(WKYT) – State Auditor Allison Ball’s office has released an examination of children in Kentucky’s foster care system being placed in non-traditional locations, including office buildings.
The exam covered a nearly two-year period. Auditors found more than 300 children were placed in office buildings, state parks, hotels, or other unlicensed locations. Some of those children were younger than 6 years old.
Cabinet has ‘not meaningfully addressed’ problem, audit says
The auditor’s office said the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has “not meaningfully addressed” the problem.
Under state law, the cabinet must submit a written response to the Ombudsman addressing the findings by March 24, 2026. Within 60 days of that response, the cabinet is required to notify the Ombudsman which recommendations it has implemented and which it has not, along with its reasons.
The cabinet has been reached out to for comment. The governor’s office said it had not yet received the report.