This op-ed was originally posted by the NKyTribune on April 27, 2026.
By Shannon Moody and Barry Dunn
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” The Little Engine That Could taught many of us the power of persistence – not giving up when the going gets tough and maintaining a sense of hopefulness when all seems lost.
That mantra, backed by the persistence of our community partners, helps the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement remain hopeful in our mission to prevent and end child abuse in Kentucky. Now with nearly 200 partners serving families and children in communities across the Commonwealth, that bold mission drives our commitment to promoting best practices, empowering the community, and advocating for effective policies for more than a decade.
Persistent advocacy to keep kids safe
Keeping kids safe begins within the systems in which they grow up – places like child care and in schools.
When individuals with a history of sexual misconduct are allowed to work in schools, trust is broken and students suffer the consequences. At the persistence of Representative James Tipton and the dedicated members of the Face It Policy Team, a bill has been signed into law by the Governor to reduce the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation of students by keeping unsafe adults out of the school building.
While the vast majority of educators are dedicated to the safety and learning of their students, we’ve all seen the headlines from school districts across the state – and country – of educators violating the trust of students, parents, and the school community alike with incidences of sexual misconduct. Components of House Bill 102, which were supported in passage of House Bill 253, require public and certified nonpublic schools to conduct thorough background checks and reference checks for all potential employees; require applicants to disclose any past disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct; prohibit the use of non-disclosure agreements in situations involving a student or minor; and implement comprehensive training on sexual misconduct, grooming, and appropriate communication for all educators.
Complex issues require nuanced solutions – and after years of advocacy and numerous survivors of sexual abuse at the hands of educators bravely sharing their stories, this legislation has finally reached the finish line. We cannot discount that persistence and its pivotal role in strengthening the ability of schools to safeguard students and hold perpetrators accountable.
Your role in prevention
It’s easy to celebrate wins like that one in Frankfort – and others like House Bill 4, sponsored by Representative Marianne Proctor, to define grooming of a minor child as a criminal offense, and House Bill 6, sponsored by Representative Samara Heavrin, to strengthen quality and access to child care options for families, especially for those with children with special needs.
What takes courage and perseverance is a commitment to facing an issue like child abuse head-on and not wavering at the sheer scope of the problem and ways to make an impact. This is especially true as Kentucky continues to see double the national rate of child abuse and neglect cases, with a total of 14,505 victims in the latest report.
It takes courage to speak up on legislation focused on improving child safety, to speak out when child safety is threatened, and to speak kindly to a parent who may be struggling and needs a helping hand.
Join with us
Kosair for Kids and Kentucky Youth Advocates persist in the movement to prevent child abuse and neglect. For example, Kosair for Kids has invested over $25 million over the past decade to keep kids safe from harm while doggedly seeking measures to address changing environments and risk factors, including an opioid epidemic, a global pandemic, and an ever-changing economic climate that leads to real stressors for families.
We continue to seek new opportunities to promote child safety by investing in community-based interventions and partnerships that innovate throughout the systems that support kids.
Like that little engine, we must keep chugging along, persistently speak up, and remain hopeful that everyday actions to prevent child abuse are making a profound impact on childhoods now and in the decades to follow.
In honor of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month – and beyond – will you join with us in that courageous mission to prevent and end child abuse? Learn more at faceitabuse.org.
Barry Dunn is president and CEO at Kosair for Kids, the founder and funder of the Face It Movement. Shannon Moody, PhD, is the Chief Policy & Strategy Officer at Kentucky Youth Advocates.
Every adult in Kentucky is a mandated reporter of child maltreatment. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Child Protection Hotline at 1-877-KYSAFE1.
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