Environmental Assistance
Past Webinars
WEBINAR | Intersections of Care: Healthcare, Hospitals, and Environmental Justice
Recorded December 5, 2024
Many in the healthcare field are turning to new or innovative ways of considering the intersections of community and the environment. This webinar explores the roles of hospitals and healthcare facilities working to become climate resilient, alongside the relationship of social determinants of health (SDoH) to environmental justice concerns and the screening tools that help illustrate them when apply for funding. Examples of how communities are remedying the links between SDoH and environmental justice as well as how places are implementing more environmentally friendly strategies for community health are shared.
Presenters: Tyler McDaniel, Environmental Justice Coordinator, CEDIK, and Melody Nall, Engagement Director, CEDIK.
WEBINAR | Addressing Environmental Justice Concerns in Your Brownfield Application
Recorded Tuesday, August 28th, 2024
Wondering how to approach environmental justice in your upcoming EPA Brownfield application? Attendees will learn that environmental justice is a scored component of your application evaluation and more importantly - how to address those questions using available tools and community engagement processes.
This webinar is hosted by Shane Barton (CEDIK) and features special guests Kiersten O'Leary (KY EEC Brownfield Program) and Tyler McDaniel (CEDIK Environmental Justice Program Coordinator).
WEBINAR | Community Change Grants for Climate Focused Projects
Recorded Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024
In this webinar you'll learn about the Environmental Protection Agency's new Community Change Grants program which supports community driven environmental projects. This historic funding of $1 million - $20 million is available for communities with concerns related to air, water, and soil quality as well as building climate response strategies, clean energy transitions, and transforming former mine land. Funding is available for "disadvantaged communities" based on a number of criteria that can be determined through easy-to-use online screening tools. Join us to learn about who is eligible, relevant project areas, and what goes into the application process.
Presenter: Tyler McDaniel, CEDIK Environmental Justice Program Coordinator
What is a community environmental assistance program?
A community environmental assistance program prioritizes the involvement and needs of communities in decision-making or activities that affect their local environments during the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws or policies. To build healthy and resilient communities with strong economies, the process focuses on the meaningful involvement of all in the community. Through these initiatives, communities practice planning and decision making alongside local leaders and industries to fully protect them from the adverse health impacts due to environmental issues while ensuring access to clean air, land, and water for every Kentuckian.
Examples of environmental concerns and actions:
- Poor air, water, and soil quality
- Exposure to environmental hazards
- Climate change resilience (preparation and response)
- Clean energy transitions
- Transforming former mine land
Our Technical Assistance
We are the Kentucky office of REACT4, the Resource for Assistance and Community Training for Region 4. This enables us to support communities and organizations already doing environmental work around the state. Our support includes providing technical assistance through guidance on navigating grant applications and systems, developing strong proposals, assisting with community engagement, providing facilitation for communities, and connecting people with broader resources or partnerships. By ensuring direct access to resources for communities we are removing barriers and improving accessibility for communities with environmental concerns.
