A recent preliminary report from the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman has shed light on a troubling situation where numerous foster children have been residing in state office buildings. The findings reveal that these children, some as young as one year old, have spent extended periods in such environments due to a shortage of available foster placements. This alarming trend has prompted calls for a deeper investigation and immediate action to address systemic failures within the foster care system.
Challenges in Placing Vulnerable Youth
The preliminary report highlights significant challenges in finding suitable homes for children with behavioral or acute mental health issues. Foster families are reportedly hesitant to take in these vulnerable youth, leading to prolonged stays in office buildings. The average duration of stay was just over four days, but nearly half of the children stayed for only one day. Despite the temporary nature of these stays, advocates argue that this is not an acceptable solution for ensuring the well-being of these children.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services has acknowledged the difficulty in placing children with complex needs. Terry Brooks, Executive Director of Kentucky Youth Advocates, emphasized that these children often feel like they do not belong anywhere. He noted that while some regions like Hardin, Kenton, and Daviess counties have seen higher numbers of cases, the issue varies across different parts of the state. Brooks stressed the importance of tailoring solutions to meet the specific needs of each region, as what works in one area may not be effective elsewhere.
Call for Urgent Action and Investigation
The State Auditor of Public Accounts has called for a more thorough investigation into the matter, urging for innovative solutions to improve the lives of foster children. State Auditor Allison Ball emphasized the need for urgent action to address systemic failures. She believes that a deeper probe will help identify root causes and develop strategies to prevent similar situations in the future.
Brooks also highlighted the possibility of legislative intervention, although he acknowledged that it is unlikely to happen immediately. He hopes that the Kentucky General Assembly will convene to discuss budgetary support for addressing this issue. Brooks specifically mentioned the importance of engaging Speaker David Osborne and President Robert Stivers to explore ways to allocate necessary resources during the next session. The preliminary report focused solely on children in DCBS offices and did not examine those staying in state parks or hotels, indicating that the full scope of the problem may be even larger than currently understood.