State officials tell Florence council Northern Kentucky needs more foster and respite homes

Representatives from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services briefed the Florence City Council on local foster care needs, saying the state currently has 8,605 children in foster care and that Northern Bluegrass counties are carrying significant shares of that population.

Clyde Jamieson, a social service clinician with the cabinet, told council members Northern Bluegrass has 1,224 children in care; Boone County has 170, Campbell County 162 and Kenton County 427. "Right now, we are at 85% capacity as the state," Jamieson said, adding that staffing and placement shortages sometimes force children into "nontraditional placements," including sleeping in an office.

Jamieson described placement types and local gaps: relative placements and "fictive kin" (close family friends or trusted adults) can take children immediately after removal while traditional foster parents complete a seven‑class training over seven weeks. He identified the greatest need among children ages 6–11 and 12–21 and for medically complex children who require specialized care.

The cabinet staff outlined benefits available to foster and adoptive families, including tuition supports, medical cards, monthly stipends until age 21 and adoption tax credits. Jamieson said the cabinet also provides training for caregivers and 24‑hour support for crises and higher‑level behavioral needs.

Council members and residents asked how people can help. Jamieson recommended respite care — short‑term care that allows families to test fostering without completing the full training — and noted Casey Bushell had flyers on becoming a respite provider. He also encouraged donations of new items such as suitcases (preferred new for hygiene reasons), video game systems, gift cards and warm meals to support children placed temporarily in offices or nontraditional settings. "Suitcases are something we would take," Jamieson said.

The presenters closed by asking the council to publicize events and volunteer opportunities; the mayor said the city would share information about fairs and vendor events and thanked the cabinet staff for their work.

The discussion produced no formal council action; presenters provided handouts and asked members to consider local outreach and recruitment for respite and foster families.