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
Happy March! Spring is in the air and although the lion will try to hold onto winter, the lamb will eventually prevail and welcome the arrival of spring’s warm sunny days! Kentuckians remain determined to keep our community safe by wearing masks, washing our hands, and social distancing. Spring brings...
By Cortney Downs, Kentucky Youth Advocates One in four girls and one in thirteen boys will experience sexual abuse at some point in their childhood, with more than 90% of perpetrators being someone the child or their family knows. Research tells us that most adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse don’t disclose, or tell...
Farewell to Valentine chocolates and candy hearts! Our partners at the Kentucky Oral Health Coalition (KOHC) would like to remind families that February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, a celebration aimed to help establish positive attitudes and good dental habits at an early age. KOHC is proud to join...
By Kayce Dallas, Kentucky Youth Advocates intern February marks Black History Month, a tribute to African American men and women who have made significant contributions to America and the rest of the world. Familiar names like Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, and Barack Obama are often mentioned...
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...
