After spending time out of the workforce as a stay-at-home mother, Kaitlyn Smith found a path to full-time employment through work-based learning opportunities supported by a partnership between the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP) and Daniel Boone Community Action Agency (DBCAA).
Smith began her journey at Cumberland River Behavioral Health in Manchester, Kentucky, as a volunteer. As a single mother of three, she faced the challenge of balancing her family’s needs with her goal of entering the workforce. Without previous work experience or a high school credential, finding the right employment opportunity presented additional barriers.
Volunteering gave Smith an opportunity to gain hands-on experience and demonstrate her abilities in a workplace setting.
“Kaitlyn came to us as a volunteer through another agency,” said Monica Hoskins, Kaitlyn’s supervisor and Manchester Team Leader. “She has done a really great job. All the clients love and adore her.”
While volunteering helped Smith gain valuable experience, she also needed a way to earn income while working toward her long-term employment goals.
Recognizing this need, Hoskins reached out to Kim Carr, a career advisor at DBCAA, in 2025 to ask about work experience opportunities that could help Smith transition into paid employment.
Carr connected Smith with a paid work experience opportunity at Cumberland River Behavioral Health through workforce services provided by DBCAA in partnership with EKCEP. The opportunity allowed her to earn a paycheck while learning on the job, building her skills, and working toward a permanent position.
“What motivated me to take the step toward working with Daniel Boone was my faith and the belief that God was opening a door for me,” said Smith.
Through DBCAA’s work experience program, Smith completed 400 hours at Cumberland River Behavioral Health. During this time, she had the opportunity to explore different responsibilities, strengthen her workplace skills and discover the type of role that best suited her strengths and interests.
“When they come to us through Daniel Boone, we let them do a variety of jobs to see what skills they need to work on,” Hoskins said. “She learned computer skills, meal planning, and things like that. She learned that she doesn’t do well just sitting. She likes to be up interacting and stuff.”
This hands-on experience helped Smith identify a career path that matched her interests rather than committing to a position without knowing whether it was the right fit.
DBCAA connected Smith with Kentucky Adult Education, which provides free GED preparation and other educational services to help adults build skills and prepare for work. With that support, she earned the high school credential required for employment at Cumberland River Behavioral Health.
Following the completion of her 400-hour work experience program and the educational requirements for the position, Smith was hired as a full-time support staff member at Cumberland River Behavioral Health in October of 2026.
In her role, Smith helps run a day program for adults with special needs and mental health challenges. Her responsibilities include organizing group activities, cooking, and completing paperwork, allowing her to put the skills she developed during her work experience into practice.
“She caught on really quick,” Hoskins said. “She’s growing every day in her role. She really has done a great job.”
For Smith, the opportunity provided a bridge into the workforce, giving her a chance to develop practical skills, identify a role suited to her interests, and work toward greater stability for her family.
“I believe it is extremely important to have a job that you genuinely enjoy and look forward to going to each day,” said Smith. “We only have one life, and our happiness, mental well-being, and family should never be overlooked. Staying in a position where you are consistently unhappy can take a toll on many areas of your life. Sometimes, you have to take a leap of faith and pursue what is best for your mental health, your family, and your future. Everyone deserves the opportunity to find meaningful work that brings them a sense of purpose and fulfillment.”
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. EKCEP is funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, along with various federal and state grants and private donations, and is a proud partner in the American Job Center network. Learn more at ekcep.org.