The Citizens Foster Care Review Board is in the midst of a series of town halls that look to improve the Commonwealth’s foster care system.
A meeting for those living in eastern Kentucky focused on how families can better contribute to their local child welfare system. Topics included how to better understand the court system, and expanding access to services in more rural areas.
“Drug treatments, we have them in Lexington, they're everywhere,” foster parent and board volunteer Tah Nutter-Blair said. “You have them in Louisville, they're everywhere. But when you get to the rural counties, they're not everywhere, and they're not always accessible. Some of them do not accept specific insurances.”
Nutter-Blair also says she wants more involvement in court hearings from foster parents.
“The court system doesn't always give us that direct voice,” Nutter-Blair said. “We can attend court hearings. We do get to speak when spoken to. But if a child is in my home for 30 days, then the majority of those 30 days is spent with me.”
Two more meetings are scheduled in the series.
One for residents of Fayette, Jefferson and Bullitt Counties is scheduled from 12 - 1 p.m. EST, Aug. 13. Registration is available here.
Another is for residents of central Kentucky counties, including Anderson, Boone, Bourbon, Boyle, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Clark, Estill, Fleming, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Harrison, Henry, Jessamine, Kenton, Lee, Lincoln, Madison, Mason, Mercer, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Owsley, Pendleton, Robertson, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble and Woodford.
It’s scheduled from 12 - 1 p.m., Aug. 16. Registration is available here.
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