Ky.gov
Effective: 9/9/2026

C1.13 Community Action Agencies

Legal Authority

Introduction

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Community Action Kentucky (CAK) is a statewide association that represents twenty-three (23) community action agencies (CAAs) and provides direct services to Kentuckians with low- to moderate-income in all one hundred twenty (120) counties. The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) works closely with CAAs to prevent maltreatment and promote family stability and well-being. 

Practice Guidance

  • ​Services provided by CAAs for individuals and families include:
    • Education; 
    • Housing; 
    • Food assistance; 
    • Home energy assistance; 
    • Child care early childhood education; 
    • Family preservation/reunification; and 
    • Many other needs. 
    • Workforce development;
    • Transportation;
    • Supports for seniors;
    • Supports for transition-age youth;
    • Family advocacy; and 
    • Concrete supports

  • Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) contracts with CAK and the twenty-three (23) CAAs for the delivery of weatherization services. Weatherization services may include services that help low-income families reduce their utility bills.
  • The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Cabinet/CHFS) partners with CAK and the twenty-three (23) CAAs to operate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist families and individuals when a need for home energy assistance arises.
  • CAAs may also provide families in need with water or wastewater assistance.
​​Additional Context-Eligibility Criteria for LIHEAP Preventive Assistance Program​
  • LIHEAP reserves a specific amount of funding for its preventive assistance program, which is specifically for families who need assistance to prevent removal of a child or to achieve reunification of a child with a family. Therefore, DCBS should only refer directly to LIHEAP in these circumstances to preserve these funds for those critical situations. ​
  • DCBS-referred LIHEAP funds are available for use on current and past-due heating bills or deposits on utilities used for heating purposes. 
  • Families may be eligible to receive a maximum benefit of three hundred dollars ($300) during each federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). 
  • The funds are only available from November through March. 

Procedure

​The SSW: 

  1. Considers all CAA resources available, including weatherization assistance, LIHEAP, and water/wastewater assistance, to mitigate risk related to the conditions of the home and prevent removal of the child(ren); 
  2. Submits a referral to the CAA for weatherization assistance by: 
    1. Completing the DPP-1299 Referral for the Emergency Weatherization Program; 
    2. Forwarding the completed DPP-1299 Referral for the Emergency Weatherization Program to the local community action agency providing weatherization services; and 
    3. Documenting on the assessment the weatherization need that resulted in the referral. 
  3. .Explores all local resources for heating assistance, including advising the family to check the availability of LIHEAP funds through the CAA office before referring the family for the service through DCBS; 
  4. Utilizes the LIHEAP Preventive Assistance Program by directly referring only when the referral will: 
    1. ​Prevent the removal of a child from the family; or 
    2. Assist in reuniting a child with the family. 
  5. ​Completes the Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) LIHEAP Assistance Funds Eligibility Determination for P&P Clients form once it has been determined that there are no other services available for assistance and the situation meets criteria for the preventive assistance program;
  6. Submits the LIHEAP form to the FSOS, who then forwards the information on to the service region administrator (SRA) or designee; 
  7. Uploads a copy of the request, if approved, in the electronic file; 
  8. Makes a referral to the local CAA for water assistance if restoration of water or wastewater mitigates risk and prevents removal of a child due to the conditions of the dwelling; and 
  9. If the SSW does not receive a response from the local CAA providing weatherization, LIHEAP, or water services promptly, the SSW may make a follow-up telephone call to the agency. 
The Service Region Administrator (SRA) or designee: 
  1. Tracks LIHEAP approvals and denials using the Region Log for LIHEAP Energy Assistance Funds for P&P Clients form, and sends it to the statewide LIHEAP liaison with the Division of Administrative and Financial Management (DAFM) in central office, by the fifteenth (15th) day of each month, either via e-mail or by mail to
    CHFS-DAFM Director’s Office
    275 East Main Street, 3W-B
    Frankfort, KY 40621 ​
  2. Utilizes the Region Log for LIHEAP Energy Assistance Funds for P&P Clients to document: 
    1. ​A specific purpose for the request; 
    2. In the request /comments section, justification that the funds were necessary either to:​
      1. ​​Prevent removal of a child; or 
      2. Assist in the reunification of a child with the family.
  3. ​Submits documentation of each transaction, in the form of a receipt or bank statement, with the form; and
  4. Ensures checks are made out and paid directly to vendors, never to an individual; and that vendors are aware that checks not cashed by the vendor within ninety-five (95) days will be voided and returned. 


Documents

Revisions