Child abuse and neglect prevention is a topic highlighted in April, but one that must be carried into every month. Long lasting prevention can only happen when several factors come into play, including changing behaviors within the home and community—on the ground—as well as creating commonsense policies that ensure children are protected and families are supported—on a systems level. We know that child abuse prevention starts at home and in our local communities. We can [...]

Dear Nash, This is a hard letter for me to write. You are so small—only four months old—and I cannot stand to think of anything bad happening to you. But it’s my job to keep you safe, and I take that job very seriously. It’s my responsibility to buckle you in your car seat, put you to sleep on your back, and childproof our house. It’s also my responsibility to teach you to value your [...]

Ending child abuse and neglect requires transparency of data, procedures, protocols, and policies in the systems with which vulnerable children interact, such as the child welfare, education, and justice systems. Over the last few years, we at Kentucky Youth Advocates have been concerned with the often lack of transparency and accountability of these systems and the impact this has on the protection of children. Recently, however, some positive movements give me hope when it comes [...]

To help us understand the keys to child abuse prevention, we must understand how to reduce risk factors in families and communities and how to promote protective factors. Many people are familiar with the factors that can increase the risk of child abuse, including substance use, mental health issues, domestic violence, a lack of understanding of child development, social isolation, as well as several others. The other side of the coin that is important to [...]

The best Christmas gift ever? My son, Nash, who was born a few months ago on Christmas Day. Immediately, my world was rocked. Mostly, of course, in a good way; my love for Nash is unexpectedly beautiful and boundless. But at the same time, I found myself tackling the most difficult job I’d ever had. Even though other parents had told me how hard those first few weeks would be, nothing can prepare a new [...]