(1) Family resource and youth services centers shall be designed to meet the needs of children and their families by providing services to enhance a student’s ability to succeed in school. If resources are limited, students and families who are the most economically disadvantaged shall receive priority status for receiving services.
(2) Family resource centers shall be located in or near each elementary school in the Commonwealth in which twenty percent (20%) or more of the student body are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Family resource centers shall promote identification and coordination of existing resources and shall include but not be limited to the following core components for each site:
(a) Full-time preschool child care for children two (2) and three (3) years of age; (b) After-school child care for children ages four (4) through twelve (12), with the
child care being full-time during the summer and on other days when school is
not in session;
(c) Families in training, which shall consist of an integrated approach to home visits, group meetings, and monitoring child development for new and expectant parents;
(d) Family literacy services as described in KRS § 158.360 or a similar program designed to provide opportunities for parents and children to learn together and promote lifelong learning; and
(e) Health services or referrals to health services, or both.
(3) Youth services centers shall be located in or near each school in the Commonwealth, except elementary schools, in which twenty percent (20%) or more of the student body are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Youth services centers shall promote identification and coordination of existing resources and shall include but not be limited to the following core components for each site:
(a) Referrals to health and social services; (b) Career exploration and development;
(c) Summer and part-time job development for high school students; (d) Substance abuse education and counseling; and
(e) Family crisis and mental health counseling.
(4) A grant program is hereby established to provide financial assistance to eligible school districts to establish or maintain family resource or youth services centers. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services shall award grants pursuant to KRS
156.4977. Funding provided to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services for the grant program and agency administrative costs shall include an increase that is equal to or greater than the general fund growth factor provided in agency budget instructions.
(5) A family resource or youth services center that receives funding for one (1) year or more shall not be considered ineligible for funding based solely on the percent of
the student body eligible for free or reduced-price school meals unless the percent of the student body eligible for free or reduced-price school meals is below twenty percent (20%) for five (5) consecutive years.
(6) A school district shall not operate a family resource center or a youth services center that provides abortion counseling or makes referrals to a health care facility for the purpose of seeking an abortion.
(7) A school district may accept monetary donations for the operation and maintenance of family resource and youth services centers. Any donations given to the school district for the operation and maintenance of family resource and youth services centers shall be used only for the operation and maintenance of family resource and youth services centers, and for no other purpose.
Effective: June 27, 2019
History: Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 76, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019. — Created
2008 Ky. Acts ch. 120, sec. 2, effective July 15, 2008.