Kentucky state auditor to investigate foster children sleeping in state office buildings

After receiving numerous complaints about foster children in Kentucky sleeping in office buildings without supervision, state Auditor Allison Ball said Tuesday that the Office of the Ombudsman will investigate.

A release from the Auditor of Public Accounts announced that an investigation is underway into the Cabinet for Health and Family Services after reports were received that foster children are being housed in office buildings in Kentucky.

“My office has continued to receive numerous complaints of foster children and teenagers sleeping on cots and air mattresses in office buildings, often not supervised by trained staff,” Auditor Allison Ball stated.

“I have instructed the Ombudsman’s Office to investigate this issue to uncover the problems associated with this ongoing crisis," Ball continued. "The vulnerable children of Kentucky deserve to be placed in nurturing environments where they are provided with the resources, stability, and care they need.”

According to officials, hundreds of foster kids have been spending nights and weeks in CHFS office buildings has been going on for about two years, and involved about 300 children.

State officials have long dealt with a shortage of available foster families. They say Kentucky needs more families to foster, and also needs a better system to identify and report children who can't be placed.