Court: Kentucky must pay relatives who take in foster kids

A federal appeals court has ruled Kentucky must pay relatives who serve as foster parents in the same manner it pays adults who are licensed as foster parents and paid a daily rate.

Friday's ruling by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals could prove a budget blow to the state's human services agency, already straining to care for a growing number of children removed from homes because of abuse or neglect.

But it is welcome news to children's advocates who argue that in many cases, grandparents, aunts, uncles and others are stepping up to provide free care that the state would otherwise pay foster families to provide, even when relatives can ill afford the additional cost and responsibility.

"The law provides for help on behalf of the children, and Kentucky needs to follow the law," said Richard Dawahare, a Lexington lawyer who filed the lawsuit on behalf of a low-income woman who was denied foster payments to care for two great-nephews. "Budget issues are real, but we've got to find a way to raise revenue."

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/2017/02/01/court-kentucky-must-pay-relatives-foster-care/97336320/