Governor’s Ambassador Awards Recognize Public Employees
On Oct 13, First Lady Jane Beshear recognized 20 public service employees, presenting them with the first annual Governor’s Ambassador Awards. Created in October 2008, the awards program was established to highlight stories of employees who have positively impacted the lives of their co-workers, customers and community.
“State employees are official ambassadors of our Commonwealth,” said Gov. Beshear. “The stories of these individuals encourage and inspire. They are extraordinary examples of what it means to be a Kentuckian and what it means to be a
Mrs. Beshear public servant.”
Nominations were accepted throughout the year in six categories: customer service, courage, leadership, professional achievement, teamwork or community service and volunteerism. Ninety-eight nominations were submitted, involving more than 300 employees.
All nominations were reviewed by a selection committee and three finalists were chosen in each category. Mrs. Beshear, along with Personnel Cabinet Sec. Nikki Jackson, served as co-chairs of the selection committee. Gov. Beshear selected the six overall winners in each category. All names were removed from the submissions to ensure fairness and anonymity.
“So many of our employees are contributing to and impacting the lives of others, not only through their activities at work, but also through voluntary efforts in their communities,” Mrs. Beshear said. “I cannot think of a more appropriate way to recognize employees than with an award that recognizes their stories of compassion and service for the Commonwealth.”
All nominees were invited to attend today’s ceremony. Award recipients will be honored by having a personalized engraved brick placed along Ambassador Avenue outside the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.
For additional information regarding Kentucky Public Service Recognition Week and the Governor’s Ambassador Award Program, visit the Personnel Cabinet’s Web site.
2009 Ambassador Awards Recipients
State Employees Can Get Adoption Assistance
November is Adoption Awareness Month in Kentucky, and state employees in the Executive Branch are reminded that they may qualify for financial assistance when they adopt.
Through the Adoption Benefit Program, Kentucky’s Personnel Cabinet provides up to $5,000 for each qualifying family for unreimbursed costs related to a special needs child and up to $3,000 for any other child adoption.
Mike Grimes, manager of the Department for Community Based Services’ (DCBS) Adoption Services Branch, said adoptive families get support through benefits, training and mentoring services. Families also can specify to caseworkers their preferences regarding the age, gender and specific needs of children they are looking to adopt.
“We know that for some families who are interested in adopting, there is concern about costs for medical needs, school supplies, child care – even college tuition,” he said. “When our staff is able to talk to families, they explain that help is available for these situations. We work closely with families to make sure the training and placement process goes as smoothly as possible,” he said.
Grimes said of the almost 7,000 children in state out-of-home care, more than 1,800 children have the goal of adoption. Almost 400 children are legally free for adoption and do not have identified adoptive families. “These are the children in our Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP) for whom we are actively recruiting families,” Grimes said.
A child having “special needs” may not necessarily mean that a child needs unique medical attention, Grimes said.
“Many of the children waiting to be adopted may be considered harder to place because they are part of sibling groups, teenagers or members of an ethnic or minority group,” he said. “Their greatest need is a place to call home.”
Last May, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA) named the Commonwealth of Kentucky and its state government offices as one of the top five “Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces.” DTFA grants fund several of DCBS’ adoption awareness efforts and the salaries of two recruitment specialists who work out of Lexington and Louisville.
DCBS is part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Learn more online at the state adoption program’s home page. Learn more about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption at http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/. And become a fan of the “Kentucky Foster Care & Adoption” page on Facebook.
KSP Teaches Kids Safety Rules
Trooper Dean Patterson, public affairs officer for Kentucky State Police Post 1 in Mayfield, Ky., instructs a participant at the Safety Town exhibit at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville on Aug. 21st. The exhibit teaches children basic safety rules as they ride tricycles through a miniature city featuring traffic lights, stop signs and buildings. The agency has been using the fair as a public education opportunity since 1961. (Photo by Les Williams, KSP Media Relations Branch)
Kentucky Tech Delivers Weatherization Training for Energy Auditors Representing Community Action Agencies Statewide
(l to r): Brent Claywell, Barren Co. ATC; James Moreland, retired instructor; Brian Eadens, Butler Co. ATC; Pat Flowers, KY Housing Corporation Weatherization Program Manager; Secretary Helen Mountjoy, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet; Secretary Jonathan Miller, Finance and Administration Cabinet; John Christiansen, J.D. Patton ATC; Darren M. Jones, Meade Co. ATC; Stephen D. Stone, Millard ATC; and Mike Kindred, OCTE deputy executive director. (Photo by Tim Thornberry, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.)
As part of a weatherization initiative, the Beshear Administration created the Kentucky Clean Energy Corps (KCEC). This coordinated effort between the Kentucky Housing Corporation, a Finance and Administration agency, and the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet's Kentucky Tech schools will provide weatherization training for Community Action Agency employees.
“Our state government partnership is an important beginning in taking the weatherization program statewide. Immediate response to a need for trained weatherization energy auditors by the Kentucky Housing Corporation and Kentucky Tech has provided us the opportunity to reach a major goal - expanding KCEC and conducting up to 10,000 energy audits on low-income homes,” said Secretary Jonathan Miller.
“The ability to respond to critical technical training needs is one of the strengths of the Kentucky Tech system. Equipment purchased to train energy auditors will also provide great learning opportunities for our emerging ‘green’ generation,” said Secretary Helen Mountjoy.
KY Tech instructors John Christiansen, J.D. Patton ATC; Brian Eadens, Butler Co. ATC; Stephen D. Stone, Millard ATC; and Darren M. Jones, Meade Co. ATC have begun training at their schools.
KSP Participated in National Corvette Museum 15th Anniversary Celebration
The Kentucky State Police were invited to participate in the Corvette Museum 15th Anniversary Celebration and National Caravan. KSP escorted four separate caravans of Corvettes traveling to the Bowling Green Museum from across the country.
As a unique twist, each of the caravans was escorted by a Corvette detailed to resemble a marked KSP cruiser including flashing blue lights.
The Corvettes that were driven by KSP personnel were on-loan for the day from local owners. Drivers include Commissioner Rodney Brewer, Lt. Col. Mike Sapp, Captain Deron Berthold and Trooper Mike Hatler.
Commissioner Rodney Brewer said KSP was proud to be a part of such a monumental event.
“The Corvette Museum is unlike any other museum in the world and highlights a true American sport car legend,” said Brewer. “This event attracted thousands of visitors to our state by promoting this unique automobile and its' heritage."
KSP units escorted the caravans as they entered the Commonwealth and remained with the groups until they arrived safely at the museum.
The Corvette Caravans traveling to Kentucky originated in Georgia, Indiana, Nebraska and North Carolina. These caravans picked up additional Corvette drivers in Florida, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wyoming with their final destination set for the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green.
The museum had a full weekend of events planned to celebrate their 15th anniversary. Activities included special displays such as “Firsts and Lasts;” showing the first and last model of each generation of Corvettes, entertainment in the Museum's amphitheater, daily arrivals of Corvette Caravans from across the U.S., and the completed renovation of the entire Corvette Museum. (Photo by Les Williams, KSP Media Relations Branch)
EYES & EARS On Kentucky
Eyes and Ears on Kentucky is an anonymous telephone tip line that allows Kentuckians to report any suspicious criminal or terrorist activity they may see or hear. The tip line is sponsored by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security and Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center.
Eyes & Ears enables anyone to report suspicious activity that might logically pose a threat to individuals, community or the commonwealth of Kentucky. Dialing the tip line - 1-866-393-6659 connects callers with the KIFC. Information is then forwarded to the appropriate law-enforcement agency, other appropriate first responders, or because of details provided, to an intelligence specialist for quick analysis.
“Citizens are safer when potential harm is intercepted and prevented or at least reduced in magnitude. Eyes & Ears can be a key component for community security,” said Tom Preston, KOHS executive director. “If you see something suspicious, whether it is an irregular activity or item you believe dangerous, report it!
“We will be in instant contact with the appropriate law enforcement agency or other first responders while concurrently providing intelligence analysis where necessary and appropriate.”
Suspicious activity may include persons:
• asking unusual questions about building security;
• taking photographs or videos of buildings, bridges or other locations;
• asking detailed questions about the schedules of public transportation;
• seen timing the arrival and departure of public transportation;
• loitering around reservoirs, water-treatment plans; dams or power plants;
• watching a building for extended periods of time.
Citizens should also be aware of suspicious vehicles parked in unusual places or at unusual times.
In cases of emergency, individuals should call 911 or local law enforcement. Kentuckians can also prepare for any type of emergency – natural or manmade – by preparing a family-disaster plan and emergency-supply kit. Information can be found by visiting www.homelandsecurity.ky.gov/community.
Eyes and Ears Poster