Contact:
Mara Powell
502-895-8167 *122
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

Today, the House Health and Family Services Committee expressed their commitment to supporting children in the care of relative and fictive kin caregivers in Kentucky. We applaud Representative Chris Fugate for championing House Bill 2 to establish the development of supportive services, including, but not limited to, monetary supports, for kinship and fictive kin caregivers who step up to care for a child who is a relative or close family friend.

Children do better when they are placed with relatives as they experience less trauma when separated from parents, better educational outcomes, and fewer behavioral issues. Supporting our caregivers ensures our children have every opportunity for success.

We thank Representative Fugate for sponsoring House Bill 2 as a good first step to better supporting Kentucky’s kinship families. We also thank the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for their support of this legislation.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.