In addition to SNAP, there’s more we need to do for needy KY families | Opinion

As we approach the holidays, there are Kentuckians that won’t be focused on lights and tinsel, but on food and shelter. While we await the opening of the federal government and the actual receipt of federal assistance to the Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP), there are other serious issues in the day-to-day lives of many in poverty.

As I read the headlines that seem to change hourly regarding critically needed resources for low income individuals; I feel compelled to highlight another available opportunity that would make a critical difference in the lives of Kentucky’s vulnerable families.

First, I’d like to thank the Governor for his allocation of $5 million of emergency reserve funding to help those with SNAP. Kentuckians are struggling with food insecurity; losing SNAP would have been detrimental to many. To put that in perspective, for a family of three to receive SNAP, the income eligibility is 130% or more below the poverty line.

According to Feeding America, there are 213,830 children and a total of 753,410 Kentuckians facing hunger. These alarming statistics were gathered before we heard that the SNAP funding could lapse.

In late September, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) announced a 35% reduction in the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP). Those critical reductions became effective this month.

KTAP comes from federal funding known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The eligibility income for a family of four for KTAP is $1,315 a month.

Many low-income families rely on both KTAP and SNAP; it’s help for food and shelter.

So, what can be done? Recently, there was a publicized funding shortage for the Senior Meal Program managed by the CHFS. The State Budget Director, John Hicks, identified $25 million in state general funds that were originally tagged for Medicaid reimbursement. The Governor used approximately $9.1 million of those funds to replenish funds for that program.

Now there’s $15.9 million remaining and available. Recently, State Auditor Allison Ball and Ombudsman Jonathan Grate issued a report with a recommendation that the $14.7 million be used to implement a kinship bill known as Senate Bill 151 and the remaining $1.2 million go towards supplementing KTAP.

So why should we follow those recommendations?

SB 151 is a straight forward kinship bill. It ensures that children have a voice as to where they are placed, and that caregivers — often elderly grandparents — have time to understand critical paperwork during moments of crisis. It potentially keeps kids from losing thousands of dollars in resources that were meant for them.

Kinship kids are vulnerable. Kinship care is when a child lives with a relative or family friend other than a biological parent. Kinship families are what holds our child welfare system together. Caregivers step in with limited resources and do so at an enormous personal sacrifice. It’s a lifeline for many children.

Knowing 42% of the kinship families utilize KTAP, SB 151 could give SNAP and KTAP some relief because future kids and caregivers might not need these programs. Implementing SB 151 is both a strategic and operational approach.

Our state has twice the national rate of child maltreatment and twice the national rate of children in kinship care.

If looking for legislative approval in using these funds, I am confident that the General Assembly would be eager to see solutions because:

They unanimously passed SB-151 last year and have been waiting for its implementation.

Legislators got involved when they heard of the Senior Meal Program reductions

KTAP reductions were of concern and discussed during the Oct. 22 Interim Joint Committee for Children and Families.

Of course, there are possible variations for using the available funds in implementing SB-151 and KTAP, but the point is that there’s more we can do.

As for keeping promises, I’d like to remind the Governor that in October 2023 during the gubernatorial debate, when asked about kinship families, he said that: “We need to do everything we can to ensure their needs are met.”

From my perspective, using those funds for some or all of SB 151 and KTAP is a humane example of doing everything we can. Especially considering the circumstances we are in today.

Every day children are losing access to resources to sustain their lives. These are issues that shouldn’t be delayed for another year, another month, or even next week.

The funding exists. The kinship law exists. The Governor has the authority and opportunity. The needs are clearly present and urgent. He did it for SNAP and the Senior Meals Program. He should do it now – for the kids.

Norma Hatfield is a grandmother raising two grandchildren in Hardin County and long time kinship advocate; she is President of the Kinship Families Coalition of Kentucky.