FRANKFORT, Ky. — A year has passed since Kentucky’s Senate Bill 151 was enacted, yet many kinship caregivers are still without the promised resources. This legislation was designed to provide financial support to relatives, often grandparents or aunts and uncles, who step in to care for children. However, the bill has encountered significant delays due to ongoing funding disputes.
Governor Andy Beshear introduced the “Kinship Bill” to address concerns that kinship caregivers deserve financial support comparable to that received by foster families. Despite the law receiving approval, the financial backing required to implement it is still unresolved, leaving thousands of families waiting for assistance.
Advocates like Norma Hatfield, a grandmother who has cared for her grandchildren for over a decade, have expressed their disappointment. Hatfield has been a prominent voice for kinship caregivers and understands the struggles they face in an underfunded system. She has witnessed firsthand the ramifications on caregivers, many of whom have lost their homes or vehicles due to a lack of resources. Hatfield recalled a recent encounter with a grandmother living in her car with her grandchildren, emphasizing the urgent need for support.
Hatfield’s advocacy helped bring attention to SB 151, which also allows children in state custody a voice in selecting a relative caregiver. However, without the necessary funding allocated, its implementation remains stalled. In the past few weeks, Hatfield has received distressing calls from several struggling caregivers, highlighting the challenges faced by families in the Bluegrass State.
The issue has garnered further attention as State Auditor Allison Ball initiated an investigation into the funding landscape related to SB 151. Her office encountered resistance from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, leading to a lawsuit against Governor Beshear’s administration for withholding records needed for the audit.
Ball asserted the importance of determining whether funds exist to implement the law. While the auditor aimed to assess the availability of financial resources, a Franklin County Circuit Court judge ultimately dismissed her lawsuit, stating it was not the right time for such action. Ball expressed reluctance about the administration’s cooperation but remains committed to pursuing more transparency.
In a response to the lawsuit, Governor Beshear’s office characterized it as politically motivated and stated that their administration remains dedicated to the welfare of Kentucky’s children. The governor noted that for SB 151 to take effect, legislative funding is essential, and criticized the General Assembly for not providing necessary support in the last two sessions.
Despite the assurances from the administration, skeptics like Hatfield are concerned about the timeline for implementation. She remarked that she would remain cautious until tangible steps are taken. Meanwhile, State Senator Julie Raque Adams, who originally sponsored SB 151, emphasized that families in Kentucky are still waiting for the promised support. She noted that the core objectives of the law have not been fulfilled and criticized any delays in execution.
Governor Beshear has announced plans to include kinship funding in his upcoming budget proposal, expected during the 2026 legislative session. However, caregivers and advocates, including Hatfield, stress that immediate action is crucial, as they cannot afford to wait any longer for essential support.
The uncertainty surrounding the funding for SB 151 leaves many kinship caregivers in a precarious situation, highlighting the ongoing need for swift legislative and executive action to safeguard vulnerable families in Kentucky.
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