Community Service Program
There comes a time in most people’s lives when they could use an extra hand. Emergencies usually aren’t planned and for those that live paycheck to paycheck or struggle to keep up with the basic demands of life, meeting these demands can be a challenge.
That’s when Central Kentucky Community Action is there to help. Thanks to funding through the Community Services Block Grant, we’re been able to provide a variety of services and support to those in need. By working with the faith-based community, social service organizations, the business community and government leaders, we are able to provide services that respond to local needs and fill locally identified gaps.
Below is an overview of the many ways we can provide support.
Housing and Utilities
- Payment for heating cost in a subsidized and crisis situation through the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
- Offset expenses related to rent, utility bills, medicine, medical transportation, etc. in emergency situations.
- Provide emergency payment for one month’s rent or utility usage, food (grocery or food bank) or temporary shelter.
Food and Commodities
- Food Bank access available in most county offices.
- Senior Commodities
- Offset costs for plants and supplies to create household and community gardens.
- Provide backpack-filled snacks to children with food insecurity on weekends when school meals are not available.
Education
- Assistance with transportation or costs of obtaining GED or other educational goals.
- Offset tuition costs through scholarships for low-income graduates and GED recipients pursuing education in Agriculture, Business, Education, Medicine or Social Services. Limited scholarships for full-time students.
- Assistance with developing and maintaining a family budget by implementing income management strategies. Families are encouraged to develop strategies to prevent emergencies.
Employment Support
- Offset expenses related to obtaining, removing employment obstacles and maintaining employment.
Youth Enrichment
- Allows low-income children to participate in summer youth camps, 4-H Camp, swimming lessons, nutritional day camps or other enrichment experiences.
- Christmas support with food baskets, toys (new and used) and limited clothing to low-income clients in coordination with other local agencies.
Health Support
- Provides assistance with transportation and mobilization needs.
How to get help
Each of our eight county offices, located in Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Washington counties, are able to take applications, make referrals and provide services to the low-income individuals in the area. We are looked upon as the agency most able to provide assistance during crisis situations.
A Community Needs Assessment is conducted annually to allow participants, service providers and the community, to steer program planning and development.
To find the county office nearest you, visit our Locations page.
These programs and services are funded, in part, under a contract with CHR with funds from CSBG Act of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
