Last week, the Kentucky General Assembly considered issues that impact Kentucky children, including learning loss and the mental health impact of extended school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. I hope you will take a few moments and read this update about what’s going on in Frankfort.
School Funding Task Force: A special task force charged with studying K-12 education funding discussed how to level the playing field for rural and urban school districts. It’s clear that we must bring parity to SEEK, the state’s base funding formula that uses average daily attendance of students to calculate appropriations. Committee members were provided with insight and analysis from the Office of Education Accountability, who reported grim findings on Kentucky’s rural districts.
The SEEK funding discussion continues next week with the Kentucky Department of Education on nonresident student funding. Members will evaluate possible recommendations after. During the 2021 regular session, we proved our commitment to maximizing student outcomes by once again funding the per pupil allocation at a historically high dollar amount.
Child Welfare Oversight and Advisory Committee: Workforce issues were center stage as the Department for Community-Based Services (DCBS), the state agency that oversees child protection services, testified on staff shortages and the mounting number of cases. According to DCBS, child protective services intakes soared to 112,000 children, reaching the highest levels of kids in state care.
The average number of caseloads managed by social workers are well past what is called for in state law and national averages, with reports showing a social worker handles a minimum of 26 ongoing cases. Jefferson and Fayette counties particularly feel the squeeze, where case numbers dramatically increase between 70 and 80.
Before the pandemic, Kentucky led the nation in reported cases of child abuse and neglect. According to officials, those numbers continue to skyrocket. As the 2022 Regular Session approaches, we look forward to collaborating with the cabinet to create legislation to address this issue.
Legislative Oversight Committee: As the legislature’s main investigative arm, the committee heard from staff about a report issued by the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel.
The panel is composed of a 20 member team of volunteers that includes representatives from the medical, social services, mental health, legal, and law enforcement communities. Created in 2012, the panel conducts comprehensive reviews of child fatalities and near fatalities that were the result of abuse and neglect and reported to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). Each year, the panel publishes a report that documents the panel’s review of cases and its findings based on the review, and provides recommendations for system and process improvements.
Committee staff reviewed how the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) sends case information to the panel, how the panel analyzes the data, and how the panel drafts and finalizes its annual reports. Staff made recommendations based on findings, identifying ways to streamline processes and promote efficiency. For instance, the data tool used to collect specific case data is the same tool used in 2014, and has yet to be updated.
The Review Panel staff testified that statute requires the panel to meet quarterly to review cases, but in 2020, the panel met ten times to review every case referred. Staff continued that in 2021, the panel met every month, in response to growing cases. After the confinement associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures, and lock down orders; Kentucky sees an increased reports of child fatalities and near fatalities.
We are learning that despite the fact that the panel is funded through the Cabinet, it has never been included in the budget request process. As we look towards promoting best practices, I hope the panel’s budget request will reflect the necessary needs. Now more than ever, the panel serves a critical purpose, to ensure that the systems used to protect Kentucky’s most vulnerable children are efficient and sound.
As always, I hope you will feel free to contact me with any questions or issues. I can be reached here at home anytime or through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. Please feel free to email me at Samara.Heavrin@lrc.ky.gov. If you would like more information about any of these committees or legislative actions, you can visit the Legislative Research Commission website at legislature.ky.gov.
State Rep. Samara Heavrin
