FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — State officials say a new initiative will lead to better behavioral health care for children in the foster care system.
A statement from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services says the agency will begin implementing a pilot program early next year to screen children in Fayette, Boyd and surrounding counties entering foster care for behavior health issues. The agency says the project is expected to expand to half the state by the middle of 2016 and to every county by 2018.
The initiative is being paid for with a $2.5 million, five-year federal grant from the U.S. Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
Kentucky Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Teresa James said foster children are more likely to have behavioral health concerns that affect development.