Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP), Inc. has received a significant boost for its work supporting individuals in recovery with a $500,000 grant awarded by the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission (OAAC). This funding is earmarked to enhance EKCEP’s dedicated efforts in connecting individuals recovering from substance use disorder with meaningful, long-term employment opportunities throughout Eastern Kentucky.
EKCEP is one of 75 organizations awarded funding through the OAAC in 2025. Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman announced the latest round of funding on March 27.
“It’s an incredible honor to be part of building programs that will help Kentuckians toward long-term recovery,” Coleman said. “Our Commonwealth is leading the nation in the fight against addiction, and I look forward to the lifesaving work of the organizations we’re investing in today.”
Since 2019, EKCEP has been at the forefront of developing and administering programs tailored to the unique workforce needs of individuals in recovery. These initiatives provide crucial services, ranging from personalized career counseling and skills assessment to vital funding designed to dismantle barriers to employment, such as securing reliable transportation or affordable childcare. This marks the second time Kentucky’s OAAC has specifically earmarked funding for EKCEP over the past two years.
“Meaningful employment is often a critical anchor for individuals navigating the challenging waters of long-term recovery,” said Becky Carnes-Miller, EKCEP Executive Director. “We are extremely grateful to the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission for recognizing the power of this connection and investing in the potential of Eastern Kentuckians through this grant.”
The $500,000 awarded to EKCEP will directly fund the operation of Project REACH (Recovery Employment and Career Help). This initiative, which began in 2024, will fund dedicated support specialists and targeted employment services within eight counties. These specialists will work intensively with clients in recovery, assisting them in crafting actionable career plans, connecting them with training and job opportunities, and providing comprehensive support services to navigate challenges as they transition into the workforce.
Project REACH operates under the umbrella of EKCEP’s Recovery & Reentry Services division, which also encompasses the Strategic Initiative for Transformational Employment (SITE) and critical barrier relief programs.
“EKCEP’s core mission is to prepare, advance, and expand Eastern Kentucky’s workforce, and that absolutely includes creating pathways for every individual ready to contribute, especially those overcoming the profound challenge of addiction,” Carnes-Miller added. “We are eager to build upon our successes and empower more individuals to step onto a sustainable career path.”
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. The agency provides an array of workforce development services and operates a network of Kentucky Career Centers, which provide access to more than a dozen state and federal programs that offer employment and training assistance for jobseekers and employers all under one roof. Learn more about us at ekcep.org.