Social workers and educators, judges and prosecutors, nonprofit leaders, state legislators, and many other advocates for Kentucky kids and families have been travelling near and far over the last few weeks to learn more about the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, implementation in Kentucky, and what it will mean for Kentucky families. The Family First Regional Convenings seek to share information about the federal legislation, anticipated changes in Kentucky over the coming months and [...]

Though the data show stagnant progress from 2007 to 2017, Kentucky has recently demonstrated its commitment to prioritizing family-based placements for children in foster care, according to “Keeping Kids in Families: Trends in U.S. Foster Care Placement,” a new data snapshot released today by the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT® project. In 2017, Kentucky had 81 percent of children in foster care placed in a family setting, such as relative foster care, non-relative foster [...]

By Cortney Downs and Shannon Moody While there are still some unknowns about how and when states will implement the new federal legislation known as the Family First Prevention Services Act, it is clear that Kentucky is ready to be one of the first. Commissioner Eric Clark of the Department for Community Based Services has testified on their intent to be ready for implementation by October of 2019. And with House Bill 158, sponsored by [...]

As Kentucky has seen an increase in the number of children in foster care, many agencies, organizations, and individuals are working in innovative and collaborative ways to respond to the needs of children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect. Below are a few examples of work that is underway in Frankfort and around the state. We’re also sharing five ways you can get involved in the new year to help ensure every kid is safe and [...]