KENTUCKY YOUTH ADVOCATES INC

CHILD WELFARE: KYA BELIEVES THAT ALL CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES DESERVE TO THRIVE IN THEIR HOME AND COMMUNITY. THIS MEANS CHILDREN NEED: SERVICES THAT ASSIST AND PROMOTE SAFE AND SUPPORTED PARENTING FOR ALL FAMILIES; A CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM FOCUSED ON PRIMARY PREVENTION EFFORTS THAT SUPPORT CHILDREN SAFELY GROWING UP IN THEIR OWN HOME AND SUPPORTS PARENTS THRIVING IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITY; THE MOST APPROPRIATE AND LEAST RESTRICTIVE CARE SETTING IN WHICH TO ACCESS SUPPORTS AND SERVICES AS THEY NAVIGATE THE TRAUMA OF EXPERIENCING ABUSE OR NEGLECT; THE SAME SUPPORTS WHETHER THEY LIVE WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS OR IF THEY LIVE IN FOSTER OR KINSHIP CARE; AND SUPPORT IN TRANSITIONING FROM THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM INTO ADULTHOOD AND THE WORKFORCE. RECENT SUCCESSES INCLUDE INCREASING CHILD SAFETY WHEN INTERACTING WITH HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS BY ALLOWING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REGISTRY CHECKS OF EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND PRIORITIZING CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE AND NEGLECT BY CLOSING GAPS IN KINSHIP CAREGIVER ACCESS TO ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS.FACE IT MOVEMENT: KYA COORDINATES THE KOSAIR FOR KIDS FACE IT MOVEMENT TO END CHILD ABUSE ACROSS KENTUCKY. WITH OVER 170 PARTNERS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, THE MOVEMENT FOCUSES ON A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT: PROMOTING BEST PRACTICES IN CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION, ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY, AND ADVOCATING FOR EFFECTIVE POLICIES TO IMPROVE THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.KY SEAT: THIS INITIATIVE IS A COUNCIL OF BIOLOGICAL PARENTS - BOTH MOTHERS AND FATHERS - WHO HAVE PAST EXPERIENCE WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. KY SEAT AIMS TO EMPOWER PARENTS TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND GIVE VALUED INPUT TO KEY DECISION-MAKERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR AN ACCOUNTABLE, TRANSPARENT CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM THAT SUPPORTS FAMILIES WITH COMPASSION AND RESPECT.KINSHIP FAMILIES COALITION OF KENTUCKY: THIS INITIATIVE IS A COMMUNITY GROUP DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING KINSHIP CARE IN KENTUCKY AND FORWARDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY CHANGES TO INCREASE SUPPORTS FOR KINSHIP FAMILIES. MEMBERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE OF KENTUCKY INCLUDE RELATIVE CAREGIVERS, ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, AND SUPPORT SERVICE PROVIDERS.THRIVING FAMILIES, SAFER CHILDREN KENTUCKY: THIS INITIATIVE WORKS ALONGSIDE PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE TO RETHINK CHILD WELFARE BY CREATING CONDITIONS FOR STRONG, HEALTHY COMMUNITIES WHERE FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED AND CHILDREN ARE FREE FROM HARM.

TRUE UP: THIS INITIATIVE EMPOWERS YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE TO GAIN THE CRITICAL LIFE SKILLS THEY NEED TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION FROM A STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN OUR COMMUNITIES. TRUE UP, WHICH WAS FOUNDED IN 2011, IS A LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP AMONG FOSTER CARE AGENCIES THAT SERVE AS SURROGATE PARENTS FOR HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN AND TEENS IN KENTUCKY. TRUE UP IS COMMITTED TO HELPING YOUTH TRANSITION FROM AGENCY CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.