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head start birth - 5 (hsb5)
When they first enrolled their child in Early Head Start, this family declined all developmental and health screenings. After working with the family, the Home Visitor was able to gain their trust and encourage them to seek preventive medical care for their child. The family followed through and received Medicaid, so now they can locate a medical provider and pursue care for their child. HSB5 staff knows that it is important to be understanding and patient with all families to provide them the services they need! resource coordination
A middle-aged couple moved from Utah to Spencer County with limited resources to live with their daughter and her family. Their only source of income was his small monthly social security check. The Resource Coordinator assisted the wife with creating a resume and an INDEED employment account and she quickly gained employment after applying for several jobs on INDEED. While continuing to work, they saved for their 1st month's rent and deposits for utilities. They applied for assistance from LHDC for help with their security deposit and granted it and were able to successfully move into a 2-bedroom apartment in July that the Resource Coordinator assisted them in locating nea her place of employment to save on gas expense. They continue to meet monthly with the Resource Coordinator to assist with staying on track and out of crisis. housing choice voucher (section 8)
A renter under the Housing Choice Voucher program had difficulty finding someone to fix their home. During a program inspection, the landlord and renter were informed of the necessary repairs, and the renter who worked for the contractor was hired to complete the repairs. An extension was provided to allow time for the repairs, and the home passed inspection after completion. The renter appreciated the opportunity to be compensated for his work and was grateful for the updates to his home. With the help of LHDC's HCV program, the home was now in better condition, and the renter could continue to receive a housing voucher. head start birth - 5 (hsb5)
A staff member recently reconnected with a former Head Start parent. This parent struggled during their child’s time at Head Start. The mother was juggling work, three children and behaviors from one of the children. Head Start Staff encouraged the mother and worked to create a behavior management plan. This helped the child and their mother start a more positive experience at Head Start. A referral was made to a local co-op who performed an evaluation and helped set up a dual placement with the local school system. The child is now in kindergarten, and the mother said that they are doing great! The child is making great progress, and the mother is very happy with how Head Start helped them grow. housing counseling, resource coordination, covering kids and families (ckf) and Energy assisTANCE progrAM (eap)
A pregnant mother with one child contacted LHDC’s Resource Coordination program and HUD Housing Counselor for help with her delinquent mortgage payment and utility bills after losing her job. LHDC assisted her in applying for the Indiana Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund, which provided her with 6 months of mortgage payments and helped her apply for the Energy Assistance Program. She also had issues with her health insurance, and LHDC’s Health Insurance Navigator was able to resolve the problem and switch her to Pregnancy Medicaid. While she still has not secured full-time employment, LHDC continues to support her with job referrals, resume development, and interviewing skills. retired and senior volunteer program (rsvp)
In 2023, Retired & Senior Volunteer Program volunteers put together 500 emergency preparedness kits for low-income seniors, disabled individuals, veterans, and families in need of assistance. These kits were handed out by the RSVP program and other agencies throughout Crawford, Perry, and Spencer counties. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the three counties' agencies, the kits were made available to homeless individuals, as well. The responses received from the emergency preparedness kit project were overwhelmingly positive, proving to be a resounding success. None of this would have been achievable without the help of our dedicated RSVP volunteers! Energy Assistance Program (eap) & Emergency Repair and Replace Program
An elderly Veteran reported on their customer survey that their furnace was not working properly. LHDC contacted the Veteran to follow up on their situation, provided information on applying for Energy Assistance (EAP), made a referral to LHDC’s Emergency Repair and Replace Program (ERR), and provided details on applying for the Weatherization program. The elderly Veteran stopped by LHDC several times over the summer to discuss the furnace and their options. Once the new Energy Assistance Program started, LHDC assisted the individual with completing the EAP application and determined that the furnace was still inoperable. LHDC staff obtained all necessary documentation for the Emergency Repair and Replace Program, and then performed an inspection of the Veteran’s furnace and deemed it inoperable. A referral was made to LHDC’s ERR program contractor, and they were able to replace the thirty-four-year-old furnace. With LHDC’s services, this elderly Veteran was able to get a brand-new energy-efficient unit. Resource coordination & indivIDUAL development program (ida)
During the spring of 2022, the Resource Coordination program received a referral for an individual who was interested in applying for the Individual Development Program (IDA). With the guidance of a Resource Coordinator, the applicant was able to complete the application process and training courses necessary for the program. In the first year, the individual made consistent deposits into their personal bank account, and by the fall of 2023, they had saved enough to purchase a family vehicle. Remarkably, the individual continued to deposit money into their account and was also able to allocate funds toward home repair costs. LHDC’s IDA savings program was extremely beneficial in helping this individual maximize their savings and meet their financial goals. housing counseling
Due to unexpected health conditions and unplanned medical bills, an individual found themselves behind on several mortgage payments and in default. The person reached out to the LHDC Housing Counselor after a referral from her mortgage provider. The Housing Counselor provided this person with the referral to a mortgage assistance program for individuals in default. The Counselor continued to work with the client through the process to gather all required documents to provide to the assistance program. In the end, the individual was approved for 3 months of past due mortgage assistance and continued with other LHDC resource services in order to become more self-sufficient. emergency repair & replace
When a family applied for the Energy Assistance Program, their furnace was inoperable. The family consisted of three children. The family started working with LHDC, and they were informed of the Emergency Repair and Replace Program. Paperwork was quickly started for the family and an assessment completed of the existing furnace. LHDC worked with a local contractor and received a quote for a new unit. Within ten days of the family signing the paperwork, they had a new heating unit installed in their home. housing choice voucher (section 8)
LHDC's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program had a domestic violence situation with a resident. The HCV team was able to assist with the paperwork and documentation needed to transfer the resident's housing voucher and assist in getting the resident out of a life-threatening situation. LHDC's team always works to assist families and individuals and make referrals when possible. head start birth - 5 (hsb5)
Originally coming to LHDC’s Head Start Birth-5 program as an Early Head Start parent and then transitioning to the Head Start program, Peggy was eager to learn the Conscious Discipline curriculum as an active parent involved in the Head Start Birth-5 program. After becoming quite familiar with the program, Peggy joined LHDC’s team and is now working in LHDC’s Head Start Birth-5 program helping the children and families we serve. weatherization
LHDC’s Weatherization Program was starting work on an elderly woman’s home. She owned the home and had two grandchildren living with her, one who was autistic. Upon inspection, it was found that there was a crack in the heat exchanger, which was a concern and the repair work to fix this was a large expense. By braiding funds with different programs and through working with our local HVAC contractor, we were able to get the unit replaced. Now, the home has been weatherized completely, and she has expressed much appreciation for the work that was done, which is all thanks to those involved and LHDC’s Weatherization Program! housing
Recently, an individual who had been homeless for four years and had mostly lived out of their vehicle after losing their house, applied for housing with LHDC. The LHDC Housing Manager assisted them with the application process, and after finalizing the paperwork and providing the keys to their new apartment, the new resident's eyes filled with happy tears. They even asked if the Housing Manager would walk with them to their new apartment because they still felt like it was a dream and wanted someone with them to help them realize it was real. The Housing Manager walked with them to their new apartment, and they stated, " I have never seen someone who was so happy and so thankful to have a place to call their own." Through LHDC's Housing program, this individual, who struggled with homelessness, now has a place to call their own, a place to call home. energy assistance program (eap) & emergency repair and replace
Patricia is an elderly retiree who cares for her disabled adult son, Jeremy. When she contacted LHDC in December, Resource Coordination began to assess the household’s needs. She was encouraged to apply for the Energy Assistance Program (EAP). Patricia noted on her EAP application that her furnace was not working properly. Through EAP’s Emergency Repair and Replace program, LHDC was able to facilitate services to assist with an inspection and repair of her furnace. As Resource Coordination staff continued to follow-up with Patricia, she was provided referrals for additional programs to assist in making improvements to her home. Resource Coordination staff continue to work with Patricia, offering support as she works to improve her home and her ability to care for her son. Covering Kids and Families, Resource Coordination & Housing Choice Voucher Program (section 8)
The Covering Kids and Families of LHDC Health Insurance Navigator recently met with a returning family after unanticipated challenges resulted in loss of coverage and financial hardship for the family. The family was successfully enrolled in affordable state health insurance coverage and then referred to LHDC Resource Coordinator and HUD-Certified Housing Counselor for additional services. After receiving the referral from the Covering Kids and Families program, the HUD-Certified Housing Counselor learned that the family was delinquent on their mortgage and utility payments. The counselor assisted the family with applying for a loan modification with their mortgage provider as well as several internal LHDC programs. The family applied for the Energy Assistance Program and was awarded energy assistance benefits to help alleviate their utility burden. Due to the financial hardship the family had encountered, the individual chose to seek employment with a higher wage than they currently held. The Resource Coordinator assisted the individual by providing them with job referrals and by participating in job coaching. Now the individual is earning a higher wage, has successfully brought their mortgage and utilities current, and has affordable health insurance coverage for their entire family. resource coordination and indiana emergency rental assistance (iera)
In July 2022, LHDC’s Resource Coordinator was contacted by an individual who had been impacted by COVID and needed help with rent. The Resource Coordinator provided assistance with applying for the Emergency Rental Assistance program through IHCDA. In November, the individual was notified that her application was denied due to not attaching the required documents. However, LHDC’s Resource Coordinator had notes from the July application and verified that all the documents had been uploaded. LHDC’s Resource Coordinator assisted the individual with contacting the appropriate department at IHCDA, and they were able to verify the information and reopened the application. On January 18, 2023, the individual was notified that they had been approved for assistance and received $3,480 in past due rent, as well as $1,800 in forward-facing rent. LHDC was an advocate for this individual, and with the support of LHDC’s Resource Coordination Program, this individual was able to receive assistance through this extremely beneficial program. housing counseling
In the Spring of 2022, LHDC’s HUD-certified Housing Counselor began working with an individual who was trying to avoid foreclosure. The individual was impacted by COVID-19 and had fallen on tough times. The individual struggled to pay their mortgage payment and fell behind by over $12,000. Working with LHDC’s Housing Counselor to create a plan, the individual created a budget, found steady employment, and contacted the mortgage company to review options. LHDC’s Housing Counselor assisted with completing loan modification paperwork and documentation needed for the modification. In October 2022, the individual successfully made 3 on-time payments and the loan modification was approved. The individual was no longer at risk of foreclosure as of October 2022. head start birth - 5 (hsb5)
Originally coming to LHDC’s Head Start Birth-5 program as an Early Head Start parent and then transitioning to the Head Start program, Peggy was eager to learn the Conscious Discipline curriculum as an active parent involved in the Head Start Birth-5 program. In 2022, after becoming quite familiar with the program, Peggy joined LHDC’s team and is now working in LHDC’s Head Start Birth-5 program helping the children and families we serve. resource coordination & covering Kids and families (ckf)
Resource Coordination received a call from a family in Kentucky who wanted to move to LHDC's service area. After the initial screening, it was determined that the family would need safe housing, food assistance, and health insurance. With Resource Coordinator's assistance, the family received a referral to LHDC's apartments and was approved for housing shortly after. With the collaboration of the Insurance Navigator and Resource Coordinator, the family was able to obtain health insurance and SNAP benefits, making the transition to the area a smoother process. resource coordination, housing counseling & covering kids and families (ckf)
In the summer of 2022, LHDC’s Resource Coordinator was contacted about a single mother with a young child that relocated to LHDC’s service area from another state due to a domestic violence situation. The living arrangements of the single mother’s family member would only allow her to stay a brief time. The Resource Coordinator immediately reached out to Crisis Connection to assist her with Domestic Violence Counseling and assistance. The single mother was interested in LHDC’s Housing Counseling Services to help her obtain permanent and affordable housing, and she was interested in Resource Coordination services to apply for SNAP benefit and LHDC’s Health Insurance Navigation program to assist her with applying for Health Insurance. To help with the housing situation, Resource Coordination referred her to housing authorities and LHDC’s Housing program. In late 2022, the single mother was able to move into her safe, permanent, and affordable apartment in December. With the help of Crisis Connection and local resources, she was able to get assistance with her deposit, first month’s rent, and some household items for her new home. resource coordination, energy assistance program (eap) & emergency repair and replace
An individual in crisis contacted a member of LHDC’s Resource Coordination team. Rick had been injured earlier in the year in an accident, and due to this, he did not have any income and was waiting on disability. He reported that his furnace was not working, and he couldn’t afford to get it repaired. The Resource Coordinator and EAP team were able to assist him with getting the needed documents for his energy assistance application and provided assistance with a furnace replacement through the Emergency Repair and Replace program. Rick was very appreciative for all the assistance. |
Resource Coordination & Covering Kids and Families
A pregnant mother with one child contacted LHDC’s Resource Coordination program and HUD Housing Counselor for help with her delinquent mortgage payment and utility bills after losing her job. LHDC assisted her in applying for the Indiana Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund, which provided her with 6 months of mortgage payments and helped her apply for the Energy Assistance Program. She also had issues with her health insurance, and LHDC’s Health Insurance Navigator was able to resolve the problem and switch her to Pregnancy Medicaid. While she still has not secured full-time employment, LHDC continues to support her with job referrals, resume development, and interviewing skills. Head Start birth - 5 (hsb5)
Children transitioning from Early Head Start to Head Start have been working on letter recognition by doing dot-to-dot activities. Several of the students have been excelling at this activity, creating the letters with no assistance. At socialization, one child collected small rocks and was asked to make the letter J with them! We are excited to see these kids continue learning in Head Start! Covering Kids & families
An individual applied for the Energy Assistance Program at Lincoln Hills Development Corporation but was found ineligible due to narrowly exceeding the income requirements for the program. Upon speaking with the customer, LHDC's Resource Coordinators learned that the individual was experiencing financial hardship due to extremely high health insurance costs. The Resource Coordinator referred the person to a Covering Kids & Families of LHDC Health Insurance Navigator. The LHDC Navigator determined that the customer, who had been paying full price for health insurance, was eligible for low-cost health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The individual enrolled in a Marketplace plan and, with the help of LHDC’s team, is now saving hundreds of dollars every month on comprehensive health coverage. resource coordination
The Perry Central Resource Coordinator, Sara, assists students with needs throughout the school year. Sara assisted a student with obtaining his Social Security card and birth certificate. The student used the documents to apply for a manufacturing student job and was successful at obtaining employment. Head Start Birth - 5 (hsb5)
A child had difficulty expressing emotions verbally, so the staff in his classroom encouraged him to find a Conscious Discipline Feeling Buddy in the Safe Place that represented different emotions. At first, staff supported the child in using the Feeling Buddies by verbally naming the feelings they represent. Over time, the child was able to independently go to the Safe Place and find the Feeling Buddy that matched his emotion. When staff arrived at the Safe Place to assist with the calm down steps, the child was able to verbally name the emotions and what happened to cause them. Understanding how to communicate emotions can be very challenging for children. Helping these children understand these skills helps set them up for healthy communication and regulation practices as they continue to grow! Resource coordination
A Resource Coordinator was working with a young adult whose main goal was to live on their own. Due to having some medical diagnoses, the individual qualified for a Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services waiver. The application process was lengthy; however, with the help from the Resource Coordinator, the individual was able to fill out the application and get an appointment. After some time, a group home setting was secured. The individual has been residing there for several months now and is learning valuable life skills that will allow them to get their own place in the future. resource coordination
LHDC's Resource Coordination team was contacted by an individual, Joan Roberts, who needed assistance with utilities. The Roberts family reported that their electricity had been disconnected due to nonpayment. The Resource Coordinator who was working with the family found out that they had started an online application for energy assistance through LHDC’s Energy Assistance Program but never completed the application. At the time, Joan’s husband was away at training, and she informed the Resource Coordinator that she had three children and one of those children suffered from a heart condition. The Resource Coordinator was able to meet with Joan and worked with the family throughout the day to help complete their EAP application. Due to the situation, the EAP assistance could not be pledged for the family until the next day, and since their electricity had already been disconnected, the Resource Coordinator worked to contact local area resources to try to assist with getting a hotel room for the night. LHDC’s Resource Coordinator was able to pull this together, and Joan and her children were placed in a hotel overnight. The Roberts family was able to return to their home the following day, when the utilities were restored, thanks to the dedication and coordination efforts of the Resource Coordination and EAP team. head start birth - 5 (hsb5)
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 next goal was to help their sons with behaviors and to 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, they 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. resource coordination
In April 2021, Rachel was referred to the Resource Coordination program because she was homeless and staying in a tent at a local lake. She needed assistance, and she needed housing. The Resource Coordinator helped her apply for the Cannelton Housing Choice Voucher program, and while waiting for a voucher, they started to look for housing in the area. LHDC’s Resource Coordinator was able to find a home for Rachel to rent. Since she had also been impacted by COVID-19 and was receiving unemployment, the Resource Coordinator helped Rachel apply for CARES COVID-19 Assistance and assistance through the Township Trustee. Rachel was able to receive assistance from both resources, which helped cover rent and the security deposit, and in May, she moved into her new home. To offer some additional support and resources, the Resource Coordinator assisted her with completing applications for the Energy Assistance and SNAP programs. Rachel was grateful for the assistance and has been actively working with the Resource Coordination program toward her goal of self-sufficiency. covering kids and families (ckf)
In November 2021, LHDC’s Health Insurance Navigator received a referral from a psychiatric and counseling service provider. Susie, a resident in LHDC’s service area, was uninsured due to a job loss related to her illness, and now she was no longer permitted to drive due to her diagnosis. She required immediate medical coverage including transportation services, and after some discussion, we learned that her husband and three children were also uninsured. The family even delayed personal medical care due to not having health insurance. LHDC’s Navigator was able to assist the family with enrolling in appropriate health coverage through the state, and all five of them are now enrolled in comprehensive health insurance and can seek medical treatment when needed. resource coordination
In October 2021, Greg, by no fault of his own, was severely injured at work. Greg and his family were referred to LHDC's Resource Coordinator by the local area hospital where Greg was being treated. While he was receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and workman’s compensation, it was less income than they were receiving with his full-time employment and, therefore, less income to cover their bills. As a working family, they had not used and, therefore, were not aware of any of the resources available in the county. They didn’t know where to start or where to turn for help. After collecting all documents and information from the family, the Resource Coordinator assisted them with applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, the Energy Assistance Program, made a referral to the Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance program, and assisted the family with completing all necessary documentation. The family was also referred to LHDC’s Covering Kids and Families program to speak with a Health Insurance Navigator to answer questions regarding state insurance in case they were to lose Greg’s employment-based health insurance, and they were referred to LHDC's Head Start program to enroll their youngest child. It’s suspected that Greg will be unable to return to work anytime soon and doctors have projected a year of treatment and rehabilitation for his injuries. As the family navigates through these challenges, the LHDC team and Resource Coordination program will continue to work to provide assistance and support to Greg and his family. housing & head Start birth - 5 (hsb5)
Diane, a mother of two, was struggling to find affordable housing. She was working a full-time job, but due to the father of her children being incarcerated, she was not receiving any additional financial help. At the time, she had never lived on her own before, but she knew she needed a safe, affordable home for her family. LHDC’s Housing was able to move in this young mother and her two little boys in early 2021. When she moved into her new home, Diane was very thankful. She was also extremely glad that her new apartment allowed access to LHDC’s Head Start program, which offers transportation for families and will pick up and bring her oldest son home from preschool. individual development account (ida)
Janet applied for the Individual Development Account in March of 2019 with the goal of remodeling her bathroom or kitchen in her home. She made regular payments into her savings account and was able to receive over $3,900 in matched funds from the state. By continuing to put money into her account monthly and with the matched funding through the state, she reached her financial goal. By the time she reached her goal, she decided that instead of remodeling she preferred to use the funds to replace the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in her home. Through this savings and match program, she was able to use the IDA funds to get new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning installed in her home in the Fall of 2021. housing
Becky and her daughter Jenny had been living in a hotel for six weeks when LHDC’s Housing program called and offered them an apartment. They had been on the waiting list for LHDC’s housing because their rental house they were previously living in was in very bad condition. There was a hole in the kitchen ceiling that leaked when it rained, and the basement flooded when it rained. It didn’t take long before there was mold in the house, but nothing was fixed by the landlord. Their home was even burglarized when they were out of town, and the landlord blamed them for the damages. Becky was informed by her doctor that, due to her health and the mold issues in the home, she should not go back into the house, so they lost most of their possessions. They had no other choice than to stay in a hotel or in their vehicle. Their funds were exceptionally low by the time we called and offered them an apartment. We were able to move them in quickly. Now that they have decent, safe, affordable housing and a stable place to live, they are doing so much better. Becky is so much happier and no longer cries every time we talk to her, and Jenny said having stable housing has restored her faith and filled her with hope. covering kids and Families (ckf)
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, resulting 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 resource coordination & energy assisTANCE program (eap)
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, meaning 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. The Resource Coordinator assisted her with an Energy Assistance and SNAP application to further support the individual. The individual is grateful for the assistance and is actively working with the Resource Coordination program to become more self-sufficient. 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. 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 (Rsvp)
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 the 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 (hsb5)
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 of 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. 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! HEAD START BIRTH - 5 (hsb5)
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 & energy assisTANCE progrAM (eap)
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 (hsb5), 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. head start birth - 5 (hsb5) & covering kids and families (ckf)
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. |
