Community Services Department
The Community Services programs administers several
general assistance and self-sufficiency services.
This "department" operates onder the agency's Counseling
Services Department.
CSBG. The Community
Services Block Grant (CSBG) staffs
the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and WinterCare Energy Assistance. More than seven
thousand area families receive services under these energy assistance subsidies, which now total nearly
$2 million per year.
This sub-department has, though, transitioned over the past few yearfrom a pure direct service
delivery system to a case management system. Staff
focus their time, energy, and resources in a self-sufficiency initiative know as CHOICES where
they work intensively ten to fifteen households at one time. Case workers assist these select
customers as they build on their strengths, with the long-term goal of becoming self-sufficient,
as measured by an income that exceeds the 100% poverty
level.
The CSBG/CHOICES staff also administer the Kentucky Housing Corporation's
self-sufficiency contract for the agency and selected families who, with
additional help and support, can achieve full "self- sufficiency" and family economic
stability, leading to full independence from public assistance.
LIHEAP. The Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides a cash benefit to income-eligible households meeting specific criteria.
During the fall Subsidy Component, total household income determines
eligibility, and and during the winter Crisis Component households
must not only meet income guidelines, heating sources must be within 48 hours of depletion or
there must be a disconnect notice.
WinterCare funds are generated by donations from
utility customers. The funds are sent to the Lexington Community Action
Agency from across the
state and distributed two or three times during the winter heating season. Persons who are LIHEAP
Crisis-eligible are also eligible for WinterCare assistance.
VISTA. AACS' Ameri*Corps
Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) program provides seven (7)
VISTA workers to assist emerging service entities in the
community fully develop their capacities for service. Local groups supported
with VISTA's are:
Citizens Health Care Advocates, Community
Solutions for Substance Abuse, Green River District
Health Department's Medical Reserve Corps ,
and the Green River Asset Building Coalition.
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