In-person CHFS Services Discontinued
On Tuesday, March 17 at 5 p.m., Gov. Andy Beshear ordered the suspension of all Kentucky state government in-person services. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services remains committed to public assistance and has adapted service delivery methods to limit the spread of COVID-19. For to most up-to-date information on Kentucky's COVID-19 response, please visit kycovid19.ky.gov.
Department for Public Health
Vital statistic records
The office is closed to outside visitors effective March 18, 2020. Seek certificates for births, deaths, marriages and divorce online or by mail or email. Online orders can be submitted through state-approved vendor VitalChek only at vitalchek.com. To request certificates by mail or email, visit DPH division of Epidemiology and Health Policy for more information.
Public Health Home Visiting Services
Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) local providers are permitted to suspend, continue or provide outreach to families.
First Steps staff currently is working on protocol to provide early intervention services virtually.
Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs
On-Site Clinics are cancelled. Some telehealth capability is available and staff will determine its use based on clinic schedule and other considerations.
Aging and Independent Living
Congregate senior center meal services are discontinued. Drive-through and home-delivered meals remain an option. The toll free hotline number for the Aging and Disability Resource Center is (877) 925-0037. Calls are routed to the appropriate Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living serving the caller's locality.
Guardianship client personal needs checks now are mailed to the client's home and not picked up in person.
Nursing facilities are no longer accepting outside visitors.
Department for Community Based Services (DCBS)
Local office lobbies are closed. Customers can apply for or update their case information for family support programs including SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP) and Medicaid online at benefind.ky.gov or by calling toll free (855) 306-8959.
DCBS Social worker home visits, court-ordered visitation
DCBS has terminated in-person contacts as much as possible and is connecting with families in the protective services system by phone, video conference, text, online meeting/chat applications including FaceTime and email. DCBS also encourages staff to increase the frequency of its contacts using alternative means to minimize family and child distress during this unprecedented time.
DCBS also is honoring court orders, including court-ordered visitation, although the means by which visitation or familial contact takes place may change and include some of the other methods mentioned above.
DCBS advises staff and contracted providers to screen individuals for COVID-19 symptoms prior to in-person services and take appropriate precautions as recommended by the Department for Public health and promoted at kycovid19.ky.gov.
Child Care - Kentucky All STARS
Kentucky All STARS rating visits to early childhood programs are canceled until further notice. Visit the Kentucky ALL STARS web page for more information.
Income Support
Face-to-face services are suspended until further notice.
Office of the Inspector General Inspections
OIG has discontinued facility surveys except under immediate jeopardy circumstances. Learn more by visiting the OIG web pages.
Office of the Ombudsman
All face-to-face administrative hearings have been rescheduled or are being conducted by phone conference for parties who agreed to that option.