Family Resources
Kentucky Youth Advocates is Kentucky’s only multi-issue statewide child advocacy organization. We work on multiple levels to advocate for Kentucky’s youngest residents. Kentucky Youth Advocates assists families and others who believe actions are being taken that are not in the best interest of a child. The issues that we hear about the most often are in t Kentucky Youth Advocates assists families and others who believe actions are being taken that are not in the best interest of a child. The issues that we hear about the most often are in the areas of child custody, child protection, special education, and child care.
Community Input
Kentucky Youth Advocates collects information on many issues throughout the year from people around the state with experiences with state programs. We do this by interviewing families, conducting forums and discussions, collecting information from surveys, and hosting hotlines on various topics. We have used the information that we have collected from parents and caregivers to make changes in the child protection system and in the schools.
Case Advocacy
KYA assists individuals who are concerned about services a child is receiving or about services needed by a child. We ensure that the child's best interests are being met. We help individual service providers understand their rights and the rights of the child. We help you understand how to hold service systems accountable, such as schools, child protective services, the courts, child support, public health, and juvenile justice. KYA may be able to help you appeal a decision or outcome you or your child have experienced.
Child Abuse
If you need to help a child whom you feel is being abused, Kentucky state law requires that you make a report to social services or law enforcement authorities. This report is confidential. To make a report of child abuse, please call the state child abuse hotline at 1-800-752-6200.
Physical abuse includes beating, burning, and punching a child and disciplinary methods that leave a mark on a child.
Emotional abuse may involve criticizing, insulting, rejecting or withholding love from a child that affects the well being of the child, and/or exposure to fearful situations and verbal threats of harm.
Sexual abuse includes touching/fondling, rape or involving a child in pornography. Sexual abuse includes an adult exposing his/her self to a child, sexual harassment of a child, allowing a child witness sexual activity, and/or subjecting the child to pornography.
Neglect includes failure to provide for a child’s basic physical, emotional, educational or medical needs. Placing a child at risk of physical, emotional or sexual abuse may also constitute neglect.
Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children
Kentucky Department of Medicaid Services
Kentucky Department of Community Based Services
Division of Protection and Permanency
Kentucky Department of Education
The Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
FBI Parent's Guide to Internet Safety