FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky officials are proposing a $35 million investment to build a specialized mental health facility for youth in the state’s juvenile justice system.
Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White presented the proposal Wednesday to a state budget review committee, highlighting an urgent need for the dedicated facility. Currently, young people with serious mental health issues are housed in general detention centers — an approach White said is both inadequate and potentially unsafe.
“The existing setup delays access to care and can pose risks to both staff and the youth,” White said.
Under the proposed plan, the new facility would offer 24 beds — 16 designated for clinical treatment and eight for assessment and stabilization. It would serve as a central resource for juveniles requiring intensive psychiatric care, reducing the reliance on out-of-state placements.
White noted that the department often struggles to find suitable placements within Kentucky for youth with complex and violent behavioral health needs. As a result, some are sent to facilities far from home, which can add further distress to already vulnerable individuals.
“When we do find a placement, it’s often far from the child’s support system,” White explained. “That distance can be traumatic and hinders their recovery.”
Operating the facility is expected to cost more than $12 million annually. Supporters of the proposal argue that the investment is necessary to ensure safer conditions and more effective treatment for justice-involved youth facing mental health challenges.
The proposal will be considered as part of the state’s upcoming budget discussions.
