By Pastor Dave Hamlin When you are left totally alone, more than anything else you need a companion. There is probably not a group of people more hurt and left out in our world today than children who experience abuse or neglect or who have been removed from their homes. In a perfect world parents are caretakers, but sometimes parents face challenges, and children may find themselves needing other caring adults in their lives. In the world we live in where many [...]

Kentucky kids deserve to grow and thrive free from abuse and neglect, and they depend on adults to keep them safe. Many settings where children are cared for require some type of background check, but the screenings and requirements vary. Stronger background checks would help ensure that kids are safe in the care of professionals. Senate Bill 236 seeks to close the gaps in background checks of adults who work with children at schools, summer [...]

Each legislative session there’s a special moment that advocates (on behalf of kids) can celebrate: The moment when the first Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children bill heads to the Governor’s desk. This week we had that moment, as HB 180 passed the Senate. That bill, sponsored by Representative Addia Wuchner, unanimously passed both chambers and will allow close family friends—also known as fictive kin—to serve as kinship caregivers. The Cabinet for Health and Family Services will [...]

By: Norma Hatfield This hand written letter and drawing was completed at the beginning of a school year when my granddaughter (age 7 at the time) had to complete a school assignment in which she had to do a self -portrait and write something special about herself. What’s so interesting is that Kayla is not alone.  She along with approximately 60,000 children are living with a relative in Kentucky and mostly grandparents are the caregivers. [...]