A representative with an organization which advocates for at risk children and families says investing on “front end” care can help to reduce the number of foster children needing residential based services.
Michelle Sanborn with Children’s Alliance testified last week before a legislative panel in Frankfort. While there is talk of cutting funds for various state agencies, Sanborn believes an increase in state dollars is what’s needed. “We have to infuse some money. We have to increase the resources to child welfare in order to try to get to a system that’s healthy and in order to get to some long term savings with the quality of the children that we serve,” said Sanborn.
Sanborn says there are some 86 hundred children in ‘out of home’ care in Kentucky while about 900 are being cared for in residential programs. The Children’s Alliance President says out of home care numbers went up more than 1000 during the 2016-2017 period.
Madison Satterwhite lived in residential foster care facilities from age eleven until 18. The Lexington woman is now residing in an independent living unit. Satterwhite offered her thoughts about Kentucky’s foster care program last week during a legislative hearing in Frankfort. “I was that kid when I was younger. The problem teen that was always in trouble doing stuff I wasn’t supposed to do. And it wasn’t until my 18th birthday that it hit me and I just changed and wanted it better for myself and wanted to do better,” noted Satterwhite.
Satterwhite credits staff at Maryhurst, a residential program caring for teenage girls, for helping her achieve her goals. Satterwhile says she will start social work studies this year at Bluegrass Community and Technical College.
