Kentucky's CHILD waiver regulations are now in force

The two state regulations behind Kentucky's new Community Health for Improved Lives and Development (CHILD) waiver are now final and in force. The waiver is already open. If your child is applying, or already gets CHILD services, these are the rules the program runs on.

What's changing

Two Kentucky Administrative Regulations (KAR) govern the CHILD waiver:

• 907 KAR 2:720 covers the program requirements.
• 907 KAR 2:725 covers how providers are paid.

Both have finished the adoption process at Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission (LRC). The LRC now lists both as current. The history line for 907 KAR 2:725 shows an effective date of September 15, 2026.

The waiver itself is not new this week. It got federal approval on November 6, 2025, and took effect January 1, 2026. The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) is certifying providers and taking applications from families.

Who it affects (and who it doesn't)

This affects Kentucky families of children and youth up to age 21 with high-intensity behavioral health or developmental needs who are applying for, or getting, CHILD waiver services.

It does not change the rules for Kentucky's other waivers:

• Michelle P. Waiver (MPW)
• Supports for Community Living (SCL)
• Home and Community Based (HCB) waiver
• Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) waiver
• Model II Waiver

Key dates

• November 6, 2025: The CHILD waiver got federal approval.
• January 1, 2026: The CHILD waiver took effect.
• September 15, 2026: 907 KAR 2:725 took effect, per its history line.

What you can do

1. If you are thinking about the CHILD waiver for your child, you can apply through kynect. You can also apply in person at an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) or a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC).
2. If your child already gets CHILD services, ask your case manager if anything changes for your child's plan.
3. Watch for mail about the waiver, and keep a copy of any notice you get.

For CHILD waiver questions, call the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at (844) 784-5614. You can also read the CHILD waiver page.