The Kentucky Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) has launched a new online resource to give support information to relative and fictive kin caregivers.
The new Kinship Navigator Section on the KY FACES website (Kentucky Foster Adoptive Caregiver Exchange System) provides information and quick links to supportive services for relative and fictive kin caregivers raising children. The new web portal can be accessed here.
DCBS, part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, is the state’s primary social services agency that provides child and adult protective services and family support services. DCBS has offices in all 120 counties.
DCBS Commissioner Eric Clark said the new resource is one part of the department’s child welfare transformation efforts.
“Relative and fictive kin caregivers keep children safe by giving them stable, loving homes, which is in everyone’s best interest,” he said. “Kentucky values relative and fictive caregivers and sees this navigator as one of many resources that supports them as they support vulnerable children. We are committed to helping these families on their journey — child welfare belongs to all of us.”
Services on the KY FACES site are listed in the kinship navigator section with links to the individual programs.
Information about support services includes assistance providing for a child’s medical or mental health care needs, child care assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food benefits), Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (cash assistance), Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP), information about becoming an approved foster home, and other helpful services.
DCBS is committed to continuing to support children’s placements with relative and fictive kin caregivers. The website will efficiently link families with information about resources. Caregivers will also have access to FAQ (frequently asked questions), videos and testimonials from other Kentucky caregivers.
DCBS also provides a Kinship Support Hotline that provides kinship relatives the chance to address program issues, talk about problems or ask questions. Local office staff will answer hotline calls. The Kinship Support Hotline is 877-565-5608 and is staffed 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Caregiving relatives and fictive kin can also email relative.supports@ky.gov for information, resources or support for their families. To learn more about DCBS and its programs, go to the CHFS homepage, and type “DCBS” in the “What can we help you find?” search bar.
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is home to most of the state’s human services and healthcare programs, including the Department for Medicaid Services. CHFS is one of the largest agencies in state government, with nearly 8,000 full- and part-time employees located across the Commonwealth focused on improving the lives and health of Kentuckians.
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
