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
By Cortney Downs, Kentucky Youth Advocates For the third year in a row, Kentucky has the highest rate of child maltreatment in the nation. Kentucky also has much higher rates of domestic violence and caregiver substance use in cases of child abuse than the national average. With more than 20,000 cases...
Each year, when Valentine’s Day comes around, we often think of ways to show our partners or significant others how much we love and appreciate them. We may even look for fun and creative ways to shower our kids with love, as well. This year, however, we challenge you to...
February is Teen Dating Violence (TDV) Awareness Month. TDV affects millions of teens each year. According to the CDC, 1 in 11 female teens and 1 in 15 male teens reported experiencing physical dating violence in the last year. And we know that LGBTQ+ youth and racial/ethnic minorities are disproportionally impacted by all forms of violence. Youth who are...
This was originally posted as an op-ed by The Courier Journal on January 29, 2021. By Keith Inman Last March I wrote in The Courier Journal of the urgent need to come together as we socially distanced, especially for our families experiencing extraordinary levels of stress and isolation. Throughout the course of the COVID-19...
By Cortney Downs, Policy and Advocacy Director, Kentucky Youth Advocates In 2020, Dr. Melissa Currie, Medical Director and Chief of the Kosair Charities Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine, said that “strong state policies and sufficient budget investments can...
By Carli Mosby- Smith, Kentucky Youth Advocates The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting social distancing has changed many aspects of our everyday lives, including our ability to entertain our kids. Now that colder weather has arrived, it is even harder to find fun, stimulating activities to enjoy while spending your days at...
By Kayce Dallas If parenting wasn’t hard enough, parenting with Adverse Childhood Experiences adds even more challenges. Studies show that children of parents with 4 or more ACEs were: - 3 times more likely to have behavioral problems - 1 times more likely to have ADHD - 2 times more likely to have an...
By: Tammy Donoho Presents! Presents! Presents! Nothing says Happy Holidays like a PRESENT!!!! Whether receiving a gift or giving one, there is something exciting and mystical about a festively wrapped package. The anticipation and intrigue of wondering what's inside is half the fun of the exchange: a little shake, a guess, and...
Parents: you’ve done a great job caring for your kids, and now is an important time to remember to take care of ourselves! It has certainly been an overwhelmingly stressful year for all, it’s an important time to recommit to practicing self-care. Whether you are a parent, full time caregiver,...
By Kayce Dallas, MSSW Intern, Kentucky Youth Advocates You may recognize the common saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” As a child, this was drilled into me by teachers and some trusted adults. As I got older, I found that words often hurt...