Eastern Kentucky CEP

06/03/2026

Yesterday, we had the incredible privilege of convening with our nine amazing Community Action contractor partners, representing 23 Eastern Kentucky counties, all under one roof. There is nothing quite like the power of seeing this entire network of workforce professionals together in one place.

From connecting folks with life-changing career opportunities to supporting our local communities when they need it most, they are the driving force, the smiling faces, and the absolute heart of workforce development and community support in Eastern Kentucky every single day.

To the frontline staff, case managers, directors, and everyone in between: EKCEP quite literally could not do what we do without you. Your dedication to changing lives and lifting up our region is nothing short of inspiring.

We’ve celebrated the hard-earned wins of the past year, and now we are officially ready to kick off the next chapter. Let's make this upcoming program year the best one yet!
Check out some highlights from yesterday's kickoff! 👇📸

06/02/2026

The annual EKCEP Contractor Kickoff is officially underway! Today, we have our incredible staff from all 9 of our Community Action Agencies across 23 Eastern Kentucky counties under one roof.

Before we officially launch into the new program year on July 1, today is all about celebrating the absolute mountains this crew has moved over the past 12 months. They are the true boots on the ground and the absolute heart of changing lives in our region every single day.

EKCEP could not do what we do without you.
Let's celebrate the wins and kick off the next chapter! 🚀✨

06/01/2026

We love seeing our Prosper Appalachia interns thrive! Check out this wonderful shout-out from G&R Farms about their EKCEP Prosper intern, Brad Gabbard.

This is exactly what the Prosper Appalachia program is all about connecting local youth with hands-on learning experiences, discovering new passions, and building a brighter future right here in our region!

We want to thank Brad Gabbard for helping us this year. Brad is a student at JCHS and came to us through the Daniel Boone Work Program. Brad came to us with no agricultural background and now talks about owning a small farm someday with a few cows. We are so proud of him for his eagerness to learn both farming and retail. We are glad we were able to give him this exposure and hands-on learning experience. Together, we’ve had a lot of great, funny moments on the farm and have created some very warm memories.

Thank you again Brad!

G&R Farms

05/30/2026

From "50/50 unsure" to a Certified Nursing Assistant heading straight into nursing school. 🩺✨

Before her paid Prosper Appalachia internship at Harlan Health and Rehabilitation Center, Harlan County High School graduate Addyson Caldwell wasn't entirely sure if healthcare was the right fit for her future.

But getting hands-on, real-world experience changed everything. Today, Addyson has passed her state test, solidified her career goals, and is heading to the University of Pikeville to study nursing this fall—proving that our local youth don't have to leave home to find incredible career opportunities.

"Whenever I got to go and try out the job, it just set in my mind, that's what I wanted to do," Addyson shared.

Through Prosper Appalachia, we aren't just offering standard after-school jobs—we are giving Eastern Kentucky students the responsibility, work ethic, and clarity they need to build fulfilling careers right here in their home communities.

👉 Click the link to read Addyson’s full inspiring story and see how we are building the region's next generation of leaders: https://ekcep.org/news/harlan-county-graduate-confirms-nursing-career-path-through-prosper-appalachia-internship/

05/29/2026

Big congratulations to the newest Customer Service Specialists!

This week wrapped up the second customer service class with Goodwill, hosted at the Somerset Goodwill Opportunity Store. We are so incredibly proud of this cohort, everyone worked hard and successfully earned their CSS certification! 🎓✨

These participants are driven, skilled, and ready to take on the workforce.

A massive thank you to Jeremy, our wonderful Job Entry Retention Support Specialist, for all his support, and a huge shoutout to Rachel Perry and the entire Goodwill team for partnering on this cohort. Together, we're helping people build brighter futures! 💼🤝

05/27/2026

Ready to make your next application stand out from the crowd? In a competitive job market, just sending out resumes isn't enough. You need hands-on strategies that give you a real edge!

Join the Daniel Boone Community Action Agency, in partnership with Jackson County Adult Education, for an interactive workshop designed to move you past passive listening and into action.

📝 Understanding the Application Process
Learn expert insights, fine-tune your submissions, map out your onboarding plan, and gain the tools you need to confidently claim your next career opportunity.

Event Details:
When: Tomorrow, May 28th at 10:00 AM
Where: Jackson County Adult Education
📍 654 Educational Mtn. Drive, McKee, KY 40447

🛑 More Information:
Alesia Brewer: [email protected]
Britney Harris: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 606-364-4484

Don't miss this chance to build your community of peers and take the next big step in your career. See you there!

05/26/2026

When Rachel Noble lost her position as a customer service representative, she faced an uncertain professional future. However, a strategic partnership with the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) and the Kentucky Career Center helped Noble transform that setback into a sustainable career in the healthcare sector.

Following her layoff, Noble sought a career path that offered both stability and the opportunity to make a tangible difference in her community. Rather than returning to the retail or service industry, she utilized workforce development resources to enroll in the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) program through MedCertify.

Read More Here: https://ekcep.org/news/former-customer-service-representative-pivots-to-healthcare-career-following-layoff-with-ekcep-support/

05/23/2026

🎉 7 inspiring individuals at Shepherd’s Shelter Ross Recovery just earned their Digital Literacy Certificates—and 4 of them have already landed full-time jobs!

This incredible milestone highlights their deep determination to build a successful future while staying strong in their recovery journey. A huge shoutout to Case Coordinator Michael Nickerson and EKCEP JERSS Jacob Sartin for guiding this cohort toward long-term career growth and skill-building.

The other 3 graduates are wrapping up their Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and are ready to kickstart their job search in just a few days. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and can't wait to see where their new tech skills take them!

(Note: A few graduates missed the photo because they were already hard at work at their new jobs—which is the absolute best reason to miss a picture! 📸)

05/22/2026

Big milestone in Perry County!

We are incredibly happy to share that eight individuals in recovery, who are clients of Beacons of Hope in Perry County, have successfully completed a comprehensive fiber optics course and received official certification during an event this morning.

The coursework was delivered directly through Hazard Community & Technical College’s mobile training unit, bringing hands-on skills training to the students where they are.

EKCEP was proud to cover the cost of the course through critical grant funding provided by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. This investment helped remove a financial barrier and open the door to real workforce opportunities for people working hard to rebuild their lives.

This effort was made possible through a strong partnership between EKCEP, LKLP Community Action Council, Hazard Community & Technical College - HCTC, and Beacons of Hope. Together, we are helping individuals in recovery gain the training, skills, and support they need to reenter the workforce and move toward long-term stability.

05/22/2026

Just a quick heads-up that our team at EKCEP will be out of the office on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day.

We will return to normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26th.

As we take this time to unplug, we want to honor and remember the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We wish all of you a safe, peaceful, and meaningful holiday weekend with your families. 🇺🇸✨