Valerie Frost, Author at Kentucky Youth Advocates

Who is Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky?

Who is Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky?

It’s been a HOT summer, so the Thriving Families, Safer Children (TSFC) Kentucky team hasn’t been staying cool (or even, always, calm given the gravity of this work). But they have remained collected around a shared purpose—infusing the national guiding principles throughout our statewide initiatives. This mid-year update will be a tribute to the partnership and the hard work they’re doing individually and as a collaborative effort supporting one another’s efforts to keep the movement [...]

By Valerie Frost|2024-07-30T11:30:39-04:00July 30th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

Step with Us Through the Kentucky Child and Family Wellbeing System Website Launch!

Step with Us Through the Kentucky Child and Family Wellbeing System Website Launch!

Historically, decisions about programs, policies, and services have been made without the input of those proximate to the issues or receiving end. Today, we know better. And we're doing better. Through an effort to build the voices of those with child welfare lived experience – to hear and learn from those who have been there – Kentucky Youth Advocates, with the support of Casey Family Programs, partnered with formerly systems-involved individuals to conduct focus groups [...]

By Valerie Frost|2024-05-22T11:11:40-04:00May 22nd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Race Equity|

Connecting Communities to Support Families and Well-Being: Regional Convenings

Connecting Communities to Support Families and Well-Being: Regional Convenings

The Regional Prevention Collaboratives, one of the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky initiatives, have been paving the way for proactive, community-driven resources and support for children and families. These collaboratives began during the summer of 2022 with convenings, called Visioning Sessions, where we gathered those living and working in communities to discuss local strengths and gaps, and then brainstorm ideas for community-led efforts that could prevent families from coming to the attention of the child welfare [...]

By Valerie Frost|2024-04-25T09:47:43-04:00April 23rd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Smile for Child Abuse: A Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky Message

Smile for Child Abuse: A Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky Message

According to research, there are scientific benefits to smiling. What's better than a grin? Full-on laughter. During the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky team's last meeting, we gathered at one of the collaborating partner's organizations–the Commonwealth Center for Fathers and Families–to exchange our favorite dad jokes. The winning knee-slapper? "I'd like to thank all the sidewalks for keeping me off the streets." But what is funny about child abuse and how does humor and [...]

By Valerie Frost|2024-04-23T13:27:03-04:00April 23rd, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

Here’s To Another Year of Promoting a Well-Being System!

Here’s To Another Year of Promoting a Well-Being System!

On January 5th, 2021, Kentucky submitted a letter of intent to join the national Thriving Families, Safer Children movement to equip and empower individuals and communities to support families. Our overall goal as one of the participating site teams was to establish universal health promotion for children, youth, and caregivers through proactive protective strengthening. Simply put, we want families to readily have what they need to be whole and manage life so they can stay [...]

By Valerie Frost|2024-03-04T12:11:03-05:00February 29th, 2024|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

Building the Voices of Lived Experience: Lessons Learned from Navigating the System

Building the Voices of Lived Experience: Lessons Learned from Navigating the System

Updated March 1, 2024 Life as anyone knows it can change with one knock or phone call. “I’m from Child Protective Services. There’s an allegation of child abuse or neglect in your household I need to discuss with you. May I enter?” “This is the local child services agency. We have your niece at our office. Can you be here in the next hour; otherwise, we will need to put her in foster care.” [...]

By Valerie Frost|2024-08-15T10:32:13-04:00December 27th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

When We All Do Our Part, Families Make It: An End of Year Thriving Families, Safer Children Reflection

When We All Do Our Part, Families Make It: An End of Year Thriving Families, Safer Children Reflection

Turkey for Thanksgiving is a hassle. There, I said it. Why are we so bound by tradition for the sake of doing what’s always been done? This year, during my post-meal mindless social media scrolling, I was proud to witness several of my timeline pals boast throwing the classic main dish imperative out the window for less complicated options including roast beef and an even bolder resistance, smoked salmon. Similarly outdated and long overdue for [...]

By Valerie Frost|2023-12-05T21:35:06-05:00December 5th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security|

All Hands on Deck for Supported, Thriving Kentucky Families and Communities: What’s Happening Now?

All Hands on Deck for Supported, Thriving Kentucky Families and Communities: What’s Happening Now?

Kentucky is now in its third year as a participating site team of the Thriving Families, Safer Children (TFSC) national commitment to child, youth, and family well-being. The vision of the movement is a world in which all children, youth, and families live in just and equitable communities with the supports, opportunities, and resources they need to thrive and remain free of unnecessary child welfare system involvement. Read on for an update on some of [...]

By Valerie Frost|2023-10-05T11:59:38-04:00October 5th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

Regions Taking Action for Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky

Regions Taking Action for Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky

All Kentuckians are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. But this responsibility may have subliminally conditioned us to have our eyes open when around parents and stay on constant alert for the worst. We as a society may have become too preoccupied waiting for the anticipated other shoe to drop that we forgot to look at ourselves and see what role we play in the health promotion of families around us. While it’s important [...]

By Valerie Frost|2023-09-08T11:56:57-04:00September 7th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|

KY SEAT Celebrates One Year of Parent Voice

KY SEAT Celebrates One Year of Parent Voice

I have a story to tell you. When I gave birth to my twins, I fully anticipated being greeted outside the labor and delivery door by the Publisher’s Clearinghouse Sweepstakes Patrol to begin my weekly checks for life. I mean, don’t all parents get money to do the hard, often thankless job of raising the next generation? Data from the U.S. Agriculture Department estimates it costs $17,000 a year to raise a child. To take [...]

By Valerie Frost|2023-07-26T12:45:40-04:00July 26th, 2023|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

About Valerie Frost