Saying “it takes a village to raise a child” conveys the importance of having supportive people in a parent’s life who can help create safe, healthy environments for their kids to flourish. It’s a shared understanding that parenting is tough and, without support, life’s stressors can make it even tougher. 

Since the passage of the Family First Prevention Services Act, Kentucky has expanded access to supportive services for parents and families who are at risk of involvement with the child welfare system. And for many parents, contact with the system is rooted in barriers they face meeting their families’ basic needs. 

Recently, there has been an increase in reports of educational neglect, an issue that represents a small percentage of DCBS substantiations and could be attributed to other challenges a family was experiencing, such as food or housing insecurity, medical issues, or unreliable transportation. In response, communities across the state have worked to bolster connections and trust between parents, school staff, and service providers; remove barriers to their children excelling in school; and mitigate risk factors for system involvement through the use of Parent Engagement Meetings (PEMs). 

PEMs began in Jefferson County around 17 years ago with a strengths-based, non-punitive approach to prevent families becoming involved with DCBS or the courts for educational neglect. This model proved effective, consistently diverting 80 percent or more of participating children from further system involvement. This success prompted a rural pilot in 2017 in the Green River Area, and the further expansion of the program across several Kentucky counties. During the 2022-2023 academic year, PEMS served more than 1,190 families across Kentucky, with 84% of families in Jefferson County, and 87% in rural counties diverted from DCBS involvement. 

The program serves K-5 students, ages 5-11, who do not have active DCBS cases. When a K-5 teacher or other school staff member has concerns about a child that could eventually require a report to DCBS if unaddressed, they’re able to invite the parents to a PEM for support. In a confidential, supportive setting, parents or guardians meet with at least one school staff member and a PEM facilitator to develop an action plan that removes barriers to school attendance, connects the family with resources and services, and strengthens the relationship between the parents and the school.  

PEMs are a key part of the Community Collaboration for Children, a statewide in-home services program aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect and empowering families by strengthening skills and techniques, improving self-sufficiency, and coordinating resources that meet their unique needs. By creating a “village” where parents know they’re supported, we can prevent involvement with the courts or the child welfare system and successfully increase families’ strengths and stability. Expanding Parent Engagement Meetings to all 120 of Kentucky’s counties would ensure that every family has access to this proven, preventative resource before challenges escalate into system involvement.