Kentucky Auditor Investigates Kinship Care Law Implementation

Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball has initiated an inquiry into the implementation of Senate Bill 151, a law aimed at supporting kinship care families, which has yet to be enacted due to a lack of funding. The law, designed to provide resources and options for relatives caring for children removed from abusive homes, requires an estimated $20 million for implementation, funding that was not allocated by the state legislature. Ball's preliminary assessment will investigate whether the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has adequate financial resources or if federal funds might be accessible. Governor Andy Beshear had previously alerted lawmakers to this funding gap shortly after signing the bill into law, urging them to address it during the last days of the legislative session. Advocates, including Norma Hatfield from the Kinship Families Coalition, emphasize the urgency of implementing the law to support numerous families in need. Ball aims to clarify the financial situation to facilitate the law's execution and provide necessary assistance to kinship care families across Kentucky.