Appalachian Families Cohort - Black Appalachian Coalition

What We Do

Empowering Appalachian Families: Strengthening Resilience, Healing, and Advocacy Organized by the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC)

Program Overview

Note: To ensure balanced regional representation, we will accept three participants from each state in the Appalachian region along the Ohio River Valley – – Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

The Empowering Appalachia Cohort is a six-month program for caregivers, daycare workers, and parents in the Appalachian region along the Ohio River Valley. This initiative focuses on healing and repair, mitigating burnout, economic inclusion, and using storytelling for advocacy and policy change. Participants will receive monthly stipends and access to workshops, peer support, and advocacy training. The Empowering Appalachia Cohort is a six-month program for caregivers, daycare workers, and parents in the Appalachian region along the Ohio River Valley. This initiative focuses on healing and repair, mitigating burnout, economic inclusion, and using storytelling for advocacy and policy change. Participants will receive monthly stipends and access to workshops, peer support, and advocacy training.

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Cohort Duration: 6 months
Location: Virtual with an in-person retreat at the end
Monthly Stipend: $600Instructions:

Please complete this application form to be considered for the Empowering Appalachia Cohort. All sections are required.

Ready to Get Started? We look forward to learning more about you and your community!

Privacy Notice: Information provided will be used solely for program purposes and will not be shared without your permission.

"*" indicates required fields

Personal Information

Your Name*

First Last

Pronouns*

Your Email*

Enter Email Confirm Email

Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Phone Number

Preferred Method of Contact*

Text

Second Choice

Background Information

In this project, a caregiver refers to anyone providing unpaid or paid care for children, including parents, elderly family members, individuals with disabilities, or others needing support in their daily lives. This definition acknowledges parents who provide intensive daily care as part of their role.

Please describe your caregiving or care work experience.*

(250 words max)

What challenges do you face as a caregiver, daycare worker, or parent in your community?*

(250 words max)

What specific challenges do parents face when caring for and providing for their children?*

(250 words max)

How does your community support or fall short in addressing your needs?*

(250 words max)

Motivation

Why do you want to join the Empowering Appalachia Cohort?*

(250 words max)

How do you envision using storytelling to advocate for yourself and others?*

(250 words max)

What do you hope to gain from participating in this program?*

(250 words max)

Commitment and Needs

Can you commit to the full six-month program?*

Yes

Do you have access to a stable internet connection and the necessary technology for virtual sessions?*

Yes

Are there any accommodations you need to participate fully? (e.g., language access, closed captioning, childcare support)*

Financial Impact

Please describe how additional income would impact your caregiving role and household needs.

Would receiving a monthly stipend improve your family’s financial stability?*

Yes

Storytelling and Advocacy

Have you shared your personal caregiving story before? In what settings (community meetings, public hearings, etc.) if so?

What would you like policymakers or community leaders to understand about your lived experiences as a caregiver or care worker?

References

(Optional) If you want to include references who can speak to your commitment and experience, please list their information below

Reference 1 Name

First Last

Reference 1 Contact Info

Reference 1 Relationship

Reference 2 Name

First Last

Reference 2 Contact Info

Reference 2 Relationship

Next Steps

Thank you for your interest in BLAC’s Empowering Appalachian Families Cohort! To ensure balanced regional representation, we will be accepting three participants from each state in the Appalachian region along the Ohio River Valley. Selected participants will be notified by March 7, 2025. For questions, please contact Marcia Dinkins at [email protected]