Gov. Announces Pause of J&J Vaccine in KY

Gov. Andy Beshear has announced a pause in the use of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Kentucky. This comes after reports of potentially dangerous blood clots with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In a joint statement Tuesday, April 13, the CDC and the FDA said they were investigating unusual clots in six women that occurred six to 13 days after vaccination. To view the announcement, click on the photo below.

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Largest Vaccine Site in Kentucky Opens

Gov. Beshear marked another key moment in Kentucky’s fight against COVID-19 on Monday, April 12, when he joined health care leaders to open a drive-through vaccination site at the University of Louisville’s  (UofL) Cardinal Stadium where 200,000 Kentuckians can get their COVID-19 vaccination over the next seven weeks.

UofL Health, in partnership with the state, opened the vaccination site at the Cardinal Stadium Purple Lot, which will have about 100 health care workers, volunteers and Kentucky National Guard members vaccinating up to 4,000 people a day. The site, off Interstate Highways 65 and 264, was chosen because of its central accessibility and close proximity to the medically underserved areas of west and south Louisville. To read the press release, click here.

Gov. Beshear also announced all Kentuckians 16 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for individuals 16 and older; the Moderna vaccine is approved for individuals 18 and older. For more information, click here.

Five vaccination locations that have many open appointments include the following:

•University of Louisville Health, Cardinal Stadium (Jefferson County): nortonhealthcare.com/

•Whitney Young Elementary (West Louisville):

To schedule an appointment, call 888-777-7219 or visit www.NortonHealthcare.com.

•Kentucky Horse Park (Fayette County):

kroger.com/rx/covid-eligibility

•WEDCO District Health Depart. (Harrison, Nicholas, Scott Counties): wedcohealth.org/

•Baptist Health Corbin (Whitley County):

scheduleyourvaccine.com or call 606-526--4990

•Christian County Health Department – Bruce Convention Center (Christian County): Registration

To see a list of all vaccination sites that have openings this week, visit vaccinemap.ky.gov.

Norton Healthcare:

www.nortonhealthcare.com/,

Northern Kentucky Convention Center:

www.kroger.com/rx/covid-eligibility

Kentucky Dam Village Convention Center: www.wildhealthvaccine.as.me/schedule.php and

Baptist Health Madisonville:

www.baptisthealth.com/vaccine/schedule-now/ or call 270-825-7330.

To view all vaccination sites, click here.

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Understanding COVID-19 Vaccines

KCDHH’s vlog below explains the difference between the three vaccines, the number of dosages you’re required to take and the amount of time between the first and second dosage.

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Unemployment Insurance System Goes Live

Amy Cubbage, general counsel for Gov. Beshear, updated Kentuckians on when the state’s unemployment insurance (UI) system will go live again after a temporary shutdown for security upgrades.

“We are on track for the system to go live again at 7 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, April 13,” said Cubbage. “So far, 100,000 letters have been mailed with new login information for claimants, and the remaining letters will be mailed tomorrow. Knowing that the letters will not reach you in time for the system’s reopening, we will have call center assistance at 502-564-2900 available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT for the next 10 days.”

Claimants can only get PIN assistance on this call line. Wait times are expected to be longest between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. when there are fewer call center staff on duty.

“A valid email address is required to verify your identity in the new registration process. Free email accounts are available through Google and Yahoo. You will also need the new eight-digit PIN to create the new account,” said Cubbage. “If you are not due to request benefits this week, please hold off on requesting a PIN via phone and wait for the letter.”

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In-Person

Unemployment Insurance Services Opens April 15

Gov. Andy Beshear and Labor Cabinet Secretary Larry L. Roberts announced April 6 that in-person unemployment insurance (UI) services will open April 15 at more than a dozen regional Kentucky Career Centers (KCCs). Kentuckians can schedule Monday through Friday appointments at kcc.ky.gov.

Kentucky Career Center Regional Locations:

The cabinet will also be opening a new, temporary facility in Lexington, which will also provide UI assistance.

Ashland: 1844 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY  41042

Bowling Green: 803 Chestnut St., Bowling Green, KY 42101

Covington: 1324 Madison Ave., Covington, KY 41011

Elizabethtown: 233 Ring Road, Suite 100, Elizabethtown, KY 42701

Hazard: 412 Roy Campbell Dr., Hazard, KY 41701

Hopkinsville: 110 Riverfront Dr., Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Lexington: 2624 Research Park Dr., Lexington, KY 40511

Louisville: 600 W. Cedar St., Louisville, KY  40202

Morehead: 1225 U.S. Hwy. 60 West, Suite 160, Morehead, KY 40351

Owensboro: 3108 Fairview Drive, Owensboro, KY 42303

Paducah: 416 South 6th St., Paducah, KY 42001

Prestonsburg: 686 North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg, KY 41339

Somerset: 410 East Mt. Vernon St., Somerset, KY 42501

Special instructions:

•Anyone attending an appointment must wear a mask at all times.

•Photo ID is required to enter a KCC building.

•Temperatures will be taken before entering KCC buildings due to COVID-19.

•Accommodations will not be made for those without appointments.

•While staff makes every effort to answer all questions during this appointment, UI specialists may not be able to provide a resolution during a single appointment. Some claims could require additional paperwork or take additional time to complete. An additional appointment will not be necessary. Schedule an in-person appointment by clicking on the logo below:

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Task Force Created to Combat

Unemployment Insurance Fraud

On April 5, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order creating the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Fraud Detection and Prevention Task Force, which will coordinate between state and federal entities to detect, investigate, prosecute and prevent unemployment insurance fraud in Kentucky.

New and existing claimants will soon be required to create more complex PIN numbers. In addition, all new UI claimants will only be paid by paper check effective immediately. Read the full article here.

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Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial Fund Started

Gov. Beshear has established the Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial Fund to help commemorate the losses and sacrifices Kentuckians experienced during this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. The Fund will be used to design, build, and maintain a COVID-19 memorial in the Monument Park on the State Capitol Grounds. This memorial will remind future generations of the hardships the Commonwealth endured during this difficult time and the sacrifices made to overcome them.

If there are additional funds remaining after the memorial is fully funded, they will be used to assist Kentuckians who lost a loved one to COVID-19 by reimbursing a portion of their funeral or burial expenses. All donations to the Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial Fund are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes after donating. If you wish to donate to fund the memorial, please click on the photo below.

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In this month’s KCDHH Spotlight Q&A , meet Jeannie Taylor, Chair of KCDHH’s Commission Board. Jeannie was born in Covington, KY. She graduated from Allen County-Scottsville (KY) High School. Jeannie graduated from the University of Louisville where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Child/Elementary Education. She earned a master’s degree in Community Agency Counseling from Western Kentucky University. Jeannie completed an associate degree with an emphasis in American Sign Language at Nashville (TN) State Community College. She is also a Peer Mentor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, a certification she received in a two-year program at Gallaudet University. After spending 33 years employed as an educator in Kentucky’s public school system, she is now semi-retired and resides in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Why did you want to serve as a KCDHH board member?

It’s hard to put my finger on one specific reason why I wanted to serve as a KCDHH board member. Primarily, I knew it would present an opportunity to be among people with a diverse array of hearing loss, and that, by its very nature, would put me in the role of a learner - where I love to be! As cliché as it may sound, I wanted to help bring about positive changes that would impact the lives of many Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind (DHHDB) individuals across Kentucky. To accomplish those things, I knew it would require developing a deeper understanding of needs, working collaboratively with others, and having a willingness to get closely involved in difficult tasks if necessary. Since my desire and enthusiasm to participate was strong, I jumped in and haven’t looked back!

What does your work at KCDHH mean to you?

Serving as a board member at KCDHH has given me the opportunity to be among people who have the authority to bring about change at a state level. Although I have no “official” authority at KCDHH, I’ve always thought of myself as an influencer and hopefully as a real force for good. This is important to me because I want to be part of the solution rather than simply adding on to problems. As I recently mentioned to a fellow Commissioner, your experience on the Commission board will be what you make of it. For me, how I show up, communicate and respond to what’s happening in our state regarding DHHDB individuals is highly important because it affects a lot of lives. Therefore, my work at KCDHH is incredibly urgent and meaningful to me.

How has your previous experience (personal or professional) aided in your position at KCDHH?

(Professionally) As many people know, I am a “retired” educator.  Because “once a teacher, always a teacher,” teachers never truly stop teaching. My career consisted of teaching children with special needs which was incredibly rewarding.  There are days when I miss being in the classroom enormously. Most teachers will tell you that when you are a teacher, you teach beyond the state mandated curriculum. You teach children how to problem solve, how to be independent and how to be organized in life. You make a point to discover their interests and what matters to them. You laugh and cry with them and form ties that are rarely broken. You teach them how to apologize and how to be responsible for their own actions. You teach them how to have good manners and how to treat others like they want to be treated.  These life lessons are relevant regardless of a person’s age, so they’ve served me well as a board member.

(Personally) As a person who’s lived with hearing loss my entire life, “lived experience” has been priceless when it comes to serving on the Board.  Personal knowledge about hearing loss and its impact gained through direct, day-to-day living provides a perspective that is extremely essential when decisions are being made that impact DHHDB individuals. Lived experience comes at a high cost to DHHDB individuals and should always be recognized and valued by those who have the authority to bring about life changing services and laws for our state. 

What do you think is the current issue facing DHH individuals?

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and new technologies have offered many solutions to problems faced by DHHDB individuals, there remain issues that still need our urgent attention such as early language acquisition, mental health services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate, economic challenges that lead to poverty, social-emotional challenges, and communication barriers that restrict accessibility. Regrettably, these are age-old problems that have existed in the DHHDB community for many years which make it more important than ever to speak up and become engaged in efforts to break the cycle. I believe these issues can be improved upon and perhaps someday be eliminated altogether. However, it will require focus and continuous effort of DHHDB individuals, their families, and professionals who serve them.

What do you want KCDHH to accomplish in the next year?

One of KCDHH’s governing mandates states that the Commission shall advise the Governor and the General Assembly concerning policy and programs to enhance the quality and coordination of services for the deaf and hard of hearing. Currently KCDHH is involved in several efforts to affect legislation by influencing the views of policy-makers on the state level - two of those being near and dear to my heart given I’m an educator. For several years now, KCDHH has energetically and steadfastly advocated for Early Learning Acquisition for DHHDB children with little or no effective or responsive action from our state department of education or our state legislature.  Early intervention programs in Kentucky are falling short in meeting the needs of DHHDB children resulting in catastrophic consequences due to language deprivation. Research shows that DHHDB children who acquire language will be kindergarten-ready and therefore better prepared to succeed in elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Language acquisition will also improve Kentucky’s success rate for graduation for this underserved population. KCDHH is also advocating for mandatory universal hearing screenings for children entering kindergarten. It is alarming to me that our state requires mandatory universal vision and dental screenings, yet overlooks hearing screenings. In our schools, classroom instruction is primarily auditory; therefore, a hearing loss does not have to be severe in order to negatively impact a student’s academic performance. According to the CDC, hearing loss is the most common developmental disorder identifiable at birth and its prevalence increases throughout school-age due to the additions of late-onset, late identified and acquired hearing loss. Under identification and lack of appropriate management of hearing loss in children has broad economic effects as well as a potential impact on individual child educational, cognitive and social development.  If KCDHH could accomplish success on a legislative level in both of these areas in the next year, it would undeniably be a game-changer for our DHHDB children and their future success.

How has your life experiences made you the leader you are today?

While pondering this question, two familiar quotes came to mind:  “Failure is your best teacher” and “Nothing succeeds like success.”   No doubt, my life experiences , both failures and successes, have influenced me as a leader. Failures are inevitable throughout life, so it is important that we know how to embrace failure, learn from it, and get back up rather than allowing it to defeat us. On the flip side, once we meet with success, we are in a better position to succeed again!  While failures provided me with learning opportunities, success gave me confidence. The merger of these two forces has definitely shaped my leadership skills!

What’s your favorite inspirational quote?

Most all of my favorite inspirational quotes are found in the Holy Bible.  During this time of Covid-19, there is one particular scripture that has affected me and become a favorite: “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.  This scripture brings me comfort in many ways. For sure, God is aware of our tendency to fear and he cares about every fear we face – even during worldwide pandemics! The words in Isaiah 41:10 encourages us to not fear but rather trust in God’s presence and know He is listening and working on our behalf.

What’s on your bucket list?

As a child, I recall missionaries visiting our church to make presentations about the work they were doing in other countries. I clearly remember how a presentation given by a missionary from India affected me. Needless to say, the seed was sown that summer but remained dormant until my adult years. As I approached retirement, I knew that it marked the beginning of the next chapter in my life, so I started making plans to become involved in missionary work. In 2015,, I began a journey that led me to the tiny country of Belize in Central America. On the island of Ambergris Caye, I started a children’s Bible ministry at San Pedro Church of Christ and also began volunteering with children with disabilities in local schools. During my first year, I met a deaf student and began tutoring her in academics and basic ASL. In the past year, Covid-19 has restricted travel and prevented me from returning to Central America. However, I have regular contact with many church and school friends. If it is the Lord’s will, then I will return to Belize in the future. What’s on my bucket list?  I want to continue making missionary journeys! If it’s God’s will, there will be many more mission trips in my future! Traveling outside the country has definitely pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, but once you’ve had a taste of serving others in the name of Christ, the desire only grows stronger!

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Virginia Moore Named Communicator of the Year, Alumna of the Year

KCDHH Executive Director Virginia Moore was recognized by Gov. Beshear during one of his March press briefings as Communicator of the Year and Alumna of the Year.

As Moore signed for Beshear during a news conference , the Governor surprised her by announcing the honor from her former high school.

“Virginia taught us the importance of inclusion, while making us all smile when we needed it most. She used her talents and skill to keep the deaf and hard of hearing community informed, teaching all of Team Kentucky a lesson as we work to build a better, more inclusive Kentucky, together,” said Gov. Beshear. “I am honored to share once again that others saw Virginia’s compassion and commitment, and are celebrating her today through two separate awards.”

The Greater Clark County School Foundation in Jeffersonville, Indiana, named Moore the 2021 Jeffersonville High School Alumna of the Year for her service throughout the pandemic. Her nominators said Virginia is a champion and “although her work is silent, it speaks volumes.”

Watch the Governor’s presentation by clicking on the photo below.

Virginia was also named the Kentucky District of the National Speech and Debate Association’s Communicator of the Year for 2021 and presented by the Gov.

“I was honored to receive this award last year, and for me personally, it means a lot to be in the same category as my friend Virginia,” said Gov. Beshear. Click on the photo below to watch the presentation.

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KCDHH Executive Director Signs for LYC

KCDHH Executive Director Virginia Moore recently participated with the Louisville Youth Choir in signing a statewide choral production that included 175 students from all over the state performing virtually. This Kentucky Virtual Choir sang a piece written specifically for this performance by Dr. Catherine Wilson called “My Love for You,” which is a song about Kentucky. The video is posted on several websites, including the Louisville Youth Choir; Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet; Kentucky Arts Council and KCDHH Facebook. It has also been selected to be played during Churchill Downs’ Spring Meet opening event on April 24. Click on the photo below to watch the video.

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TikTok Adds Auto Captions to Make Videos Accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing

TikTok has announced the launch of a new feature designed to make its app accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. On April 6, the company debuted auto captions— a feature that, when enabled, will automatically transcribe the speech from a video so viewers can read what’s being said in the video as an alternative to listening. Initially, auto captions will support American English and Japanese, with additional languages coming in the months ahead, TikTok says. Learn how by clicking the TikTok logo below.

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National ASL Day Celebrates American Sign Language

On April 15, 1817, the first lasting school for the deaf in the United States opened. Students gathered there over the years and at subsequent deaf schools across the nation. Children intermingled Native American Signs, French Sign Language, and Martha’s Vineyard Sign Language. This process brought forth modern American Sign Language.

For more information, check out What is National ASL Day? and How Do We Celebrate National ASL Day? by clicking on the graphic below.

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Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth Summer Camps

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the sites that normally host summer camps for deaf and hard of hearing youth are facing a lot of uncertainty. As a result, KCDHH has compiled the list below to serve as a starting point for parents to search for camps that will be available summer, 2021.

Gallaudet Summer Youth Camps

National Association for the Deaf Youth Leadership Camp

Rochester Institute of Technology

Summer Camps for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

If you know of other camps, please send them to us at kcdhh@ky.gov.

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PLEASE VISIT KCDHH’S

IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO LIST

ON THE CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL US AT:

kcdhh@ky.gov

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COVID-19 Pandemic Resources

International:

World Health Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Coronavirus.gov

What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws  

Kentucky:

Kentucky Governor News

The official Team Kentucky source for information concerning COVID-19

Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services COVID-19 Drive-Thru Locations

KSD Outreach/Resources for D&HH Students During COVID-19

KCDHH COVID-19 Important Links for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

KCDHH Facebook Page

Hearing Loss Association of America Kentucky Chapters

Apps:

For those who have deaf family members who use sign language, consider downloading Sorenson Wavello and/or the ZVRS Sivo   app on your smartphone. This app makes it possible for you to see your loved ones on your screen next to your interpreter.

Other KCDHH Resources:

KCDHH  

KCDHH’s Telecommunications Access Program (TAP)

Landline or wireless equipment for Kentucky residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or have both a hearing and vision loss.

KCDHH Commissioners

KCDHH Staff