Department for Community Based Services

DCBS services are administered through our network of nine service regions and offices in each of Kentucky's 120 counties. In addition, DCBS utilizes a network of contract officials to deliver services, such as child support and child care. The provision of services is enhanced through a close relationship and coordination with local community partners. 

• Report Child Abuse 
• Domestic Violence Information
• Medicaid
• Food Stamp Eligibility
• Foster Care
• Adoption
• Child Care Assistance
• Weatherization Assistance Program

Patricia R. Wilson most recently served as an executive adviser with DCBS, coordinating the state’s upcoming Child and Family Services Review, a federal review of each state’s child welfare system’s performance against national standards. She also has experience as a front-line worker, supervisor, state administrator and national consultant. As a consultant in child welfare financing and program design, she has worked with social service systems in other states. She also consulted with the Child Welfare League of America before becoming its Southern Region director from 2004-05.

For 19 years, Wilson served as a front-line family service worker and supervisor in Boyle, Lincoln and Garrard counties. Her previous CHFS roles include internal policy analyst with the Office of Program Support and with the Office of Policy and Budget; and assistant director of the DCBS Division of Policy Development.

Wilson, of Danville, received both a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky.

The department provides family support; child care; child and adult protection; eligibility determinations for Medicaid and food stamps; energy assistance to low-income households through weatherization services and administration of an energy cost assistance program; and, child support collection and enforcement.

The department 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 permanent home.

With offices in every county, DCBS provides services and programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improve safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and, engage families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process.

DCBS was formed within the Cabinet for Families and Children in 1998 to give local offices more decision-making authority and the ability to collaborate more effectively with other community service providers. The Cabinet for Families and Children and the Cabinet for Health Services were consolidated in 2004 by Governor Ernie Fletcher.

DCBS Mission Statement

To provide leadership in building high quality, community based human service systems that enhance safety, permanency, well-being and self-sufficiency for Kentucky's families, children and vulnerable adults.

DCBS Vision

"A nationally recognized department comprised of a highly skilled workforce that:

• Provides services to enhance the self-sufficiency of families;
• Improves safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults;
• Engages families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process;
• Utilizes innovative technological resources to improve outcomes and efficiencies;
• Creates information systems and uses evidence-based practice to guide management decisions;
• Practices system wide continuous quality improvement and shared accountability;
• Fosters a dynamic learning organization; and,
• Adapts to changing community needs and challenges."