Grandparents and other relatives about to lose part of their KTAP payments will find it harder to care for children and keep them out of the foster care system, writes Norma Hatfield. (Getty Images)
In September, two short notice reductions were announced affecting at-risk populations. One was the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP) under the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS); the other a senior citizen meal program under the Department for Aging and Independent Living. Both agencies fall under the purview of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).
Things feel flawed. Maybe it’s short notice reductions. Maybe lack of public discussion in legislative or other forums; maybe lack of stakeholder opportunities to provide impact statements on the how/who will be affected. Maybe because we have months before we get a new state budget. What’s not a “maybe” is that vulnerable Kentuckians often suffer silently. For me, silence isn’t an option as it feels we are cutting the “families” out of family services.
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Three weeks ago, a single grandmother tearfully asked, “Can you help me? I need financial assistance.” Her daughter struggled with opioids and was incarcerated; her granddaughter is now in her care. None of this was planned.
This grandmother is one of thousands in Kentucky caring for kids in kinship care. Kinship is when a relative (other than biological parents) or family friend steps in and cares for a child.
One assistance option for Kentucky kinship families comes from a federally funded grant known to us as KTAP. It’s managed by CHFS. Typical recipients are 25% or more below poverty level.
In December 2022, during an Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee meeting, I sat alongside CHFS requesting a KTAP increase. Families hadn’t seen a KTAP cost of living adjustment since 1995, though inflation had increased 92%! Given that Kentucky had millions of dollars of unobligated federal funds, legislators consented to the CHFS proposed rates which were doubled.
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Last week, CHFS announced a KTAP reduction effective this November. Reasons such as more kids in foster care, social worker overtime and rising costs, etc. CHFS didn’t publicly share the reduction rate but one caregiver’s letter reflected approximately a 35% loss.
Sadly, that grandmother who called for help was already receiving KTAP. KTAP typically helps with shelter, food, gas, insurance and all things to raise a child. In about a month, her assistance will decrease while the granddaughter’s odds of going to foster care will increase because her grandmother will not be able to support her. The grandmother cried before, she will probably cry again.
I’ve got so many questions: Shouldn’t legislators be involved as they were in 2022? Where’s our Kentucky “situation room” bringing in stakeholders (legislators, nonprofits and others) to assess impacts, tradeoffs and options first? Where were the public alarms targeting KTAP? Are decisions only made within closed off buildings without voices of those affected? Are we robbing one child for another?
Shifting to another recent reduction — senior citizen meals. On Sept.12, The News- Enterprise of Elizabethtown published “Funding shortfall forces cuts to local senior citizen meals.”
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The article reports that CHFS insisted it had correct funding projections of approximately $10 million for the senior meal program; legislators were willing to fund up to $14.5 million.
Daniel London, the Lincoln Trail Area Development District’s (ADD) executive director, said that area development districts were notified at 4:30 on Sept. 8 to immediately begin cutting meals. Their regional reduction is estimated at a loss of 600-800 “Grab and Go Meals” for seniors. There are 15 area development districts statewide resulting in the loss of thousands of meals. An empty plate for a senior citizen is not trivial.
State Sen. Matt Deneen said in the News-Enterprise article that lawmakers “were willing to bring the funding up to $14.5 (million) based on the data from the districts but we were told the funding was not needed. It’s disappointing to learn that the Cabinet’s number appears not to (have) been correct. I hope the Cabinet rethinks their formulas.”
I absolutely understand that if the checkbook starts to get low, action is warranted. However, it doesn’t feel like we are doing our best in the current approaches. Many seniors, children and families might agree.
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I believe that whoever is budgeting and forecasting in CHFS needs to get a new calculator and practice using a megaphone. Consider more voices in the room before proclaiming decisions. This work impacts the lives of thousands of vulnerable human beings. Don’t cut the “families” out of family services.
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[SRC] https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/kentucky-cutting-families-family-services-093001899.html
