KRS 194A.010: Cabinet for Health and Family Services -- Functions.

(1) The cabinet is the primary state agency for operating the public health,

Medicaid, certificate of need and licensure, and mental health and intellectual

disability programs in the Commonwealth. The function of the cabinet is to

improve the health of all Kentuckians, including the delivery of population,

preventive, reparative, and containment health services in a safe and effective

fashion, and to improve the functional capabilities and opportunities of

Kentuckians with disabilities. The cabinet is to accomplish its function through

direct and contract services for planning and through the state health plan and

departmental plans for program operations, for program monitoring and

standard setting, and for program evaluation and resource management.

(2) The cabinet is the primary state agency responsible for leadership in protecting

and promoting the well-being of Kentuckians through the delivery of quality

human services. Recognizing that children are the Commonwealth's greatest

natural resource and that individuals and their families are the most critical

component of a strong society, the cabinet shall deliver social services to

promote the safety and security of Kentuckians and preserve their dignity. The

cabinet shall administer child welfare programs that promote collaboration and

accountability among government agencies, public, and private programs to

improve the lives of families and children in developing strategies consistent

with best practice standards for delivery of services. The cabinet also shall

administer income-supplement programs that protect, develop, preserve, and

maintain individuals, families, and children in the Commonwealth.