State Auditor Allison Ball and Ombudsman Jonathan Grate announced Tuesday they have sent a letter to Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Secretary Eric Friedlander and Gov. Andy Beshear, seeking restoration of full access to iTWIST.
That’s a database containing information pertinent to ensuring that Kentucky’s most vulnerable populations receive the government services they need.
The General Assembly passed legislation moving the Commonwealth Office of the Ombudsman to the Auditor’s Office, effective July 1, 2024. The Ombudsman, in part, conducts systemic investigations of CHFS concerning employees and public service programs.
According to Ball, access to iTWIST is essential for the Ombudsman to perform its job to the full extent required by the law and was previously available to the Ombudsman staff prior to the transition. However, despite numerous discussions in preparation for the transition, CHFS now opposes the Ombudsman’s full and direct access to iTWIST after July 1, 2024.
In the letter, Ball and Grate stated, “It is abundantly clear that both state and federal law require that the Cabinet give full, direct and real-time access to iTWIST. If the Cabinet continues to refuse to provide that access, then Kentucky is at risk of losing crucial federal dollars. More importantly, our Commonwealth’s children will be left vulnerable, as accountability measures put in place to protect them will be impeded by these roadblocks.”
In a statement, Ball pointed out, “Kentucky’s children, elderly, and those in need deserve public servants who will work diligently for their benefit, not create barriers. I am hopeful CHFS will restore access to the iTWIST system so the Ombudsman’s Office can advocate for citizens and ensure that those seeking public services receive fair treatment.”
Until this matter is resolved, the Auditor and Ombudsman have also issued an evidence preservation letter directing the Cabinet to refrain from destroying any iTWIST records or the iTWIST system that existed prior to and after the transfer of the office.
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
