2000 Best Practice Awards

Best Practice: AVOL AIDS Housing Project

AVOL Project Provides Array of Services for Eastern Kentucky AIDS Community

Lexington. The mission of AVOL AIDS Housing Project is to maximize independent living by providing education, support, prevention and direct client services to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Each year, more than 3,000 people are educated through outreach efforts in five areas. They include a speaker’s bureau comprised of persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS; prevention and outreach activities in high-risk populations; a statewide toll-free AIDS hotline; a client news bulletin and regional newsletter. Outreach efforts also include direct client services such as a caregiver team program, support groups, legal referral, chemical dependency assessment, treatment linkage, housing placement and follow-up, individual case management, rental assistance, transitional housing for homeless persons, and an end-stage AIDS community residence. The AVOL project is the only program of its kind in the 63 counties of Eastern Kentucky. It has served 698 individuals and families since its inception. Partnerships with government, social service agencies, nonprofits, hospitals and community-based health organizations across Central and Eastern Kentucky have been crucial to the project’s success.

Contact: Kathy Clark, Phone: (879) 278-7494
Tracking Number: 369
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: Fair Housing Initiatives Program

Lexington Fair Housing Council Fights Discrimination and Resolves Housing Disputes

Lexington. The nonprofit Lexington Fair Housing Council, which received a Fair Housing Initiatives Program grant from HUD in 1998 seeks to assure equal access to housing, without discrimination based on race, sex, color, national origin, religion, familial status or disability. The council investigates and files complaints of unlawful housing discrimination, initiates negotiations to resolve equal housing disputes, conducts surveys to evaluate fair housing practices in the sales and rental markets, and provides training and public information on fair housing issues. In one year, the council settled three familial status discrimination cases. Pending are a sexual discrimination case and a fair housing advertisement violation. The council is conducting ongoing inquiries involving racial discrimination at two apartment complexes.

Contact: Teresa A. Isaac, Phone: (859) 971-8067
Tracking Number: 1097
Winning Category: Program (Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity)

Best Practice: Louisville Housing Fair

Louisville Housing Fair Facilitates Home Buying and Markets Housing Programs

Louisville. For the last two years, The City of Louisville has sponsored a one-day Housing Fair to bring together housing agencies from across Kentucky to show potential homebuyers how simple purchasing a home can be. The fair is both a marketing strategy for the City's numerous housing programs and a "one-stop shop" for potential homebuyers. The City's goal is to create an environment where a potential home buyer can find all the necessary home purchasing information and by the end of the day, leave with an approved loan. The success of the event is evidenced by its strong attendance. The 1999 fair consisted of 13 booths, and was held in a local gymnasium where it attracted approximately 600 participants, many of whom left pre-approved to purchase a home. As a result of the overwhelming success of the first Fair, this year’s event was held in the new Convention Center, with more than 50 booths and nearly 600 participants.

Contact: Robin Penick, Phone: (502) 574-4315
Tracking Number: 376
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: REACH HIGHER and Women in Construction Training Program

Bowling Green Public Housing Residents Can Reach Higher Goals through Employment and Job Training Program

Bowling Green. The Housing Authority of Bowling Green, Kentucky, the Kentucky State Department for Community Based Services, The Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Board, Western Kentucky University and private industry established a REACH HIGHER program to assist the large number of public housing and Section 8 residents living solely on welfare assistance. REACH HIGHER offers a six-month work and training program culminating in job placement. Trainees work 32 hours per week in the housing authority’s cabinet shop, administrative offices, and maintenance department as well as for nonprofit agencies throughout the community. On Fridays, they attend work readiness classes focusing on self-esteem, people skills, and the expectations of employers. Positive attitude, good work habits and expectations of success are all primary objectives of the program. REACH HIGHER has grown to include the Women in Construction training program. This program will provide training and job placement opportunities for women in the construction trades, including accreditation for 72.5 hours of apprenticeship training and a two-month internship with a local construction company. To date, 137 individuals have graduated from the REACH HIGHER and approximately 84 percent are still employed.

Contact: Judy Garratt, Phone: (270) 843-6074
Tracking Number: 1239
Winning Category: Geographical

Best Practice: Owensboro Area Shelter and Information System (OASIS)

Owensboro Shelter Provides an Oasis for Homeless Women and Children

Owensboro. This comprehensive program is designed to assist the most vulnerable of the homeless population -- battered women and their children -- who have complex problems that could not be addressed by a 30-day emergency program. The project evolved from an emergency shelter for domestic violence victims and now includes more comprehensive domestic violence services, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, medical assessment and wellness, career development and child development services. The program focuses on safety, sobriety and self-sufficiency through a highly structured four-phase process. Phase I is crisis stabilization, including domestic violence and substance abuse treatment. Phase II provides supportive services to get the women and children on track. Phase III is the transitional phase, which includes vocational, educational and housing services. Phase IV is aftercare, to help families maintain self-sufficiency. The program has made a significant impact on participants, especially those with chronic substance abuse problems, by providing each family member with counseling, education, housing and other services needed for self-sufficiency of the family as a whole. The program model, Empowering Women through Combined Treatment, has been presented throughout the state and at conferences across the country.

Contact: Rebecca Hagan, Phone: (270) 685-0260
Tracking number: 440
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Best Practice: Facilitation of the Continuum of Care

The Continuum of Care Coalition Brought Together Community Leaders to Fight the Homeless Problem

Louisville. The Coalition for the Homeless, Inc., has been the vehicle for the Louisville and Jefferson County governments to make unbiased decisions regarding how to provide emergency shelter grant and other homeless funds in Jefferson County. The Coalition brought together business, religious, civic and government leaders and partnered with nonprofit and other organizations to determine how best to serve the area's at risk and homeless families and individuals. In 1993, due to the creation of the Continuum of Care and the hallmark of effort, efficiency and knowledge demonstrated by the Coalition, local leaders decided that the Coalition would continue its efforts. Through monthly meetings and community involvement, the Coalition has immensely increased the community's understanding of homelessness issues. The Continuum of Care analysis has resulted in consistently high scoring applications through priority rating and rankings initiated impartially, and the majority of applications have been funded over the past four years.

Contact: Marlene Gordon, Phone: (502) 589-0190
Tracking Number: 482
Winning Category: Program (Community Planning and Development)

Content Archived: April 20, 2011