*** Email danielle.story@kipda.org if you prefer to receive this notice by email. ***
*Since there is the possibility that a meeting could be canceled, relocated or rescheduled please call the KIPDA office at (502) 266-6084 to confirm a meeting prior to attending.
Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency will make every reasonable accommodation to assist qualified disabled persons in accessing available services or in attending agency activities. If there is a need for KIPDA to be aware of a specific accommodation, you are encouraged to contact this agency at least one week in advance of the meeting so that suitable arrangements can be considered for the delivery of the service or attendance requirement prior to the activity.
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Community & Economic Development
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KIPDA is excited to announce our newly updated website is now LIVE! Make sure to check it out to discover all of the services, programs, and assistance KIPDA provides for our region, and follow us on all of our social media platforms! (Links now available at the top of the Newsletter)
The new site allows for much easier navigation and access to KIPDA resources; such as, news updates, pertinent documents, and detailed descriptions of plans & services.
Click the link and visit now!
www.kipda.org
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The U.S. Census Bureau needs YOU!
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The 2020 Census is right around the corner, help support your community!!
The Census is extremely important for our region (and regions across the United States) in that Decennial census data is used to determine your representation in Congress, as well as how funds are spent for roads, schools, hospitals, and more.
Could you use a little extra income? Jobs for the 2020 Census offer competitive wages that are paid weekly. Authorized expenses, such as mileage, are reimbursed for employees doing fieldwork. The Bureau is hiring for a number of temporary positions such as census takers, recruiting assistants, office staff, and supervisory staff.
Help ensure that everyone in your community is counted in the next decennial census, and visit https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html to learn how you can assist your region!
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Are you prepared for Old Man
Winter?
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Winter storms can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Some winter storms are large enough to affect several states, while others affect only a single community. Many winter storms are accompanied by dangerously low temperatures and sometimes by strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain. Regardless of the severity of a winter storm, you should be prepared in order to remain safe during these events. The American Red Cross gives the following suggestions on how to be prepared at home when a winter storm hits:
- Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
- Sand to improve traction on driveways and sidewalks.
- Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
- Bring pets inside out of weather.
- Adequate clothing and blankets to help keep you warm
- Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
- Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
- Place electric space heaters in the open away from flammable material and curtains.
- Keep an emergency kit that includes: at least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day), at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.), flashlight, extra batteries, battery operated or hand cranked radio, cell phone with charger, extra pet food (if applicable).
- Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold
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According to a seventeen year study that was published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Americans make approximately 11,500 visits to the emergency room every year due to snow shoveling injuries, which can include fractures, soft-tissue injuries and even cardiac symptoms. The cardiac symptoms were most likely to strike men over the age of 55 and resulted in 1,647 deaths. The American Heart Association advises people to take frequent breaks and use a small shovel while working, as lifting large amounts of snow can spike blood pressure. If at all possible, push the snow instead of shoveling it. People should also avoid eating a heavy meal beforehand, and avoid alcohol both before and after the shovel session.
TIP: Spray cooking oil onto the snow shovel to keep heavy wet snow from sticking to shovel.
When traveling in winter weather conditions:
- If dangerous conditions are forecast, it’s often best to delay travel plans.
- If you must travel, contact someone both before your departure and when you safely arrive.
- If possible, travel with a cell phone and car charger to contact someone in case of a road emergency.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Keep an emergency supply kit in the car that includes: bag of abrasive material (sand, salt or cat litter), ice scraper, snow brush, small snow shovel, tow rope, booster cables, flashlight, extra batteries, emergency flares, battery powered or hand cranked radio, extra supply of daily medication, bottled water, snacks (energy bars), first aid kit, blankets or sleeping bags, extra hats, socks and mittens.
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National Blood Donor Month
January 2020
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According to the American Red Cross, winter is “one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.” That’s because of, among other things, busy holiday schedules and bad weather often resulting in canceled blood drives. Furthermore, seasonal illnesses such as the flu force potential donors to forgo their blood donations.
That’s just one of the reasons that National Blood Donor Month, which has taken place each January since 1970, is such an important observance. Donating blood saves many lives and improves health for many people. According to the World Health Organization, “blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person — the gift of life. A decision to donate your blood can save a life, or even several if your blood is separated into its components — red cells, platelets and plasma.” Let’s learn more.
How to Observe National Blood Donor Month
- Donate
Not just in honor of National Blood Donor Month, but in the simple spirit of providing the stuff of life to those who need it most. Donate now. Donate again in eight weeks. Repeat.
- Inspire
National Blood Donor Month can inspire people to donate. And those donations can in turn inspire others to donate, creating an exponential increase in blood donations when and where they're needed the most.
- Learn and remember your blood type
What's your blood type? Some examples: O positive donors are needed more often than other blood types. O negative donors are considered "universal donors." AB positive donors are "universal recipients."
*Information provided courtesy of: https://nationaltoday.com/national-blood-donor-month/ |
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January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, which is an important time to spread awareness about a disease that affects many of the clients KIPDA serves. There are currently more than 3 million people in the United States living with glaucoma, with projections set to reach 4.2 million by 2030. Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve and while there is currently no cure for the disease, medication or surgery can slow the progression of Glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the US, and regular dilated eye exams are the best way to protect your vision. The disease generally does not present with any symptoms at first, which is why regular eye doctor visits are important. It is also imperative to note that vision lost from glaucoma cannot be restored. People at high risk for Glaucoma include: diabetics, people over 60, family members of someone with the disease, people who are severely nearsighted, and people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent.
For more information about Glaucoma, visit www.glaucoma.org or https://nei.nih.gov/nehep/programs/glaucoma. |
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