The Clark County Community Education Program Advisory Council had its bi-monthly meeting July 19 at Central Bank. Community Education Director Cora Heffner introduced new youth member Grissom Yates.

Barrett Bridgewater with Adecco was guest speaker. He presented the Youth Employment Solutions program. The program works with youth age 16 and up and with employers to provide apprenticeships and other job opportunities along with a potential employee pipeline. Interested employers may contact Bridgewater at 859-771-9995 or barrett.bridgewater@adeccona.com.

Heffner reported the annual State Registered Nurse Aide audit was successful, with the program meeting all state and federal guidelines. A new class will begin Sept. 12.

School-To-Careers program data for the past school year showed 13 projects at five schools serving 3,342 students; 138 adults and 17 students volunteered 706 hours. While the Steele-Reese Foundation grant that provided funding for School-To-Careers for the past two years has ended, there are funds from a previous grant available for the coming school year.

The Family ArtFest that was held during spring break in conjunction with 4-H, the Homeless Coalition and Auntie’s Academy is being replicated for three weeks in July, with the help of a Greater Clark Foundation grant. Partners In Education Director Greg Yates is coordinator. Families may attend without pre-registration, there is no fee and each family receives a $10 Wal-Mart gift card each day they attend. Remaining dates are July 25, 26 and 27. Call 859-745-3946 for information.

Three smart boards were recently donated to George Rogers Clark High School and Shearer Elementary School by Catalent.

The fall Community Education catalog will be in Clark County mailboxes Aug. 16-19.

The annual College & Career Fair in partnership with the George Rogers Clark High School Youth Services Center and the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce will be Sept. 29. Details will be announced soon.

Bruce Manley with Bluegrass Community and Technical College reminded the group Readifest is July 28 at 7 p.m. at the campus, followed by the final movie night, with the Lego Batman movie. BCTC will begin a Central Sterile Certificate training in the fall, a step toward surgical technician.

Greg Hollon with Clark County Public Schools noted the first day of classes will be Aug. 16. The calendar for the coming year was revised for Election Day and is now available on the district web site.

Magistrate Sheila McCord noted the deadline for turning in applications for the Clark County Fiscal Court Fund is Aug. 1 at 4 p.m. This fund provides grants to local non-profits. The application can be found on the county website and on Community Ed’s website.

Jennifer Gulley with the health department reported the Substance Abuse Prevention work group will meet in August.

The Activity Coalition is seeking someone to develop an app for the Wellness Challenge.

Deborah Jackson with parks & recreation noted on July 24 and 26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at College Park Gym there will be a self-defense class for ages 13 and up, co-sponsored with Community Education and Nature Reliance School. Fee is a donation to the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, made upon attendance.

Parks & Recreation will be shut down Aug. 5-16 for annual maintenance of the facilities. The annual triathlon will be Oct. 7. Fundraising for a splash park at Community Park continues.

Debbie Fatkin with Community Services noted the agency will soon have cards for the public to give to panhandlers with a list of community resources where they may seek food, shelter, transportation or other assistance.

In addition to Heffner, Yates, Bridgewater, Manley, Hollon, McCord, Gulley and Jackson, also in attendance were Jutta Kausch with NAMI and Janice Innocenzi with Community Education.

The next meeting will be held on Sept. 20 at noon at Central Bank. All meetings are open to the public.