Kentucky to reduce child care assistance program

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Thousands of low-income families in Kentucky will stop receiving state assistance with child care costs later this year.

The Kentucky Department of Community Based Services made the announcement Thursday. According to media reports, the agency also said it would no longer take new applicants to the program or pay subsidies to families caring for abused or neglected children beginning in April.

The agency cited a budget shortfall for the decisions. Audrey Tayse Haynes, who is secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, says the agency has a projected shortfall of $86.6 million, fueled by cuts in federal and state funding and larger caseloads.

The new rules limiting who is eligible for the child care assistance program go into effect in July.

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