Diversion Project

The Diversion Project seeks to safely divert children from out-of-home care (OOHC) by providing a variety of in-home services so that children can safely remain or safely return to their homes without additional abuse or neglect.

The Diversion Project began in 2005 in Fayette County and the former Northern Kentucky Service Region and expanded in 2006 to include Jefferson County and eight counties in the Salt River Trail Service Region. 

The cabinet contracts with providers to assess referred families and design flexible family-focused service plans to specifically address keeping the child in their home or allowing the child to return to their home with services and supports designed to provide a safe and stable environment. 

Services minimally include clinical assessment, therapeutic child support services, parent development program and crisis intervention services.  Families have access their provider 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Diversion services last for four months with the option of a two month extension when warranted. Providers follow-up with diversion families to assess the success of the intervention at three months, six months and one year.  

From July 1 to Dec. 31, 2006, the Diversion Project diverted more than 90 percent of the Northern Kentucky children served from entering or returning to out-of-home care.