Kentucky Community Health Action Teams, or CHAT, is founded in the following objectives, supported by evidence collected through research and practice by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Dept. for Health and Human Services. These teams are designed to profoundly impact chronic disease prevention.
Objectives
- Form strong, active community coalitions of partners from diverse sectors, including health systems; education; transportation and zoning; agriculture; business and industry; community members and other organizations.
- Conduct community assessments to determine health priorities while addressing social determinants of health and considering community strengths and weaknesses.
- Cultivate strong community-clinical linkages to improve health outcomes; reduce health care costs and improve quality of life.
- Promote policy, environmental and system changes to support healthy choices and healthy living in communities throughout Kentucky.
Through a request for proposal process, the department awards funding to local health departments to develop action plans with evidence-based strategies to accomplish these objectives in their communities. The Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant helps provide funding to local health departments to focus on these local health priorities.
CHAT Quarterlies
CHAT Quarterlies are an opportunity for CHAT mini-grant recipients and other local health department staff to network, share and learn. Recipients are required to attend and are provided with the meeting links. Other LHD staff may request the meeting link.
Meetings are held via Zoom at 11 a.m. Eastern on the 2nd Wednesday of December, March, June and September).
2025-2026 Quarterlies
- December 10, 2025
- March 11, 2026
- June 10, 2026
- September 9, 2026
Chit CHAT Connections
Chit CHAT Connections is a new engagement activity starting in January 2026. Open to all LHD staff, the Chit CHATs are an opportunity for DPH and LHD staff to network, share and learn. DPH staff from various programs will provide a short introduction of their program and staff and field questions from LHD staff. Mini-grant recipients and non-recipients alike are encouraged to attend. Registration will be required - 2026 series registration link coming soon.
Meetings are held via Zoom at 11 a.m. Eastern on the 2nd Wednesday of January, February, April, May, July, August, October and November).
2026 Dates and Topics (Tentative)
- January, 14, 2026 - Kick-off, PHHSBG, COPD
- February 11, 2026 - SPAN Active Living
- April 8, 2026 - KOCHW
- May 13, 2026 - OPIA, SMARTIE Goal Activity
- July 8, 2026 - SPAN Nutrition
- August 12, 2026 - TBD
- October 14, 2026 - TBD
- November 11, 2026 - No Meeting (Veteran's Day Holiday)
Health Department - Community Health Education List-Serv
The local health department (LHD) Community Health Education listserv is a great way to stay up to date on news and grant opportunities from other public health programs and partners; training and conference notices. The listserv is a resource for asking questions and networking with LHD colleagues across the state. Email Community Health Education to join the listserv.
Helpful Links