This blog was originally published on Kentucky Youth Advocates.Young children learn by exploring the environment through their senses. This means that the brain and the body take in information through seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling objects that they come into contact with in their environment. Infants and toddlers particularly...
Everyone can play a role in keeping kids safe, but that only happens when people know the signs to look out for. Some warning signs of child abuse, like grooming behaviors, can be difficult to spot because they appear as normal adult-child relationships especially when the abuser is a family...
Advocates, policymakers, partners, parents, and friends – thank you for all of your support and dedication to keeping kids safe throughout 2025. As this year nears its end, we’re reflecting on the goals that were accomplished, challenges that were overcome, and areas to continue growing in the new year. As...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...