17 Apr Parenting: You were never meant to do this alone

Posted at 15:27h in Child Abuse Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Parent Perspective, Parenting

Even before becoming a parent, I remember hearing other new parents joke as they left the hospital, “They trust me to take this baby home!” It may sound funny to some, but as I left the hospital with this little baby who had just been released from the NICU after...

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06 Apr Keeping Kids Safe in Child Care Settings

Posted at 12:15h in Child Abuse Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Parenting

Child abuse prevention month is a time to raise awareness about the factors that contribute to abuse and opportunities for prevention. Unfortunately, the youngest and most vulnerable children are the most impacted. Children between the ages of birth and four are at highest risk for abuse with children under the...

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09 Mar IEP Defense to Offense: Learning to advocate for my Son

Posted at 11:26h in Parent Perspective, Parenting

by Melanie Windom, Kentucky parentSometimes, a single conversation can change everything. For me, it happened during a busy shift at work. I noticed a little boy playing with a fidget cube and mentioned how much my son—who has an IEP—would benefit from one, even though the school would never allow him...

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25 Nov Finding Calm in the Holiday Season: Stress-Reducing Tips for Parents and Kids

Posted at 16:31h in Parenting, Positive Parenting, Strengthening Families, Uncategorized

The holidays often come with decorations, warm traditions, and extra time with loved ones. But for many parents and caregivers, this season can also bring a heavy dose of stress. Between packed schedules, gift planning, family expectations, and emotional pressure, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed. Although at times they...

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24 Sep Suicide Prevention for Families: How to Talk to Your Kids About Suicide and 988

Posted at 16:04h in In The Community, Parenting, Positive Parenting, Strengthening Families

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...

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24 Sep When Report Cards Arrive: Supporting Kids Beyond the Grades

Posted at 13:00h in Child Abuse Prevention, Parenting, Positive Parenting, Strengthening Families

For many families, report card day can bring a mix of emotions including excitement, pride, worry, or even stress. Parents naturally want their children to succeed in school, and grades often feel like a direct reflection of that success. But when the marks on the page don’t match expectations, parents...

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28 Aug Paid Family Medical Leave Can Protect Kentucky’s Most Vulnerable Infants

Posted at 16:08h in Child Abuse Prevention, Parenting, Strengthening Families

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...

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21 Aug My Oxygen Mask Comes First: Why Self-Care Makes Me a Better Parent 

Posted at 15:40h in Child Abuse Prevention, Parent Perspective, Parenting, Positive Parenting, Strengthening Families

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...

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19 Aug Finding Belonging in High School

Posted at 15:42h in Parent Perspective, Parenting

By Tina Agonva, Kentucky Youth Advocates High school is a time of awkward growth spurts, raging hormones, and the constant pressure to fit in. For many adolescents, this period is marked by an intense desire to belong to find their place in the social hierarchy of the school.  The need to belong...

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11 Aug Protecting Kentucky’s Kids in Schools: Accountability and Commonsense Practices Still Needed

Posted at 16:47h in Child Abuse Prevention, Parenting, Policy

This blog was originally published on Kentucky Youth Advocates Every parent, caregiver, and community member expects schools to be a safe place for children to learn and grow. Yet, across Kentucky, we continue to hear stories of students being harmed by those entrusted with their education. Too often these cases of...

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