Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Area Development District Tara Johnson-Noem showcased the organization’s array of services to the Erlanger City Council earlier this month.
The organization’s outreach initiative aims to visit each of the 60 cities within its eight-county region, highlight its programs, and explain how they can benefit different communities within its reach.
The district is a quasi-governmental organization that is a part of Kentucky’s 15 Area Development Districts, which comprise a statewide network of multi-county planning development organizations. The agency was developed to be a technical assistance organization for their communities.
“Initially, our services were limited to local government services like public administration and community development planning,” said Johnson-Noem.
The district can help with some local services, including tax rate calculations, personnel policy, revenue studies and more. On a more regional scale, it can also help with hazard mitigation planning and water planning to support local utilities.
According to Johnson-Noem, the group also runs workforce development services to help match employers and job seekers. The service also focuses on helping job seekers break down barriers that may prevent them from getting a fulfilling job by providing accommodations like transportation, extra training, and childcare.
Another large service that the district offers communities is aging and disability services. Their Aging and Disability Resource Centers across multiple counties offer different resources and a single point of entry for many public-funded aging services. The program currently has three full-time staff members, with a fourth on the way, who answer calls for those interested.
“I think last fiscal year we took about 12,000 calls, and basically that’s our front door to all of our services that we provide,” said Associate Director of Aging and Disability Services Anne Wildman.
Some services highlighted that the resource center provides are funding for local senior centers, in-home services, staff that protect the rights of nursing home residents, home-delivered meals, and more.
Wildman also said that the Kentucky Family Caregiver Program has returned after being discontinued in 2017. The program aims to help low-income grandparents who are raising their grandchildren.
“We are able to provide things like furniture, clothing, a multitude of things,” said Wildman. “So if you come across someone who is a grandparent who needs that assistance, please feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll provide that assistance. Also, if you know an older adult who may need help, please contact our aging and disability resource center.”
Visit the Northern Kentucky Area Development District’s website here for more information on its services.