Child Welfare & Safety

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by Kentucky Senate

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by Kentucky Senate

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – Kids’ safety was once again prioritized by the Kentucky Senate with their overwhelming bipartisan support of Senate Bill 73 today. Through the leadership of Senator Julie Raque Adams, SB 73 will empower victims of sexual extortion by holding perpetrators accountable and will prioritize prevention education among Kentucky’s most vulnerable to online risks. Online sexual extortion – or [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-02-12T15:25:59-05:00February 12th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

A Look at the Family Preservation and Accountability Act

A Look at the Family Preservation and Accountability Act

On February 5, 2025, Kentucky Youth Advocates joined state Senator Julie Raque Adams and Representative Nick Wilson for a press conference in Frankfort about the Family Preservation and Accountability Act, companion bills that aim to support rehabilitation, keep families together, and improve outcomes for children. House Bill 291 and Senate Bill 118 would require the courts to consider alternative sentencing options when the individual has committed a non-violent offense and is the primary caregiver [...]

By Cortney Downs|2025-02-12T17:36:30-05:00February 6th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Justice|

My Family’s Story and “What Could Have Been” with Alternative Response

My Family’s Story and “What Could Have Been” with Alternative Response

By Theda Simpson-Mosby Is there such a thing as a “normal” family? What beliefs do we hold about how “normal” families should function daily? Is it the family with a spotless home, a mom and dad who both work in their chosen professions, parents who head the PTA and coach the little league teams, and children who arrive at school with immaculate clothing and not a hair out of place? While this may be the [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-02-06T15:15:09-05:00February 6th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by Senate Judiciary Committee

Statement on Passage of SB 73 by Senate Judiciary Committee

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – As Kentucky kids learn and socialize increasingly in online spaces, it’s as important as ever to put safeguards in place to prevent and address exploitation and promote child safety. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cases of online sexual extortion, or “sextortion” – where perpetrators use social media platforms, gaming sites, and messaging [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-02-06T09:59:09-05:00February 6th, 2025|Child Welfare & Safety, Education, News Room|

Educator Sexual Misconduct: The Role of Technology and Prevention Efforts

Educator Sexual Misconduct: The Role of Technology and Prevention Efforts

A recently published study in the Journal of Child Sexual Abuse examines how technology has been used to facilitate educator sexual misconduct in Kentucky’s schools. The study’s author, Kotomi Yokokura, discusses the findings below. Between 2016 and 2021, 74 Kentucky educators had their licenses suspended, voluntarily surrendered, or permanently revoked by the Kentucky Education Professional Standard Board for educator sexual misconduct. Within these cases, over 120 students were affected. These students were as young as [...]

By Andrew Alvey|2025-02-04T12:00:43-05:00February 4th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Education|

OP-ED: “Say What?” Legislative Proposals for Kids

OP-ED: “Say What?” Legislative Proposals for Kids

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Herald Leader, NKY Tribune, and Courier Journal. By Terry Brooks “Say what?” Merriam Webster describes this idiom as “a way to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said or at unexpected news.” It is also the most popular response to any question or request directed to my three teenage grandkids. I’m never sure if that teen response is genuine surprise or a very skilled stalling [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-01-31T16:17:58-05:00January 30th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Kids Count, Medicaid, News Room, Youth Justice|

Statement on Auditor’s Report on Foster Children Sleeping in DCBS Offices

Statement on Auditor’s Report on Foster Children Sleeping in DCBS Offices

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates LOUISVILLE, KY – With the release of the preliminary report on foster children staying in Department for Community Based Services office buildings, State Auditor Allison Ball and the Office of the Ombudsman exemplifies how to be a catalyst for change for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable kids. The report outlines a few important takeaways for us to consider when it [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-01-29T14:20:49-05:00January 29th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

The Supporting America’s Children and Families Act: What It Means for Kentucky

The Supporting America’s Children and Families Act: What It Means for Kentucky

As Kentucky begins its state legislative session, it's important to recognize the significant federal efforts aimed at improving outcomes for children and families across the nation. On January 4, 2025, the Supporting America’s Children and Families Act (H.R.9076) was signed into law. This legislation reauthorizes critical child welfare programs under Title IV-B of the Social Security Act until the end of fiscal year 2029, providing transformative updates to strengthen families and improve child welfare outcomes. [...]

By Andrew Alvey|2025-01-23T12:31:07-05:00January 23rd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|

The Latest Child Maltreatment Report Shows Kentucky’s High Rate of Victims Persists

The Latest Child Maltreatment Report Shows Kentucky’s High Rate of Victims Persists

Contact: Mara Powell mpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – The latest national Child Maltreatment report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows a total of 14,484 child victims of maltreatment in Kentucky during the reporting period (FFY 2023). While there has been a 28% reduction in child victims of maltreatment from 2019 to 2023, Kentucky has nearly double the national rate (7.4 per 1,000) of child maltreatment at 14.2 per 1,000 children. Young [...]

By Kentucky Youth Advocates|2025-01-16T14:26:47-05:00January 16th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|

Re-Visioned and Renewed Collaboration: Regional Action Plans are Live!

Re-Visioned and Renewed Collaboration: Regional Action Plans are Live!

The Regional Prevention Collaboratives, one of the Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky initiatives, continue to pave 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 brainstormed ideas for community-led efforts that could prevent families from coming to the attention of the child [...]

By Shannon Moody|2025-01-02T17:13:58-05:00January 2nd, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|