Report reveals 49 Kentucky foster children spent nights in state offices

A preliminary report from the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman reveals that 49 foster children, including infants, have spent a combined total of 198 days sleeping in Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services office buildings between June and October 2024. The report indicates that systemic failures in the foster care system are causing children with behavioral or mental health issues to remain without suitable placements. Kentucky Auditor Allison Ball has called for a more thorough investigation into these alarming findings, which highlight that three service regions accounted for 70% of the cases. Concerns have been raised regarding the conditions in which these children are housed, and the need for urgent action to address the barriers preventing their placement in appropriate foster homes. Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the issue, stating that such placements are sometimes the only safe option for children exhibiting severe trauma-related behaviors. The ongoing investigation aims to explore the wider implications for foster care across the state.