Though National Foster Care Month has ended, it is important to remember that we each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care beyond the month of May. Children and youth in the foster care system often face challenges emotionally, socially, physically, and educationally. It is important that we hear from those most impacted by foster care -- the youth. Read the reflections of one youth in foster care below. Abby's* resiliency and hope shines through her [...]

Governor Matt Bevin, Secretary Vickie Yates Brown Glisson of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, and Commissioner Adria Johnson of the Department of Community Based Services announced a new program that will serve as a pipeline for success for over 100 youth aging out of the foster care system. Fostering Success will include a ten-week workforce training and mentoring program with the goal of linking youth ages 18 to 23 to additional employment opportunities as [...]

May is National Foster Care Month, but it's only fitting to recognize the grandparents and other relatives who are raising children in Kentucky. Kinship care is often a safe alternative to foster care for children who cannot remain safely with their parents, as research shows that they are better off with family. We also know that kinship care poses lots of financial, emotional, and legal challenges for caregivers. All children deserve a safe and nurturing place [...]

In celebration of May as National Foster Care Month, one Kentuckian shares her journey as a foster parent. My name is Karra, and I have been married to my amazing husband for 24 ½ years. We have a son and a daughter. We currently have a foster son (but we really do not like to refer to him as our foster son, we prefer to just introduce him as our son). For many years we talked [...]