UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2388
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A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to 1
evaluate and report on services offered to children in out-of-home care settings. 2
WHEREAS, 10 percent of children placed in foster care reside in group homes or 3
institutional placements; and 4
WHEREAS, up to 80 percent of children in foster care have significant mental 5
health issues, compared to approximately 18 to 22 percent of the general population; and 6
WHEREAS, Kentucky ranks among the highest states in the county for rates of 7
psychotropic medication use for children, including antipsychotic medications; and 8
WHEREAS, psychotropic medications are expensive and have many side effects, 9
some of which bear a long-term burden on an individuals' health and finances; 10
NOW, THEREFORE, 11
Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 12
Section 1. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is hereby directed to: 13
(1) Partner with Aetna Better Health of Kentucky to conduct an external audit and 14
review of current requirements related to training for residential care organizations to 15
ensure the response to youth behavior in consideration of their history of trauma and 16
reactiveness is consistent with best practices and appropriate interventions; 17
(2) Develop practices and procedures that would increase the opportunities for 18
youth in residential or institutional care to enter relative or fictive kin placements with 19
robust transitional supports for the youth and their families; 20
(3) Designate a study group to make recommendations regarding the creation and 21
implementation of performance-based contracting for licensed child-caring facilities and 22
child-placing agencies in the Commonwealth; and 23
(4) Develop practices and procedures related to the long-term effects of 24
psychotropic medications on childhood development. 25
Section 2. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall report on the audit, 26
development of practice and procedures, and the study required in Section 1 of this 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2388
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Resolution by November 1, 2024 to the Legislative Research Commission for referral to 1
the Interim Joint Committee on Families and Children. 2