Officials scrambling to enroll thousands in state health plan

SCC Licensed Practical Nursing students seeking a better life

Students fan out to survey for United Way

Even in retirement, she is back at the office

Officials scrambling to enroll thousands in state health plan

State officials are working on an abbreviated timeframe, trying to get school employees and state workers insurance cards by Jan. 1, when the new health insurance plan takes effect.

"We are going to do everything humanly possible and if that means putting additional resources, additional human power, we are going to do that," said Jill Hunter, deputy executive director of the Department for Employee Insurance.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher signed a new health insurance law late Tuesday night that sweetens health insurance options for public school workers and state employees. The governor had called lawmakers into a special session to deal with the issue, after his plan was met with public dissent and a threatened teachers strike just days before the November election.

The new plan lowers premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses for people covered by the state plan. Employee premiums across the state have been standardized, but rates are higher for smokers.

Employees who waive coverage will also be eligible for flexible spending accounts of $234 per month.

Four insurance companies - CHA Health, Anthem Blue Cross, Bluegrass Family Health and United Healthcare - will carry state health insurance next year. However, state officials need to have the information of the plan's participants to the insurance companies by Dec. 10, Hunter said.

Open enrollment for people participating in the new plan runs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 5, Hunter said.

People who are eligible for the plan can access information about it on the Internet or register in person, she said.

"Employees and retirees shouldn't delay," Hunter said.

Still, the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet was "tapping all of our internal resources" to meet the enrollment deadline, she said.

People may enroll in the plan after Nov. 5, however they are not guaranteed insurance cards by the new year. It was not yet known how much extra the condensed enrollment period would cost the state, Personnel Cabinet spokeswoman Jodi Whitaker said.

Somerset Commonwealth-Journal
October 17, 2004

SCC Licensed Practical Nursing students seeking a better life

The 13 members of the soon-to-be graduating Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Program at Somerset Community College’s Laurel Campus South are excited. They only have eight more weeks of class before they receive their Associate Degrees or diplomas in the LPN Program.

All thirteen member of the class are women. They have all been out in the world and have returned to school because they wanted a better life for themselves and their families. Eleven of the students have children. Three have three children, seven have two children and one has an only child. Eight of the 13 students work. Four hold down full-time jobs, while four have part-time jobs in addition to their family responsibilities and a full-time college class schedule.

Four of the students are from Laurel County, three are from Pulaski County, three are from Jackson County, one is from Knox County, one from Whitley County and one from Madison County.

“It’s hard,” said Laurel Countian Amy Lawson.

“It’s rough,” added Kimberly Salyers of Whitley County.

They all say they probably couldn’t have come this far without the support of their families.

“My kids know if mommy opens the book, it’s time to be quiet. They know I’m studying,” Salyers, one of the mothers with three sons, said. “I can’t afford daycare, so my family helps out with that.”

One of the women is working full-time on the second shift at the Oakwood facility in Somerset. Another, Barbara Stamper of Jackson County, pulls two 16-hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays at The Terrace, a nursing and rehabilitation center in Berea.

“I’m always tired,” Stamper admitted.

‘You can’t afford to miss a day of class,” Pam Reed said. “If you miss very many days, you are out.”

“It’s very stressful,” said Kim Perkins. “If it wasn’t for my husband, I couldn’t do it. I don’t know how the single gals do it.”

When asked why they put so much stress on themselves the women are very vocal.

“I want to have a job that won’t leave and go overseas,” Leda Floyd of Pulaski County said.

Teresa Ledford said, “I want a job that offers a decent living; a job that my family can survive on, not that LPNs get paid enough money.”

“I was working full-time for $6.25 an hour and trying to raise two sons. I had to live with my parents. I couldn’t get out on my own,” Floyd added.

“It takes a certain type of personality to do what we do and to deal with the emotional stress,” Lawson added. “But, when you get a job as an LPN you get health insurance. I want the benefits.”

“I’m glad it’s about over,” said Heather Hammond.

“Only eight weeks left,” added Ledford.

This LPN class has had more to deal with than previous classes. SCC moved their class from Rockcastle County, where the program had been located, to the SCC Laurel Campus South. Most of the students are happy with the move, which has provided them with a new and larger classroom, a new learning laboratory and a computer laboratory. They also like being close to the new Laurel County Public Library, which makes it easy to study.

They are also the first class of LPN candidates who will be certified in Intravenous medications administration and blood administration. Prior to this year, those functions were limited to Registered Nurses and doctors. The women are proud of their additional certifications.

The students are all confident that they will be able to pass the Kentucky State Licensing Exam, which is required before they can go to work as LPNs.

“I’m not worried about it because our instructors have pushed us to get ready,” Reed said. “The more they push us, the easier it will be to pass. Our instructors are great. They make a big difference.”

“We have two of the best instructors there are,” said Floyd. “Tammy Jones and Kathy Nelson are great.”

Last year, 100 percent of the graduating class in the SCC LPN program passed their state-licensing exam. These women are hoping to continue that tradition.

The students believe that the job opportunities for Licensed Practical Nurses are excellent and the well-documented shortage of health care professionals in the region backs up their positive attitude.

One of the students, who currently works at a nursing facility as a certified nursing assistant, has been promised a promotion as soon as she passes the LPN exam.

Ruth Martin, the SCC coordinator of the LPN and Nurse Aide Programs at SCC, said a new class of LPN students would begin at the SCC Laurel Campus in January. The class has 25 open slots and there is a restricted admission criterion, which each student must meet to be accepted into the 18-month LPN program. Fifty students will have the opportunity to be admitted to the LPN Program at SCC Somerset Campus in August, 2005.

“November 1st is the deadline to apply for the January class in London,” Martin added.

Licensed Practical Nurses provide routine bedside care, evaluate patient needs, develop patient care plans and supervise care provided by nurse aides. Some LPNs work in private homes and prepare meals and teach family members simple nursing skills.

To apply for admission to the College a student must fill out the SCC application, have their high school or previous college send official transcripts to SCC or provide an official copy of their GED score report, and take the appropriate ACT, Compass or placement tests.

Admission to the LPN program requires a pre-admission conference with the nursing coordinator, a letter of intent to the nursing coordinator and proof of active status in the Medicaid Nurse Aide Registry. Admission is granted to the top 25 applicants as judged by the selection committee.

“Anyone interested in more information about the LPN program can call me at (606) 679-8501, ext. 3637,” Martin said. “I’ll be more than happy to help them get started.”

Somerset Community College is a comprehensive two-year institution of higher education. SCC has campuses in Somerset and London and centers in McCreary, Clinton, and Russell Counties. The website is www.somerset.kctcs.edu. Call for admission and registration information toll free at 1-877-629-9722.

The News-Enterprise
October 21, 2004

Students fan out to survey for United Way

About 50 college students will visit homes in Hardin and nearby counties this weekend to help local agencies learn how to better spend money on social services.

This needs assessment, which is the first of its kind in the area, will finish up next weekend. It is part of a United Way of Central Kentucky effort to find out how to spend money on services such as affordable housing, domestic violence and health care.

"This gives our community a say-so in how these funds will be disbursed," said Anthony Slone, assistant professor of business. He is also part of the United Way's community investment team.

Working in pairs, the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College students will visit more than 200 homes in Hardin County and a smaller number in LaRue, Meade and Grayson counties.

The streets surveyed will be chosen randomly, but in a way that every part of each county will be represented. Only those older than 18 will be asked to respond to the surveys.

Students will turn in the data by Nov. 1, and the final results will not be available until at least the first of next year.

The survey is expected to help the United Way not only meet the community's short-term needs, but it will also help show what can be done to stop problems from happening in the first place.

The agency disburses donations to local organizations such as Helping Hand, the SpringHaven domestic violence shelter and the American Red Cross.

The student-owned survey could also be helpful to local governments and with grant applications.

Participants come from various programs, including a contingent from Students in Free Enterprise.

One student conducting the survey, freshman Stefanie Hill, will receive extra credit in a human services class.

During a training session Wednesday afternoon, she said there are many social service gaps that need to be filled. She hopes the survey will provide information to help do so.

"I think it's is going to be a great asset to the community," Hill said.

Lexington Herald-Leader
October 21, 2004

Even in retirement, she is back at the office

The year Eva Bellamy went to work at what is now the Practical Nursing Program at Central Kentucky Technical College, Harry Truman was president and the Korean War entered its third year.

Fifty-two years and 2,071 nursing graduates later, Bellamy celebrated her retirement with family and friends who packed the technical college's student center.

At 77, Bellamy's not quite ready for her going-away present -- a padded white rocking chair. The very next day, she was back at the college, at her desk, on her own time, helping her successor settle in. She was there the next day, too, and the day after that.

"She has uncontested devotion," said Sandra Mullins, associate dean and Bellamy's boss for 13 years. "She's here because she feels like it's her job."

Bellamy's job began in February 1952 as secretary at the Appalachian School of Practical Nursing, established the previous year by Herbert Faber, co-inventor of Formica.

Faber established the Appalachian Fund with a $1 million endowment. The nursing school grew out of the fund to provide health care workers to underserved areas of Eastern Kentucky.

In 1956, the nursing school joined Lafayette Vocational School but kept its name. The vocational school became Central Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School.

In 1984, the school was renamed Central Kentucky Vocational-Technical School of Practical Nursing. The vocational-technical school became Central Kentucky Technical School, which later earned the distinction of Central Kentucky Technical College.

Through all the changes, Bellamy maintained a steadfast devotion to students, attending most graduations and keeping track of the students after they left school and progressed through their careers.