start children received vision screenings, and it was found that both children needed glasses. After receiving their glasses, their learning began progressing by leaps and bounds!

Head Start Birth - 5, Housing Program, & Resource Coordination: 
Susan and her three children, one a newborn, had been staying with family, and due to a situation, she found that she had only two weeks to make other living arrangements. The LHDC Head Start Family Advocate contacted LHDC’s Resource Coordination program, and they were able to work with LHDC’s Housing program to complete an application for an apartment. Within four days, Susan sent the Family Advocate a photo of her new keys, and she was able to move her family into their new apartment.

Covering Kids and Families & Head Start Birth - 5:
In September 2020, the Head Start Program contacted one of LHDC’s Health Insurance Navigators to assist with a child in need of health insurance. The navigator contacted the Brown family and scheduled a virtual appointment to assist the Brown’s with applying for health insurance. After working with the family throughout the application process and by working together, the Head Start Program and the Health Insurance Navigator were able to assist in all family members getting enrolled in health coverage.

Weatherization Program:
In late 2020, the LHDC Weatherization crew discovered a homeowner living in a very dangerous situation. For various reasons, the gas-fired appliances were venting carbon monoxide into the living space of the home. Using their training, the LHDC Weatherization employees were able to eliminate this hazard with the help of a contractor. Through the Weatherization Program, this homeowner is now living in a much healthier and more energy efficient home.

Resource Coordination & Housing Program:
In March, one of LHDC’s Resource Coordinators was contacted by an individual who was in need of assistance in making a transition from a nursing home facility to finding permanent housing. The individual, who no longer qualified for nursing home level of care, was informed that he would need to make arrangements by early April to leave the nursing home. Initially, LHDC was working to assist him with housing applications in the area. While a housing option was available in the area, eligibility requirements would have required the individual to leave the nursing home facility, but due to COVID-19, individuals were not allowed to leave the nursing home and then return. Having realized this was no longer an option and the individual still needed to find permanent housing quickly, the Resource Coordinator reached out to LHDC’s housing. One of the housing properties had an affordable apartment available, and the LHDC team was able to work together to finalize the housing application paperwork, all just one day before the individual was required to leave the nursing home facility. Since moving into his new apartment, the Resource Coordinator has continued to follow up with the resident. The resident is doing well, and with the assistance of LHDC, he is now living independently in his new home.