31 Mar Child Abuse Prevention Month: Kosair for Kids Face It Movement Events, Resources, and More 

LOUISVILLE, KY – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, an important time to remember that everyone has a role to play in keeping kids safe and building strong communities for families to grow and thrive. For over a decade, the Face It Movement, an initiative founded and funded by Kosair for Kids, has been on a mission to end child maltreatment in the Commonwealth by promoting best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, building awareness and engaging the community, and advocating for effective policies and budget investments to improve the systems that keep kids safe.  

According to the latest national Child Maltreatment Report, Kentucky had 14,484 child victims of maltreatment 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 children remain the most vulnerable as victims of abuse or neglect in the Commonwealth, with nearly one-third of total victims under the age of four.  

“Kosair for Kids believes that every child should grow up healthy, safe, and joyful. One case of child maltreatment is one too many. Knowing the risk factors and red flags of abuse and promoting tools and best practices for prevention keeps kids safe and supports a family’s ability to thrive. Every caring Kentuckian has a role to play – join the over 160 statewide partners committed this mission,” said Barry Dunn, president and CEO of Kosair for Kids.  

During the month of April, Face It will be hosting events, sharing free resources, promoting child safety tips and family engagement ideas, and more. Schedule of public events:  

• April 2nd at 12:00 – 1:00 PM ET – Virtual Face It Lunch and Learn: The Link by the Numbers – Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence via Zoom 
  Join this virtual workshop with Joy Keeley from The Kentucky Link Coalition to learn how to recognize and identify the links between animal abuse and crimes against people. *Social Work CEUs available. REGISTER HERE 
• April 9th at 6:00 – 7:30 PM ET – It Takes a Village: Recognizing, Preventing, and Addressing Child Sexual Abuse and Grooming at Lighthouse Academy at Newburg 
  Join Glennesha Mudd with Safe Touch Counseling for an informative and empowering workshop that is designed to help parents, caregivers, and community members understand the harsh realities of child sexual abuse and grooming behaviors. Participants will learn how to recognize warning signs, take proactive steps to protect children, and respond effectively if abuse or grooming is suspected. *Dinner will be provided. REGISTER HERE 
• April 10th at 10:00 – 11:00 AM ET – Facing the Facts Webinar: A Look at the New Face It Data Dashboard & 2025 State Policy Action via Zoom 
  Join this webinar introducing the new Face It Data Dashboard, a powerful tool designed to enhance your understanding and prevention of child abuse and neglect in Kentucky. The session will also provide a connection between data and policy efforts and an overview of the 2025 Face It state policy actions impacting child welfare. REGISTER HERE 
• April 22nd at 5:30 – 8:30 PM ET – The Art of Healing at Mellwood Art Center in the Van Gogh Room 
  This signature event highlights how deep-rooted effects of childhood abuse impact our communities and those we love. Interactive stations will demonstrate connecting mind and body, supporting survivors, and building community resilience through art, music, and movement. This is a free event with refreshments and light snacks provided. REGISTER HERE 
  *Funded in part by Fund For The Arts. This event will not be providing art therapy but will be demonstrating various modalities that other people have found helpful in their healing journeys. Due to the sensitive nature, this event is recommended for adults and teens ages 13 and up. 

Many of Face It’s community partner organizations across the state are also hosting events throughout April. Check out an overview of Face It’s Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts, a calendar of events, and ways to take action throughout the month at faceitabuse.org/capm. 

“Only made possible by the longstanding commitment of Kosair for Kids, the Face It Movement continues to expand its reach and impact on child abuse prevention. We continue to deepen our community partnerships, galvanize unlikely allies, activate around the latest data and research, and bolster strong family and community connections. Everyone can find tangible ways they can make a difference in the effort to end child maltreatment in the Commonwealth,” said Dr. Shannon Moody, Kentucky Youth Advocates’ lead on the Face It Movement.  

Every adult in Kentucky is a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect. If you suspect child maltreatment, make a report to Child Protective Services at 1-877-KYSAFE1 (1-877-597-2331).  

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FOR MEDIA: Media are invited to attend events and to utilize Face It digital materials throughout April. Media interested in in-person or virtual interviews or who have questions regarding Face It and Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts, please contact Mara Powell.  

Contact: 

Mara Powell 
Chief External Affairs Officer 
Kentucky Youth Advocates 
mpowell@kyyouth.org  
(502) 895-8167 x 122 

Chris Williams 
Sr. Vice President of Communications 
Kosair for Kids 
cwilliams@kosair.org  
(502) 693-2492 

About the Face It® Movement
The Face It Movement launched in 2013 as an initiative led by Kosair for Kids in response to the number of child abuse deaths in the Commonwealth. Face It focuses on a three-pronged approach to addressing child abuse and neglect: promote best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, build awareness and engage the community, and advocate for effective policies to improve the child welfare system. Learn more at faceitmovement.org. 

About Kosair for Kids® 
Kosair for Kids enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. We envision a world in which children in need live life to the fullest. For more information, please visit kosair.org. 

About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates administers the Face It Movement. We believe all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.