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State officials tell Florence council Northern Kentucky has thousands of children in foster care, urge foster and respite recruitment
Summary
A Cabinet for Health and Family Services clinician told the Florence City Council that Kentucky has 8,605 children in foster care and described gaps in placements in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties, asking residents to consider respite care, donations and foster parent recruitment.
Julia Abishon, mayor of Florence, introduced representatives of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who asked the council and community to help with foster‑care needs across Northern Kentucky.
"Currently, the state of Kentucky has 8,605 children that are in foster care," said Clyde Jamieson, a social service clinician with the cabinet, who noted the Northern Bluegrass service region has 1,224 children in care and Boone County has 170. Jamieson said Kenton County has 427 children and Campbell County 162, leaving Boone with the lowest count among the three but nonetheless facing unmet needs.
Jamieson described three common placement types — relative placements, fictive‑kin placements and non‑familial foster homes — and said relative and fictive‑kin caregivers can often take a child immediately following removal, while licensed foster parents must complete a seven‑week training and home study. He also gave age‑group counts for Boone County: 57 children ages newborn–5, 33 ages 6–11, and 80 ages 12–21.
"If it wasn't for the relative fictive kin population, I feel like we would be in a much dire need for foster parents," Jamieson said, adding the program's goal is the least restrictive environment and that placement within a child's county of origin reduces trauma.
Council members and audience members asked how residents can help. Jamieson recommended respite care — short‑term caregiving that allows families to try hosting a child without completing the full training — and listed items communities can donate, including new suitcases, food gift cards and warm meals for children in nontraditional placements. He said the state is operating at about 85% capacity and that some children temporarily sleep in department offices during placement gaps.
A person who said they had lived in foster care described independent‑living supports for youth 18–21 and urged attention to services that help older teens transition to adulthood.
Jamieson closed by asking the council to share events and outreach opportunities and noted Casey Bushelman had informational packets for councilmembers. Mayor Abishon and council members said the city would help spread the word.
The presentation did not include a formal vote or request for city action beyond the ask for outreach and community support.
