07 Feb That’s a Wrap on 2024
Advocates, policymakers, partners, parents, and friends – thank you for all of your support and dedication to keeping kids safe throughout 2024. As this year comes to a close, let’s take time to reflect professionally, organizationally, and as a community to reflect on goals that were accomplished, challenges that were overcome, and areas to continue working towards in the new year. The Face It Movement has continued to advocate for the protection of kids from abuse and neglect. However, there is still work to be done. As we plan for the continued work ahead, we want to take a few moments to highlight the hard work and accomplishments made by The Kosair For Kids Face It Movement and our incredible partner organizations.
Partnerships: Protecting kids from abuse and neglect requires meaningful partnerships, and Face It has nearly 170 partners across the state to collectively address the complex issue of child maltreatment. Face It aims to drive individuals across Kentucky to action by providing clear ways they can engage in child abuse and neglect prevention and included these cornerstones of commitment: Galvanize Unlikely Allies, Deepen Partner Capacity, Face the Facts, Bolster Parent and Caregiver Connection. 
The Kosair for Kids Face It Movement is focused on preventing and ending child abuse and neglect in Kentucky and building family strengths. It directly addresses the unacceptable incidences of child maltreatment with the promotion of best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, engaging the community, and advocating for effective policies to improve the child welfare system. Face It’s vision is that all children in the Commonwealth have stable, loving families and live in communities that prioritize their safety, well-being, and joy.
TEN-4 Day: Face It has been expanding efforts to train professionals who interact with parents and families across Kentucky. This year, Face It hosted a press conference to recognize TEN-4 Day and statewide efforts to prevent and end child abuse in the Commonwealth.
– We hosted three Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma trainings and provided CEUs to more than 180 social workers, early childhood educators, community health workers, emergency medical service providers, dentists & dental hygienists, FRYSCs, and nurses.
– TEN-4 Day proclamations were received from Governor Andy Beshear, Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball, and the 32 elected leaders throughout Kentucky, including 22 Kentucky counties and 9 Kentucky cities. This year, Family Enrichment Center in Bowling Green hosted a proclamation signing and press conference as well as elected leaders in Richmond!
– With partners at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Mass General Brigham in Boston, efforts have spread across the nation with TEN-4 Day 2024 being recognized by the Governors in Arkansas, Massachusetts, Montana, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
To learn more about the conferences, videos, toolkits, lectures, Grand Rounds, op-eds, social media, and media releases that were inspired by TEN-4 Day across the USA, check out our recap blog.
Policy Change: Just as critical as direct programming to parents, families, and professionals across the state, policy and systems-level change are essential to better protect all of Kentucky’s kids. During the 2024 legislative session, Face It advocated for measures to reduce the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation and increase student safety by ensuring appropriate disclosures, checks, and training are complete for potential public and private school employees.
Although this legislation did not pass in 2024, the Face It Policy Team remains committed for the 2025 session, continuing to prioritize reducing the risk of sexual abuse and exploitation in schools and advocating for measures to boost child safety online by addressing sexual extortion. Read more about these policy priorities.
Community Awareness & Education: This year, Face It hosted several community events and offered education opportunities. 
The Art of Healing had over 160 attendees, and was co-hosted by Fund for the Arts and in partnership with 18 local artists and community organizations. After participating in The Art of Healing event, Louisville Center for Therapy and Personal Sustainability connected The Pete Foundation to Face It to discuss ways we can collaborate and support one another.
Keeping Kids Safe: A Decade of Difference & Inspiring Action Ahead: Over 130 Face It partners, Kosair for Kids’ staff and board members, and community advocates attended to celebrate Face It’s impact over the last 10 years and to inspire action to face the challenges ahead.
The Face It Bluegrass work team hosted their second annual luncheon where they gave the Fearless Advocate for Children Everywhere Award to Duane Osborne, an attorney who has spent the past 25 years seeking justice for children in Dependency, Neglect and Abuse Cases.
– In 2024, we hosted four Curiosity Clubs and three Lunch and Learns. During National Human Trafficking Month, the McNary Group presented their research analyzing the landscape of human trafficking and youth exploitation in Louisville. Alicia Parnham, Victim Advocate with Homeland Security Investigations, presented on the intersection of human trafficking and online exploitation. Dr. Melissa Currie presented and led a discussion on the challenges in court with prosecuting pediatric abusive head trauma cases. And Dr. Ginny Sprang, UK Center on Trauma & Children, presented new research and led a discussion on how champions can bring trauma informed strategies to bear to positively impact the well-being of the workforce and the children and families they serve
– Lunch & Learns: Supporting non-offending parents in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) relationships by Darlene Thomas at GreenHouse 17, When Help is Hard by Dr. Darlene Davis Goodwine, and LIBA Lunch ‘N Learn: Your Role in Keeping Kids Safe.
– We had a total of 35 Positive Parenting Events that hosted 3129 children, 2910 parents/caregivers, and 45 counties served.
– Face It continues to educate the public through the development and promotion of educational materials and content. This past year, we distributed over 157,466 print resources in both English and Spanish with materials reaching families in all Kentucky counties and our messages on social media have received over 4,953,457 impressions and our reach increased by 35.2%.
While Face It and its many partners have worked hard over the past year to raise awareness, provide resources, and ensure lasting change, there is still much work to be done. As we prepare to continue this important work into 2025, will you join us in ensuring that every child in Kentucky is free from abuse and neglect?
– Become a partner by contacting Debbie at dabreu@kyyouth.org
– Follow us on social media X, Facebook, Instagram
– Sign up for our emails and / or text alerts
– Make a donation
– View the 2024 Face It Highlights Report