The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) is responsible for administering the following programs: Family Support (includes eligibility determinations for Medicaid, Qualified Healthcare Program, the Children's Health Insurance Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly Food Stamps); the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP); eligibility determination and benefits for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and State Supplementation programs); Energy Assistance (LIHEAP); Child Care program; Family and Community Based Services program (includes Family Based Services, Adult Services and Alternatives for Children); and Guardianship program.
These programs benefit Kentuckians who are without sufficient resources to meet their basic needs. DCBS's mission is to preserve the family as a unit when possible and protect individuals from abuse, neglect, and/or exploitation with safety and permanency as the paramount goals.
DCBS also administers the state foster care and adoption systems, and recruits and trains parents to care for the state's children who are waiting for a safe, stable, and permanent home.
Services provided by DCBS are administered through our network of nine geographical service regions and offices in each of Kentucky's 120 counties. In addition, DCBS utilizes a network of contracting officials to deliver services including the LIHEAP and Community Services Block Grant programs. The provision of services is enhanced through a close relationship and coordination with local community partners.
The programs operate based on federal law and regulations issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the United States Department of Agriculture. Supreme Court decisions, Kentucky Revised Statutes, Kentucky Administrative Regulations, state plans, and Court of Appeal decisions provide other regulatory guidance and oversight.
The Governor's budget includes additional funding in the amount of $9,643,800 in fiscal year 2027 and $19,879,400 in fiscal year 2028 to fund a 2% salary increment in fiscal year 2027 and an additional 2% in fiscal year 2028. The General Fund portion is $8,100,800 and $16,698,700, respectively.
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