UK St. Claire Named Among Finalists for the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program; Receives EDA Strategy Development Grant

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced UK St. Claire (SCH) was one of the 22 finalists for the Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program (Recompete). Recompete targets the hardest-hit and most economically distressed areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment is significantly lower than the national average, with the goal to close this gap through flexible, locally-driven investments.

The EDA also awarded UK St. Claire a Strategy Development Grant. SCH was one of only 24 applicants to receive the funding, which helps communities significantly increase local coordination and planning activities.

As a Strategy Development Grant awardee, SCH will receive more than $400,000 over three years to explore the potential for developing, enhancing, and expanding workforce training and behavioral health treatment services and for establishing a Life Learning Center (LLC) in Morehead. Established in 2005 in urban northern Kentucky, LLC takes a holistic approach to helping at-risk citizens learn, secure, and sustain a better way of living through gainful employment. LLC’s trademarked 12-week Foundations for a Better Life Curriculum focuses on five domains of life: physical, financial, spiritual, emotional, and relational. LLC helps its candidates/members find sustainable and meaningful employment while teaching soft skills, hosting mock interviews, and helping to craft resumes.

“This announcement is another incredibly positive step in UK St. Claire’s concerted effort to improve the recovery ecosystem within our service region,” said Donald H. Lloyd II, SCH President/CEO. “For too long, individuals in recovery have faced stigma and other obstacles as they attempt to rebuild their lives. St. Claire is committed to increasing second-chance employment opportunities within our healthcare system and across Northeastern Kentucky. We could not have found a more perfect partner to address that issue than Life Learning Center, which has had tremendous success with linking its participants to gainful employment in Covington and the surrounding area. We look forward to collaborating with Life Learning Center to assess the potential for an LLC-Morehead location.”

LLC first came to SCH’s attention when Sr. Judine Lambert, SND, BCC, Vice President for Mission Integration, toured LLC, meeting with administrators, candidates, and members. She had the opportunity to see firsthand how individuals, many with substance use disorders, were working to improve their lives by actively engaging in LLC’s programs. She was passionate about the positive change LLC was making in its community and inspired to share what she had experienced with others on SCH’s Administrative Council.

SCH’s leaders shared Sr. Judine’s passion for LLC’s mission and have been exploring a potential partnership with the organization. They believe LLC could not only be replicated in a rural setting but could bring about transformative and positive change in an area victimized by the substance abuse epidemic.

“We are beyond excited and honored to be included in this project,” said Alecia Webb-Edgington, President & CEO, Life Learning Center. “Every staff member at Life Learning Center deeply and passionately cares about the individuals who make our communities what they are. We’re energized about the opportunity to continue to press forward in our efforts to create new jobs and develop long-term economic growth across the communities we serve. We want to thank UK St. Claire’s staff, Sr. Judine Lambert, CEO Don Lloyd, and the community of Morehead for the opportunity to collaborate in driving systemic change within Northeastern Kentucky.”

The Phase 1 finalists were selected from more than 500 applications from lead applicants representing nonprofits, local government, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and tribal government and organizations.

If selected for the Phase 2 Recompete implementation grant, UK St. Claire could receive more than $10 million to establish an LLC in Morehead and support numerous other recovery and employment strategies in Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, and Rowan counties. Only four to eight finalists will receive Phase 2 funding.

“These outstanding Recompete finalists and strategy development grant recipients exemplify the focused employment and job creation strategies required to address the unique, long-standing needs of communities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “We look forward to supporting these communities as they work to reduce the employment gap and establish models for long-term economic growth we can apply across America.”

To learn more about the Recompete Pilot Program, visit eda.gov/recompete.