As we move through the summer months and families begin preparing for back-to-school, many questions and answers still remain. What we do know is that this upcoming school year will bring new challenges, experiences, and opportunities for Kentucky students. One opportunity Kentucky schools can leverage is utilizing the Expanded Access Services program to recognize and address the social and emotional supports students need as they begin the new school year.

During the 2019-2020 school year, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) and the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) began laying the foundation for schools to start planning and operationalizing the Expanded Access Services program, also known as Expanded Care or Free Care. This allows Kentucky schools to access federal Medicaid dollars to provide and reimburse for health, dental, behavioral health, and other medically necessary services provided through an in person or virtual school setting.

As we gear up for a new school year, KDE has released several resources to help schools implement Expanded Access Services for students during this difficult transition back-to-school and new routines: