All Kentuckians are mandated reporters. If you believe a child is being abused or neglected, call the Child Protection Hotline.
For contact information in other states, please visit our Report It page.
Child help: National Abuse Hotline:
1-800-4-CHILD
or 1-800-422-4453
This op-ed was originally posted by the NKyTribune on April 27, 2026. By Shannon Moody and Barry Dunn “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” The Little Engine That Could taught many of us the power of persistence – not giving up when the going gets tough and maintaining...
By Kiera DunkThis blog was originally published on Kentucky Youth Advocates As many people focus on the headlines coming out of the federal government, they often overlook what is happening at the state level. While the state government has a direct impact on our daily lives, people have more power than...
Child abuse and neglect is preventable and every Kentuckian has a unique role to play in keeping kids safe. In the efforts to end child abuse and neglect, knowledge is our best tool and it starts within the community. We are all members of a community, whether that’s our neighborhood,...
Contact:Mara Powellmpowell@kyyouth.org LOUISVILLE, KY – The latest national Child Maltreatment report, released last month by the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, shows a total of 14,505 child victims of maltreatment in Kentucky during the reporting period (FFY 2024). While there has been a 13% reduction...
By Jane Herms, President/CEO, Family Nurturing CenterThis blog was originally published on Kentucky Youth Advocates By shifting the focus from supervision to active parenting, child welfare systems are helping children stay connected, families heal, and reunification become possible. For children separated from their parents because of abuse, neglect, or other safety concerns,...
by: Courtney Lauver, LCSW, Therapist at Bridge Counseling & Wellness in Louisville September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. While we would prefer to avoid thinking of this topic in relation to our children, according to SAMSHA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration), 3.2 million children aged 12-17 reported they...
NEWS RELEASE September 11, 2025 Contact:Kelsey Dimarkdimar@kyyouth.orgLaunch of New Educational Training Videos on Child Abuse and Neglect Recognition...
This blog was originally posted on Kentucky Youth AdvocatesKentucky continues to face rates of child maltreatment that are nearly double the national average. Infants are at the greatest risk, making up 1 in 8 victims, making the first year of life a crucial period for prevention. Policies that give parents stability...
by Taryn BellAs parents, we're constantly juggling endless responsibilities, often pushing our own needs to the bottom of the list. However, prioritizing self-care isn't selfish; it's essential for being the best parent you can be. Think of the airplane oxygen mask theory: you secure your own mask before helping others. If...
Access to high quality, safe child care settings is critical for families across the Commonwealth. But recent data reports highlight an increase of child abuse and maltreatment cases in child care programs across Kentucky:-- 46% increase in hotline complaints from 2022–2024-- 73% increase in substantiated incidents of child abuse and...
