|
Community & Economic Development
|
|
|
|
In order to assist with the de-escalation of COVID-19 and the protection of our employees, their families, and the community we serve, KIPDA has been complying with the Executive Orders from Governor Beshear and guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. KIPDA has closed its doors to outside traffic and all non-essential employees have been equipped to work remotely.
Through these policies, KIPDA is operating at full capacity and maintaining service delivery. If you need assistance, please call our main number (502) 266-6084 or our Aging and Disability Resource Center at (502) 266-5571.
Visit our website and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date with the latest changes and announcements!
|
|
|
FEMA Public Assistance for COVID-19
|
|
|
Under President Trump’s COVID-19 Emergency Declaration, FEMA may provide reimbursement for emergency protective measures through its Public Assistance Program. Local governments and certain private non-profit organizations (ex: hospitals, schools, churches, etc.) that assist with COVID-19 emergency measures such emergency medical care, medical sheltering, purchase and distribution of food and other consumable supplies, communications of general health and safety information, and more may be eligible.
For a complete list please review FEMA’s March 19th press release.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
|
|
|
In light of the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the Small Business Administration is working to encourage small businesses to keep their employees, customers, and themselves healthy. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they may be experiencing. Small Business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration homepage to find guidance on all resources for small businesses, at www.sba.gov.
See below for direct links to applications and information.
COVID-19 Resources and Relief programs
Apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and to see Eligibility Requirements
|
|
|
To Keep Clean Pipes, Don't Flush Those Wipes!
|
|
|
Amid the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak in our KIPDA region, not only is toilet paper flying off the shelves around our communities’ stores at an alarming rate, but so are paper towel rolls and sterilizing cleaning wipes. Unfortunately, since so many wipes are being used to clean and disinfect surfaces in people’s homes, many of those wipes are being flushed along with toilet paper in people’s commodes and ending up in our local sewer systems.
Although this is good that people are using these wipes at this time to disinfect their homes and to keep safe from contracting the coronavirus, workers at sanitation and sewer districts around our KIPDA region are already overworked and are urging people to not flush the wipes down their toilets because the paper towels and wipes are clogging up many of the pipes in their systems, creating more unnecessary work for them during this trying time in our country.
With kids staying in the house and not going to school and hectic working from home schedules, it may be hard to remember while you are cleaning your bathrooms to not throw disinfectant wipes or paper towels down your toilet along with toilet paper, but doing so can do serious damage to your home’s plumbing system and your community’s sewer infrastructure. Paper towels and especially cleaning wipes just do not break down the same as toilet paper when flushed and they get snagged in the pipes and cause a back-up, which then creates blockage and overflow. If they do somehow make it through your pipes they then risk getting caught in a pump and will stop the pump from functioning.
Flushing disinfectant wipes down your toilet is pretty much like flushing a rag or a thin cotton towel. The wipe will just remain intact in a single piece and will not break down at all. In order to avoid the extra financial cost of having a plumber or your local sewer operators come out in one of their vac trucks to unclog the pipes during this time be sure you are not flushing anything other than toilet paper down your toilet.
|
|
IMPORTANT CHANGES:
CDBG (Public Facilities & Community Projects) deadline has been pushed back until August 3rd, 2020.
Recreation Trails program deadline has been pushed back until May 29th, 2020.
For assistance with grant applications, please fill out our Grant Intake Form
The form is available by using the link above or directly on KIPDA's website on the Grant Assistance page.
|
|
|
Arthritis Awareness Month
|
|
“Arthritis Awareness month is an important time to stop and recognize the impact that arthritis has on individuals living with these conditions," says Alexis Ogdie, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and medical advisor to CreakyJoints, support, education, advocacy, and research organization for people living with arthritis and rheumatic disease.
“Cancer gets a lot of press and research dollars because people understand the impact that cancer has on a patient and the patient’s loved ones. Despite it being significantly more common, the general public has a harder time appreciating that arthritis can be just as impactful on a patient’s life and also impacts the family.”
www.everydayhealth.com/arthritis/awareness-month
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is “an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease”.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions. People of all ages, sexes, and races can and do have arthritis, and it is the leading cause of disability in America. More than 50 million adults and 300,000 children have some type of arthritis. It is most common among women and occurs more frequently as people get older.
Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Symptoms may come and go. They can be mild, moderate, or severe. They may stay about the same for years but can progress or get worse over time. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities, and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs.
Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. These changes may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-ray. Some types of arthritis also affect the heart, eyes, lungs, kidneys, and skin as well as the joints.
www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis
What can you do if you have been experiencing some of these symptoms?
The most important first step is to get an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing your joint pain. Talk to your primary care doctor about your symptoms. You may be referred to a rheumatologist or orthopedist, doctors who specialize in arthritis and related conditions. There are many things that can be done to preserve joint function, mobility, and quality of life.
|
|
|
National Donate Life Month
|
|
May is National Stroke Awareness Month
The National Stroke Association wants you to know that a stroke can happen to anyone, at any age, and at any time. Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. According to the January 1st, 2020 United States statistics reported by the CDC:
- A stroke kills about 140,000 Americans each year - that’s 1 out of every 20 deaths
- Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds. Every 4 minutes, someone dies of a stroke.
- Every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 of these are first or new strokes.
- About 185,000 strokes - nearly 1 of 4 - are in people who have had a previous stroke.
- About 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes, in which blood flow to the brain is blocked.
- Strokes cost the United States an estimated $34 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health care services, medicines to treat stroke, and missed days of work.
- Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability.
- Strokes reduce mobility in more than half of stroke survivors age 65 and over.
- Stroke rates are higher in the U.S. amongst African Americans and Hispanics
- Stroke rates are also highest among the southern states, with KY being in the moderate range for stroke rates.
- More women have strokes than men and more women die from strokes than from breast cancer every year
- You are at greater risk if a family member has had a Stroke
What is a Stroke? A stroke refers to an attack of the brain. This attack can occur at any time and can affect people who otherwise seem completely healthy. A stroke happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off. When this occurs, the brain cells are deprived of vital oxygen and as a result, they start to die. When the brain cells die, the abilities that are controlled by that portion of the brain are lost. These abilities can include muscle control and memory. The manner in which a person is affected by a stroke depends on the part of the brain that is affected and how much damage is done.
Stroke is preventable. Up to 80% of strokes could be prevented through healthy lifestyle changes.
The leading causes of stroke are:
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Smoking
- Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
- Obesity
- Diabetes
Learning to Recognize a Stroke and When to Act:
Statistics show that patients who arrive at the emergency room within 3 hours of their first symptoms often have less disability 3 months after a stroke than those who received delayed care. It is crucial to act quickly if you think someone is having a stroke.
The acronym FAST is an easy way to identify the most common symptoms of a stroke:
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred?
T – Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately.
For more information and tips on caring for stroke survivors, please visit Stroke Family Caregiving for African-Americans. Designed specifically with African-American caregivers in mind, this section nonetheless contains universal information for stroke family caregivers.
Learn more about stroke and National Stroke Awareness Month at stroke.org/nsam.
|
|
When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”
Every year the Administration for Community Living announces the theme for Older Americans Month. This year’s theme, Make Your Mark, was selected to encourage and celebrate countless contributions that older adults make to our communities. Their time, experience, and talents benefit families, peers, and neighbors every day. Communities, organizations, and individuals of all ages are also making their marks. This year’s theme highlights the difference everyone can make – in the lives of older adults, in support of caregivers, and to strengthen communities.
Share Your Stories
Stories build community and connect us even when we can’t be physically together. Recalling adventures with childhood friends, that family weekend at the beach, a teacher who helped guide your life, or how you learned you would become a grandparent—all of those stories connect you with your past and the people who have mattered along the way. They help people you love get to know you better and feel closer to you. Looking back at how we got through other tough times can help us manage this challenging time. Sharing what we love about our friends and family members helps them feel stronger and more connected.
Many ways to share
Whether you’re a family or a community-based organization, here are some ideas for sharing stories. These can be done once or many times. The best sharing activities are those where people feel encouraged and at ease.
- Use video chat technology to hold a storytelling party.
- Interview a relative
- Keep a journal of stories to share with friends or family when you can get together again.
- Write a letter to a friend or relative and tell them what you love about them.
- Use your phone or computer to record a story.
Stories can be told over the phone, on the computer, over the backyard fence. They can be told in letters, in pictures, in headlines, and photographs collected from newspapers. We don’t have to be together to share our stories and build each other up.
We can make a mark on people’s lives with the stories we share.
Source: ACL.gov
|
|
|
KIPDA Transportation Portal
|
|
The KIPDA Transportation Planning Portal, first introduced in 2019, has been improved to help make MPO information more accessible and to streamline transportation project development and modification. New tools and resources have been included to facilitate upcoming funding opportunities and potential amendments to the MPO's planning documents.
This spring, public agencies in Kentucky will be able to apply for available MPO Dedicated Federal Funding for Transportation Projects. More than $25 Million is available over a five year period for eligible projects. Two amendment opportunities for the MPO's Connecting Kentuckiana (CK) 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and FY 2020 - 2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) have also been identified.
Additional information can be found under Guidance and Resources in the Transportation Planning Portal.
|
|
|
KIPDA Dedicated Programs Applications
|
|
KIPDA has announced an opportunity for Kentucky project sponsors to apply for transportation funding through the KIPDA's dedicated programs.
Applications are due by May 29, 2020. For more information about the Kentucky Call for Projects for KIPDA Dedicated Programs, please view the flyer and application found on KIPDA's Transportation Planning Portal.
|
|
|
TARC Seeking Public Comment of Proposed Route Changes
|
|
|
On Tuesday, April 28, 2020, staff of the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) presented a series of possible changes to transit routes and service to the TARC Board of Directors. The proposed changes were a result of TARC’s Route Performance Report and the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) that was funded in part by the KIPDA MPO in partnership with TARC and Louisville Metro.
TARC is recommending these changes in three (3) phases, with Phase A being part of a long-term strategy to address historically low-performing routes while Phases B and C are proposed only to be implemented if necessary in order to balance TARC’s budget. It is also possible that even if phases B and C are needed, those changes to service may be restored when TARC’s budget allows.
Phase A: Proposed changes include discontinuing the LouLift circulators (routes 01 & 77), local route 62, circulator 96, and all express routes (except 61X, 67X, & 78X).
Phase B: Proposed changes include discontinuing local route 82, remaining express routes (exceptions from Phase A), circulators 52 and 75, and local route 22.
Phase C: Proposed changes include temporary frequency adjustments to the Dixie Rapid BRT (route 10). However, BRT service frequency will remain at 15 minutes on weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
TARC is continuing to evaluate the proposed changes, balancing the decision between available resources and the needs of the region. There are a number of potential service change options, including route elimination, reduction in the frequency of service, reduction in the hours of service on a particular route, elimination of an unproductive portion of a route, additional route modifications, and/or, transit stop consolidation. In order to better understand the impacts the proposed changes may have on the community, TARC will hold a period of public input beginning May 12, 2020, running through May 25, 2020. TARC staff will then finalize any comments they’ve received from the public, complete the Title VI evaluation, and make a final recommendation to the TARC Board of Directors at their meeting on May 27, 2020. Any changes to service approved by the TARC Board will be implemented on August 9, 2020.
TARC is asking for your input as well as help in spreading the word about the proposed changes and the upcoming public comment period. Detailed information concerning these changes will be posted on the TARC website (www.ridetarc.org) by May 6, 2020, to allow public review prior to the public comment period. Because of social distancing restrictions in place due to COVID-19, public comment meetings on the proposed changes will take place online at 5:30 p.m. May 13 and noon May 18, via Zoom. Public comments also may be submitted by email to PublicComment@ridetarc.org.
|
|
|
KIPDA May Telework Challenge
|
|
Telework has become the new normal for many of us in the Kentuckiana region. It has become an important tool for achieving a resilient and results-oriented workforce during this time of uncertainty.
During the month of May, we ask teleworkers to participate in an online telecommute challenge. Employees log their "telework" commutes daily and are able to track their individual emission & travel savings over a period of time.
May telework challenge is available to anyone that lives or works within the KIPDA region. Commuter challenges provide data that supports Every Commute Counts' mission to reduce single-occupancy vehicles, improve air quality & decrease congestion within our region.
For more information about starting a challenge at your company or joining a regional challenge, please contact elizabethbowling.schiller@kipda.org. To register for May challenges, please register at www.everycommutecounts.org.
|
|
|
|
|
