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Racial Disparities in Foster Care: A Continuing Crisis

This blog was originally published on True Up. By: Tatum Abel, Peer Engagement Coordinator The foster care system is designed to protect children in vulnerable situations, offering them a haven when their biological families cannot safely provide care. However, data compiled by Kentucky Youth Advocates persistently shows that Black children are being removed from their homes more than their white peers once involved with the child welfare system.  In 2021, more than 390,000 youth across the country [...]

By |2025-05-15T15:30:55-04:00May 15th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Race Equity|
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What Gets Measured Gets Changed: Leveraging Opioid Data Dashboard Updates

The saying, “what gets measured gets changed,” has long been a cornerstone of the Kentucky KIDS COUNT project, which has reported county-level data on critical measures of child well-being for more than 35 years. As Kentucky faces an unprecedented opportunity to address the opioid epidemic through Opioid Settlement funds, we can prevent future generations from suffering the impacts.  Kentucky Youth Advocates released new data this month on the Opioid Data Dashboard on Children and Families [...]

By |2025-05-14T14:47:54-04:00May 14th, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice, Race Equity|
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Regional Prevention Collaboratives Taking Action on Educational Neglect

By Andrew Alvey and Shontelle Davis Many states, including Kentucky, have turned their attention to preventative efforts to ensure that children are safe and families are thriving. The goal of these prevention efforts is to intervene before a crisis occurs and keep families from engaging with the child welfare system or if CPS involvement is necessary to keep families together, when safe. The concept of meeting families where they are starts with acknowledging that [...]

By |2025-05-08T16:46:08-04:00May 8th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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Thriving Families, Safer Children Kentucky: A Focus on Prevention

In recent years, Kentucky has begun using a new lens in order to address issues related to child maltreatment and abuse. This new lens focuses on child and family well-being, in order to provide families with the support and resources they need before a crisis occurs. In 2022, Kentucky was selected as one of 22 sites to be a part of the Thriving Families, Safer Children national effort (TFSC). TFSC highlights the importance of community [...]

By |2025-04-30T18:53:24-04:00April 30th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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OP-ED: Child abuse prevention builds on small moments of support and connection

This originally appeared as an op-ed in the Kentucky Lantern on April 28, 2025. By Barry Dunn and Shannon Moody Photo Credit: Kentucky Lantern, Getty Images In a moment, so much can change in a family’s life. A last-minute work schedule change that leads to relying on an unsafe babysitter. An unsupportive reaction from a bystander that could have been a connection point for support and kindness rather than further shame and frustration. A [...]

By |2025-04-29T10:05:39-04:00April 29th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, News Room|
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Keeping Families Together: The Case for Preventive Legal Services in Child Welfare

When families come into contact with the child welfare system, it is often because they are navigating challenges that could have been addressed earlier with the right support.  Preventive legal services, specifically pre-petition legal representation, are designed to provide that support before a court case is ever filed. These services help families resolve legal issues related to housing, custody, public benefits, and other concerns that are sometimes mistaken for neglect before a dependency petition is [...]

By |2025-04-24T19:50:15-04:00April 24th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission Awards Funds for Prevention and Recovery

KYA staff attended the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission announcement on March 27th in Louisville. At the end of March, the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission approved more than $19.8 million in new funding across the Commonwealth – investments that reflect a powerful alignment between values and action in Kentucky’s ongoing response to the opioid epidemic.  This latest cycle included two core funding opportunities: one focused on prevention efforts and the other on [...]

By |2025-04-25T10:09:03-04:00April 21st, 2025|Blog, Bloom Kentucky, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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Safe Storage Saves Lives: Investing Opioid Settlement Funds in Prevention

By Peyton Walker, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates In Kentucky, far too many families know the pain of losing a loved one to an accidental overdose. As the opioid epidemic continues to impact communities across the Commonwealth, prevention remains a critical tool in protecting children and families.  According to the 2024 Annual Report by the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, the rate of fatal pediatric ingestions/overdoses has risen steadily over the past five years, [...]

By |2025-04-17T14:23:06-04:00April 17th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Health|
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Creating Hope and Change: Reflections for Child Abuse Prevention Month in Kentucky

By Theda Simpson-Mosby, member of KY SEAT Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time for reflection, advocacy, and an urgent call to action to protect our families and communities. For me, this month holds profound personal significance. As a mother, advocate, and member of the Kentucky Statewide Birth Parent Advisory Council (KY SEAT), my journey through the complexities of the Child Welfare System has shaped my commitment to fostering change and providing hope for families [...]

By |2025-04-15T17:07:46-04:00April 15th, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety|
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KYGA25 Reflections: Wins, Missed Opportunities, and Head Scratchers

As we enter April and we look forward to warmer days, Kentucky Youth Advocates is reflecting on another legislative session in the Commonwealth – one that brought wins, missed opportunities, and some puzzling moments for Kentucky kids. Review the recap of the 2025 state legislative session and final status of Blueprint for Kentucky's Children priorities below and check out ways you can still take action for kids.  2025 Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children State Policy Wins [...]

By |2025-04-01T16:27:12-04:00April 1st, 2025|Blog, Child Welfare & Safety, Economic Security, Education, Health, Justice|
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