foster care

COMMENTARY

The only way to end abuse in children’s institutions is to end the institutions

BY: - November 29, 2023

Recent news stories illustrate both the terrible harm Kentucky’s “child welfare” system inflicts upon its most vulnerable children and the root cause. Until the findings in these stories are examined together the harm will never stop. The ultimate harm can be seen in the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting’s expose of how the state systematically […]

How are Kentucky’s kids faring? New report offers education, health insights

BY: - November 15, 2023

Fewer Kentucky kindergarteners were ready to learn in the 2022-2023 school year than in 2018, according to a new report that measures child welfare.  This insight comes from the Kentucky KIDS COUNT County Data Book, released by Kentucky Youth Advocates Wednesday. Kids Count is part of a national initiative from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. […]

COMMENTARY

Kinship care families are waiting for a champion

BY: - September 5, 2023

I recently spoke to a legislative committee about Kinship Care. As I sat at the table during the hearing, my heart was hurting for so many kinship families in Kentucky who are in serious need and seem to be forgotten. There are many kids in Kinship Care who’ve been abused, neglected and removed from their […]

Kentucky Family Caregiver Program benefits restored

BY: - August 2, 2023

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story mislabeled the restored program. More eligible people who are raising their grandchildren will receive benefits through the Kentucky Family Caregiver Program, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Wednesday.  All 15 of the state’s Area Development Districts (ADD) will be able to participate in the program, Beshear said, thanks to […]

Kentucky moves to revoke license of psychiatric facility where 7-year-old foster child died

BY: - December 22, 2022

The Beshear administration moved Thursday to revoke the license of a residential psychiatric facility in Louisville where 7-year-old Ja’Ceon Terry, a foster child, died July 17 of positional asphyxia. The state immediately ceased placing children and youth at Uspiritus-Brooklawn Academy after the child’s death. On Thursday, state Inspector General Adam Mather ordered Uspiritus-Brooklawn Academy to […]

Eltuan Dawson, who is a member of the True Up Peer Network; Shontelle Davis (researcher for the report); Cynthia Schepers, peer coach coordinator with Kentucky Youth Advocates and True Up Kentucky; and Tamara Vest (participant of the report and a social work intern with KYA).

Residential foster care in Kentucky is physically, mentally unsafe, say some who have been there

BY: - December 2, 2022

One young adult remembers taking a daily allergy pill upon entering a Kentucky residential foster care facility and leaving “on 13 medications within six months.” Another lost the privilege of calling their mother after a riot at their location.  These were among the experiences 46 young adults shared with Kentucky Youth Advocates’ researchers, who examined […]