LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking to build a 24-bed mental health facility for children in their custody.

Specifically for justice-involved youth, 16 of the beds in the facility would be for clinical use, while the remaining eight would be reserved for assessment and stabilization.

The DJJ has estimated that the total cost of constructing the facility would be $35 million, and maintenance and staffing could reach $12 million in its first year.

DJJ Commissioner Randy White emphasized that the need for specialized care comes in surges, and was unable to provide an estimate on how many kids need or qualify for these services. Currently, children who need specialized care have to be sent out of state.

“If we are fortunate enough to obtain a bed

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