Home of the Innocents enriches the lives of children and families with hope , health , and happiness .
Our 2025-2027 Policy Agenda focuses on three priorities :
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Child Welfare System Reform Complex Care Center Expansion
3 Strengthening the Nonprofit Sector
We believe in building a strong community where everyone has the support they need to gain stability and fulfillment . Because our mission focuses on the care and support of children and families , we collaborate with local , state , and federal policymakers to strengthen our systems and cultivate a community that provides for the well-being of its most vulnerable members .
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Child Welfare System Reform
Home of the Innocents believes that preventing child abuse and neglect begins with strengthening family systems . However , Kentucky ’ s limited infrastructure and stagnant Medicaid rates hinder support for at-risk youth , resulting in inadequate resources and inappropriate placements . These challenges disproportionately impact marginalized groups , often deepening lifelong trauma .
To support meaningful reforms in the child welfare system and build a behavioral health continuum of care that delivers appropriate support at every level for all children and families , Home of the Innocents will :
Advocate with Executive and Legislative branches to create comprehensive child welfare system reform that promotes more appropriate placement options for children in out-of-home care .
156 youth
As of October 2024 , 156 youth in out-of-home care were placed outside the state of Kentucky . [ 1 ]
Support a comprehensive rate restructuring that fully funds the cost of Qualified Residential Treatment Program ( QRTP ) services . Fully fund and develop innovative placement options to meet the needs of youth who are currently difficult to place . Advocate for repealing the IMD exclusion to enable residential facilities with over 16 beds to access Medicaid funding ( H . R . 4531 ).