The Kentucky Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program stands as a vital resource for adults with severe physical disabilities in Kentucky. This initiative is designed to foster independence by enabling eligible individuals to manage their personal care at home. By providing financial assistance to hire personal care attendants, the program empowers participants to maintain their quality of life and remain active members of their communities. This guide outlines the essential aspects of the Kentucky PCA Program, helping you understand if you or your loved ones qualify for and benefit from this supportive service.
Eligibility Criteria for the Kentucky PCA Program
To be eligible for the Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program, individuals must meet specific criteria ensuring that the program effectively supports those with the most significant needs. The requirements are clearly defined to ensure resources are allocated appropriately and those who participate can truly benefit from the services offered. Key eligibility points include:
- Age Requirement: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the PCA program.
- Severity of Physical Disability: The program is intended for individuals with severe physical disabilities. This is specifically defined as a permanent or temporary recurring functional loss in two or more limbs.
- Need for Attendant Care Hours: Participants must require a minimum of 14 hours and no more than 40 hours of personal care attendant services per week. This range ensures that the program caters to individuals needing substantial, but not round-the-clock, care.
- Mental Capacity for Self-Direction: A critical component of the program is the participant’s ability to manage their care. Applicants must be mentally capable of instructing and supervising their personal care attendants. This self-direction aspect is central to the program’s philosophy of empowering individuals to control their own care.
- Employer Responsibilities: Participants are considered the employers of their personal care attendants. As such, they must be capable of handling payroll responsibilities and managing required employer tax statements. This aspect underscores the program’s model of self-directed care, where participants take an active role in managing their support.
Services Provided by Personal Care Attendants
The Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program covers a range of essential services designed to support individuals in their daily living activities. These services are delivered by personal care attendants who are hired and directed by the program participants. The scope of services includes:
- Personal Care: Assistance with personal hygiene tasks such as bathing, dressing, and grooming.
- Housekeeping: Light housekeeping duties to maintain a clean and safe living environment.
- Shopping: Support with grocery shopping and other essential errands.
- Travel: Assistance with transportation and travel to appointments or activities.
- Self-Care Procedures: Help with various self-care procedures as needed.
- Meal Preparation: Assistance with planning and preparing meals to ensure proper nutrition.
- Other Day-to-Day Activities: Support with other activities of daily living as required to maintain independence at home.
Contacting the Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program
For those interested in learning more or applying to the Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program, several points of contact are available. Whether you have initial inquiries or are ready to begin the application process, reaching out to the program coordinators is the next step.
For general inquiries, you can contact the program via email at pcap.hsl@ky.gov. This is an excellent starting point for asking broad questions about the program and its services.
Additionally, the Kentucky PCA Program is administered through Regional Coordinators who are specialized to serve specific counties. Contacting your regional coordinator directly can provide more tailored assistance and information relevant to your specific location. Below are the coordinators listed by region:
Regional Personal Care Attendant Program Coordinators
Region 1
Coordinator: Valerie Leathers
Email: valerie.leathers@ky.gov
Phone: (502) 229-2979
Address: P.O. Box 570, Benton, KY 42025
Counties Served: Adair, Allen, Ballard, Barren, Breckenridge, Bullitt, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Clinton, Crittenden, Cumberland, Daviess, Edmonson, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Green, Hancock, Hardin, Hart, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Larue, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McClean, McCracken, Meade, Metcalfe, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Russell, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren, Wayne, and Webster.
Region 2
Coordinator: Ben Parsley
Email: benjamin.parsley@ky.gov
Phone: (502) 229-2327
Address: P.O. Box 23938, Lexington, KY 40517
Counties Served: Anderson, Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Henry, Jefferson, Kenton, Marion, Nelson, Oldham, Owen, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, and Washington.
Region 3
Coordinator: Keagan Wilson
Email: Keagan.Wilson@ky.gov
Phone: (502) 330-0409
Address: P.O. Box 570, Nicholasville, KY 40340
Counties Served: Bath, Bell, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Bracken, Breathitt, Campbell, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Elliot, Estill, Fayette, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Grant, Greenup, Harlan, Harrison, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Menifee, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, McCreary, Menifee, Mercer, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Scott, Whitley, Wolfe, and Woodford.
By reaching out to the appropriate regional coordinator based on your county of residence, you can gain specific guidance and support tailored to your needs within the Kentucky Personal Care Attendant Program. This direct access ensures that individuals receive the most relevant and effective assistance in accessing this valuable service.
