Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

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

LOUISVILLE, KY – Thousands of Kentucky grandparents have stepped up and continue to show up for their grandchildren in need of a safe home every day. Today, Governor Beshear’s announcement regarding the statewide expansion of the Kentucky Caregiver Program is one way the commonwealth can step up for these grandparent heroes.

After budget cuts limited the reach of this program, Kentucky Youth Advocates is glad to hear the prioritization of federal funds to support the re-establishment of the Kentucky Family Caregiver Program in every region of the commonwealth through the 15 Area Development Districts. For grandparents meeting income and other guidelines, this one-time stipend program can support the expected and unexpected expenses that come with caring for a child. And as kids prepare to start a new school year, that can mean new shoes, school supplies, or signing up for an extracurricular activity.

As a state with one of the highest rates of children in kinship care, Kentucky can and should do more by these families. While this announcement is good news for some short-term, immediate needs – longstanding gaps in services remain for grandparents and other relatives raising their kin. The Governor and General Assembly must consider strengthening the array of sustained supports for kinship families.

Norma Hatfield, a grandmother raising two grandchildren and President of the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky said, “ There are so many grandparents that are living on very limited income before they take in their grandchildren. They struggle silently with very little additional financial support to care for these kids, who have been traumatized and often abused and neglected. I am so thankful for the additional support of the Kentucky Caregiver Program and hope that as all key decision makers sit down to prepare a new state budget, they will make kinship care a priority so we can do more for the kids who are our future.”

Grandparents can find out if they are eligible to apply for the Kentucky Caregiver Program by contacting your local Area Development District or the Department for Aging and Independent Living, in the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

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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.