The rate of foster youth entering Kentucky's foster care system has grown since 2011, and a decreasing percentage of those youth are being reunified with their parents or guardians. That data was outlined in a report from the nonprofit Kentucky Youth Advocates that was released this November. Though the report suggests some child welfare measures to improve, many of those solutions cost money and the state could face a $1.1 billion budget shortfall and fiscal needs from its underfunded pension system. WFPL's In Conversation talked with Kentucky Youth Advocates' Executive Director Terry Brooks, Republican Senator Julie Raque Adams and Voices of the Commonwealth member Christopher Hagans about why the rate of foster youth has increased, what issues in the child welfare system should be addressed, and how legislators might address child welfare during this upcoming legislative session.