Kentucky’s Department of Juvenile Justice is proposing the construction of a $35 million mental health facility aimed at addressing the urgent treatment needs of incarcerated youth. Commissioner Randy White highlighted the critical demand for such a facility during a budget review on Wednesday. Currently, youths in Kentucky who require mental health care are often treated in detention centers, which can lead to delays in receiving appropriate care and create unsafe conditions for both staff and the young individuals.
The existing system frequently results in youths with severe mental health issues being placed in private facilities, but many of these placements occur out of state. This practice not only distances these youths from their families and support systems but also adds to their trauma. “When we seek placement for these individuals, if we are lucky enough to find a bed, they are often sent far away from home, which can be traumatic for them,” White stated.
The proposed facility is designed to include 24 beds, comprising 16 for clinical patients and 8 specifically for assessment and stabilization. The estimated annual operating costs for this facility will exceed $12 million, reflecting the ongoing commitment to improve mental health care for the state’s youth.
As Kentucky moves forward with this initiative, the focus remains on ensuring that incarcerated youths receive timely and safe mental health treatment, ultimately aiming to reduce the reliance on out-of-state placements and enhance overall care within the state.
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