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Insider<br />
The Center<br />
<strong>2019</strong> - <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition<br />
RDPC’s SCHOOL SAFETY<br />
COURSES MAKE AN IMPACT<br />
Positive feedback from communities<br />
THE CENTER JOINS THE<br />
SHEPHERDS WATCH REGISTRY<br />
Explore how the program benefi ts our<br />
community and how you can join
The Center Insider <strong>2019</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong><br />
3RDPC SCHOOL SAFETY<br />
COURSE MAKES AN IMPACT<br />
Positive feedback from communities<br />
6THE CENTER JOINS<br />
SOMERSET’S SHEPHERDS<br />
WATCH REGISTRY<br />
Explore how the program benefi ts our<br />
community and how you can join<br />
12<br />
LANDSCAPES OF OUR<br />
REGION PHOTO CONTEST<br />
See the winners of our photo contest<br />
3<br />
4<br />
5<br />
6<br />
8<br />
10<br />
12<br />
14<br />
17<br />
RDPC’s School <strong>Safety</strong> Courses Make an<br />
Impact<br />
RDPC Course Descriptions<br />
Instructor <strong>for</strong> RDPC Courses Helps<br />
Rescue San Clemente Island Goats in<br />
Midwest Flood<br />
The Center Joins Somerset’s Shepherds<br />
Watch Registry<br />
The Center is helping to expand the reach<br />
of KentuckyWired with our Technology<br />
Assistance Program (TAP)<br />
Rogers Scholars Community Service<br />
Projects<br />
Landscapes of our Region Photo Contest<br />
The Center is the Perfect Place <strong>for</strong> your<br />
Corporate Event<br />
National Domestic Preparedness<br />
Consortium<br />
Insider<br />
The Center<br />
Volume 2, No. 2<br />
<strong>2019</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong><br />
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development<br />
2292 South Hwy. 27<br />
Somerset, KY 42501<br />
606-677-6000<br />
www.centertech.com<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
Farrah Dobbs<br />
Sales and Events Manager<br />
fdobbs@centertech.com<br />
606-677-6012<br />
Sarah Smith<br />
Marketing Coordinator<br />
ssmith@centertech.com<br />
606-677-6026<br />
Established in 1996<br />
through the vision of U.S.<br />
Congressman Harold<br />
“Hal” Rogers, (KY-05), and<br />
other leaders, The Center<br />
is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofi t<br />
organization fueled by<br />
a mission to provide<br />
leadership that stimulates<br />
innovative and sustainable<br />
economic development<br />
solutions and a better way<br />
of life in Southern and<br />
Eastern Kentucky. In its<br />
45-county primary service<br />
region, The Center provides<br />
innovative programs in<br />
leadership, public safety,<br />
technology, and arts and<br />
culture. The Center is<br />
committed to constantly<br />
expanding its capabilities<br />
in order to deliver a broad<br />
range of key services<br />
throughout Kentucky and<br />
the nation.<br />
The Center Insider is a free publication distributed by The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development in Somerset, KY. The publication is<br />
<strong>print</strong>ed and distributed to schools, businesses and conferences throughout the state as well as national conferences through<br />
our public safety programs.
RDPC’s School <strong>Safety</strong> Courses<br />
Make an Impact<br />
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development’s Rural Domestic<br />
Preparedness Consortium (RDPC) and their academic<br />
members, and instructors do an amazing job meeting the<br />
needs of small, rural, and tribal communities across the<br />
United States.<br />
The Center is always eager to hear positive feedback<br />
from communities where RDPC courses are having an<br />
impact. In recent months, several participants who have<br />
completed AWR 148: Crisis Management <strong>for</strong> School-<br />
Based Incidents – Partnering Rural Law En<strong>for</strong>cement, First<br />
Responders, and Local School Systems, have reached<br />
out to let us know what an impact the course in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
received will have on their communities. Michael Collins, a<br />
participant from Newberry, SC, even took the time to send<br />
a handwritten note to the course instructor to express his<br />
compliments and gratitude.<br />
“It was one of the best courses I’ve<br />
attended in my 30-year public safety<br />
career. These guys are Superb!<br />
Thanks <strong>for</strong> a great experience.”<br />
Michael Collins, Newberry SC, AWR 148<br />
The safety and security of our schools is at the <strong>for</strong>efront<br />
of everyone’s mind. In light of recent events, many states,<br />
school districts, and individual schools are updating<br />
their training procedures on how to prepare <strong>for</strong> a crisis.<br />
It is crucial we ensure fi rst responders in rural and tribal<br />
communities have the in<strong>for</strong>mation needed to handle a<br />
school-related crisis. In 2018, RDPC provided AWR 148<br />
to over 1,300 participants across 20 states; saving states<br />
just over $400,000 by providing this training at no cost to<br />
the participants. RDPC aims to fi ll the training gap in small,<br />
rural, and tribal communities where funding is limited.<br />
“The in<strong>for</strong>mation from the training<br />
will be shared and used here at<br />
our school. In fact, we already<br />
have a plan to practice our<br />
reunifi cation plan.”<br />
Tammy Reardon, RN, Bethlehem<br />
Elementary School<br />
The New Hampshire Governor recently issued<br />
a letter to School Administrators in New Hampshire<br />
in<strong>for</strong>ming them of new recommendations from a task<br />
<strong>for</strong>ce he convened to lead school safety ef<strong>for</strong>ts in<br />
the state. Attendees of the AWR 148 course held in<br />
Conway, NH in May of <strong>2019</strong>, contacted RDPC staff to<br />
let us know that this course is helping them achieve<br />
those objectives. Tammy Reardon from Bethlehem<br />
Elementary School in New Hampshire contacted<br />
RDPC soon after attending the course to let us know<br />
her school has already implemented some best<br />
practices which were discussed during the course<br />
delivery.<br />
The AWR 148 course is in high demand. The<br />
course educates rural law en<strong>for</strong>cement personnel<br />
as well as school administrators and staff on<br />
the elements that must be in place to effectively<br />
collaborate on planning and preparing <strong>for</strong>, responding<br />
to, and recovering from a school-based incident.<br />
“Not only do the participants get the<br />
opportunity to hear what the best<br />
practices are <strong>for</strong> school safety through<br />
the curriculum, they get the opportunity<br />
to have discussions from maybe a<br />
different school district or different<br />
Emergency Services agency on what<br />
they are doing in their community that<br />
is increasing the safety of the children<br />
in their schools.”<br />
Scott Lowry, RDPC AWR 148 Instructor<br />
RDPC also has an online version of this course to<br />
meet the needs of those struggling to work training<br />
into their busy schedule.<br />
Visit www.ruraltraining.org to see all RDPC<br />
courses and to request a delivery in your area.<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 3
Led by The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development, the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)<br />
delivers relevant all-hazards training to rural and tribal emergency responders. The RDPC is a U.S.<br />
Department of Homeland Security funded program and all training is offered tuition free.<br />
Courses offered include:<br />
AWR 147 Rail Car Incident Response<br />
This course is designed to increase knowledge of safety<br />
and hazardous conditions that may exist at the scene, and<br />
will allow you to become familiar with safe practices adopted<br />
by the railroad industry.<br />
AWR 148 Crisis Management <strong>for</strong> School-Based<br />
Incidents - Partnering Rural Law En<strong>for</strong>cement, First<br />
Responders, and Local School Systems<br />
This course will educate rural law en<strong>for</strong>cement as well as<br />
school administrators and staff to effectively respond to an<br />
emergency involving a school building or system.<br />
AWR 209 Working with the Media<br />
This course provides rural fi rst responders with the skills<br />
needed to communicate with the public through the media.<br />
MGT 401 Planning and Intervention <strong>for</strong> Security<br />
Threat Groups, Hate, and terrorist Groups in Rural<br />
Jails and Prisons<br />
Focuses on threat group recruitment and radicalization<br />
in correctional facilities and examines methods <strong>for</strong><br />
strengthening in<strong>for</strong>mation gathering and sharing. Utilizes<br />
case studies and exercises to illustrate recruitment<br />
mechanisms, defi ne roles of various agencies, and explore<br />
practices, policies and conditions specifi c to rural facilities.<br />
MGT 403 Access and Functional Needs<br />
Preparedness Planning <strong>for</strong> Rural Communities<br />
Educates participants on the planning ef<strong>for</strong>ts needed<br />
to ensure the safety of those with functional needs,<br />
particularly those housed in assisted-living facilities and<br />
nursing homes during a crisis event. Exposes participants<br />
to the benefi ts of developing comprehensive emergency<br />
response plans <strong>for</strong> those most vulnerable during a crisis.<br />
MGT 449 Community Based Response to All-<br />
Hazards Threats in Tribal<br />
Communities<br />
The purpose of this course is to provide tribal nations with<br />
the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to effectively<br />
detect, respond to, manage and mitigate all-hazard<br />
threats using a whole community approach. This includes<br />
a practical exercise designed specifi cally to meet the<br />
needs of tribal communities.<br />
Visit www.ruraltraining.org <strong>for</strong> a full<br />
list of trainings or to request a delivery<br />
in your community.<br />
RDPC courses are offered both in mobile, instructor-led and web-based<br />
versions.<br />
All courses are provided at NO COST.<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation or to request a course, contact<br />
RDPC at info@ruraltraining.org<br />
or call 877-855-RDPC(7372)<br />
is a DHS/FEMA training provider<br />
The Center Insider 4
RDPC Course Instructor<br />
Assists in Rescuing San<br />
Clemente Island Goats in<br />
Midwest Flood<br />
The Western Institute <strong>for</strong> Food <strong>Safety</strong> and Security<br />
(WIFSS) is a University of Cali<strong>for</strong>nia, Davis program of<br />
the School of Veterinary Medicine and the College of<br />
Agricultural and environmental Sciences. WIFSS is a<br />
member of the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium<br />
(RDPC). The training courses that they have developed,<br />
and now deliver <strong>for</strong> RDPC are certifi ed by the Department<br />
of Homeland Security (DHS) and align with the U.S.<br />
National Preparedness Goal.<br />
Tracey Stevens is an instructor <strong>for</strong> RDPC courses AWR<br />
328 and MGT 448 through UC Davis.<br />
The fi rst course, AWR 328: All-Hazards Preparedness <strong>for</strong><br />
Animals in Disasters was developed because of the need<br />
<strong>for</strong> specifi c training on how to incorporate specifi c plans<br />
<strong>for</strong> animals and food systems into a community’s disaster<br />
response plans. For rural communities this is particularly<br />
important because the food system exists in the rural<br />
areas of our country and represents a signifi cant economic<br />
and public health risk if they are impacted by either<br />
unintentional, or intentional, disasters.<br />
The second course MGT 448: All-Hazards Planning <strong>for</strong><br />
Animal, Agricultural, and Food Related Disasters, builds<br />
upon the in<strong>for</strong>mation that was presented in AWR 328. The<br />
purpose of these courses is to bring together emergency<br />
managers from rural communities and give them an<br />
opportunity to start the planning process to develop animal,<br />
agricultural, and food related disaster response plans that<br />
will fi t into the emergency operation plan that already exists<br />
in their communities.<br />
Preparedness is the ultimate goal of any emergency<br />
planning ef<strong>for</strong>t in all of our communities. It is our goal to<br />
protect our most valuable resources, and that includes our<br />
agricultural and food systems.<br />
The all-hazards training courses sponsored by WIFSS<br />
are led by experienced instructors familiar with the nuances<br />
of rural community infrastructures. On board is Tracey<br />
Stevens, a Nebraska rancher; Dr. Michael Payne, WIFSS<br />
Dairy Outreach Coordinator, an extension veterinarian,<br />
and volunteer fi refi ghter; and Mr. David Goldenberg, an<br />
agroterrorism subject matter specialist.<br />
During the Midwest fl oods in the spring of <strong>2019</strong>, Stevens<br />
was able to implement the trainings she has taught so<br />
many times.<br />
Preparedness is the ultimate goal<br />
of any emergency planning ef<strong>for</strong>t<br />
in all of our communities. It is our<br />
goal to protect our most valuable<br />
resources, and that includes our<br />
agricultural and food systems.<br />
Tracey Stevens offers feed to rescued San Clemente Island goat at Sabatka<br />
Farms in Weston, NE, following devastating fl oods<br />
Natural disasters are happening in locations never<br />
thought of be<strong>for</strong>e. During times of trouble, rural<br />
communities gather together to support each other. When<br />
Stevens got the call from a friend that Willow Valley Farms<br />
in Gretna was in trouble, she let him know she was ready<br />
to assist in any capacity. The farm, home to San Clemente<br />
Island Goats, was devastated from the fl ooding waters.<br />
They were able to save all but one of their 230 goats.<br />
However, 30 male goats were stranded in livestock trailers,<br />
in need of safe harbor. Stevens contacted local community<br />
members to determine temporary housing options <strong>for</strong> the<br />
homeless goats.<br />
Local farmers and community members rallied to donate<br />
safety fencing, fresh water and food <strong>for</strong> receiving these<br />
exhausted, stressed goats. The 30 goats have been placed<br />
in safe keeping at several locations in Stevens’ hometown<br />
of Weston, NE, and are being taken care of by a team that<br />
includes Stevens, her husband, and neighbors.<br />
In the emergency preparedness world, we talk about<br />
planning using an all hazards approach. This simply means<br />
communities should plan <strong>for</strong> any hazard that is probable<br />
in that region, and could cause injury, property damage,<br />
business disruption, environmental impact, or cause harm<br />
to animal or human health. This requires taking a holistic<br />
view of the community, surrounding regions, and all people<br />
and animals in the vicinity. Likely hazards are identifi ed,<br />
and then plans are put in place to mitigate the risk of harm<br />
that could be caused by the potential hazards.<br />
Stevens standard classroom opening remark now takes<br />
on a deeply personal meaning, “Mother Nature never<br />
sleeps.”<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 5
The Center joins Somerset’s<br />
Shepherds Watch registry<br />
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development has joined the<br />
community wide safety program called Shepherds Watch.<br />
The Somerset Police Department recently started the<br />
crime prevention initiative that encourages community<br />
members to register their security cameras.<br />
Somerset Police Chief William Hunt fi rst heard of a similar<br />
program in Owensboro and began to think about the<br />
benefi ts of implementing a comparable program locally.<br />
“We had a murder case here in Somerset, and when<br />
we went through that case I saw how a program like<br />
that might benefi t not only the community, but the police<br />
department and the investigation as well,” said Chief<br />
Hunt.<br />
The Police Chief has worked with members of the Police<br />
Department and other community members as well, to<br />
launch the Shepherds Watch program. Linda Skaarup,<br />
who serves as the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber<br />
of Commerce President, has taken the program as her<br />
signature project. “I’ve always worked late nights at the<br />
office and I’ve never had fear, until that murder occurred.<br />
Then I became fearful. I didn’t want to work past dark. It<br />
rocked our community. You couldn’t go anywhere there<br />
wasn’t someone talking about it or fearful about it. We<br />
weren’t used to that level of crime here. I hope we never<br />
have anything like that happen again,” said Skaarup<br />
as she explained her motivation <strong>for</strong> her support of the<br />
program.<br />
Shepherds Watch is a database that allows community<br />
members to register their surveillance systems with the<br />
Somerset Police Department. If a crime occurs in the<br />
area, officers can look to the database to determine if<br />
anyone in the vicinity has registered their camera system.<br />
An officer will then contact those who have registered and<br />
ask <strong>for</strong> access to the video footage.<br />
“The biggest hurdle we have had to overcome is some<br />
people are fearful if they join the program, we can look<br />
through their cameras anytime we want, remotely. None<br />
of that is true. The only thing they are doing by joining our<br />
program is telling us they have cameras. For us to access<br />
them, we still have to go to them. We will ask if we can<br />
look at the cameras and if they say yes, they can tell us<br />
to stop at any time. It’s a true cooperation between our<br />
department and community. Typically, we go to them with<br />
a thumb drive and download whatever they let us copy.<br />
We do not have remote access,” explained Chief Hunt.<br />
“We are one community and<br />
we try to work together so<br />
everybody benefits.”<br />
- Somerset Police Chief William Hunt<br />
Detective Matthew Gates, who serves as the hands-on<br />
administrator of the program, loves to share in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
about how community members can become involved.<br />
“We’ve made it about as quick, painless, and easy as we<br />
can. You can call in and speak to someone to be entered<br />
into the system, or you can go to somersetpd.com and<br />
click on the Shepherds Watch logo to join. If in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
changes, you can provide updates online and participants<br />
can opt out of the program at any time,” Gates explained.<br />
“One of the big things <strong>for</strong> Shepherds Watch is learning<br />
about residential cameras. I’m not dismissing businesses,<br />
but we know most businesses have cameras to protect<br />
The Center Insider 6
their business. This is <strong>for</strong> everyone- businesses, churches,<br />
schools, and residents; but it is the residences that are<br />
a little bit harder to fi nd. Also, the only cameras we want<br />
to know about are the ones that show external views.<br />
We are looking <strong>for</strong> cameras that will help other people<br />
in your community. The community working together to<br />
help protect one another is the most important part of the<br />
program. This is everyone sharing in<strong>for</strong>mation to help<br />
protect everyone else,” said Detective Gates.<br />
“When solving crimes, time is always your enemy. The<br />
longer it goes on, usually the harder it gets to solve. If<br />
we know where the cameras are when a crime occurs,<br />
it makes it much quicker and seamless <strong>for</strong> our agency.<br />
The footage helps us to create timelines and verify<br />
possibilities. Something captured might seem insignifi cant<br />
to the resident, but to me it might be a huge lead,” Gates<br />
explained.<br />
The Shepherds Watch program is county wide and Chief<br />
Hunt values the positive working relationship with Pulaski<br />
County Sheriff’s office. “We are one community and we try<br />
to work together so everybody benefits,” said Hunt.<br />
The program is already having positive impacts. “I don’t<br />
think some people realize how important video is to our<br />
investigations. We have helped solve a murder, and we’ve<br />
helped solve a couple of robberies off of video. We also<br />
had a business burglary a few months ago. Once we were<br />
able to obtain the video, we had the suspect at the police<br />
department in an hour and they confessed,” Chief Hunt<br />
added.<br />
Once a person registers <strong>for</strong> the Shepherds Watch<br />
program, the in<strong>for</strong>mation they have provided is logged into<br />
a database. Detective Gates then visits each registered<br />
location. The department provides those who sign up with<br />
3-inch window decals, and yard signs to indicate their<br />
participation. It is also a crime deterrent <strong>for</strong> criminals.<br />
“We want to tell the would-be criminal that this place<br />
participates in this program. They are associated with the<br />
police and a video system, and they might think twice,”<br />
added Gates.<br />
“I want my children and my<br />
grandchildren to know our<br />
community with no fear.”<br />
- Somerset Pulaski County Chamber of<br />
Commerce President, Linda Skaarup<br />
“The community working<br />
together to help protect<br />
one another is the most<br />
important part of the<br />
program. This is everyone<br />
sharing in<strong>for</strong>mation to help<br />
protect everyone else.”<br />
- Detective Matthew Gates<br />
In her role as Chamber President, Skaarup shares some<br />
of the other domino effects of the program. “When the<br />
hospital brings in a potential doctor to interview <strong>for</strong> a<br />
possible hire I sometimes help by giving a community tour<br />
of our area. When I have a doctor in my vehicle and I tell<br />
them that this is a safe community, I have to believe that<br />
and I have to know that. I can’t try and help the hospital<br />
recruit a doctor to the community if I can’t look them in the<br />
eye and tell them that this is a great place to raise your<br />
children,” Skaarup said. “I believe Shepherds Watch is<br />
a great cause and I will do anything that I can to try and<br />
help. I want my children and my grandchildren to live in<br />
our community with no fear,” she added.<br />
The Somerset Police Department encourages anyone<br />
looking to register, or seeking more in<strong>for</strong>mation about<br />
Shepherds Watch to contact them. “We are truly asking<br />
the community to help us help them,” said Chief Hunt.<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 7
The Center is helping expand the reach of<br />
KentuckyWired with our Technology Assistance<br />
Program (TAP)<br />
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development is helping communities explore ways to become “fi ber ready” following<br />
Governor Matt Bevin and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers’ recent announcement that a major milestone<br />
achievement has been reached <strong>for</strong> KentuckyWired, the Commonwealth’s high-speed fi ber optic network. The fi rst<br />
portion of the network, known as Ring 1A, and a key backbone segment from Lexington to Somerset are now<br />
complete, allowing <strong>for</strong> expansion of the network into Eastern Kentucky as the project moves into the next phase.<br />
During the announcement Rogers explained the project’s origins. “The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development and<br />
SOAR advocated <strong>for</strong> a trans<strong>for</strong>mational broadband system that would revitalize Eastern Kentucky. To be fair,<br />
the expense to bring service into the depths of our mountains simply has not been feasible <strong>for</strong> most providers,<br />
especially our small rural companies. But KentuckyWired eliminates that obstacle by developing this ready-made<br />
network that providers can connect to and build from. Much like our utility co-ops, our infrastructure in Eastern<br />
Kentucky would remain decades behind without innovative investments like this,” said Rogers.<br />
Rogers also discussed how The Center will be involved in helping to expand the reach of KentuckyWired.<br />
“The Center is playing a pivotal role in accessing Federal funding and providing training <strong>for</strong> your local leaders<br />
and providers to extend the last mile of broadband from the main connectors in each county out to our individual<br />
homes and businesses,” he said. “The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development in Somerset has technical assistance funding<br />
available, and they will be hosting regional training sessions to help Eastern Kentucky leaders implement this last<br />
mile,” he added.<br />
The Center’s Technology Assistance Program (TAP) is available to help communities begin asset mapping,<br />
per<strong>for</strong>m feasibility studies, and conduct pre-engineering analysis of community fi ber projects or other activities that<br />
will extend the reach of the KentuckyWired fi ber infrastructure. The initiative is funded by grant KY-18984-17 from<br />
the Appalachian Regional Commission and is administered by The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development. The Center also<br />
has additional in<strong>for</strong>mation about local, state, and federal funds that support the initiative to bring broadband access<br />
to rural areas.<br />
“The Center is dedicated to making reliable high-speed, high-capacity internet available to as many people<br />
as possible and is working to bridge the digital divide. The mission of The Center is to positively impact the<br />
communities within 45 counties of Southern and Eastern Kentucky, through supporting the implementation of<br />
KentuckyWired infrastructure,” said Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center.<br />
Communities interested in broadband training opportunities are encouraged to contact The Center at<br />
broadbandinfo@centertech.com or 606-677-6000.<br />
The Center Insider 8
You can access the TAP guide and TAP application<br />
online at:<br />
https://centertech.com/<strong>2019</strong>/01/technologyassistance-program-tap/<br />
Applicant Eligibility<br />
Applications <strong>for</strong> assistance may be submitted to The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development by Kentucky County or City<br />
Governments, Regional Industrial Development Authorities, Area Development Districts, Utility Commissions, Rural<br />
Electric Cooperatives, Rural Telephone Cooperatives or Fiber Infrastructure Boards with IRS Non-Profi t status.<br />
From the following:<br />
ARC Distressed Counties:<br />
ARC At-Risk Counties:<br />
Adair, Bath, Bell, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clay, Clinton,<br />
Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson,<br />
Knott, Knox, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Magoffi n,<br />
Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike,<br />
Rockcastle, Russell, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.<br />
Boyd, Garrard, Green, Laurel, Metcalfe, Monroe, Pulaski<br />
and Rowan.<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 9
Sixty-one 2018 Rogers Scholars graduates in 44 KY<br />
counties complete community service projects that impact<br />
17,500 people and raise nearly $130,000<br />
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program instills in young people a commitment to serve and make their<br />
communities, and region, a better place to live. Each Rogers Scholar is tasked with the responsibility to plan and complete a<br />
community service project within one year after graduating from the program.<br />
During the 2018 Class of Rogers Scholars, 61 high school students from 44 Kentucky counties completed community service<br />
projects that impacted 17,500 people and raised nearly $130,000. Rogers Scholars graduates selected community service<br />
projects that were “near and dear to their hearts” and made a difference in the lives of people of all ages—from elementary<br />
students to senior adults.<br />
Here are a few of their stories and community service projects that touched our hearts:<br />
2018 Rogers Scholar<br />
Madison Begley of Lee County<br />
Lee County High School senior<br />
Feeding Our Friends Food Drive<br />
Madison Begley started a food pantry <strong>for</strong> students at Lee County Elementary School <strong>for</strong> her Rogers Scholars community service<br />
project. Begley, a senior at Lee County High School, organized and stocked the food pantry with supplies donated by elementary<br />
students in a food drive. During the “Feeding Our Friends” food drive, students donated non-perishable food items that required<br />
little or no cooking. The homeroom with the most donated items received a reward: an ice cream sundae party.<br />
“To know that I have had a small part in helping feed someone who is in need means the world to me,” Begley said. “I have been<br />
<strong>for</strong>tunate enough to never have had to worry about being hungry and I have come to realize that everyone is not that <strong>for</strong>tunate.<br />
No one, especially a child, should have to worry about having enough to eat. I feel blessed to have been able to help others.”<br />
Begley’s community service project did not stop there. She made pre-packed food bags <strong>for</strong> teachers to give out to students at<br />
the end of the school day if they felt the student needed to take food home. “Teachers are often busy and may not have the time<br />
to put together food bags,” Begley said. “Having the bags ready made it easy <strong>for</strong> them to pass out food quickly to students when<br />
they otherwise may not have had the time.”<br />
Begley also fi lled boxes and bags of donated food and distributed to families in need through the Kentucky River Community<br />
Care, a private nonprofi t community mental health center.<br />
“Throughout this process, I had assistance from 2018 Rogers Explorer Morgan Hinkle,” she said. “Morgan helped collect, count,<br />
and bag the food when I was not available, due to my extracurricular activities.”<br />
Halfway through the school year, Begley realized the food pantry was running low on supplies. She applied <strong>for</strong> the Priscilla K.<br />
Gray Learning Grant and received a $500 grant to help restock the pantry at Lee County Elementary School and started a similar<br />
program <strong>for</strong> head start students and middle and high school students. “I have students that I know need food at home,” said<br />
Vickie Hinkle, a teacher at Lee County Elementary School. “The food pantry at our school makes it easy to provide food to those<br />
students. It has been a big help and I know the kids appreciate it.”<br />
Through the school food drive and grant monies, Begley collected or purchased a total of 3,935 food items to stock the pantry<br />
at Lee County Elementary School the entire school year and supply food <strong>for</strong> head start students and middle and high school<br />
students. She plans to continue the community service project <strong>for</strong> the <strong>2019</strong>-20 school year.<br />
The Center Insider 10
2018 Rogers Scholars<br />
Jon and Jenna Wood of Pulaski County<br />
Southwestern High School seniors<br />
Thin Blue Line Teddy Bears donation drive<br />
Brother and sister Jon and Jenna Wood worked together to organize the “Thin Blue Line Teddy Bears” donation drive <strong>for</strong> their<br />
Rogers Scholars community service project. The project provides police agencies with donated teddy bears and blankets <strong>for</strong><br />
children involved in traumatic situations.<br />
“This project means so much to us because our dad has been in law en<strong>for</strong>cement all of our lives and even be<strong>for</strong>e that. I worked<br />
alongside my twin on this project because it means so much to our family to be able to give back to the profession that has given<br />
us so much,” said Jon Wood.<br />
The Rogers Scholars graduates, both seniors at Southwestern High School, secured donations from local businesses and<br />
community members and delivered them to various police agencies in their area. They collected stuffed animals and handcrocheted<br />
afghans and fl eece throws <strong>for</strong> officers to carry in their cruisers to provide a source of com<strong>for</strong>t <strong>for</strong> children that are<br />
scared or injured.<br />
“We have often heard about and seen small children affected by traumatic incidents and thought this might be our way to give<br />
them com<strong>for</strong>t. My brother, Jon, and I feel that helping someone out in their time of need is something that God intended <strong>for</strong> us to<br />
do. We know this is a small contribution, but hopefully <strong>for</strong> some small child, it will change their day,” said Jenna Wood.<br />
Their original goal was to collect 100 stuffed animals. They far exceeded that goal and collected approximately $850 worth of<br />
donated items in the “Thin Blue Line Teddy Bear” donation drive. Jon and Jenna Wood’s father, Todd Wood, is a police offi cer<br />
with the Jamestown Police Department and a retired Pulaski County sheriff. They credit their father <strong>for</strong> inspiring their community<br />
service project because he often told them, “It only takes one act of random kindness to make the world a better place.”<br />
2018 Rogers Scholar<br />
Abigail “Abby” Wagers of Clay County<br />
Clay County High School senior<br />
Learning to Love Literacy Project<br />
As a young child, Abigail “Abby” Wagers remembers her mother reading her a bedtime story. Wagers’ love <strong>for</strong> reading grew out<br />
of the time spent with her mother and a good book. Now a senior at Clay County High School, Wagers said it makes her sad to<br />
think that some children are missing out on the incredible benefi ts of reading.<br />
Wagers started Learning to Love Literacy <strong>for</strong> her Rogers Scholars community service project to share her joy of reading with<br />
school-age students. Throughout the 2018-19 school year, Wagers recorded videos of her reading popular children’s books and<br />
shared the videos with students at Big Creek Elementary School. A new video was played each week during library time. The<br />
reading project became an instant hit with the students.<br />
“This project drew me closer to my community and gave me a mentor position with younger children,” Wagers said. “I loved being<br />
an example and getting to know these children by sharing my love <strong>for</strong> literature with them.”<br />
In addition to the video recordings, Wagers took time each month to personally visit the school and read aloud to the fourth-grade<br />
students in the after-school program. Wagers coordinated her book selections through the Clay County <strong>Public</strong> Library and worked<br />
with school officials to schedule the videos and after-school visits.<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 11
The Center Insider 12
Landscapes of our Region<br />
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development is proud to<br />
announce the winners of our “Landscapes of our<br />
Region” photo contest, that celebrates the natural<br />
beauty of Southern and Eastern Kentucky.<br />
Photo Contest<br />
First Place (Left)<br />
First place photo taken by Lisa Sorrell from<br />
Paintsville, KY. The photo caption Rock cliff taken<br />
at Paintsville Lake, Staf<strong>for</strong>dsville, KY.<br />
Second Place (Bottom Left)<br />
Second place photo taken by Lana Williams from<br />
Whitley City, KY. The photo caption Day bow taken<br />
at Cumberland Falls, Corbin KY.<br />
Third Place (Right)<br />
Third place photo taken by Peggy Yaeger from<br />
Corbin, KY. The photo caption Sentinels at Sunset<br />
taken at Laurel County, Daniel Boone Forest.<br />
Honorable Mention (Bottom Right)<br />
AnnaBeth Dry from Pineville, KY The photo<br />
caption Fog Freeze and taken at Pine Mountain<br />
State Resort park in Pineville, KY<br />
Thank you so much <strong>for</strong> participating in our photo<br />
contest!<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 13
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development is<br />
Perfect <strong>for</strong> your Corporate Event!<br />
• 35,000 sq. ft of Event Space<br />
• In-house Marketing Services<br />
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• Full-Service Commercial Kitchen<br />
• Inside Connections With Caterers and Vendors<br />
• Audio/Visual Support with a Sound System and Projectors<br />
• Room set up adapted <strong>for</strong> your type of event<br />
• High-speed wireless Internet<br />
• 760-Seat Theatre<br />
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• Front Lawn<br />
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The Center is more than just a building. We are proud of our excellent<br />
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The Center Insider 14<br />
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The Kentucky Association <strong>for</strong> Economic Development (KAED) recently hosted<br />
their three-day Collaboration Conference at The Center. Participants at the<br />
conference were the professionals responsible <strong>for</strong> billions of dollars of new<br />
investment, thousands of created jobs, and hundreds of stronger Kentucky<br />
communities. The event was a powerful convergence, with Governor Matt Bevin,<br />
the Kentucky Cabinet <strong>for</strong> Economic Development, elected offi cials, scholars,<br />
business leaders, innovators, globally active consultants, and economic<br />
developers. They met to discuss Kentucky’s economy and strategize on the<br />
acceleration of the Commonwealth’s economic development.<br />
The Kentucky Society of Association Executives (KSAE) held their three-day Annual Convention<br />
at The Center. KSAE is the professional organization <strong>for</strong> the executive staff of not-<strong>for</strong>-profit<br />
organizations and the associates that supply them with goods and services. The convention<br />
included several sessions including The Center’s “A Mouse & A Coffee House” session<br />
which explored the relationships between tourism, economic development, conventions,<br />
and experience marketing. The event also included a “Cruising <strong>for</strong> Murder” murder mystery<br />
teambuilding event, a team “Build-A-Boat” project, and the KSAE annual awards.<br />
The Center Insider 18<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 15
The Courtyard by Marriott in Somerset<br />
is located adjacent to The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development!<br />
» Beautiful Courtyard with Fire Pit<br />
» Bistro Restaurant open daily<br />
serving cocktails & Starbucks<br />
» 104 rooms with microwave/<br />
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» Wireless/wired access points<br />
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For more in<strong>for</strong>mation or room reservations, call 606-679-0090<br />
or the toll-free number at 800-321-2211, visit courtyard.marriott.com<br />
The Center Insider 16
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development and the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC) recently<br />
hosted the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) quarterly meeting in Louisville.<br />
The NDPC is a national Homeland Security preparedness training consortium <strong>for</strong> fi rst responders throughout the country. The<br />
organization meets quarterly in order to re-group and discuss training needs as they constantly change. “The NDPC meetings<br />
allow us as training providers to discuss and listen to issues that are going on throughout the country with today’s fi rst responders,”<br />
Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO of The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development said. “We are able to hear issues from various training<br />
providers, as well as state, federal and local representatives.” On this trip, the group was able to learn how Churchill Downs<br />
prepares and protects all of the racetrack patrons leading up to and during the Kentucky Derby.<br />
<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 17
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The Center Insider 18
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<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 19
The Center Insider 20
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<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 21
Who is eligible to apply<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are an unemployed or underemployed<br />
individual, live in one of the following coalimpacted<br />
counties, and are looking <strong>for</strong> training,<br />
can help.<br />
<br />
<br />
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If approved, The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development will<br />
fund up to 80 percent of the participant’s training cost in<br />
partnership with ARC.<br />
<br />
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<strong>Public</strong> <strong>Safety</strong> Edition 23
The Center <strong>for</strong> Rural Development’s<br />
Marketing One-Stop-Shop<br />
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and advertising services<br />
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Services Include:<br />
Brand Identity<br />
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Our marketing services are just one of the many ways we hope to<br />
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Event Marketing and<br />
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Audio/Radio/Video<br />
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Network Operations<br />
Center<br />
For more in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
or a pre-service<br />
consultation,<br />
contact Laura Glover at<br />
606-677-6001 or