Kentucky Foster Care Program Compliance Audit Report

This document is an audit report conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding Kentucky's compliance with Federal and State foster care program requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The audit was initiated due to the flexibilities provided by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in response to the public health emergency. The objective was to assess whether Kentucky adhered to the modified requirements for background checks and caseworker visits. The findings indicated that Kentucky did not consistently comply with these requirements, failing to conduct necessary background checks and adequately document caseworker visits. The report outlines specific challenges faced by Kentucky, including technical issues and staffing shortages. Recommendations were made to improve compliance, including conducting required background checks and addressing caseworker visit challenges. The State agency's comments on the findings and planned actions to resolve the issues are also included.