2022 In Review & Looking forward to 2023

2022 In Review

College for Technical Education moved into new administrative offices and classrooms for Medical Assistant, Medical Message Therapy and IT Support Specialist.    These three programs are anticipated to begin in 2023.

Open a second Cosmetology School in Nicholasville and added Nail Technology and Esthetics to both Nicholasville and Winchester.

Campus Kids moved into a newly remodeled section that includes windows, staff breakroom and staff restrooms.

Opened LifePath in March.    In November LifePath received 54 referrals, 86 in December and 23 for the first 6-days of January making the total number of active patients 185.   Currently LifePath is approved for services by 9 insurance companies, plus self-pay.  

During FY 21-22 Employment Solutions generated net earnings of $2.1 million.

Reduced long-term debt by $1.3 million

Ended December with a combined balance of cash and investments of $4.2 million

Grew Adult Day Training participation from 165 on 1/1/22 to 189 on 12/31/22(15 % increase)

Grew Residential services participants from 118 on 1/1/23 to 129 on 12/31/23. (9% increase)

Added a LifeWorks Residential Services office in Morehead.

Moved the remainder of the Expressive Program operations to Centre Parkway.

Campus Kids received the highest score for its ITER-S observations

CTE received a 6-year accreditation (the highest) from COE

Our Medicaid Waiver Services received a two-year certification (the highest) from KY DDID

Things to Look Forward to in 2023

Completion of the patios for Sunnyside and Expressive Programs and a passage way between the two which will allow for more and easier staff sharing

CTE generating consistent monthly net operating earnings, opening night classes and the addition of new programs

Extend the hours of LifePath and Campus Kids into the evenings. 

Attain a financial breakeven of better for LifePath.

Attain CARF Accreditation for LifePath.

The further development of our 1165  Centre Parkway location to include a laundromat, , exotic pet store, retail liquidation outlet and restaurant.    

Relocate the Fresh Approach operation next door to the 1084 Whipple Court building.  This move will provide Fresh Approach with a new and nicer working space, cost savings for utilities and maintenance as well as  allow for more and easier staff sharing between QBox and Fresh Approach. 

Substantial increases in the rates we receive for Medicaid Waiver services.

From the CEO

During 2022 Employment Solutions experienced the tragic as well as the joyous. With the sad passing of long time Fresh Approach Manager Walt Barbour, it was decided to sell the 1067 Whipple Court building and move the Fresh Approach operation next door to 1084 Whipple Court where it will be co-located with Q-Box.  As part of this decision the Expressive Programs division has moved in its entirety to 1165 Centre Parkway.  

Also, notable this year, was the opening of LifePath Behavioral Clinic in Lexington and a second cosmetology program in Nicholasville. 

Happily, the College for Technical Education received a 6-year reaccreditation from the Council on Occupational Education and our Medicaid Waiver operations received 2-year accreditation from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.   In both cases this is the highest level of recognition. 

Over the coming year, Employment Solutions will well-positioned to continue to grow in all areas.

Rick Christman, CEO

Number of people with disabilities served tops 600 in FY 17-18

With the recent additions of residential, therapeutic and other supportive services, as well as strong referrals from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, the number of people with disabilities served by Employment Solutions topped 500 in FY 17-18, an all time high for the organization. A remarkable achievement since only a few years ago that number was less than 100.

Our former paper based record keeping system would have been more than overwhelmed by the numbers served today. Fortunately, in 2015, Employment Solutions went paperless. Among the many advantages of this system, most importantly is that it allows case managers from outside organizations to remotely and securely access the records of our mutually shared clients anytime, relieving everyone from tedious and time consuming record requests.

Medicaid Programs Attain Highest Rating

Within recent months the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services instituted a two-year certification period for organizations that provide community programs for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Previously the top certification level was 1-year. This year Employment Solutions attained the two year distinction, having delivered tens of thousands of services, spanning eight distinct services; in a manner of strict compliance with regulatory and best practice requirements enforced. The state review team consisting of four reviewers, examined all aspects of our various programs over a three-day period.

Congratulations to all the dedicated staff that made this tremendous achievement possible.

Organization Service Award

The Arc of Kentucky holds a vision of a positive future for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc provides a future of communities with services and supports that will promote lives of value for Kentuckians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Kentucky believes that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are contributing members of schools, work places, churches, synagogues, neighborhoods, and their communities.

In 2018 Employment Solutions was proud to receive the Organization Service Award by the Arc of Kentucky.

Community Partners Luncheon Celebrates Human Services Organizations

In March 2017, Employment Solutions and an audience of over 100 human services workers from throughout the region, along with parents, employers and persons served by Employment Solutions met in the conference center of the Fayette County Extension Office to celebrate our mutual successes.